Worst decline of all time?

[wiseguy182]

The notable thing is that the only thing people remember about Judy was that she was written out of the show. There were no Judy-tastic episodes, at least none that I can remember.

I do agree that the over-saturation of Urkel and his inventions was a bit much in the later years. Most people remember Urkel taking over the show and Judy being kicked out, but other characters suffered as well. One poster mentioned that the original Harriet left. There were others. Aunt Rachel seemed to just disappear. So did Richie. And Mother Winslow. It eventually got to the point where it was mostly just Urkel, Carl, Laura and Eddie, with occasional appearances by Myra. Heck, most people didn't even call this show Family Matters, it was referred to by most people I knew as "Urkel" or "The Urkel show"

Heck, look at those DVD covers at the top of this page. Urkel is front and center. If you squint, you might see the family.

[Furienna]

Originally Posted by wiseguy182

The notable thing is that the only thing people remember about Judy was that she was written out of the show. There were no Judy-tastic episodes, at least none that I can remember.

She had two sub-plots after season 1. The first one was about her flunking English, because she couldn't get interested in reading books. The second one was about her being jealous at Richie. But other than that, yeah, she only had one scene here and there.

Originally Posted by wiseguy182

I do agree that the over-saturation of Urkel and his inventions was a bit much in the later years. Most people remember Urkel taking over the show and Judy being kicked out, but other characters suffered as well. One poster mentioned that the original Harriet left. There were others. Aunt Rachel seemed to just disappear. So did Richie. And Mother Winslow. It eventually got to the point where it was mostly just Urkel, Carl, Laura and Eddie, with occasional appearances by Myra. Heck, most people didn't even call this show Family Matters, it was referred to by most people I knew as "Urkel" or "The Urkel show"

Heck, look at those DVD covers at the top of this page. Urkel is front and center. If you squint, you might see the family.

Thelma Hopkins (Aunt Rachel) chose to switch to another show. Rosetta LeNoire (Mother Winslow) chose to cut down on her acting, since she was old and her health was getting worse. So their disappearances don't necessarily have anything to do with Steve. Then again, he sure was the star. I call the show "Steve" though, not "Urkel".

[Spark Of Spirit]

The last season was by far the worst with missing most of the characters. Family Matters was never the perfect sitcom or anything, but that last season is pretty close to unwatchable for me.

The way characters just seemed to disappear was another annoyance as well.

[wiseguy182]

Originally Posted by Furienna

She had two sub-plots after season 1. The first one was about her flunking English, because she couldn't get interested in reading books. The second one was about her being jealous at Richie. But other than that, yeah, she only had one scene here and there.


Thelma Hopkins (Aunt Rachel) chose to switch to another show. Rosetta LeNoire (Mother Winslow) chose to cut down on her acting, since she was old and her health was getting worse. So their disappearances don't necessarily have anything to do with Steve. Then again, he sure was the star. I call the show "Steve" though, not "Urkel".

Ah, ok. But one of them was about her being jealous of the attention others were getting, which mirrored the real life situation, so I think that says something.

[Jamey Greek]

Originally Posted by rebafan1

Well I guess it had some progression. When Urkel was introduced in season one he was just a nerd. Then in season two we start to see his intelligence. He built a miniature rocket for a science project. Season three he built a robot and jet-pack. Season four he had some inventions like a glue that was so powerful he couldn't remove his hand from Laura's shoulder. He had minor inventions like a musical toothbrush, and then in one episode we see his growing a "lawn chair". Season five was when it started to get bizarre with his DNA altering machine that turned him int Stephan Urquelle. But that wasn't the biggest jump the shark moment, that had to be when The Winslow's forget the existence of their youngest daughter/ sister Judy Winslow. That just ruins the show for me so I rarely watch after season four. I know there were more inventions in later seasons as well. I plan to buy seasons 1- 4 on DVD but then I'm done. (I already have 1- 3 so I just need one more season to complete my collection)

I agree them getting rid of Judy really did it for me. But The producers were planning on a tenth season where they planned on bringing back Judy even going as far as hiring an actress to play her only to find you CBS destroyed the set and props.

[MrCleveland]

Originally Posted by Jamey Greek

I agree them getting rid of Judy really did it for me. But The producers were planning on a tenth season where they planned on bringing back Judy even going as far as hiring an actress to play her only to find you CBS destroyed the set and props.

True...when "Family Matters" went to CBS, the show was just dull. Even Jaleel White who played Urkel felt uncomfortable with his role of Urkel by then.

[Lorimar Television]

Originally Posted by Furienna

She had two sub-plots after season 1. The first one was about her flunking English, because she couldn't get interested in reading books. The second one was about her being jealous at Richie. But other than that, yeah, she only had one scene here and there.

Correct, though I would say she was involved in the plots in most season one episodes, like helping the family stuff envelopes for extra money, helping Laura teach Rachel a lesson about sisters fighting, distracting Rachel's date, distracting Carl when Rachel was trying to fix the car, her and her siblings hiding the dog from Carl, help the family baking tarts, taking pictures of Eddie's party as blackmail, building a diorama, and helping Laura with her babysitting service. She was a part of the plot in season twos Taking Credit also, when Richie wouldn't share credit with her for baking a cake together prompting Rachel to tell them stories about sharing credit, and in season four when she ruined Harriette's dress and Carl covered for her, after he had been getting mad at Harriette for covering up for Eddie.

[Furienna]

You're right. But still, it was like she always got the short end of the stick. I guess we'll never know why the writers were so reluctant to put her in the spotlight.

[Mace Dolex]

I remember some of the episodes getting stupider as the show went on but I just accepted it as is because of Steve Urkel, I stopped watching it when it moved to CBS so I can't comment on how the series ended all I remember was that a different actress played Harriet Winslow.

[Lorimar Television]

Originally Posted by Furienna

You're right. But still, it was like she always got the short end of the stick. I guess we'll never know why the writers were so reluctant to put her in the spotlight.

Oh she was given the short end of the stick for sure! I don't like the show after she leaves.

[Neutronman67]

Yeah judy was the ignored character for the 4 seasons while she was on the show, the producers kept her on for the wrong reasons like being bossed around by her older sister laura or giving richie more lines on the show since he was just a little kid the producers thought it would be cute to see him and judy argue during some scenes

[JO Sweet Heart]

I wouldn't be surprised if so many characters being written out was a big part of the decline.

God bless you always!!!

Holly

P.S. Another actress having to play Harriette I am sure did not help either.

[hch]

Originally Posted by JO Sweet Heart

I wouldn't be surprised if so many characters being written out was a big part of the decline.

God bless you always!!!

Holly

P.S. Another actress having to play Harriette I am sure did not help either.

me, I always thought the most unkindest cut of all was replacing Harriette in the middle of a freaking season. When I first saw it, i was like "Who in the world is this woman calling herself Harriette?" Total turn-off for me. no wonder the first story with the new Harriette was her finding out that carl was going to propose to another woman before her. That was WAY telling!

[Furienna]

We got a new Harriette in the middle of the season because JoMarie Payton got out of her contract by then. But yeah, I bet a lot of people were just confused by it.

[JO Sweet Heart]

The show was most definitely not the same anymore when Waldo suddenly disappeared.

God bless you and the actor who brought him to life always!!!

Holly