What Happened at the End of Family Matters
- CBS closes show with little matter 1998
- Goodbye Urkel: The End of the Era of the Ultimate Nerd 1998
- Bittersweet Exit for 'Family Matters' 1998
- Off Camera - Dissing `Family' Cheerio 1998
- FAMILY MATTERS CBS (Fri., July 10 and 17, nine p.m. ET) 1998 People
Times Matrimony, 07/24/1998 HOLLYWOOD -- The long-running comedies "Seinfeld" and "Murphy Brown" received huge, highly hyped send-offs last May. That isn't the case for CBS' "Family Matters," which has quietly left the network airwaves Friday nights later on nine seasons. The sitcom that gave the world -- for ameliorate or worse -- the ultimate nerd Urkel didn't even get a chance toshoot a series finale. In fact, star Reginald VelJohnson was told the show was canceled when he received a call to clean out his dressing room.
"I hold no bitterness against everyone," says VelJohnson, who plays Urkel'due south exasperated foil, Carl Winslow. "I sincerely want to have away the good memories. I don't take a bad word to say about anybody."
Yet, VelJohnson says, he wishes the bandage had gotten the opportunity to say goodbye.
"More so for the fans," he says. "When they come up to me in the street and say, `Oh God, we heard your show is over. How come they didn't have a large final episode?' I idea we should take had i, the fans thought we should have had i, but the powers that be didn't. That'due south the sad thing about it. Just yous dwell on it for a second or two and and so you press on."
Created by William Bickley and Michael Warren, "Family unit Matters" was actually a spinoff of the then-popular ABC comedy "Perfect Strangers," in which Carl's wife, Harriet (JoMarie Payton-Noble) was an elevator operator.
"Family unit Matters," which premiered in September 1989, revolved effectually the loving, middle-class Winslow family, which included Harriet, Carl and their children (Darius McCrary and Kellie Shanygne Williams). Though the series came out of the starting gate slowly, information technology was a winner past the end of the first flavour after the addition of Jaleel White as the Winslows' nasally voiced neighbor, Urkel.
A superlative ratings performer equally part of ABC'due south "TGIF" Fri family nighttime, the series moved to CBS in its concluding flavor as office of the network's programme to build its ain Friday nighttime family lineup. The ratings, though, plummeted. During the 1996-97 flavour, "Family Matters" was No. 50 with an boilerplate of 13.73 1000000 viewers. On CBS, the comedy only attracted viii.82 1000000 viewers, placing a dismal 108th.
"We had a show that we felt at best at ABC was only in information technology for another year," explains Tony Jonas, president of Warner Bros. Television.
"Looking at what we could do to protect what nosotros knew was a great evidence, CBS rolled the dice with the states and gave usa a great shot at trying to go on the testify alive. We had no intention of producing the testify for one twelvemonth. Nosotros wanted to go along that thing going for as long as nosotros could."
Jonas says it was a combination of elements that caused the series' demise.
"The on-air promo at CBS was terrific, but there were no kids watching CBS to begin with to even know that the promos were there to talk about the show," he says.
He agrees it would take been overnice if "Family Matters" had gotten a big ship-off. "I can certainly tell you lot it's a evidence that deserves it, but the show didn't find the audience we all hoped information technology would. So it really wasn't a platform for giving a slap-up, large send-off. It was sort of vanishing into the sunset with numbers that were, unfortunately, quite low."
Though "Family Matters" never won Emmys nor was a critics' darling, audiences loved it, says VelJohnson, because "we weren't a black family or a white family unit, nosotros were a family unit. Families are universal. Everyone compared united states to `The Cosby Evidence' (maxim) we were the bluish-collar version and wouldn't final very long."
But what people institute in "Family unit Matters" that they didn't find in "Cosby," VelJohnson says, "was a special warmth that was rare. At that place were a lot of secondary plots as opposed to Urkel (stories) which were special to a lot of people. A lot of people came up to me and said, `We love the style you handle your son.' It really taught things -- every calendar week."
VelJohnson has kept busy since the serial stopped shooting. He's currently appearing in the musical "Purlie" at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and has written a two-hour flick, "Alive in Las Vegas," for producer Fred Silverman, which may become a serial.
Adieu Urkel: The End of the Era of the Ultimate Nerd
By North.F. Mendoza, zap2it.com 98-07-06
I interviewed the "Family unit Matters'" star during a lunch, three or four years ago, when he was preparing to enter his freshman year at the Academy of California Los Angeles. At the time, I was writing a weekly column for the Los Angeles Times which was also syndicated. I often institute myself opposite many a Television set star -- just none generated equally much fan interest (and interruptions) equally White.
Australians, Japanese, several tourists, and even jaded 50.A. locals interrupted our meal to inquire White any came to their minds (which, frankly, wasn't much). But the fact is, White was -- and is -- an international star. That'southward proverb a lot for White, who has done very picayune in Hollywood, save for his unique creation of a very dissimilar kind of boy-next-door. (For the tape, White comes across as a very polite, sweet, if not slightly sheltered boy-next-door himself -- but a completely dissimilar breed from his TV alter ego.)
Suspendered Steve Urkel began as a 1-shot spot on the Warner Bros. television series, a adequately standard-issue sitcom that centered on an upper-middle class African-American family. Just White'due south bespectacled, besotted, high-water pants-ed, whiny, nasal neighbor caught the fancy of the public and soon the entire shift of the serial transferred to the teen. White, similar many an player earlier him (Ron Howard being the most notably successful), literally grew up on screen.
Like Christopher Reeve, whose marvelous transformation from superhero "Superman" to bumbling Clark Kent is largly ignored, White has e'er gotten the bum rap.
Start, that bad rap generated from envious castmates (White became recurring the start season then a regular in the second season in 1990) -- and understandably and then -- their prove was turned around for his Urkel. Simply by and large, White's clever characterization of a lone, misunderstood, annoying, persistent neighbour, and kooky genius has been verily under-estimated.
If you've seen "Family unit Matters" -- and for that matter simply if you've seen it (and we're not talking simply promos, only the existent testify) -- you lot've seen White'south brilliance at work. No matter how annoying you lot find his Urkel, no matter how corny you find the sitcom's sense of humour -- you will also find this -- peachy comic timing.
White, was, no doubt, bolstered by a strong supporting bandage which featured such unique little gems every bit Shawn Harrison, who played the utterly sugariness and utterly clueless Waldo Faldo from the second to the 7th seasons. (Where is Harrison past the way??)
Laura, the object of Urkel'southward avid affections, is played by the competent and charming Kellie Shanygne Williams, who's had the role since the show'south inception and premiere Sept. 22, 1989. Big brother, the earnest Eddie, played by Darius McCrary, was himself almost written out of the series (his part was considerably shrunk) until Eddie resurfaced or re-emerged as Urkel's best friend -- and former roommate. TV's long-standing parental role models, the Winslows, are played by the venerable Reginald VelJohnson and Jo Marie Payton-Noble.
At the forefront of the serial was the developing and evolving relationship between Urkel -- whose parents were never seen on screen -- and Carl (Veljohnson). Carl'south relationship with Urkel surpassed his relationships with his "real" children.
Notwithstanding cartoonish the series was, and about certainly eventually became, it had a positive portrayal of a abrupt-witted elderly person, Grandma Winslow, played by Rosetta LeNoire. Changes are inevitable when a series has been on as long equally "Family Matters" has been, and cast members not only came, but went, too. Telma Hopkins, who played Harriet's sis Rachel, left in 1993 to star opposite Cindy Williams in the short-lived "Getting Past." After many threats (begun the starting time season when Urkel took over), Payton-Noble, who played Harriette Winslow, left "Family unit Matters" this yr and was replaced past Judyann Elderberry. One more often than not ignored girl, Judy, played past Jamie Foxworthy, was written out without an explanation in 1993 (although official discussion is the separation between actress and series was the proverbial "mutual").
And now, an era comes -- very -- quietly to a close. Despite a long, successful run at ABC, anchoring its "TGIF" lineup, the serial moved (along with ABC'due south "Stride Past Footstep") to CBS concluding fall, with the loftier hopes of kickoff and initiating a new era. It wasn't meant to be. Whether youthful and family audiences were besides accepted to tuning into ABC on Fri nights, or whether "Family Matters" but finally -- after nine years -- got "old," we might not e'er know. But we know this: CBS canceled the series.
And fans of "Family unit Matters" have chosen to express their grief somewhat quietly. Different fans of UPN'southward "The Watch," and CBS' "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman," or "Magnificent Seven," in that location were no sign-carrying protests outside CBS studios, no alphabetic character-writing campaigns (at least not loftier-profile ones) and no full-page ads were taken out and paid for past fans furious at their testify'south cancelation. Rather, fans, like perhaps even White himself, seem content to understand that Urkel and his "Family Matters" have had their time.
Now, the alphabet net airs a two-part episode where Urkel, now engaged to his love Laura (cheerio gal pal Myra, a hilarious, geek gal -- albeit a pretty one -- who since 1993, adored Urkel and was played by pretty Michelle Thomas), Urkel goes off to space.
White, 21, still at UCLA and anxious to himself say good day to Urkel, aspires to direct and produce (and peradventure fifty-fifty bid farewell to interim altogether). White, the near underrated comic actor of his time, created a unique hero for TV. Sure the series was often fashion over the top. Sure, it was featherbrained. Sure it was, particularly in the last couple of years, pure, undadulterated fantasy (recall of Urkel and his alter ego, suave and debonair Urquelle -- courtesy of a switchy changy automobile Urkel invents).
But still, if the French tin adore Jerry Lewis, we tin can adore Urkel...pardon u.s.a., Jaleel White.
Skilful luck, "Family unit Matters" cast. Proficient luck, Urkel. But by and large, good luck, White. May yous be as ambitious and successful in your side by side venture every bit you take been in this one.
"Family unit Matters'" two-parter, "Lost in Space, Part 1 and Part Ii" airs Friday, July x and Fri, July 17 at nine p.m. on CBS. Rebroadcasts air widely in syndication through the U.S. and besides on TBS.
Bloodshot Leave for 'Family unit Matters' 1998
M.Due south. Mason Staff author of The Christian Science Monitor
Information technology's a season of sitcom endings. "Seinfeld" signed off among unprecedented national fanfare, while "Murphy Brown" fabricated a poignant, sedate exit. On July 10 and 17 on CBS, the long-running "Family Matters" will also air its last two episodes as Television receiver'due south goofiest nerd, Steve Urkel (Jaleel White), saves a space shuttle and seals his relationship with the e'er-perfect girl next door, Laura (Kellie Williams).
Even Urkel'south arch foil, Carl, Laura'due south dad, welcomes him home from infinite and into the family unit with a warm hug. While this episode may not take been meant as a farewell, it works every bit 1. After nine seasons, "Family unit Matters" leaves quietly.
"Naught lasts forever," he says, "just there must be endings earlier you have beginnings, and then I retrieve I'thou at a get-go. I'one thousand ready for a new challenge. What practise I do next? It's similar starting your career over.
"I am remembering now how the bear witness began," he continues. "The first fourth dimension we all met [the bandage], we were all wearing the same colors - blackness and white. Nosotros all knew it would be something special. And information technology has been good. I think of these people as family. But in a way, I'thou glad, too, that it's over. Now information technology is time to show what I can do as an actor."
When the evidence began in 1989, the arroyo was much more ensemble than it has since go. A eye-class African-American family living in suburban Chicago included Carl as a good dad and an exemplary cop, his head-potent married woman, Harriette, their children, Laura, Eddie, and Judy, Harriette's widowed sis, Rachel, with baby Richie, and Carl'southward sharp-witted mother. It was one complex household. Simply information technology soon became clear that the real star of the show was Urkel.
Assertive, brilliant, and annoying equally a gnat, Urkel had a trounce on Laura that led to all kinds of misadventures. And they all collection Carl crazy.
"I would have preferred for some of the episodes to concentrate on some of the other characters," says VelJohnson. "It was generally about Steve and my reaction to Steve. But other characters were simply every bit interesting - like Harriette and her sister Rachel. They had a special relationship. And Jo Marie [Payton-Noble, who played Harriette] is brilliant. It'due south like a fruit bowl: If every time yous go to the fruit bowl you choose a banana, you can get tired of bananas. You take to try the oranges and apples."
Still, the nine years he has been on the testify have left happy memories. One of the best rewards, says VelJohnson, is the respect he has received from policemen. "They thank me for giving the police force a good paradigm," he says. "Particularly black police officers thank me. Yous know, they take a heavy load to take home every night. I don't think the general public realizes what they become through every day."
"Family unit Matters" always projected a positive message, says VelJohnson. The show even said it was OK to be a nerd. Urkel represented everyone who was unsure of himself. "Y'all tin laugh, but Urkel was always the winner, and audiences learned from Urkel'southward mistakes and triumphs."
He points out that Carl, too, is an first-class office model - a warm, caring father. And children respond affectionately to that graphic symbol. He has no kids of his ain, just VelJohnson volunteers for Large Brothers of America, visiting group homes and hospitals. "Little kids come up upwards to me and say, 'I wish you were my daddy.' These little kids take no i....
"I wish I had the kind of father I play on 'Family unit Matters,' and I come across kids at present who are looking for that as well."
Off Camera - Dissing `Family unit' Goodbye / CBS buries finale of show THE FINALE for most shows with lousy ratings usually can be found at the finish of a dusty trail that leads directly to the edge of a bottomless coulee - into which the unfortunate show is pushed.
it grabbed and dropped Verne Gay, 1998, Newsday Inc.
Merely the finale for a long-running hitting is some other matter altogether.
It can be ridiculously overhyped ("Seinfeld") or controversial ("Ellen") or muted ("Potato Brown.") Simply the end of the road for "Family unit Matters?" This one goes under the heading of bizarre.
Tomorrow night at 9, when it'southward guaranteed that absolutely no one will be watching, CBS will air office one of a two-part finale, titled "Lost in Space." Office 2 airs next Friday - when, over again, it's guaranteed that no 1 will be watching.
What'south going on here? Isn't the idea of commercial goggle box to become the nigh people in front of the gear up, and not the least? Is, perhaps, CBS so embarrassed that it is obliged to bury information technology in the heart of July? That seems a stretch. Allow united states clinch you, this "Matters'" finale volition not exist the greatest waste of 21 minutes on Boob tube this season; plenty of other shows are competing for that honor. It is an intermittently amusing, if cartoonish, stop - nothing much dissimilar from the 214 prior episodes.
The testify, a "Perfect Strangers" spin-off that bowed in 1989, originally focused on the Winslows, a middle-grade blackness family. But a few years into its run, neighbor and nerd extraordinaire Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) became the heart of attending.
Then what's going on? The demise of "Family Matters" - whether you lot love it, loathe it or have no idea what we're talking about - is a notable event in Television set for several reasons. It's believed to be the longest-running testify in prime-time television that featured an all-blackness cast. "The Cosby Bear witness" lasted 8 seasons; "Matters," nine. It was, for most of its life - no surprise - a very popular prove with black viewers. Information technology also was a very pop bear witness with immature kids. The show remains a staple in syndication (reruns air on WPIX/11, TBS and WGN).
The evidence was never a mega-striking, only it did finish in 15th place among all prime-fourth dimension shows during the 1990-'91 season. "Durable" may exist the all-time clarification: never a favorite among critics, most of whom likely never watched it, but a lynchpin of ABC'south "TGIF" lineup, all the same.
And then CBS stepped in. Early last year, Leslie Moonves, chairman of CBS Entertainment, pulled off what seemed to be - on newspaper - a heist. Past prying "Matters" (and "Pace by Step," another Miller-Boyett sitcom) off the ABC schedule, he hoped to torpedo "TGIF" by dragging a proven ratings-grabber amid immature viewers from one flagging network to another. Thus, he could lower his own network'due south median age (the oldest among the major networks) and attract more advertizement dollars. Moonves paid an estimated $40 1000000 for this series, a record for a show to leap from one network to another.
On paper, brilliant. In practise, disaster.
Moonves is a smart guy. What happened here? In a phone interview, he says but, "It didn't work. Information technology failed. It is probably my biggest disappointment from last year." But, he adds, "the biggest problem facing CBS from the twenty-four hour period I walked in hither until the day after I walk out is getting ourselves demographically younger. Nosotros have no kids watching our network. None.
"My Friday night was my biggest thwarting [because of] the fact that I could take a sixteen-share bear witness and put it on exactly the aforementioned night in exactly the same fourth dimension menstruum and information technology goes to an xi share right off the bat. Yes, I had to pay a little fleck higher than I would have liked, simply it was our merely play in the game. I don't think I should be penalized for taking a risk."
Yet, it didn't seem like such a big ane at the time. There is a saying among programers that people don't sentinel networks, they lookout shows. Hogwash. People do watch networks, and older viewers have long gravitated toward CBS. But in that location also has been a long history of CBS Entertainment executives who accept tried to tart up the schedule in efforts to bring youngsters aboard - to no avail.
"Matters" at present becomes the latest victim. A few key stats are telling. The median age of "Matters'" viewers on ABC in late '97 was 32.3. The median historic period of "Matters'" CBS viewers was 44.2. The show averaged 14.3 million viewers during its last twelvemonth at ABC. That roughshod by 5.4 meg at CBS ("Step by Stride" had a similar plunge).
The "Family Matters" blunder may turn out to be Moonves' unmarried biggest error. Simply why bury this pricey failure in the domestic dog days? Says Moonves, "Nosotros didn't know what else, frankly, to do with it."
A final irony: The show that has replaced it, "Kids Say the Darndest Things," is doing quite well with kid viewers. It is partly owned by CBS and costs a tiny fraction of $40 meg.
Why information technology's enough to brand you sentry your CBS affiliate with an "Unfair to Urkel" sign. Afterwards his network lured Family Matters. away from ABC last twelvemonth, CBS Television president Leslie Moonves called it "ane of the bully television shows in history." But its ratings suffered on CBS, and the canceled series ends ist ix-season run with a two-part episode dumped in the summer canis familiaris days. Doesn't Jaleel White'due south supernerd character Steve Urkel deserve equally much farewell fanfare equally that smug Seinfeld guy and his friends? Before you lot get carried away, know that the finale is not very funny. Urkel is chosen to be the showtime student in space--which makes sense, since his geekiness is out of this globe. Only the spacecraft collides with a satellite, and our oddball hero--who says he'southward so upset he's "about to blow chunks"--must relieve the twenty-four hour period. Urkel's fiancee, Laura (Kellie Shanygne Williams), prays hard for his condom return, while her family busies itself with a boring subplot. "I can't watch this," Laura moans as Boob tube covers the space crunch. Fear not; the end is near. Lesser Line: Farewell already.
- Where Are They Now? About the former cast of Family Matters today, June 2000
Source: http://www.kellie.de/end.htm
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