Family Matters: Season 1

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Mixed or average reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews

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7.2

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 10 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

ABC | Season Premiere Date: September 22, 1989

Starring: Darius McCrary, Jo Marie Payton, Shawn Harrison

Summary: A perfect spin-off from Perfect Strangers: Family Matters focused on Harriet Winslow (the elevator operator from the Chronicle) and her family of sorts. Carl Winslow, her husband, was a dutiful cop, and a gruff and lovable father to three kids: Eddie Winslow, the rebel son; Laura Winslow, the smart-aleck daughter; and cute little JudyA perfect spin-off from Perfect Strangers: Family Matters focused on Harriet Winslow (the elevator operator from the Chronicle) and her family of sorts. Carl Winslow, her husband, was a dutiful cop, and a gruff and lovable father to three kids: Eddie Winslow, the rebel son; Laura Winslow, the smart-aleck daughter; and cute little Judy Winslow. They had opened their home to Harriet's sister, Rachel Crawford and her little baby son Richie, and in the very first episode, Carl had to open his home to his cool and streetwise mother, Estelle Winslow, whether he wanted to or not. Everything was going along just fine until one day, Steve Urkel, the inventive nerd, barged into their home and eventually, into their hearts. Steve had a killer crush on Laura, but she would never give him the time of day. Steve Urkel was intended to be a one-shot appearance, but his popularity with the fans won him the number-one spot as America's favorite nerd.As the show went on, the characters and the stories evolved. Richie grew from a little baby into a rambunctious and impressionable little boy. The stories started revolving around Steve and his incredible inventions, which became the greatest sight gags on the show. In almost every episode, Steve ends up breaking furniture, windows, and Carl's patience. Eddie and Laura each had best buddies to hang out with: Eddie had dim-witted yet lovable Waldo Geraldo Faldo,and Laura had faithful and true-blue gal pal Maxine. The greatest mystery of Family Matters is Judy and Rachel's sudden disappearances from the show, but Rachel made guest appearances whenever possible.To stop Steve from chasing her, Laura matched him up with perky-yet-pushy Myra Monkhouse. Steve loved Myra physically, but his emotions will always go to Laura. Eddie had his share of steady girlfriends, and even he had an Urkel chasing him- Myrtle May Urkel, Steve's cousin from Biloxi (Jaleel White also). Every so often, Steve uses one of his inventions to turn himself into debonair, irresistable lover Stefan Urquelle or karate hero Bruce Lee to draw Laura closer to him, much to Myra's chagrin.At the end of season 6, the Winslows welcomed Steve into their home when Steve's family went to Russia. Pretty soon, Richie hung out with 3J, a tough, streetwise kid always running from the children's home. The Winslows then adopted 3J as one of their kids, as they did with Steve.In the final season, Family Matters - along with Step by Step - moved to CBS, and Steve slowly matured from the annoying nerd that he used to be. This was when Laura started falling in love with Steve, and Myra got kicked to the curb, but she vowed to get her "Stevie-kins" back. Also, the original Harriette, JoMarie Peyton, had left the show in mid-season and Judyann Elder took her role. Steve and Laura got engaged, but they never had a wedding because CBS dropped the ax on the show. But, nevertheless, Family Matters had a great successful run and is one of the longest running African-American comedies ever.
In Germany the show is known as Alle unter einem Dach ("Under One Roof").In Spain it is known as Cosas de casa.In France it is known as La Vie de famille ("Life of the Family").In Italy it is known as Otto sotto un tetto ("Eight Under One Roof").In Sweden it is known as Räkna med bråk.… Expand

Genre(s): Comedy

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Season 1 Episodes

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S1:E22. Rock Video
Air Date: April 30, 1990
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S1:E21. Bowl Me Over
Air Date: April 17, 1990
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S1:E20. The Candidate
Air Date: March 23, 1990

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Ken Tucker

Jun 7, 2013

Family Matters offers a picture of black family life that takes its middle-class ordinariness for granted, which is unusual for TV. Even more unusual, it's a show you can watch with your whole family, and chances are, everyone will get a few good laughs out of it. Read full review

Eric Mink

Aug 16, 2013

Family Matters has assembled one of the most broadly appealing casts seen in recent years. Reginald VelJohnson, who played the sympathetic cop in the movie "Die Hard," is almost irresistible as a character. And yet the show's concept is so familiar that Family Matters will have to struggle to be fresh, to avoid going over old ground, to give its characters texture and definition. The potential for some excellent comedy is certainly here. [18 Sept 1989, p.1D]

Tom Shales

Aug 16, 2013

Remarkable for one reason only: It achieves levels of warmth that are rare for such shows. It may not make everybody laugh, but a decent human being would have a hard time not smiling. [22 Sept 1989, p.B1]

Rick Kogan

Aug 16, 2013

Though inoffensive, this is as standard as sitcom gets. [22 Sept 1989, p.1]

Joe Stein

Aug 16, 2013

Family Matters is a spinoff from "Perfect Strangers," but not nearly as good. [22 Sept 1989, p.C-16]

Ed Siegel

Aug 16, 2013

There are plenty of black faces on this show, but there should be red faces at producing a comedy with so few laughs. Family Matters makes "The Cosby Show" still look fresh. Family Matters makes "Father Knows Best" look fresh. The writing is practically nonexistent. [22 Sept 1989, p.29]

Howard Rosenberg

Aug 16, 2013

One of the most forgettable [newcomers].[22 Sept 1989, p.C28]

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User Reviews

LeoTs3181983

Sep 3, 2010

Family Matters is a great show. Jaleel White was simply hilarious as Steve Urkel,embarrassing Laura Winslow and driving Carl Winslow nuts. I hope it comes out on DVD at some point.

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ThePHOXman

Nov 21, 2011

Family Matter's was a great show. It always put a smile on my face when I started watching. And not to mention the facepalms I gave myself when Urkel fell clumsily over and knocked things over and practically destroying whatever in his path and then the cheesy line "Did I do that?" reallyFamily Matter's was a great show. It always put a smile on my face when I started watching. And not to mention the facepalms I gave myself when Urkel fell clumsily over and knocked things over and practically destroying whatever in his path and then the cheesy line "Did I do that?" really made the awesome impression.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SherlockHolmess

Feb 20, 2016

First season was acceptable because of all the corny moments but jokes and storylines went more and more downhill and show became for the most part... well uninteresting. A few good Episodes here and there but overall started lacking on quality.
Growing pains was kinda the opposite, startedFirst season was acceptable because of all the corny moments but jokes and storylines went more and more downhill and show became for the most part... well uninteresting. A few good Episodes here and there but overall started lacking on quality.
Growing pains was kinda the opposite, started of with 1-2 not so great seasons but then became very excellent with growing number.… Expand

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Seasons & Episodes

51

Series Overview
Season 10

tbd
- Season 10 Overview
  Air Date: September 22, 1989
Season 9

tbd
- Season 9 Overview
  Air Date: September 19, 1997
Season 8

tbd
- Season 8 Overview
  Air Date: September 20, 1996
Season 7

tbd
- Season 7 Overview
  Air Date: September 22, 1995
Season 6

tbd
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: September 23, 1994
Season 5

tbd
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: September 24, 1993
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: September 18, 1992
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: September 20, 1991
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: September 21, 1990
Season 1

48
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 22, 1989
- tbd
  S1:E22. Rock Video
  Air Date: April 30, 1990
- tbd
  S1:E21. Bowl Me Over
  Air Date: April 17, 1990
- tbd
  S1:E20. The Candidate
  Air Date: March 23, 1990
- tbd
  S1:E19. In a Jam
  Air Date: March 16, 1990
- tbd
  S1:E18. Sitting Pretty
  Air Date: February 16, 1990
- tbd
  S1:E17. The Big Fix
  Air Date: February 9, 1990
- tbd
  S1:E16. The Party
  Air Date: February 2, 1990
- tbd
  S1:E15. The Big Reunion
  Air Date: January 19, 1990
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  S1:E14. Baker's Dozen
  Air Date: January 12, 1990
- tbd
  S1:E13. Man's Best Friend
  Air Date: January 5, 1990
- tbd
  S1:E12. Laura's First Date
  Air Date: December 15, 1989
- tbd
  S1:E11. The Quilt
  Air Date: December 8, 1989
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  S1:E10. False Arrest
  Air Date: December 1, 1989
- tbd
  S1:E9. Stake-Out
  Air Date: November 24, 1989
- tbd
  S1:E8. Mr. Badwrench
  Air Date: November 17, 1989
- tbd
  S1:E7. Body Damage
  Air Date: November 10, 1989
- tbd
  S1:E6. Basketball Blues
  Air Date: November 3, 1989
- tbd
  S1:E5. Straight A's
  Air Date: October 20, 1989
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  S1:E4. Rachel's First Date
  Air Date: October 13, 1989
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  S1:E3. Short Story
  Air Date: October 6, 1989
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  S1:E2. Two-Income Family
  Air Date: September 29, 1989
- tbd
  S1:E1. The Mama Who Came to Dinner
  Air Date: September 22, 1989