Family Matters - History

History

Family Matters originally focused on the character of police officer Carl Winslow and his family: wife Harriette Winslow, son Eddie Winslow, elder daughter Laura Winslow, and youngest child Judy Winslow (until Season 4).

In the pilot episode, the family had also opened their home to Carl's street-wise mother, Estelle Winslow (usually known as "Mother Winslow"). Prior to the start of the series, Harriette's sister, Rachel Crawford, and her infant son, Richie Crawford, had moved into the Winslow household after the death of Rachel's husband.

The Winslows' nerdy teenaged next-door neighbor, Steve Urkel, was introduced midway through the first season and quickly became the focus of the show. The popular sitcom was part of ABC's TGIF from 1989 until 1997, before it became part of the CBS Block Party lineup from 1997 until 1998. Family Matters was produced by Bickley-Warren Productions and Miller-Boyett Productions, in association with Lorimar Television (1989–1993), and later Warner Bros. Television (1993–1998).

As the show progressed, episodes began to center more and more on Steve Urkel and other original characters also played by Jaleel White, including Steve's suave alter-ego Stefan Urquelle and his female cousin Myrtle Urkel.