Aunt Rachel Was Underrated - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

GCW · 04-18-2006, 09:58 AM

When I use to watch Family Matters when it first aired, I never really appreciated the Rachel character. I was more focused on Steve, Laura, Eddie, Max and Waldo at that age. Now watching the re-runs I realize that her character was underrated. I think her character added a little something to the show. Anyone else agree?

TVFactFan · 04-18-2006, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GCW

When I use to watch Family Matters when it first aired, I never really appreciated the Rachel. I was more focused on Steve, Laura, Eddie, Max and Waldo at that age. Now watching the re-runs I realize that her character was underrated. I think her character added a little something to the show. Anyone else agree?

she defintely added a lot more than the grandmother-lol

GCW · 05-09-2006, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

she defintely added a lot more than the grandmother-lol

Yep your right, although I liked Mother Winslow if I had to choose which one to keep I would pick Rachel I think she added much more.

GSU2004 · 05-09-2006, 07:17 PM

Family Matters had the problem alot of other black family sitcoms had--too many characters to keep up with. I do agree that Rachel would have made some good storylines and in fact she could have spun-off into her own show.

moeee · 05-14-2006, 02:04 AM

why did Rachel leave early anyway?

GSU2004 · 05-16-2006, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moeee

why did Rachel leave early anyway?

I think she was offered a role on the failed series 'Getting By' that was on ABC for one season and picked up by NBC for the second and final season. Since it wasn't a spin-off series, she probably couldn't negotiated a deal where she could have came back to Family Matters if the show flopped.

TVFactFan · 05-16-2006, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSU2004

I think she was offered a role on the failed series 'Getting By' that was on ABC for one season and picked up by NBC for the second and final season. Since it wasn't a spin-off series, she probably couldn't negotiated a deal where she could have came back to Family Matters if the show flopped.

Yeah sometimes you have to take that chance. I thought Getting By was WATCHABLE after receiving 6 eps in the mail

GCW · 11-17-2006, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSU2004

I think she was offered a role on the failed series 'Getting By' that was on ABC for one season and picked up by NBC for the second and final season. Since it wasn't a spin-off series, she probably couldn't negotiated a deal where she could have came back to Family Matters if the show flopped.

She did make guest appearances for six episodes in season 6 of "Family Matters" after "Getting By" flopped, but after that she did not return until the Christmas episode in season 9. So I don't know if it was her decision not to return for seasons 7 and 8 or the writers/producers.

ThomasE · 12-18-2006, 12:13 PM

In 1992, she did the mid season show "Getting By" which aired in the spring of 1993. It was stated that she would return to "Family Matters" after production. She did come back to FM during the middle of the 92-93 season. ABC did not pick up "Getting By" by NBC did(and I was mad, LOL.) She officially left FM and went to "Getting By" and of course the shoe was canned. Then a dream came true for me in the fall of 94' with Rachel coming through the front door of the living room with Carl. I was estatic.

She did two average episodes and then did four episodes with a special theme (holiday or vacation). Then, of course she did not come back for the next season which I did not like.

In 1996, she got the part as "Ruth" in the series "Cosby" but then was fired by the producers and replaced with Phyicia Rashad(It was not Cosby's decision) In 1997, I was once again suprised to hear her referred to as being in snowed in Detroit and not coming home for Christmas. Rachel showed up in the midnight hour and I was thrilled.

She did have the Chuck Cunningham syndrome for sure. It was good to she her back when she did come back.

TVFactFan · 12-18-2006, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasE

In 1992, she did the mid season show "Getting By" which aired in the spring of 1993. It was stated that she would return to "Family Matters" after production. She did come back to FM during the middle of the 92-93 season. ABC did not pick up "Getting By" by NBC did(and I was mad, LOL.) She officially left FM and went to "Getting By" and of course the shoe was canned. Then a dream came true for me in the fall of 94' with Rachel coming through the front door of the living room with Carl. I was estatic.

She did two average episodes and then did four episodes with a special theme (holiday or vacation). Then, of course she did not come back for the next season which I did not like.

In 1996, she got the part as "Ruth" in the series "Cosby" but then was fired by the producers and replaced with Phyicia Rashad(It was not Cosby's decision) In 1997, I was once again suprised to hear her referred to as being in snowed in Detroit and not coming home for Christmas. Rachel showed up in the midnight hour and I was thrilled.

She did have the Chuck Cunningham syndrome for sure. It was good to she her back when she did come back.

Getting By was a WATCHABLE show, I only had a chance to see 4 eps from season 2

ThomasE · 12-18-2006, 10:26 PM

I taped a few back in the day. Unbelievable. "back in the day". I cannot believe that I said that. LOL. I remember watching that on TGIF and on NBC after Saved by the Bell: The College Years on Tuesday nights.

Furienna · 08-04-2007, 06:02 PM

Rachel was good enough. But she chose to take her chance with that other show, and it went as it went. And at least she returned now and then, which is more than what can be said about poor Jody, even though it makes so much more sense for an aunt to leave the house than what it does for a pre-teen daughter.

GARFIELDKOOL · 08-04-2007, 11:46 PM

Rachel was an important part of that show. They didn't put her character over earlier on like they should have. She was hip, fun to be around, and very likable. Urkel's character causes her and a few others to be fazed out. It's funny how a cartoon character causes real characters to take a back seat. I ma sure that was the case, because everyone saw Family Matters as the Urkel show.

Mr. Television · 08-05-2007, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSU2004

I think she was offered a role on the failed series 'Getting By' that was on ABC for one season and picked up by NBC for the second and final season. Since it wasn't a spin-off series, she probably couldn't negotiated a deal where she could have came back to Family Matters if the show flopped.

Getting By was from the same producers as FM. I think the real problem was the show moved to NBC and that network didn't want her to guest star on an ABC show.

TVFactFan · 08-05-2007, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walking Tall

Getting By was from the same producers as FM. I think the real problem was the show moved to NBC and that network doidn't want her to guest star on an ABC show.

The show had kind of a Family Matters Spinoff Feel-lol

04-18-2006, 09:58 AM	#1
GCW Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 14, 2004 Posts: 708	Aunt Rachel Was Underrated When I use to watch Family Matters when it first aired, I never really appreciated the Rachel character. I was more focused on Steve, Laura, Eddie, Max and Waldo at that age. Now watching the re-runs I realize that her character was underrated. I think her character added a little something to the show. Anyone else agree?

05-09-2006, 07:17 PM	#4
GSU2004 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 28, 2005 Posts: 764	Family Matters had the problem alot of other black family sitcoms had--too many characters to keep up with. I do agree that Rachel would have made some good storylines and in fact she could have spun-off into her own show.

05-14-2006, 02:04 AM	#5
moeee Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 31, 2003 Posts: 40,094	why did Rachel leave early anyway?

12-18-2006, 12:13 PM	#9
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	In 1992, she did the mid season show "Getting By" which aired in the spring of 1993. It was stated that she would return to "Family Matters" after production. She did come back to FM during the middle of the 92-93 season. ABC did not pick up "Getting By" by NBC did(and I was mad, LOL.) She officially left FM and went to "Getting By" and of course the shoe was canned. Then a dream came true for me in the fall of 94' with Rachel coming through the front door of the living room with Carl. I was estatic. She did two average episodes and then did four episodes with a special theme (holiday or vacation). Then, of course she did not come back for the next season which I did not like. In 1996, she got the part as "Ruth" in the series "Cosby" but then was fired by the producers and replaced with Phyicia Rashad(It was not Cosby's decision) In 1997, I was once again suprised to hear her referred to as being in snowed in Detroit and not coming home for Christmas. Rachel showed up in the midnight hour and I was thrilled. She did have the Chuck Cunningham syndrome for sure. It was good to she her back when she did come back.

12-18-2006, 10:26 PM	#11
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	I taped a few back in the day. Unbelievable. "back in the day". I cannot believe that I said that. LOL. I remember watching that on TGIF and on NBC after Saved by the Bell: The College Years on Tuesday nights.

08-04-2007, 06:02 PM	#12
Furienna Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 22, 2006 Location: Örnsköldsvik, Sweden Posts: 6,280	Rachel was good enough. But she chose to take her chance with that other show, and it went as it went. And at least she returned now and then, which is more than what can be said about poor Jody, even though it makes so much more sense for an aunt to leave the house than what it does for a pre-teen daughter.

08-04-2007, 11:46 PM	#13
GARFIELDKOOL Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 02, 2004 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 7,204	Rachel was an important part of that show. They didn't put her character over earlier on like they should have. She was hip, fun to be around, and very likable. Urkel's character causes her and a few others to be fazed out. It's funny how a cartoon character causes real characters to take a back seat. I ma sure that was the case, because everyone saw Family Matters as the Urkel show.