Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Season 1 – Family Matters

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Family Matters 1989 Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
70% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Policeman Carl Winslow has enough to deal with on the job. But when he gets home, he still has to handle kids, his wife, Harriette (whose character was first introduced on the sitcom "Perfect Strangers"), his mom, a sister-in-law and Urkel, the nerd next door who doesn't understand that he doesn't actually live with the Winslows.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

Family Matters — Season 1

Family Matters — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Family Matters' first season proves that a simple sitcom built from basic ingredients can still deliver plenty of laughs if there's the right kind of chemistry between the cast -- particularly one with a breakout star waiting in the wings.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (10) Critics Reviews
Howard Rosenberg Los Angeles Times Three series premiere head to head at 8 tonight... ABC's "Family Matters" is one of the most forgettable. Sep 14, 2018 Full Review Rick Kogan Chicago Tribune Enough said. Though inoffensive, this is as standard as sitcom gets. Sep 14, 2018 Full Review Tom Shales Washington Post It may not make everybody laugh, but a decent human being would have a hard time not smiling. Sep 14, 2018 Full Review David Hiltbrand People Magazine The sitcom is a simple-okay, okay, usually simpleminded-pleasure, but it's consistently diverting. Sep 14, 2018 Full Review Jim Vorel Paste Magazine Family Matters is the perfect example of a show that would have been nothing special without a single exceptional character, but the really amazing thing is that this break-out character, Steve Urkel, wasn't even part of the initial show design. Sep 14, 2018 Full Review Ashley Turner Black Girl Nerds I will admit that the camera pull-out at the end with the Winslows singing and their dark silhouettes framed by the window, pulled at my heart a little. Sep 14, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (4) audience reviews
Jay W The story of "Family Matters" is a story about two distinct shows wanting to go on. One show is a down to earth family drama about real life issues. Stuff like gun control, gang violence and getting by in school. Then something happens towards the end of the first season. Laura needs a date to the school dance, so the dad calls up a friend to set her up with a boy named Steve. This brings us to show #2, the Steve Urkel show. Test audiences and producers loved Jaleel White's Urkel. And quickly the show changed gears to make him the focus. The show's tone also drastically changed. Soon it became a sci-fi show that happened to take place in a family's house. Urkel would invent robots, time machines, teleportation pods and cloning machines. People are divided on the show. Either they loved the down to earth family drama, or they loved the crazy out there stories with Urkel. It is an interesting show to follow. It is like the way the Fonz took over "Happy Days", but where the Fonz was super cool, Urkel is a super nerd. The show had some all-time great moments, but watching it from beginning to end, there are more duds than you may remember. Was the quality decline of the show to blamed on Jaleel White's character? Or as Urkel would ask..."Did I do that?" Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/01/24 Full Review Michael C I'm laughing out loud multiple times an episode in 2024. As a kid I really wanted Carl Winslow to be my dad. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/11/24 Full Review Audience Member One of the best sitcoms of all time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Re-watched with the kids and great story and acting all-around. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Family Matters — Season 1

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All Cast and Crew

Jo Marie Payton

Actor

Reginald VelJohnson

Actor

Rosetta Lenoire

Actor

Darius McCrary

Actor

Kellie Shanygne Williams

Actor

Jaimee Foxworth

Actor

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 22, 1989 The Mama Who Came to Dinner Carl (Reginald VelJohnson) is not happy about his mother (Rosetta LeNoire) coming to live in his already crowded household. Guest stars: Mark Linn-Baker, Bronson Pinchot. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 29, 1989 Two Income Family Harriette loses her job, forcing the family into austerity measures. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 6, 1989 Short Story Rachel's first published short story hits too close to home for certain members of the family. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 13, 1989 Rachel's First Date Desperate for some time alone with Harriette, Carl encourages Rachel to start dating again. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 20, 1989 Straight A's Eddie's surprise straight-A report card thrills Carl and Harriette. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 3, 1989 Basketball Blues Carl pushes Eddie to try out for the high-school basketball team despite the boy's reluctance. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 10, 1989 Body Damage Rachel and Harriette wreck Carl's vintage patrol car and must fix the car before Carl notices. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 17, 1989 Mr. Badwrench Carl and Eddie attempt to install a new shower for Grandma Winslow. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 24, 1989 Stake-Out Harriette gets jealous when Carl goes on a lengthy stakeout with a policewoman. Details Episode 10 Aired Nov 28, 1989 False Arrest Carl charges an arrogant celebrity with assault after losing patience. Details Episode 11 Aired Dec 8, 1989 The Quilt Laura sells the priceless quilt Grandmother Winslow considered an heirloom. Details Episode 12 Aired Dec 15, 1989 Laura's First Date Laura needs a date for the dance; Eddie asks one of his friends and Carl asks Steve Urkel. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 8, 1990 Man's Best Friend The children bring home a stray dog that has a habit of chewing on things. Details Episode 14 Aired Jan 11, 1990 Baker's Dozen The family works hard to fill an order for thousands of Carl's lemon tarts. Details Episode 15 Aired Jan 23, 1990 The Big Reunion Carl decides to lose weight before going to his high-school reunion. Details Episode 16 Aired Feb 3, 1990 The Party While his parents are away, Eddie's friends throw a wild party. Details Episode 17 Aired Feb 9, 1990 Mercy Date Eddie pushes Laura to date his creditor, Steve Urkel. Details Episode 18 Aired Feb 20, 1990 Sitting Pretty Laura's baby-sitting service floods the house with children at a bad time. Details Episode 19 Aired Feb 23, 1990 In a Jam Eddie gets himself in trouble when he defends Steve from a bully. Details Episode 20 Aired Mar 16, 1990 The Candidate Eddie places image over integrity in his class-president bid. Details Episode 21 Aired Apr 17, 1990 Bowl Me Over The Winslows have a battle-of-the-sexes bowling match. With JoMarie Payton-France and Reginald VelJohnson. Details Episode 22 Aired Apr 30, 1990 Rock Video The Winslow family makes a music video for a television contest. Details

More Like This

View All Popular TV on Streaming
Cosby % % Cosby Watchlist Kate & Allie % % Kate & Allie Watchlist Family Affair % % Family Affair Watchlist The Honeymooners: Lost Episodes 100% 89% The Honeymooners: Lost Episodes Watchlist Gilligan's Island 90% 76% Gilligan's Island Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More
View All Family Matters — Season 1 photos

Family Matters — Season 1

Family Matters Family Matters Family Matters Family Matters View more photos

Season Info

Network
CBS
Rating
TV-G
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 22, 1989