Family Matters (1989)
Synopsis
A long-running dramedy centering on the Winslow family, a middle-class African American family living in Chicago, and their pesky next-door neighbor, ultra-nerd Steve Urkel. A spin-off of Perfect Strangers.
Network
ABC, CBS
Episodes
The Mama Who Came to Dinner
Mother Winslow moves in and immediately begins to usurp Carl's authority. Eddie wants to go out with his friends, but he has a strict curfew that complicates things with Carl.
Two-Income Family
Hariette loses her job to automation, forcing the family into austerity measures while Carl stews over the family debts.
Short Story
Rachel writes a short story with characters that seem all too familiar; Carl becomes obsessed with the family's out of proportion water bill.
Rachel's First Date
The Winslows finally get to be alone together when Rachel accepts a date with a man from the church choir.
Straight A's
Eddie comes home with straight A's on his report card and the whole family is proud of him. Rodney comes over and tells him that he changed the grades on the report cards on the school computer. Eddie doesn't want to tell the truth because he fears that he will hurt Carl's feelings.
Basketball Blues
Carl's efforts to get Eddie psyched for a pro basketball career is enhanced by a visit from basketball star Bolton.
Body Damage
Rachel takes an unauthorized spin in the classic automobile that Carl plans to drive in the Columbus Day Parade.
Mr. Badwrench
Self-proclaimed handyman Carl decides to install a shower in Mother Winslow's quarters while she's out of town.
Stake-Out
After Carl is on an all-night stakeout with his attractive new partner, Harriette finds a room key to Louie's Love Grotto in his pocket.
False Arrest
The Winslows are aghast to discover that their TV idol has been arrested for assaulting a police officer - Officer Carl Winslow.
The Quilt
Laura sells a quilt Grandmother Winslow considered an heirloom.
Laura's First Date
Laura wants to go to an upcoming dance with a good-looking boy. Carl and Eddie try to find Laura a date. Carl asks Steve Urkel to take Laura to the dance, while Eddie asks one of his friends to take her out. When Laura finds out what happened, she is humiliated.
Man's Best Friend
Carl has a rule he intends to enforce not pets in the house until he meets a big, playful puppy who follows the kids home from school.
Baker's Dozens
Thanks to Rachel's brainstorm, Carl could become the "king of tarts" if he shares his secret recipe for lemon tarts, which were a big hit at a local restaurant.
The Big Reunion
Carl decides to lose weight before going to his high-school reunion.
The Party
A "No Guests" rule spells no fun for Eddie, who's left in charge of the house while the adults are away for the weekend.
The Big Fix
Eddie persuades Laura to date a guy he's indebted to.
Sitting Pretty
Laura's babysitting service floods the house with children at a bad time on the night Carl has invited his captain over.
In a Jam
Eddie wants to do the right thing when faced with protecting Steve from a bully who threatens to beat him up, which could get Eddie creamed as well.
The Candidate
Eddie places image over integrity in his class president bid when image-maker Laura offers a thousand points of light to illuminate his campaign.
Bowl Me Over
The men vie with the women in a bowling match and Carl's philosophy about accepting defeat gracefully ends up in the gutter when Harriette aces him out.
Rock Video
When Eddie's big ego threatens to disband his group during the making of a rock video for a contest, the rest of the Winslows offer some ideas.
Cast
Trailer
Details
Original Title
Family Matters
Status
Ended
Seasons
9
Episodes
215
Production
Bickley-Warren Productions, Lorimar Television, Miller/Boyett Productions
