Block Party vs. TGIF
At first, Family Matters belonged to ABC, but in 1997, CBS picked up both Family Matters and Step by Step in a $40 million deal. CBS then scheduled Family Matters (along with the shows Meego and Step By Step) in its new Friday lineup dubbed the CBS Block Party, which stood against ABC’s TGIF lineup, where the series originated.
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At the time, Payton (Harriette) was reluctant to continue. She wanted to leave the show, feeling it had jumped the shark years ago. Her contract had even expired, but she agreed to stay for the first half of the last season for continuity’s sake. Partway through, her part was taken over by Judyann Elder.