Steve Urkel in season one - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

DJM77 · 06-11-2018, 05:42 AM

I always thought that everyone always said that his first appearance was in the "Laura's First Date" episode, so I was really surprised when I recently watched the "Rachel's First Date" episode and he appeared in the opening scene. According to this https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0924918/ he was in a total of 4 episodes before the "Laura's First Date" episode.

Adamantium · 06-11-2018, 10:27 AM

Episode #12 "Laura's First Date" is the real first appearance of Steve Urkel. After he became a popular character, they shot a few cold opens for syndication to appear in some of the pre-Urkel episodes. There were four total. The DVD - for some reason - has the Urkel cold open instead of the original one for "Rachel's First Date." Luckily, the other three episodes that used those cold opens, have their original Urkel-free openings on the DVD. I haven't checked with Hulu yet, but on Amazon Video, all four Urkel cold opens are used. I HATE that they did this! I would love for Warner Bros. to release a corrected season one, but I highly doubt they will.

tlc38tlc38 · 06-11-2018, 05:18 PM

I always wished they would've had the original episodes on the DVD set and the "new" Urkel cold opens as special features.

DJM77 · 06-11-2018, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamantium

Episode #12 "Laura's First Date" is the real first appearance of Steve Urkel. After he became a popular character, they shot a few cold opens for syndication to appear in some of the pre-Urkel episodes. There were four total. The DVD - for some reason - has the Urkel cold open instead of the original one for "Rachel's First Date." Luckily, the other three episodes that used those cold opens, have their original Urkel-free openings on the DVD. I haven't checked with Hulu yet, but on Amazon Video, all four Urkel cold opens are used. I HATE that they did this! I would love for Warner Bros. to release a corrected season one, but I highly doubt they will.

Thank you for the explanation. It was Hulu that I was watching "Rachel's First Date" on. I don't know if he appears in the other 3 episodes or not because I haven't got to them yet.

Superswiper · 07-21-2018, 09:08 AM

Yeah, I hated how they did that. We get it. Urkel became a huge hit. But shoving him into episodes after they already aired before his proper introduction (Carl didn't know who he was before that episode) just makes it look confusing.

JO Sweet Heart · 08-02-2018, 03:31 PM

This doesn't surprise me. It seems like TV writers never know how to stick to show history. In at least two episodes, Steve tells about knowing Laura as early as their days in kindergarten and first grade but in another episode, she says that a blind date is how she met him.

God bless you always!!!

Holly

06-11-2018, 05:42 AM	#1
DJM77 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: May 15, 2001 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,566	Steve Urkel in season one I always thought that everyone always said that his first appearance was in the "Laura's First Date" episode, so I was really surprised when I recently watched the "Rachel's First Date" episode and he appeared in the opening scene. According to this https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0924918/ he was in a total of 4 episodes before the "Laura's First Date" episode.
	__________________ Marge: There are only 49 stars on that flag. Abe: I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missouri!

06-11-2018, 05:18 PM	#3
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,264	I always wished they would've had the original episodes on the DVD set and the "new" Urkel cold opens as special features.
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

07-21-2018, 09:08 AM	#5
Superswiper Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 14, 2016 Location: United States Posts: 192	Yeah, I hated how they did that. We get it. Urkel became a huge hit. But shoving him into episodes after they already aired before his proper introduction (Carl didn't know who he was before that episode) just makes it look confusing.
	Last edited by Superswiper; 07-23-2018 at 06:36 AM.

08-02-2018, 03:31 PM	#6
JO Sweet Heart Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 11, 2012 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 7,885	This doesn't surprise me. It seems like TV writers never know how to stick to show history. In at least two episodes, Steve tells about knowing Laura as early as their days in kindergarten and first grade but in another episode, she says that a blind date is how she met him. God bless you always!!! Holly
	__________________ Go here to check out my most favorite singer, James Otto, when you can!

06-11-2018, 10:27 AM	#2
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,839	Episode #12 "Laura's First Date" is the real first appearance of Steve Urkel. After he became a popular character, they shot a few cold opens for syndication to appear in some of the pre-Urkel episodes. There were four total. The DVD - for some reason - has the Urkel cold open instead of the original one for "Rachel's First Date." Luckily, the other three episodes that used those cold opens, have their original Urkel-free openings on the DVD. I haven't checked with Hulu yet, but on Amazon Video, all four Urkel cold opens are used. I HATE that they did this! I would love for Warner Bros. to release a corrected season one, but I highly doubt they will.