He was supposed to be a 1 episode character. They loved him so much he stayed on and became the star of the show. He was one of the greatest child physical comedic actors of all time.
I recall watching something not long ago and thinking he got a lot of the Urkel character from someone else. I can't remember if it was Jerry Lewis, PeeWee Herman or somebody else. Having said that, there was no denying his talent.
@@beaujac311 I don't think it was Ed Grimley because I haven't seen him in a while. All I know is there were some very obvious similarities but I don't fault White for that. Inspirations comes in many forms.
Family Matters will always be absolutely wild for how it stared vs how it ended. As Urkel's whole 'science nerd' character got more and more popular, they kept featuring him more and more. Which also meant increasing Urkel's scientific capabilities more and more to enable sitcom hijinks and center him in more plotlines. And it just kept spiraling and spiraling and escalating. So you had a situation where, in the first season, this was a simple show about a cop's family trying to get by in Chicago. By the last seasons, Urkel had perfected human cloning, teleported them all to Paris, and time traveled back to a pirate ship with Carl. I don't think any show in history has gotten as far away from the original concept as Family Matters did.
The show was originally about the mother character of this show. She was on another show called "Perfect Strangers" and the people that ran that show wanted her on a spin off. The character of Steve Urkel was only going to be on one show. People like the character and he came back for more shows, by the next season he was a regular cast member.
I went to a Halloween costume party in the '90s where a black co-worker came as Steve Urkel. He nailed it, outfit, voice, everything and truly was the hit of the party. Thanks for bringing back some great memories.
That is Jaleel White! He is a great actor because he was just the opposite of that character. He's a grown handsome man now. Can't believe how time flies!
Jaleel White. Yes. He had the spirit. The writing. The directing. This was a VERY endearing show. I don’t think Steve Eurkel, at that age, was creepy at all. Maybe it was an early example, in sit-coms, of nuro-divergent behavior?
Real talk without Steve Urkel family matters wouldn't have not been that good Jaleel White saved family matters he's the real reason why I watch it and it became my favorite sitcom of all time
When I was a kid Friday nights was TGIF and this was one of the shows on TGIF we'd watch after our shower. Family Matters, Dtep by Step, Full House, Saved by the Bell, Dinosaurs, ect.
There's a song by the Mamas & the Papas that applies here. It's called "Glad to be Unhappy," and the entire song can be boiled down to four lines: Unrequited love's a bore/And I've got it pretty bad/But for someone you adore/It's a pleasure to be sad. They have a similar song, "Go Where You Wanna Go," which goes into a little more detail.
Steve was a combination of the black Dennis the menace and Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau. I absolutely loved this show. Jaleel White was so talented. I just subscribed to your channel, and I’m having such a great time watching all of the clips from my favorite TV shows from my early childhood to my early adulthood. Thank you making laugh so much!
These scenes were from just the first season. You should watch more of the show and how his character progressed. He remained nerdy and dressed like that, although he also became aware that he was a nerd. However, he had said more than once that he liked who he was. By the last two or three seasons, the show really went off the rails. It started out so down-to-earth, but it ended up with Steve making all kind of inventions such as a teleportation device and a cloning machine.
Laura became interested in him when he became his alter ego Stefan Urkel, who was much smoother and classy. Stephen also played the female character Myrtle Urkel, who was his cousin.
I only saw Urkel a few times but his character is hilarious -- but sometimes I admit a little sad, the way people treat him. I think that was in his initial appearances though. 12:00 Urkel: "I'll just tiptoe out" -- causes the loudest crash I've heard in a while! ...and "You won't even know I'm here!" - another CRASH!! 😅🧐
Family Matters was ok, but it needed a real boost. Steve Urkel was the best thing to happen to the show. And one of the best characters on television, ppl still mention him to this day. And YEP! Believe it or not, BOBBY BROWN was that guy back in the day.
I have a love /hate relationship with Family Matters because it started off as a comedy about an African American blue collar couple raising a family that always ended with an inspirational message. When his character was introduced he was such a cute and hilarious nerdy type that the show started the most over the top story plots that bordered on bafoonery. He was supposed to be in a few episodes but once the producers saw how much viewers liked Steve they started making him into almost a lead and the other cast members where barely getting any lines and the youngest child Judy just disappeared by the 3rd season with no explanation. I remember a lot of people in the African American community sadly stopped watching it after a while. Jaleel White who played Urkel said it took a long time for him to be taken seriously for more adult roles because they only saw him as Steve.
That happens in most sitcoms, execs often look for a breakout star, a Fonz or a Kramer who they can cash in on. Happy Days was a great show until the third season when they decided to focus on the Fonz. They were even thinking of changing the name to Fonzie's Happy Days. It wasn't his fault but focusing on him changed the whole tone of the show. They also had a disappearing character, Richie's older brother Chuck.
tanyperez4892:. I did not like Family Matters when it first came out because it did not look like anything special. It looked like a by the numbers produced sitcom meant to appeal to the black community of which I am member. I did not watch it. Later on when the Steve Urkel character showed up I heard some black people talking about how funny he was. I saw the character a few times as I was channel surfing but I did not stop to watch the show because it looked silly. One day the show was on and before I could change the channel I let the scene that was happening play out. It was a hilarious scene because I finally gave the show a chance and from then on I was a fan.
Yeah, the first 4 to 5 seasons was extraordinary, but after 5 seasons, the ratings began to slip. I do think constantly showing Stephan killed the imagination. We know Jaleel White isn’t really a nerd, but that is what people wanted to see on the show; not Jaleel as Stephan. And it did get a little over the top with the science fiction. And Urkels clumsiness was getting too predictable when it came to driving Carl crazy. It became the Jaleel White show. They really should have showed a little less of him so to make people miss him.
Dude had his own dolls and other merchandise as well. He literally came on that show and stole it. I hope you guys are not against doing any lgbt themed shows. I think you’ll love “The Best oF Karen Walker” from the show Will And Grace.
It's an on going pattern with sitcoms. Every one of them has a breakout character at some point. Sometimes though, they put too much emphasis on that character to the point where they are oversaturated and then the show loses it charm. Doesn't always happen but in many cases it does.
There is no other child actor to date thar can compare to Jaleel White's portrayal of Steve/Stefan! From what I heard they gave him free reign in developing that character...you can find "Family Matters" still being shown today.. What a clown akways made you laugh!! (As did you! 😁)
I’ve forgotten how funny this show was, I used love Friday nights on ABC. One of the reasons the show was funny is because the writers didn’t force things like unfunny catchphrases on the audience like sitcoms do now and they truly had funny situations. Sitcoms are too bland and unfunny today
He was supposed to be a 1 episode character. They loved him so much he stayed on and became the star of the show. He was one of the greatest child physical comedic actors of all time.
I recall watching something not long ago and thinking he got a lot of the Urkel character from someone else. I can't remember if it was Jerry Lewis, PeeWee Herman or somebody else. Having said that, there was no denying his talent.
@@jethro1963 I think you are looking for the character that Martin Short played on SNL called Ed Grimley.
@@beaujac311 I don't think it was Ed Grimley because I haven't seen him in a while. All I know is there were some very obvious similarities but I don't fault White for that. Inspirations comes in many forms.
@@jethro1963 I'm telling you it was Ed Grimley. I know this for a fact. You must have forgotten. I guarantee if you look it up you will see.
Urkel is also what saved show too.
The first time Steve turned into Stefan was such a good performance from Jaleel. I mean you really think he became another person. Great actor.
Right! They really need to see Urkel's cool side. 😎
Jaleel based the character Stefan on Daruis McCrary (Eddie Winslow) in real life.
Family Matters will always be absolutely wild for how it stared vs how it ended. As Urkel's whole 'science nerd' character got more and more popular, they kept featuring him more and more. Which also meant increasing Urkel's scientific capabilities more and more to enable sitcom hijinks and center him in more plotlines. And it just kept spiraling and spiraling and escalating.
So you had a situation where, in the first season, this was a simple show about a cop's family trying to get by in Chicago. By the last seasons, Urkel had perfected human cloning, teleported them all to Paris, and time traveled back to a pirate ship with Carl.
I don't think any show in history has gotten as far away from the original concept as Family Matters did.
He eventually became a Bruce lee, Elvis presley, a hot stud version of him, a women, and other really random things.
Now that you mention it, that does sound like the plot of a Saturday morning cartoon 😅
The show was originally about the mother character of this show. She was on another show called "Perfect Strangers" and the people that ran that show wanted her on a spin off. The character of Steve Urkel was only going to be on one show. People like the character and he came back for more shows, by the next season he was a regular cast member.
@battlegirldeb I also read they shot additional scenes with him, and inserted them in early shows in season 1 where he never appeared!
I went to a Halloween costume party in the '90s where a black co-worker came as Steve Urkel. He nailed it, outfit, voice, everything and truly was the hit of the party. Thanks for bringing back some great memories.
I don’t have to take this… I’m going home… Now I know I’m old when there’s people who haven’t seen this show.
And Felipe is back too! Everyone is just envious! LOL 🤣
Steve Urkel hands down my fav character ever on a TV show. He also actually does end up marrying Laura.
Loved this show growing up, i was around 12 or so when TGIF was on, with this was on, Full House, Perfect Strangers, etc.
Me too. And Step by Step.
The clip at 14:12 is when Eddie told Steve to serenate Laura.
Jaleel White should have won an Emmy for this.
Agreed
Was just thinking the same thing. 😊
I absolutely agree with this.
That is Jaleel White! He is a great actor because he was just the opposite of that character. He's a grown handsome man now. Can't believe how time flies!
Jaleel White. Yes. He had the spirit. The writing. The directing. This was a VERY endearing show. I don’t think Steve Eurkel, at that age, was creepy at all. Maybe it was an early example, in sit-coms, of nuro-divergent behavior?
Real talk without Steve Urkel family matters wouldn't have not been that good Jaleel White saved family matters he's the real reason why I watch it and it became my favorite sitcom of all time
When I was a kid Friday nights was TGIF and this was one of the shows on TGIF we'd watch after our shower. Family Matters, Dtep by Step, Full House, Saved by the Bell, Dinosaurs, ect.
He does invent a machine that makes him cool. 😂
You're my favorite, DT.
Who knew Urkel would lead to such deep conversations! Great reaction!
Funny show that began in the new fall tv season of 1989. Huge ratings for ABC network. One of the top-rated shows for the next few seasons.
Your reviews are phenomenal; keep them coming!!!
And his cousin Murdle Uracle. 😂
Myrtle Urkel
My 40 year old nephew did a great Urkel impression when he was a kid.
There's a song by the Mamas & the Papas that applies here. It's called "Glad to be Unhappy," and the entire song can be boiled down to four lines: Unrequited love's a bore/And I've got it pretty bad/But for someone you adore/It's a pleasure to be sad. They have a similar song, "Go Where You Wanna Go," which goes into a little more detail.
Family Matters is a spin off of the Television show Perfect Strangers.
No sitcom character will ever compete with Steve Urkel.
Steve was a combination of the black Dennis the menace and Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau. I absolutely loved this show. Jaleel White was so talented. I just subscribed to your channel, and I’m having such a great time watching all of the clips from my favorite TV shows from my early childhood to my early adulthood. Thank you making laugh so much!
These scenes were from just the first season. You should watch more of the show and how his character progressed. He remained nerdy and dressed like that, although he also became aware that he was a nerd. However, he had said more than once that he liked who he was. By the last two or three seasons, the show really went off the rails. It started out so down-to-earth, but it ended up with Steve making all kind of inventions such as a teleportation device and a cloning machine.
You should do more Family matters reactions love Steve hes so funny lol
1 of the greatest sitcoms of all time I love your guys reaction you guys look like really great friends
I am the guy that told you about Vitameatavegaman ! Now Find Lucy Stomping wine grapes with her feet with other lady ! Very Lucy Funny !
We're gonna have to do that one too! - Joe
@@typadudes hi its on you tube about 3 plus minutes long version !
Laura became interested in him when he became his alter ego Stefan Urkel, who was much smoother and classy. Stephen also played the female
character Myrtle Urkel, who was his cousin.
Yep, though she did eventually fall for the original Steve in the end and chose to marry him instead of Stefan.
I only saw Urkel a few times but his character is hilarious -- but sometimes I admit a little sad, the way people treat him. I think that was in his initial appearances though.
12:00 Urkel: "I'll just tiptoe out" -- causes the loudest crash I've heard in a while! ...and "You won't even know I'm here!" - another CRASH!! 😅🧐
Family Matters was ok, but it needed a real boost. Steve Urkel was the best thing to happen to the show. And one of the best characters on television, ppl still mention him to this day. And YEP! Believe it or not, BOBBY BROWN was that guy back in the day.
Well, now y'all must check out him transforming into Stefan Urkel.
For a young kid, he was a great physical comedian as well. He bulked up sone in his teenage- young 20 's
There are many accordion joke in the world... What's the best sound an accordion makes...
A: When it hits the bottom of the dumpster.
The character that Jaleel White created is one of the top ten greatest characters in tv history. Imo.
Thats one for tbe school album book. At the end
I have a love /hate relationship with Family Matters because it started off as a comedy about an African American blue collar couple raising a family that always ended with an inspirational message. When his character was introduced he was such a cute and hilarious nerdy type that the show started the most over the top story plots that bordered on bafoonery. He was supposed to be in a few episodes but once the producers saw how much viewers liked Steve they started making him into almost a lead and the other cast members where barely getting any lines and the youngest child Judy just disappeared by the 3rd season with no explanation. I remember a lot of people in the African American community sadly stopped watching it after a while. Jaleel White who played Urkel said it took a long time for him to be taken seriously for more adult roles because they only saw him as Steve.
That happens in most sitcoms, execs often look for a breakout star, a Fonz or a Kramer who they can cash in on. Happy Days was a great show until the third season when they decided to focus on the Fonz. They were even thinking of changing the name to Fonzie's Happy Days. It wasn't his fault but focusing on him changed the whole tone of the show. They also had a disappearing character, Richie's older brother Chuck.
tanyperez4892:. I did not like Family Matters when it first came out because it did not look like anything special. It looked like a by the numbers produced sitcom meant to appeal to the black community of which I am member. I did not watch it. Later on when the Steve Urkel character showed up I heard some black people talking about how funny he was. I saw the character a few times as I was channel surfing but I did not stop to watch the show because it looked silly. One day the show was on and before I could change the channel I let the scene that was happening play out. It was a hilarious scene because I finally gave the show a chance and from then on I was a fan.
Yeah, the first 4 to 5 seasons was extraordinary, but after 5 seasons, the ratings began to slip. I do think constantly showing Stephan killed the imagination. We know Jaleel White isn’t really a nerd, but that is what people wanted to see on the show; not Jaleel as Stephan. And it did get a little over the top with the science fiction. And Urkels clumsiness was getting too predictable when it came to driving Carl crazy. It became the Jaleel White show. They really should have showed a little less of him so to make people miss him.
@@Dontbeahypocrite5 It just played out like most successful sitcoms. The writers had squeezed all the juice from that fruit.
I love Steve Urkel
I think a great video for you guys to check out is called the first Metal of Honor recorded on video. Very impressive
YOU GUYS SHOULD WATCH THE CARL FREAKOUT COMPILATION, HILARIOUS 😂😂😂
Watch the one where they give Urkel a “Swirly” it was fun!
11:50 That is the loudest tip toeing I've ever heard
Time to go real retro where most reactors fear to go (b&w and silent) Charlie Chaplin and Smuggled Nose Powder or the Factory Scene from Modern Times.
🎶The Felipe Wiggle is back!
Weeeepppaaa! 🕺🏻
Urkel was so huge he had his own cereal called Urkel Os
Personally I thought he was a genius when it came to comedy. His delivery was impeccable.
DT is my fav! I prefer your straight forward personality and love the tats. Sorry Felipe lol 😂
Great reaction y’all should react to Good Times and What’s Happening and A Different Strokes all classic sitcoms.
Please Do The Wayne Bro's
To answer your question, yes Laura and Steve end up getting married at the end of the show.
3:16 7:09 Urkel is a low-key goth boy
Dude had his own dolls and other merchandise as well. He literally came on that show and stole it. I hope you guys are not against doing any lgbt themed shows. I think you’ll love “The Best oF Karen Walker” from the show Will And Grace.
I need me som DT in my life
How long have you been on the wagon? I’ve been there but the detoxing is a good thing.
Jaleel White did a great job with this role. “I’ll just tiptoe out…”
You have to see the later seasons. They were much better than the beginning seasons.
You think that?
you have to watch the episode when Steve transforms into Stephan
Watch Steve gets struck by lightning episode 😂😂😂
I couldn’t ever stand Urkel! 😂
Pipe down, he's more talented than you. You are not worthy at all
This is from my time. I saw where after this show he really buffed up. Didn't look anything like Urkel.
He’s a comedic genius IMO. His timing and delivery were so on point for a child actor.
Yeah, but he's no Stymie :) Bring back the Rascals! :)
Funny show for the first 2-3 seasons, then they kept getting stupider and stupider, as it became the Steve Urkel show.
No Urkel, Family Matters would've been a forgettable show.
I suppose some of u have never seen What's Happening either? So therfore u need big time chastisement for that as well. U know Rog., Rerun, Dee etc.
you have to check out Steve's cousin Murdell!
It's an on going pattern with sitcoms. Every one of them has a breakout character at some point. Sometimes though, they put too much emphasis on that character to the point where they are oversaturated and then the show loses it charm. Doesn't always happen but in many cases it does.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
There is no other child actor to date thar can compare to Jaleel White's portrayal of Steve/Stefan!
From what I heard they gave him free reign in developing that character...you can find "Family Matters" still being shown today..
What a clown akways made you laugh!! (As did you! 😁)
…..Urkel was a great character; my favorite is still Fred Sanford…
More Sanford & Son..
You might get some love too if you ditched the Charlie Brown sweater. 😅🤣😂
PLEASE PLEASE CHECK OUT ANDREW DICE CLAY'S STAND UP... THE DICE MAN COMETH.
I’ve forgotten how funny this show was, I used love Friday nights on ABC.
One of the reasons the show was funny is because the writers didn’t force things like unfunny catchphrases on the audience like sitcoms do now and they truly had funny situations.
Sitcoms are too bland and unfunny today
Steve seems to have taken a lot of inspiration from Jerry Lewis.
Please do a part two when they get older
Laura and Urkel ultimately gets married.
When y'all do shows you grew up to you should bring in younger viewers to see what they say
Yeah Family Matters wasnt gonna make it past the first season before Urkel
He doesn't get the girl until he develops a machine that transforms his personality. :-(
Well she did eventually fall for the real him by the end of the show.
I love you all and I'm jealous of Holly. I wanted to be your white chick. Love to you Holly!
I'm diggin' the tuque, not keen on the colour though.
Thanks, Paula! 😀
Y’all didn’t see this in reruns? Or was your generation not watching repeats of, say, “Saved By The Bell”?
Myrtle Urkel was the funniest character.
Not really