Family Matters’ Reboot Could Still Happen, And I Think Jaleel White’s Oddball Idea Actually Sounds Great

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It’s been more than 20 years since the last episode of “Family Matters” aired. One popular cast member from this classic sitcom, Jaleel White, has moved away from sitcom acting, but he keeps busy with his hosting job on the game show “Flip Side.” He also recently published his memoir titled “Growing Up Urkel.” Despite venturing into new roles and projects, “Family Matters” continues to hold a special place in his heart. An amusing concept for a reboot of the show has been floating around in his mind, and surprisingly, it sounds quite intriguing.

There have been numerous TV shows revived which didn’t seem essential, such as Saved By the Bell, Fuller House, Girl Meets World, and others. At times, it’s important to move on from a show, embrace its ending, no matter how devoted fans were to the initial series. Unlike some people who wish for Family Matters to follow the same trend, Jaleel White shared an unconventional idea for a Family Matters reboot during his appearance on Fail Better with David Duchovny podcast. To be honest, this concept is so outlandish it could just work.

In my opinion, the reboot could focus on a new character who steps into a struggling ’90s sitcom and stirs up trouble initially, but eventually turns things around. This storyline should not only revolve around this kid’s extraordinary experiences on set, but also his everyday life as an ordinary student at public school, just like I was during my time in the show. Additionally, it should delve into the lives of his uninformed-about-the-business parents.

It seems as though Jaleel White’s concept might have some ties to his personal life experiences, given that his character, Steve Urkel from the sitcom “Family Matters,” gained such massive popularity that it helped keep the show running even after its initial season. In fact, the series was on the verge of cancellation until the arrival of Steve Urkel captivated audiences with his catchphrase “Did I do that?”, his endearing nerdy antics, and his persistent crush on Laura Winslow.

It’d be wonderful to witness a young performer skillfully embody the beloved ABC character and navigate the complexities of balancing stardom with everyday childhood. The narrative brings to mind Disney Channel’s “The Famous Jet Jackson,” sharing similar motifs. On-set challenges, such as the rumored issues between Jo Marie Payton and Jaleel White during filming or the apprehension that schoolmates might tease him for playing Steve’s cousin, Myrtle Urkel, could potentially arise. This production offers a unique perspective on child acting, making it seem glamorous on screen but revealing the unexpected challenges from behind the scenes.

Jaleel White expressed that he envisions the series transitioning to a streaming platform, broken down into 30-minute episodes. One significant factor that excites me about his reboot concept is… (if his idea becomes a reality)

Revisiting [the reboot] brings emotions reminiscent of the original Wonder Years…

The ’90s serve as an extraordinary backdrop; it’s our generation’s 60s, offering insights into the development of cellphones and the internet. By centering around three key characters – a mom, dad, and child – this show would provide a time-travel experience to revisit the ’90s, delving into an entirely distinct era. I believe such a series could resonate with multiple generations, offering a captivating exploration of the past.

The Wonder Years really provided ’90s TV viewers with a genuine insight into what it was like to grow up in the ’60s, offering a rich tapestry of themes such as the Vietnam War, evolving women’s roles, and the generational divide. A potential reboot featuring Jaleel White could highlight the pinnacle of sitcoms and how television significantly influenced pop culture during that era.

I think it’s more appealing to me that they consider a remake inspired by Jaleel White’s life as a child actor, rather than another series following up on “Family Matters,” since the original show concluded with Steve and Laura preparing for their wedding, only for the lovable nerd to be offered a space mission. Luckily, he returned safely to the Winslows, ending the episode with a kiss between him and Laura.

Jaleel White candidly expressed his view that the sitcom Family Matters shouldn’t be remade because it wouldn’t have the same impact without the “tension” provided by the love triangle involving Myra, Steve, and Laura. He added that if Michelle Thomas, who played Laura, were still alive, a reboot could potentially work. However, since she passed away from cancer in 1998, White believes a revival would not be feasible.

I’m hoping that streaming platforms are considering Jaleel White’s unusual concept for a revival of Family Matters. A show that delves into the ’90s and the challenges faced by child stars would resonate with both fans of the original series and new viewers, just as Netflix’s Cobra Kai did. However, for now, we can rewatch all nine seasons of the TGIF sitcom on your Max and Hulu subscriptions.

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2025-03-21 02:07