When Family Matters premiered in 1989, the show quickly rose in the ranks as one of the highest-ranking comedy sitcoms ever. But although the long-running series was originally meant to focus on the Winslows, Jaleel White’s Steve Urkel character, meant to be a guest spot, quite literally stole the show.
In a recent episode teaser for TVOne’s Uncensored, White alluded to possible tension within the crew. He revealed in the interview that he didn’t feel received by members of the cast, saying
“I was not welcomed to the cast at all. They know what it was.”
Jaleel White quickly stole the show as everyone’s favorite nerd on the classic sitcom Family Matters. He turned what was meant to be one guest appearance into an iconic starring role. An all-new episode of UNCENSORED airs Sunday at 10/9C. pic.twitter.com/QAp7sy8zNc
— TV One (@tvonetv) May 3, 2021
A spinoff of Perfect Strangers, Family Matters was written as a Black family sitcom showing Carl and Hariette Winslow raising their three children Eddy, Judy and Laura. However, following the success of Urkel’s character, the show went in a different direction, offering actor White more spotlight and screen time.
Captivated by the suspender-wearing nerd, as well as his suave alter ego Stefan Urquelle, viewers tuned in faithfully, leading to nine seasons of Family Matters. In no time, White became the show’s focal point, with most of the storylines and memorable moments of the sitcom involving his character.
“I didn’t think anything of it, being cast to be on Family Matter,” White said in the Uncensored clip. “Because it was only supposed to be a guest spot. One and done.”
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White shared the small screen with co-stars Darius McCrary, Jo Marie Payton, Reginald VelJohnson and Kellie Shanygne Williams, his love interest on the show. Also, a big part of the series was Michelle Thomas, who played Urkel’s girlfriend, Myra Monkhouse. Thomas passed away in 1998 after being diagnosed with stomach cancer.
Remembering his friend and castmate, White tearfully said “Michelle Thomas became a special person. I literally cannot say her name without crying.”
White’s Uncensored episode aired Sunday, May 9.
