Could This Show Survive Today? Ep. 5 - Family Matters

[Mister B. M. Ed.]

So, for the 5th episode of this, we'll debate whether Chicago's version of The Huxtables and America's most well-known nerd would make a hit in 2019.

Family Matters (1989-1998, 215 episodes)

Premise: A well-balanced family in Chicago deals with the nerdy-neighbor next door and all of the shenanigans that ensue.

 

[Chi-Town B]

As long as they stayed away from the dumb ass transformation chamber and the dumb shit like shrinking themselves and teleporting to places.

 

[Goldie]

Even as a kid I thought this shit was corny

 

[Chi-Town B]

They went overboard with Urkel but the first 3 or 4 seasons was alright

 

[Norrin_Radd]

Like y’all said the first few seasons were decent but it got extra corny at the end. This nigga Urkel went to space! Smh. And no way I would’ve went with Laura after all the times she shit on him.

 

[GNS]

Nobody would've believed urkel was from any parts of chicago in this day and age

 

[Agent_Ro]

As long as they stayed away from the dumb ass transformation chamber and the dumb shit like shrinking themselves and teleporting to places.

When they started doing shit like that too much, that’s when it fell off

 

[Norrin_Radd]

When they started doing shit like that too much, that’s when it fell off

Right there was an episode this nigga and Richie and 3J (damn shame I remember the names) transformed into Bruce Lee. I was done after that shit

 

[Eastbay510]

Don’t think Family Matters would stand a chance today. I think it never would have made it past a season or two back in the day if it wasn’t for Urkel. If you watch any scene without him on that show it’s boring as hell.


Michelle Thomas “Myra” was fine as hell though RIP

 

[Duwop]

if they kept the tone from the first couple of seasons before steve became the sta, they would have been great..

they addressed a lot of black issues in a very tasteful manner, and carl being a cop would have been perfect for this era

 

[Northside7]

if they kept the tone from the first couple of seasons before steve became the sta, they would have been great..

they addressed a lot of black issues in a very tasteful manner, and carl being a cop would have been perfect for this era

Reading, wRiting, and Racism. The three Rs.

 

[BDP™️]

if they kept the tone from the first couple of seasons before steve became the sta, they would have been great..

they addressed a lot of black issues in a very tasteful manner, and carl being a cop would have been perfect for this era

Prob would have somehow incorporated that the actor that plays him is gay...

Would have been Carl and Harry instead Harriet lol

 

[Mister B. M. Ed.]

There were way too many jumping the shark moments done in Family Matters, especially the last season when the show was picked up by CBS:

Getting rid of half the family (Judie been gone, but Rachael, the grandma)
Getting a new boy in 3J
NEW HARRIETTE COMING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEASON.
The whole marriage proposal scenario (Laura accepted Steve's engagement ring because he threatened to move to Russia...some BS)
The fact that the wedding never happened.....that should've been the final episode.


I don't hate the fact the show got Urkel-centered, because the show was going to be cancelled in the 2nd season if the producers didn't take that risk.

 

[Mister B. M. Ed.]

Here's another thing to consider:

The #MeToo movement.

They would've branded Urkel the biggest creep in America for all the chasing of Laura throughout the show's run. In the end, he got her, but for at least 6 straight seasons, it was her just shooting the nigga down, week after week after week. At some point, I think feminists everywhere would've got at ABC to try to tone down Urkel's pursuit of Laura, which would've been bad for the show cause it was a major storyline - if not THE biggest storyline.

 

[Eastbay510]

Here's another thing to consider:

The #MeToo movement.

They would've branded Urkel the biggest creep in America for all the chasing of Laura throughout the show's run. In the end, he got her, but for at least 6 straight seasons, it was her just shooting the nigga down, week after week after week. At some point, I think feminists everywhere would've got at ABC to try to tone down Urkel's pursuit of Laura, which would've been bad for the show cause it was a major storyline - if not THE biggest storyline.

Yeah this crossed my mind too. They’d never let the dynamic between Urkel and Laura happen today.

Or Jazz with Hillary on Fresh Prince..
Jamie and Fancy on the Jamie Foxx Show..

And the probably would have got Martin cancelled for his jokes back and forth with Pam

Glad I grew up before this sensitive era

 

[BDP™️]

And the probably would have got Martin cancelled for his jokes back and forth with Pam

Martin proly would have survived just because Pam would fight back and win. She used to flame Martin up equally lol

 

[T. Sanford]

Like y’all said the first few seasons were decent but it got extra corny at the end. This nigga Urkel went to space! Smh. And no way I would’ve went with Laura after all the times she shit on him.

I never understood that either. That nigga had to transform himself to get with the woman of his dreams. Yet, Myra (probably the finest sitcom woman of all time) loved Steve for who he was. Then in the end, Laura finally decided to choose Steve instead smh

I can't forget when Eddie got beat up by the Dragons on Family Matters

 

[Norrin_Radd]

Waldo Geraldo Faldo was my nigga too. They shouldn’t have gotten rid of him either.

 

[T. Sanford]

Waldo Geraldo Faldo was my nigga too. They shouldn’t have gotten rid of him either.

I still can't believe that he went with fine as Maxine

 

[NAWLEDGE_GOD]

I Would Watch Just For Myra RIP