Family Matters

Family Matters is an American television sitcom that debuted on ABC on September 22, 1989, and ended on May 9, 1997. However it moved to CBS, where it was shown from September 19, 1997, to July 17, 1998. A spin-off of Perfect Strangers, the series revolves around the Winslow family, an African-American middle class family living in Chicago, Illinois. Midway through the first season, the show introduced the Winslows' nerdy neighbor Steve Urkel (Jaleel White), who was originally scripted to appear as a one-time character. However, he quickly became the show's breakout character (and eventually the main character), joining the main cast.

Family Matters
GenreFamily sitcom
Created by
  • William Bickley
  • Michael Warren
Developed by
  • Thomas L. Miller
  • Robert L. Boyett
Starring
Theme music composerJesse Frederick, Bennett Salvay & Scott Roeme
(first five episodes only: Bob Thiele, George David Weiss & George Douglas)
Opening theme"As Days Go By,"
performed by Jesse Frederick
(originally in first five episodes only: "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong)
Ending themeInstrumental theme,
composed by Jesse Frederick & Bennett Salvay (seasons 1–4)
Gary Boren (seasons 5–9)
ComposersJesse Frederick &
Bennett Salvay (both; seasons 1 and 2)
Gary Boren (seasons 3–5, 8 and 9)
Steven Chesne (seasons 4–7 and 9)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons9
No. of episodes215 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Thomas L. Miller
  • Robert L. Boyett
  • William Bickley
  • Michael Warren (seasons 2–9)
  • David W. Duclon (seasons 3–9)
Producers
  • Kelly Sandefur
  • Fred Fox Jr.
  • Jim Geoghan
  • Gary Menteer
  • Stephen Langford
  • Sara V. Finney
  • Vida Spears
  • Rebecca Falk
  • Robert Blair
  • Paula A. Roth
  • James O'Keefe
Production locations
  • Lorimar Studios
    Culver City, California (1989–1991)
  • Sony Pictures Studios
    Culver City, California (1991–1993)
  • Warner Bros. Studios
    Burbank, California (1993–1998)
Camera setupFilm; Multi-camera
Running time24 minutes
Production companies
  • Miller-Boyett Productions
  • Bickley-Warren Productions
    (1991–1998)
    (seasons 3–9)
  • Lorimar Television
    (1989–1993)
    (seasons 1–4)
  • Warner Bros. Television
    (1993–1998)
    (seasons 5–9)
Original release
NetworkABC (1989-1997)
CBS (1997-1998)
ReleaseSeptember 22, 1989 (1989-09-22) 
July 17, 1998 (1998-07-17)
Related
  • Perfect Strangers (1986–93)

Running for 215 episodes over nine seasons, Family Matters became the second-longest-running live action U.S. sitcom with a predominantly African-American cast, behind The Jeffersons with 11 seasons and 253 episodes. Both have since been exceeded by Tyler Perry's House of Payne with over 334 episodes as of 2023. Family Matters is the last live-action scripted primetime show that debuted in the 1980s to leave the air; the only scripted show that started in the 1980s and lasts longer in continuous production is The Simpsons.

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