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Looking Back at Family Matters: How the Cast Got Eclipsed by Urkel

A Spin-Off of Perfect Strangers

The show Family Matters began with its matriarch, Harriette, a character who originated in the third season of Perfect Strangers. She was the elevator operator at the Chicago Chronicle, the (fictional) newspaper where Larry and Balki worked. Jo Marie Payton’s portrayal of Harriette worked wonders, and her beloved character stuck, prompting a new sitcom. In the end, Family Matters came out the victor, running a full season longer than Perfect Strangers.

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Photo by Abc-Tv / Wb-Tv / Lorimar / Kobal / Shutterstock

Family Matters became one of the longest-running Black-focused sitcoms. By the end of the ninth and final season, the show became the second longest-running American sitcom focusing on a predominantly Black cast. The show that sits in the first place? The Jeffersons, which ran for a total of 11 seasons.