I have to say this,I like(in some ways) and dislike (in many more) this show. When ABC announced that Harrite the elevator operator on Perfect Strangers was going to be spun off into her own series I thought,cool! I loved her sarcastic character and thought the show would be "really" funny.
What debuted in Sept. of '89 was,to me,something of a yawn. With story lines that could be from any sitcom. Enter (in what was supposed to be a one time guest shot)Steven Q. Urkel. Set up on a date by Laura's father (who has no idea that Steve is the biggest nerd in Laura & Eddie's school)Steve arrives on the scene and sort of like Fonzie did on Happy Days,his minor character became an overnight sensation with viewers and those in charge at the network.
Steve has apparently loved laura since Kindergarten (oh please!) Anyway,the focus shifts to Steve and for 9 long seasons we watch mostly funny episodes of Steve annoying Carl & Family & Friends! While all the while "he means well". Judy was written out because they didn't know how to write for her character,basically one kid to many.(It's more likely that little "Richie" was cuter,younger and funnier.) She went into adult films at 18,sad to say. She's done with that now and is back in mainstream acting.
Thelma Hopkins left to be in the short lived "Getting By" in which she co-stared with Cindy Williams. Sort of an inter-racial Laverne & Shirley with kids. If you are familiar with the sitcom term "Jump The Shark" this show did it twice! First there was the completely impossible episode where Steve and Carl shrink down to a few tiny inches! Then there was the last show before they moved to CBS;in that one they time travel and end up on a pirate ship! Oh brother!
Actually,even though I felt enough was enough,when I watched it on CBS the writing was much better and not so "kiddish". A bit much asking us to believe that after all these years Laura has fallen for Steve but they made it convincing enough. Eddie,finally acting his age,became a rookie cop and in a Christmas episode Rachel & Carl's mother return for 1 last visit.
The last show was,Urkel becomes part of the space program and (of course) causes a near disaster that almost gets him lost in space. He corrects the problem on the spacecraft and arrives home to a hero's welcome (for screwing up??) and back in Laura's arms and with the whole Winslow family. (The End!) Overall: 7 star rating for touching & sometimes poignant story lines. 3 off for overkill!
What debuted in Sept. of '89 was,to me,something of a yawn. With story lines that could be from any sitcom. Enter (in what was supposed to be a one time guest shot)Steven Q. Urkel. Set up on a date by Laura's father (who has no idea that Steve is the biggest nerd in Laura & Eddie's school)Steve arrives on the scene and sort of like Fonzie did on Happy Days,his minor character became an overnight sensation with viewers and those in charge at the network.
Steve has apparently loved laura since Kindergarten (oh please!) Anyway,the focus shifts to Steve and for 9 long seasons we watch mostly funny episodes of Steve annoying Carl & Family & Friends! While all the while "he means well". Judy was written out because they didn't know how to write for her character,basically one kid to many.(It's more likely that little "Richie" was cuter,younger and funnier.) She went into adult films at 18,sad to say. She's done with that now and is back in mainstream acting.
Thelma Hopkins left to be in the short lived "Getting By" in which she co-stared with Cindy Williams. Sort of an inter-racial Laverne & Shirley with kids. If you are familiar with the sitcom term "Jump The Shark" this show did it twice! First there was the completely impossible episode where Steve and Carl shrink down to a few tiny inches! Then there was the last show before they moved to CBS;in that one they time travel and end up on a pirate ship! Oh brother!
Actually,even though I felt enough was enough,when I watched it on CBS the writing was much better and not so "kiddish". A bit much asking us to believe that after all these years Laura has fallen for Steve but they made it convincing enough. Eddie,finally acting his age,became a rookie cop and in a Christmas episode Rachel & Carl's mother return for 1 last visit.
The last show was,Urkel becomes part of the space program and (of course) causes a near disaster that almost gets him lost in space. He corrects the problem on the spacecraft and arrives home to a hero's welcome (for screwing up??) and back in Laura's arms and with the whole Winslow family. (The End!) Overall: 7 star rating for touching & sometimes poignant story lines. 3 off for overkill!