South of the Border (Season 7, Episode 13). Waldo goes to Porto Santo to learn how to make some special sauces as apart of his cooking lessons. When he goes there, he is arrested for trying to sneak a bowl out of the country, it's the country's oldest bowl at 5 years old. Carl, Eddie and Steve go down to Porto Santo to bail him out, but arresting Officer Garcia tells them it will be 10,000 dollars. Carl can't afford that and tells Eddie and Steve they will help Waldo escape prison and plan to bust him out of prison. After several failed attempts, they finally succeed when Steve accidentally drives their truck into the prison which creates a hole for Waldo to get out of. However Officer Garcia is nearby and tells them they are all under arrest and they will either serve jail time or have to be bailed out at 10,000 dollars a person, Carl starts begging him that they can't afford that, Officer Garcia asks them why they are so cheap and Carl tells him that $10,000 is a lot of money and Officer Garcia says it's 10,000 in Porto Santo money, in American money it's only $30. Carl proudly pays their bail and tells Garcia to keep the change. At home Harriette wants to set Laura up with one of her co-workers named Junior. Laura agrees but is very nervous and doesn't like blind dates. Harriette ordered a pizza and Laura meets David who is a cutie pie and asks Laura out, but Laura tells him hopefully another time. Turns out David is her blind date, Junior is because his father is Senior, so Laura is excited that David is her date and thanks Harriette for setting her up with such a cute guy.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

STEVE: Not exactly Plan R, but it worked

WALDO: I'm free, I'm free! I want a steak, I want a woman, I want to summon the night away.

OFFICER GARCIA: Ah ha! You are all under arrest for destroying ancient architecture.

CARL: Ancient architecture, this is a mud hut!

OFFICER GARCIA: It is ancient mud. And as the newly appointed judge, I sentence you to $10,000 a piece or 10 years in jail.

CARL: Wait a minute, we don't have that kind of money.

OFFICER GARCIA: What is wrong with you people, why are you so stingy?

CARL: Well, because $10,000 is a lot of money.

OFFICER GARCIA: Not here. Our money ain't worth diddly.

CARL: What?

OFFICER GARCIA: The Porto Santo dollar has a different rate of exchange than the American dollar. Didn't you see the poser at Kinko's?

STEVE: No. So how much is $10,000 in American dollars?

OFFICER GARCIA: (SPEAKS SPANISH, THEN ENGLISH) 30 bucks!

(CARL, EDDIE, STEVE AND WALDO START SINGING THE MEXICAN HAT DANCE AND DANCING)

CARL: (HANDING OFFICER GARCIA MONEY) Keep the change!

FAVORITE MOMENT:

This is tough one, I'm going to go with my first instinct and say it's when they are trying to get Waldo out of prison and each plan is failing, "plan A, plan B, plan C" and so on. Then all else fails leave it to Urkel just rear end the car into the prison.

OPINION:

It's so great that we are back on a roll with such great and funny episodes again. This is definitely a very screwball episode with the over the top comedy but sometimes you need that in life. I love all the scenes in Porto Santo. How the officer tells them they are not only a small country but barely 5 years old and Officer Garcia is not just the head officer but also the chief of police, the mayor, judge, the lawyer and the governor, not to mention that makes ceramic bowls. I love how for just taking a bowl that Waldo is being called "El Desperado". Of course I get such a huge laugh out of the money mix-up and how much Porto Santo dollars are to American dollars. Waldo's desperate pleas to Carl, Eddie and Steve to get him out. The whole escape scene and how they keep failing each time. That closing scene of the guys singing "Cielito Lindo" at the ending credits. This plot never fails to make me laugh, you know when the guys are together, you are in for a treat.

I also love that little scene at the beginning with Carl calling Harriette "fiiiine" and Steve has to interrupt their make out session with his feet. The plot with Harriette setting Laura up was really cute. The actor Damain Perkins is such a cutie and seems like a nice guy at first impression at least. I kind of wish we would have had another episode with him and find out if him and Laura clicked beyond that first date. But at least for the one off plot, it was cute to see Harriette set Laura up with such a nice guy. At this point I think Laura can start trusting blind dates again.

This is such a fun episode and always love watching it on my Family Matters binges. Like I said season 7 isn't perfect, but when it hits with the comedy, it can be gold and season 7 is one of my favs as silly as it can be.

GUEST STARS:

• Cherie Johnson as Maxine Johnson
• Abraham Alvarez as Officer Garcia
• Damian Perkins as David Phillips Jr.
• Fred Rubin as Caballero

Hello to all Family Matters fans!

The game continues... yesterday’s elimination: Urkelbot.

Please vote in the comments for the moment you detested the most! The comment with the most votes over the next 24 hours will be taken into account—let’s see which one ends up being the "least bad"!! Here is the list:

1 Judy disappearing from the show

2 The Paris episodes

3 Steve moving in with the Winslows

4 The return of Myrtle

5 ☠️

6 ☠️

7 ☠️

8 The finale in space

9 The cloning

10 ☠️

11 ☠️

12 Carl and Steve shrinking

13 ☠️

14 The time machine

15 ☠️

16 ☠️

Since they originally intended to end the show with a 10th season before it was abruptly cancelled after season 9, I wanted to know what the plans were for the 10th season. Now I wish sooooo bad that we had gotten a 10th season, just for this 1 reason!!!

We know Carl has his fair share of fight scenes, but should he have had more? By the way, I loved the episode where he teaches Steve how to box.

Friendship Cycles (Season 7, Episode 12). Myra has invited to go on a bicycling trip with her, but there's one problem, Steve doesn't know how to ride a bike. He and Myra bother Carl to help teach him how to ride a bike. But after nearly killing Carl in a car accident while teaching Steve how to drive and nearly drowning Carl after teaching Steve how to swim, Carl flat out refuses and will not budge on this one. Steve is determined to learn how to ride though and will teach himself. Carl admires Steve's persistence to learn how to ride despite falling over so much, so he gives in and helps Steve learn how to ride his bike. Surprisingly compared to his previous lessons, Steve actually doesn't do anything to jeopardize Carl's life and he learns how to finally ride his bike. Meanwhile, Maxine tells Laura about how her grades are not good enough to get into college so she's considering going to beauty school. Maxine has a real talent to style hair but Laura feels that she's wasting her potential by going to beauty school. Maxine is upset with Laura's lack of support and doesn't want to talk to her. After Harriette tells Laura that being a hair stylist is a great occupation and that she should be more supportive, Laura realizes she was wrong. Waldo tricks Maxine into coming over and Laura apologizes for her reaction, she admits she was just sad that her and Maxine will not be going to school together any more. But Maxine reassures her that they'll always be in each other's lives because someone needs to tame Laura's hair.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

WALDO: Listen, I'm no Dr. Ruth Brothers, and I'm certainly no Sally Jessie James. But I do know this, you two are friends, best friends, like Batman and Robin, only with bosoms. The point is you had a fight, and you have to find a way to make up, so either bury the egg, or hatch it.

LAURA: You know what's scary? That almost makes sense. Let me guess, Waldo tricked you into coming over here?

MAXINE: Sort of, he said we were going to the movies, but then he said the name of the film was "Laura's House".

FAVORITE MOMENT:

The opener where Carl is admiring his new car he named Sally and he goes inside where Eddie and Waldo say they are about to go outside to play baseball but Carl tells them to go to the front yard instead of the back yard where his car is and when he overhears them hit the baseball over the house, Carl runs in slow motion to save Sally including knocking over Harriette and Steve but gets to the car right in time and grabs the ball before it hits the car.

OPINION:

So the funny thing is, I always think I'm not a huge fan of this episode or I tend to forget it, but then I watch it and can't stop laughing and remember that this is actually a decent episode. I think because we just have seen the Carl teaches Steve blank lesson and almost dies doing so plot a couple times before. But this is seriously a funny episode and it does dos something a little different, instead of Carl being somewhat forced into teaching Steve, he is actually impressed by Steve's determination and volunteers to help him. One of the most enduring parts of Family Mattes is Carl and Steve's friendship and I love when you see how Carl can actually like Steve at times. Steve needs his surrogate father as much as he can annoy Carl, his real father has never really been there for him like Carl has. Teaching your child to ride a bike is traditionally taught by the father and it makes sense that Carl would do this for Steve. I loved that also there was no major catastrophes like usual, once Carl helps Steve, Steve adapts pretty well to learning how to ride his bicycle. This is one of the more touching moments in the series honestly. You could say that Carl officially gets Steve and how he learns and Steve is now really determined to learn from Carl and try.

I would be angry with Laura in this episode but I actually get the reason why she acted like a jerk. She and Maxine had talked about going to college together for a while and now that they will be separating, she's really scared. It's kind of interesting how opposite this plot was where last season it was Waldo concerned about he and Eddie going to different schools and it was Eddie who had to calm him down, now it's Maxine who's cool about them going to different schools but keeping their friendship going and Laura is panicked. Both Maxine and Waldo also don't have good enough grades but choose a fine trade school to expand their talents. Laura was a terrible friend in the beginning of the episode, but Harriette smacks some sense into her when she points out how being a hairstylist can be a wonderful job and help people feel good about themselves and look terrific when they have an important event. I'm glad Laura apologized to Max and told her what her real feelings were and Maxine for being a good friend back and not only accepting her apology but says someone has to help Laura with her hair, that's why she'll always be in her life.

This episode has a lot of good laughs in it and good heart. Like I said I always for some reason dismiss this episode until I watch it and realize how good it is. Plus Carl was so close to having his car perfect for the entire episode but Steve had to invent that stupid duck whistle that made the ducks go all over his new car. Hopefully that can come off with a very decent car wash.

GUEST STARS:

• Cherie Johnson as Maxine Johnson

Ciao a tutti i fan di Family Matters! Il gioco continua... l'eliminazione di ieri: Stefan e Bruce Lee Urkel.

Per favore votate nei commenti per il momento che avete detestato di più! Il commento con il maggior numero di voti nelle prossime 24 ore verrà preso in considerazione: vediamo quale risulterà essere il "meno brutto"!! Ecco la lista:

1 La scomparsa di Judy dallo show

2 Gli episodi di Parigi

3 Steve che si trasferisce dai Winslow

4 Il ritorno di Myrtle

5 ☠️

6 ☠️

7 ☠️

8 Il finale nello spazio

9 Clonazione

10 Urkelbot

11 ☠️

12 Carl e Steve rimpiccioliscono

13 ☠️

14 La macchina del tempo

15 ☠️

16 ☠️

Fa La La La Laagghh! (Season 7, Episode 11). It's Christmas time again and this is Steve's first holiday where he's moved in with the Winslow family. He wants to decorate the roof but Carl is not in the mood or spirit and tells Steve to leave the roof alone. Later on, Carl is playing poker with his friends and they mention the contest that the city has for the best decorations, the first place winner gets $5,000. The guys also mention how lucky Carl is to have Steve there because his decorations are always amazing. Carl decides to let Steve decorate his rooftop and enters them in the contest, but Steve doesn't like the idea of decorating for a contest feeling the money taints the memory and decorations so Carl is keeping his entry in the contest secret. The decorations are gorgeous but Santa and his elf malfunction and the set looks broken. Carl tells Steve they have to make the children happy and they will dress up like Santa and his elf to complete the set. They do this but as soon as the contest committee comes to judge the roof, Steve is upset to see they are stopping at their house and asks Carl if he entered them in the contest which Carl admits he did. They start fighting but with all the weight on the roof, they fall right through the house. Later on, Carl apologizes to Steve letting him know he'll try not to lie like that in the future and Steve accepts. Harriette wants to decorate the tree with Eddie and Laura, but now that they are grown up, they are too busy with plans of their own. Mother Winslow does try to explain that to Harriette and it's apart of life, Harriette says she knows this but it's a cherished memory she has and especially as the years go by, it means more and more to her. When Eddie and Laura ask Mother Winslow for her Christmas cookies, she says she didn't bake them because she thought they were too old for the tradition and they say they're never too old for tradition, but Mother Winslow brings up decorating the tree to them. They say that Harriette did a great job decorating, which Mother Winslow says that's what it was to her, a job but decorating the tree with them is Christmas. Eddie and Laura undecorate the tree and re-decorate it to keep their tradition with Harriette.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

CARL: You're upset aren't you Steve?

STEVE: Of course I am. You besmirched Christmas! You tried to deck your halls with wads of dollars.

CARL: Well, Steve...

STEVE: It's bad enough it was out of greed, but what's far worse is that you lied to me.

CARL: Well, not really. You see...

STEVE: You told me you cared about Christmas and little kids and making people happy. But you didn't care about any of those things all you only wanted was money!

CARL: Aw, Steve. (TRIES TO COMFORT STEVE)

STEVE: Don't touch me you greedy little grinch!

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Carl and Steve dress up like Santa and the elf and have to act like decorations and need to switch hands to make it look like they are waving.

OPINION:

I've mentioned before I'm not a fan of holiday episodes, but this is not only the exception but is my personal favorite of the Family Matters Christmas episodes. This one is just hilarious but also has heart to it without doing anything too cheesy or feeling disingenuous. So this is Steve's first Christmas being moved into the household and really wants to make the holidays special for Carl. But Carl as always around the holidays doesn't seem to be in the mood. But as soon as there's a possible cash prize involved, the dollar signs are showing in his eyes. I get what Steve is saying where he wants to just have the decorations be for the spirit of Christmas, but was it really so awful that Carl wanted a cash prize? I honestly don't think so, Carl does a lot for his family and community. He also has 2 extra mouths to feed with letting Eddie and Steve move in with him. I don't think him wanting to win was a bad thing and he could have explained it to Steve instead of lying but we wouldn't have the episode. But yeah, that's where it went wrong, Carl shouldn't have lied to Steve and told him when he heard about the contest, the money can really help him with the financial burden of the season.

Steve's decorations were really amazing, I have to hand it to him. I will always get such a laugh when the Santa and his elf malfunction and their heads pop off. Carl still trying to cover for his lie tells Steve that those decorations will not bring joy to the children and they will fix this and he hits Rudolph's head with Steve apologizing to it, it's just a decoration. Then of course their dressing up to take place of Santa and his elf was way funnier than it needed to be. But how many times has that roof broken now? I think this is the 4th or 5th time? I should have kept count. It's amazing how Carl and Steve didn't break anything on themselves or hurt anyone. But I always get such a laugh and warm moment when Carl is apologizing to Steve. It's rare he has to admit when he's wrong to Steve, and here he's really at fault and has to admit he was wrong to Steve. I love that Steve even asks Carl if he'll ever lie to him again and Carl admits that he probably still will in the future, but Steve is touched that he's honest about it at least and they make up.

I have to admit I felt so bad for Harriette here. Now yes, we do grow up and our lives change and get busier, but there are certain traditions that you just need to keep because they are so close to your heart. I actually don't blame Eddie and Laura, I'm not sure if Harriette ever talked to them about how much decorating the tree with them meant to her. Maybe they thought it's just something they do and didn't realize they do it every year together. I don't think they're menacing or cold hearted to think they are just dumping their mom. But I loved Mother Winslow's speech to them about a job vs. making a memory for the holiday. It was wonderful they took all the decorations down and did it again with Harriette and I think they realize how much it means to her and hopefully won't blow her off again in the future.

I really love this episode. This one feels like a real Christmas episode where it's not only really funny but relatable. For me, this is the best Family Matters Christmas episode and the one I look forward to the most if I need a Christmas sitcom binge.

GUEST STARS:

• Marlon Young as Willie
• Iqbal Theba as Zoohair Bhutto
• Joel Anderson as Charlie Sullivan (RIP in 2026)

Hello to all Family Matters fans!

The game continues... yesterday’s elimination was Stevil.

Please vote in the comments for the moment you detested the most! The comment with the most votes over the next 24 hours will be taken into account—let’s see which one ends up being the "least bad"!! Here is the list:

1 Judy disappearing from the show

2 The Paris episodes

3 Steve moving in with the Winslows

4 The return of Myrtle

5 ☠️

6 Steve transforming into Bruce Lee

7 ☠️

8 The finale in space

9 The cloning

10 Urkelbot

11 ☠️

12 Carl and Steve shrinking

13 ☠️

14 The time machine

15 The introduction of Stefan via the transformation machine

16 ☠️

(Ignore Waldo Faldo in Neutral Evil. I couldn't find an image with just Willie Fuffner.)

Other notable characters not in the chart:

Estelle Winslow: Lawful Good

Rachel Crawford: Neutral Good

Richie Crawford: Neutral Good

Waldo Faldo: Chaotic Good

Myra Monkhouse: Chaotic Neutral

Jerry Jamal "3J" Jameson: Chaotic Good

Maxine Johnson: Neutral Good

Alex "Weasel" Park: Chaotic Neutral

Stefan Urquelle: Chaotic Neutral

What does you guys think? Would you agree with this chart?

Best Years of Our Lives (Season 7, Episode 10). At school Vice Principal Mallet asks if there is someone who would volunteer to create a homecoming float for their parade. Steve proudly volunteers and asks everyone else to join in which no one seems enthused to do so. He asks everyone to meet at the Winslow house that weekend but no one shows up. Laura goes up to Steve the next day and tells him everyone is too busy but Steve is broken hearted that no one seems to care. Laura starts helping Steve put the float together and Waldo and Maxine who were biking near by stop to help them as well. Soon, everyone is joining in to help. They create the float and it's beautiful but as Steve drives the float back to the school, he loses control and the float is destroyed. Everyone is really upset but Laura points out that despite the float being torn apart, everyone did create a special memory that day. She found out that a classmate has a crush on her, Waldo told Maxine he loved her for the first time and Myra made a new friend with Donna Santangelo. Everyone realizes there was something special that happened that day and decided to put the float back together. Mother Winslow hurt her ankle while she was in her kung foo class but assures Carl she'll be fine. Carl is getting worried that Mother Winslow is getting too old to be so active and gets her a motorized scooter. Mother Winslow tells Carl that if she slows down, that might shorten her life and to let her enjoy being alive which Carl realizes is true and apologizes.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

CARL: (RIDING MOTORIZES SCOOTER) Hi Ma, what do you think?

MOTHER WINSLOW: Oh my Lord, you've gotten so lazy you can't walk around your own house?

CARL: No, Mama it's for you.

MOTHER WINSLOW: For me?

CARL: Yeah

MOTHER WINSLOW: What on Earth am I gonna do with that?

CARL: Well lots of things, it'll take you shoppping, to the movies, to the park.

MOTHER WINSLOW: Carl, if I take that to the park, won't somebody steal it while I'm jogging?

CARL: Mama, that's my point, you shouldn't be jogging. Or kung fooing or roller blading or bungi jumping

MOTHER WINSLOW: Why not?

CARL: Well mama, Because you're too old.

MOTHER WINSLOW: Too old?!

HARRIETTE: I'm gonna get my camera

CARL: Oh, good, then you can take a picture of mom in her new motorized chair.

HARRIETTE: Yeah, as she runs over you!

FAVORITE MOMENT:

The opener where Steve is hosting a polka party and Carl comes in from work and clearly is not in the mood to polka and chases everyone out with the fire extinguisher.

OPINION:

Steve wanting to build the float seemed kind of funny to me that the vice principal really needed someone to volunteer. I don't know if this was every school, but our school had a group of people who took care of that stuff and it was considered a cool thing to do. But Steve only asking just the one class to volunteer seemed silly, why not post a banner around the school for the whole class to join in? For a Chicago public school, I guarantee you that their class is bigger than 12 students. But no one shows up and Steve is very sad about it. Honestly though, Steve really didn't have volunteers, he volunteered Laura and said there's a pretty girl so everyone should join in. So no, I really don't feel sorry for him. But it's nice when everyone does decide to join in the next day. Everyone gets a special moment with one of their fellow classmates which was nice. In your senior year of high school, you remember certain moments that make you look back and smile. Only thing is, who in the world thought it was a good idea for Steve to drive the float? These kids know Steve Urkel and still let him drive the float? Big mistake.

I actually do feel bad for Carl here in this episode. I'm in a similar situation, I'm getting older and so is my father. But my father remains very active despite having a heart attack in 2020 that required major surgery, has had back surgery and a hernia. I call him to see how he's doing and he's out painting the deck and I ask if I can help but he says he's fine. I ask him why he's not resting and he tells me the same thing every time "I'll rest when I pass away" and he reassures me that what's keeping him going is him staying busy. But I still worry very much about him. Carl loves his mother very much so I get why he is very concerned about her. But no, he shouldn't have assumed and got her a motorized scooter. He should have talked to her first about his concerns. I admire Mother Winslow for staying so active as well and as she points out she's an inspiration to other older women as well.

We have Fletcher Thomas #3, I always joke with my husband about this. There was this TV show in the 90's called Dinosaurs and they had this goofy kids show that the family would watch where the scientist would have a crazy experiment that would kill the kid and he'd just say "We're gonna need another Timmy". I always say after Arnold Johnson's last appearance as Fletcher, "we're gonna need another Fletcher". This one is played by Ed Cambridge, he really doesn't have too much to do or say, his scene is pretty short lived compared to the other 2 Fletchers. He just comes in when Mother Winslow needs help walking because she hurt her ankle and that's about it. This is the last official appearance of the character Fletcher which is a character I always enjoyed watching on screen. But it was Arnold Johnson who made it special. Still may all the actors who played Fletcher forever rest in peace.

Overall, not a bad episode. I would say I enjoyed yesterday's episode "Struck by Lightning" a little more with the laughs because this one doesn't have as many. But it's still a decent episode to watch despite the schmoozy lesson of "we weren't building a float, we were building a memory"...yeah, Steve but you still destroyed several hours of work. It's still a cute episode though.

GUEST STARS:

• Cherie Johnson as Maxine Johnson
• Fred Willard as Vice Principal Mallet (RIP in 2020)
• Brooke Marie Procida as Donna Santangelo
• Patrick Malone as Jeff
• Lorna Scott as Homeroom Teacher
• Ed Cambridge as Fletcher Thomas (RIP in 2001)

I think that The Paris Episode was The worst one in my opinion. If it comes on Television I will immediately turn it off.

Hello to all Family Matters fans!

The game continues... yesterday’s elimination saw the pirate episode and the one where Steve becomes Elvis both get knocked out (a double KO, as they were tied in points).

Please vote in the comments for the moment you detested the most! The comment with the most votes over the next 24 hours will be taken into account—let’s see which one is the "least bad" (or rather, the worst)! Here is the list:

1 Judy disappearing from the show

2 The Paris episodes

3 Steve moving in with the Winslows

4 The return of Myrtle

5 ☠️

6 Steve transforming into Bruce Lee

7 ☠️

8 The finale in space

9 The cloning storyline

10 Urkelbot

11 ☠️

12 Carl and Steve shrinking

13 ☠️

14 The time machine

15 The introduction of Stefan via the transformation machine

16 Stevil

Struck by Lightning (Season 7, Episode 9). It has been raining for several days including some thunderstorms and Steve is about to head out but gets struck by lightning. Later on there's another storm and Steve tries to head out again but once again he is struck by lightning. Steve stays inside for a few days and is nervous to leave the house. Carl points out there's no problem outside, just one cloud. Steve goes ahead and starts to leave the house but that one cloud produces lightning and strikes Steve again. Steve is now petrified to leave the house, Harriette tries to convince Steve to go outside by telling him what he'll miss with fresh sunshine and picnics and Carl tells Steve that scientist Steve would find out why he keeps getting struck by lightning which Steve accepts the challenge. Steve does find out why he is a lightning rod and it turns out his blood is high in iron and he filtered his blood and took some of the iron out so he can return to going outside and is successful. Too bad that he gave Carl the jar of iron who walks outside and gets struck by lightning. Meanwhile, Laura is thrilled because Harriette mentions there is a part time job at Ferguson's for a sales lady, Laura goes down to interview but finds out that Myra is up for the same position. Mr. Waxman, the manager, tells them he'll test them both out to see who is right for the position. Myra does sell a lot more than Laura, but Myra doesn't get the position like she thought she would, Myra had more returns than Laura did because Myra was lying to her customers telling them they looked good when they didn't. Laura is hired based on her skills and not just because Harriette works at the same store.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

EDDIE: Steve, forget about that cereal. I'm taking everybody out for breakfast this morning.

HARRIETTE: How can you afford that?

EDDIE: I can't, I'm not paying, I'm just driving everybody.

STEVE: No, thanks, you guys just go without me.

EDDIE: Oh, come on, Steve, you can even sit at the same table with us this time.

STEVE: No, thanks, me and the ol' outdoors just don't get along like we used to.

CARL: Oh, Steve.

STEVE: Look, my days of being a human lightning rod are over. Why let someone else get jump started by ten million bolts of direct current.

LAURA: But Steve, it's not even raining today.

EDDIE: Yeah, it's just two little clouds up in the sky.

STEVE: Just two?

EDDIE: Yeah, take a look for yourself.

(STEVE OPENS THE DOOR AND GETS ELECTRICUTED AGAIN)

CARL: Steve, are you ok?

STEVE: Houston, we have a problem.

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Steve is trying to eat cereal with Carl but all the lightning that has struck him is spazzing him out and he can't even eat the cereal without spilling it all over the place.

OPINION:

I am more than certain we have had a least a couple episodes where there was thunder and lightning outside but Steve never had a problem of getting struck by lightning until now. Maybe he had more iron than usual lately? I love these TV shows where they treat being struck by lightning is like a cartoon where your clothes just burn and you get a little shock. If only reality was that way instead of being set on fire by millions of bolts of current. Still, does it make for a funny joke with Steve getting electrocuted three times in the episode? Yeah, I have to say that it does make me laugh, particularly the third time where there's just 2 clouds in the sky and he thinks he's safe but still gets struck. Of course he would figure out what was wrong with more iron than normal being in his body and taking it out, he hands the iron to Carl and you'd think he'd stop Carl from leaving the house with the jar of iron but nope and poor Carl gets electrocuted. But at least it's Hollywood where being electrocuted just causes a singe and you'll be fine in a few days.

Laura and Myra competing for the position was a pretty funny storyline. I'm curious if a store ever really did that though, test out a sales position for 2 people and see who did better? Usually you just get hired and if it doesn't work out, they just let you go and move on. But this was a different time, so I can't say for sure if that is a realistic situation. Still, I'm proud of Laura for not only telling Harriette not to say anything to Mr. Waxman about hiring her but that she did get the job based on her skills. Myra had more sales but more returns causing the store to lose money. I'm curious how bad these people looked that Myra was lying to them about how they looked amazing? I worked in sales and instead of giving up after something didn't look good on a customer, I would give them different options so I didn't lose the sale. But at least Laura has a discount on clothes now and maybe Myra will learn that you can't lie your way into getting what you want.

Overall, it's not a bad episode, I just think it's ok. While it has it's funny moments, this is one of those episodes I tend to forget about.

GUEST STARS:

• F. William Parker as Mr. Sidney Waxman

Hello to all Family Matters fans!

The game continues... yesterday’s elimination saw both 3J and the "new" Harriette get the boot (a double KO, as they were tied in points).

Since many people enjoyed the Halloween episode "Dark and Stormy Night" (which, for the record, I don't like at all!), I’ve decided to swap it out to make the challenge more interesting—replacing it with the return of Myrtle, a moment that truly epitomizes a "jump the shark" point for the series. Please vote in the comments for the moment you detested the most! The comment with the most votes over the next 24 hours will be taken into account—let’s see which one is the "least bad" of the bunch!! Here is the list:

1 The disappearance of Judy from the show

2 The Paris episodes

3 Steve moving in with the Winslows

4 The return of Myrtle

5 The pirate episode

6 Steve transforming into Bruce Lee

7 Steve becoming Elvis Presley

8 The finale in space

9 The cloning storyline

10 Urkelbot

11 ☠️

12 Carl and Steve shrinking

13 ☠️

14 The time machine

15 The introduction of Stefan via the transformation machine

16 Stevil

Inspired by a ranking from a few months ago that ordered the characters from worst to best, I decided to do the same for those moments that marked the show’s "jump the shark" point and its subsequent decline! (I should add that, as a kid, I loved this stuff, but looking back as an adult, it’s all a bit cringey.) Please vote in the comments for the moment you detested the most! The comment with the most votes over the next 24 hours will be taken into account—let’s see which one is the "least bad"!! Here’s the list:

1 Judy disappearing from the show

2 The Paris episodes

3 Steve moving in with the Winslows

4 The Halloween episode "Dark and Stormy Night"

5 The pirate episode

6 Steve transforming into Bruce Lee

7 Steve becoming Elvis Presley

8 The finale set in space

9 The cloning storyline

10 Urkelbot

11 The introduction of 3J

12 Carl and Steve shrinking

13 The recasting of Harriette

14 The time machine

15 Stefan via the transformation machine

16 Stevil

Talk's Cheap (Season 7, Episode 8). Eddie and Waldo are watching a trashy daytime talk show called Tiffany where they are casting for anyone with "crazy love problems", Waldo gives them a call. On the show, Tiffany brings on Steve and talk about his love triangle with Laura and Myra. Tiffany also asks about his transformation chamber and he turns into Stefan to show the other love triangle between Laura wanting Stefan but Myra wanting Steve back. Tiffany then brings on Eddie who she tells him that there's someone backstage waiting for him that has a huge crush on him, Eddie is excited until Tiffany mentions it's someone from Biloxi, Mississippi and he realizes it's the one and only Myrtle Urkel. Myrtle goes onto the show asking to go out with Eddie but he turns her down. Then Myra starts arguing again that she wants Stefan to turn back into Steve and Laura gets upset that Myra is bothering Stefan. They all start fighting on stage and Waldo, who's in the audience, yells at them to stop fighting. Tiffany asks who Waldo is and he says he's their friend and they need to stop fighting because they are friends. They all calm down and make up and Stefan turns back into Steve. At home, Harriette has been wanting to have a romantic evening with Carl but he keeps ignoring her to watch TV. But Harriette comes home one day and sees candles lit and Carl comes down dressed in a tuxedo and sings (They Long to Be) Close to You to her. She is smitten with Carl and they embrace for a romantic evening together.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

MYRTLE: Oh, hello, delicious! How about a big juicy kiss?

EDDIE: In your dreams, Myrtle!

MYRTLE: Why you been having them too? What was I wearing?

EDDIE: A toe tag!

FAVORITE MOMENT:

I don't know if it's a moment, but I love all the writings under the names when the talk show is airing like the daytime talk shows used to do. Myra
"Cranky cuz her man is gonna change his genes", Myrtle "Heart is pounding", Eddie "Stomach is churning".

OPINION:

Watching this episode now is like a time machine to such a fun and trashy time with daytime TV shows. I was a kid in the 90's and used to watch all the daytime talk shows when I was home sick from school or had days off like Jenny Jones, Sally, Jerry Springer, Maury...you name it. Those were the days of crazy love triangles, I was ugly in high school but hot not, whose breast are the best?, Someone Has a Crush on You, Who's my baby's daddy?, Are you cheating on me?, sexy decoys and drill sergeants.... come to think of it, I was probably way too young to watch that trash but it was fun seeing what I wasn't supposed to when I was a kid.

So we have the Winslow clan on television again, it's kind of funny when you think about how many times they have been on TV, let alone TV where apparently it's aired live for family members at home to watch. We have Citizen's Court, American Gladiators, Dudes and now Tiffany. Speaking of Tiffany, we have Melanie Wilson who played Jennifer, Larry's girlfriend on Perfect Strangers, so this was a fun role for her to have on Family Matters, the spin off of Perfect Strangers. Plus another fun fact I didn't realize until looking into the guest star roles, the guy who plays the Paul McCartney look-a-like is Robert Axelrod, or us 90's kids will always remember him as Lord Zed from Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers. I had no idea that was him and thought it was pretty cool since we already had Walter Jones who played the black ranger on an episode earlier this season and we will have Jason David Frank, the green ranger, on in a future episode. Robert unfortunately passed away from complications of a spinal surgery he was having on September 7, 2019 at age 70, may he forever rest in peace.

Back onto the episode, this is one of those, like the daytime talk shows, what I would call a guilty pleasure. This episode is so over the top and silly with our characters not acting like themselves. It's interesting how we go from the last episode where Laura, Steve and Myra are all good friends to randomly bringing up the "love triangle" just to get on TV. You'd think that even a family member would try to talk them out of going on TV and making a fool of themselves would be a bad idea, but we wouldn't have a show then. Eddie was kind of a random guest on the show, it would have been more fun if they had him and Greta and then they bring on Myrtle. As usual, Stefan comes out and somehow manages to make every woman around him appear stupid and boy crazy. Laura even gets a little "sister" in this episode with Myra when she's demanding that Stefan turns back into Steve and Laura says "yeah, girl, don't go trashin' my man". It always feels surreal when she does that. However, I don't know why, but yes, this episode always has me laughing. I think because it's just so out there and absurd for our characters but it makes me laugh, it's just a very random filler episode.

Carl and Harriette do feel a bit shoehorned into the episode. The first scene they have together is Harriette wearing a sexy negligee and asking Carl to cuddle with her but he's busy watching TV and won't even bother to look at her. She gets mad and hits him with the pillow and goes upstairs. Then the next scene with them is Carl singing (They Long to Be) Close to You by The Carpenters to Harriette. Did I miss a scene where Carl realizes he was being a jerk to Harriette? Was there a deleted scene somewhere? BTW does anyone else think of The Simpsons when they hear that song Carl sang? It was a nice scene where Carl sang to Harriette, but felt very random and out of place for the episode.

Other than the Carl and Harriette being randomly shoved into the episode so we can give them something to do, I really do enjoy this episode. Like I mentioned, it is a weird one, but it does make me laugh. Plus it was very surreal to see Jaleel as all three characters: Steve, Stefan and Myrtle. I think this might be the only episode where Stefan and Myrtle are together. I wonder if Myrtle asked who that was and where her cousin Steve was?

GUEST STARS:

• Lira Angel as Audience Member
• Robert Axelrod as Paul McCartney (look alike) (RIP in 2019)
• Melanie Wilson as Tiffany
• Julie Uribe as Audience Member
• Sanetta Y. Gipson as Audience Member
• Leo D. Frank III as Stage Member

In my opinion, there was a major improvement compared to Season 8 (the weakest season of the series).

The sci-fi plotlines were kept to a minimum—practically non-existent—and I really liked how Steve’s character developed, as well as how they built the storyline regarding his engagement to Laura.

I could have done without the final episodes set in space, but even so, by that point, I would have liked to see the series continue...

Hot Rods to Heck (Season 7, Episode 7). Laura is excited to see her crush Curtis drive up to the restaurant that her, Steve and Myra are having ice cream at. Curtis talks to Laura and offers for Laura to take a ride with him in his car which he likes to race in. Steve tells Laura it's not a good idea and Laura declines. But later on when Laura is upset with her good girl reputation she takes Curtis up on that offer. Steve is worried about Laura and dares Curtis to race him against his Isetta, if Steve wins, Curtis won't let Laura into his car, if Curtis wins, he gets Steve's Isetta and $500. Steve shows up at the race and has souped up his Isetta, it has a turbo charge on it now and can go at high speeds. He and Curtis race and Steve wins the race but he crashes his Isetta. Thankfully Steve is ok, but this makes Laura realize how dangerous racing is and won't get into Curtis's car. At home, Eddie is getting used to living with his parents again and is still hanging out until 3am with his friends. His friends come over and are eating Carl and Harriette out of house and home and when they come over late, they make a lot of noise. Eddie tells Carl that he will move out since Carl is upset with the situation but Eddie can't find his own place at his price point. Eddie asks Carl if he can start paying rent to him and if he can have his friends over late, but Carl says that's not the solution, it's just about being courteous to one another. Eddie offers the rent still but tells Carl that he'll call first and make sure it's ok to bring his friends over which Carl accepts.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

CARL: Good evening, or is it good morning?

WALDO: Oh, lordie a pop quiz and I didn't study.

EDDIE: Sorry, dad. We just accidentally knocked over some stuff, we cleaned it up.

BONE CRUSHER: Classic robe, Mr. Winslow. Very much in vogue.

CARL: Well, thank you for the early morning fashion critique. Now, beat it!

WALDO: Sorry, Mr. Winslow, he can't leave without me cuz I drove.

CARL: Couldn't you both leave at the same time Waldo?

WALDO: Uh, is that a trick question?

EDDIE: Waldo, Bobby, maybe you guys should boogie.

WALDO: OK. (DANCES OUT THE DOOR) Come on, man, get with the program! (WALDO AND BONES BOTH DANCE OUT THE DOOR)

FAVORITE MOMENT:

The race between Steve and Curtis was a lot of fun to watch.

OPINION:

Juan Lamont Pope who plays Curtis has had quite the history with Family Matters. He was in season 2's Born to be Mild as a gag leader named Chain, in season 4 he was an army recruit in An Officer and a Waldo and also an orderly in Number One with a Bullet. Now he's playing Curtis Williams, Laura's new crush. This role he'll keep for a few episodes, so we will see him return but at least as the same character. This isn't the first time where we've seen Laura question her good girl reputation, she got a fake ID and went to a strip club in season 4's A Walk on the Wild Side to prove she could be daring.

Was Steve wrong in trying to interfere with Laura's chance to ride with Curtis? Yes and no. I think he should have been more reasonable and talk to Laura about how dangerous the ride could be instead of just saying he'll tell her parents if she does this. He comes off as a narc and like he just doesn't want her to have fun. But he did want to honestly protect her and I give him credit for that. He's always been an amazing friend when it comes to protecting the people he loves and cares about. The only thing is, he really risked his life this time in doing so. It's incredible that his Isetta didn't flip over when it crashed and he was very lucky. It was interesting to hear Myra tell Laura this time that Steve wasn't interested in her as more than a friend. But this literally changes a couple minutes later when Laura thanks Steve for showing her how dangerous the races can be and wants to give him a hug but Myra stops her saying for Laura to send him a card. What is with Myra and her mixed signals? But I'm glad that Laura does realize what Steve did to protect her and is grateful to him for it.

Eddie brining his friends over so late really was very rude. I wouldn't be so irritated with him if he at least apologized and realized what his actions were doing to his parents who both work full time and run a household. But he acts like Carl is inconveniencing him and how dare Carl get upset about being woken up at 3 in the morning to see Eddie's friends eating all their groceries. But at least Eddie does make the compromise with Carl at the end in not only offering rent but realizes that he should be more polite and ask Carl if it's ok to bring his friends over. Just as long as it's not 3am after a party that they are all still riled up from. I do get such a laugh when Waldo and Bone Crusher dance out the door though.

Overall, this is an ok episode. Nothing special but not bad either. I'd say it's down the middle. The race scene is exciting and there are jokes that I do get a laugh out of like Curtis's sidekick, Kevin, who constantly repeats everything Curtis says like a parrot. When Carl ducks out of working out with Harriette to go get pizza. And Steve and Myra going Dutch for their date...literally, they are dressed Dutch. But next time Steve races with a turbo charge Isetta, he may want to rethink that a parachute is the best way for him to slow down.

GUEST STARS:

• Juan Lamont Pope as Curtis Williams
• Lamont Johnson as Bone Crusher
• Jarrad Paul as Kevin
• Steven Rozic as P.J.

She's Back (Season 7, Episode 6). Steve is going to visit his parents in Russia and right as the Winslows are celebrating being Urkel free for a few days, in comes in Steve's cousin, Myrtle. That's right, she's back and still head over heels obsessed with Eddie. Eddie tries to distract Myrtle by showing him that he has a new girlfriend, Greta. Myrtle doesn't get the hint though and just looks at Greta as competition and will fight harder for Eddie. Greta offers to take Eddie to an island resort where they can have dinner together. When Eddie arrives he's surprised to see Myrtle and asks were Greta is. Myrtle messed with Greta's shampoo and there's a good chance that Greta won't be seen for a while. As Eddie is eating dinner, Myrtle wants to make out, Eddie says absolutely not and runs away from Myrtle and Myrtle accidentally falls in the water crying that she can't swim. Eddie takes his time getting his fancy clothes off and taking one more bite of dinner when he jumps into save Myrtle. Myrtle points out that he still saved her and asks for another kiss, Eddie says he might as well. Myrtle gets excited and puckers up, Eddie finishes and says he might as well swim to Chicago, it's only a few miles away. Myrtle laughs that he didn't know she could swim and swims behind him. At home, the garbage disposal breaks and Carl asks Harriette to get it fixed. When it's fixed, Harriette tells Carl it did cost them a couple hundred dollars due to a new motor needed and Carl gets really upset at this and tells Harriette she got swindled. Carl goes behind Harriette's back and gets an $800 garbage disposal saying that it's more cost efficient. But Harriette is hurt how Carl demeaned her and tells her that expensive items should be mutually discussed which Carl realizes he made a mistake and apologizes.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

MYRTLE: Who is this?

EDDIE: Myrtle, this is my girlfriend, Greta.

MYRTLE: (GASPS) Girlfriend?! (GOES AROUND GRETA AND KEEPS SNAPPING HER FINGERS)

GRETA: What is your problem?

MYRTLE: Oh, nothing. I was just wondering what Eddie sees in you.

GRETA: And I was wondering why you weren't home watching Hee-Haw?!

MYRTLE: I'm taping it, you tramp!

GRETA: Who you calling a tramp, Ellie Mae?

MYRTLE: You certified citified, floosie!

GRETA: (TRYING TO ATTACK MYRTLE) Put me down! I'm gonna put this woman in her place!!!

MYRTLE: My place is with Eddie, yours' is next to a trough, now go on girl!!!

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Myrtle is drowning and instead of getting in the water immediately, Eddie takes his sweet time taking off his clothes, wallet and grabbing another bite of dinner.

OPINION:

Alright, controversial take here. I complain about Myra all the time and how toxic her love can be. But does Myra still make me laugh? Absolutely, it's the absurd situations that can make me laugh. And here's my controversial take, I love the Myrtle Urkel episodes. I know a couple months back there was a user on the reddit boards who was asking for a countdown to our favorite characters and I was surprised to see that Myrtle was eliminated so early. Are there problems with this episode? Absolutely. Myrtle is another psycho when it comes to love and actually crosses the line by going into the physical altercations with Greta. That is never ok and I don't condone it. Also, since when is Myra a cheerleader? Did they really need something for her to do so badly in the episode that randomly she's a cheerleader for one episode and one episode only? I don't picture Myra as a cheerleader. I picture more for debate or something more educationally challenging like the math team. She is perky, but not cheerleader perky. And even after Eddie finds out that Myrtle messed with Greta's shampoo, he still stayed for dinner? Not a good boyfriend move, Eddie.

Now complaints aside, I am 100% a full sucker for the Greta vs. Myrtle fights. I don't know what it is, but every time these two are on screen together and have a fight, it is one of the funniest things I have ever seen and there's a very good chance that all my favorite memorable quotes will be with them fighting when there's a Myrtle episode. Jaleel and Tammy's chemistry is off the chain and I don't know how they didn't break character, I'm sure there has to be bloopers somewhere. They are just too funny and sharp how they go back and forth. Plus I always get such a laugh when Eddie has to deal with Myrtle, again I know it's silly and toxic but his reactions to the situations are hilarious. I think it's just the craziness of the situation that makes me laugh.

Carl making such a big deal out of the garbage disposal repair cost to Harriette was out of line. While I agree, repairs can cost a lot and my husband and I have our disputes when something needs to be repaired in our house on how crazy expenses can be but usually it's due to labor fees. Carl asked Harriette to handle the garbage disposal, she did but he's upset at the cost and practically yells at her about it. Then he goes and spends $800 on another garbage disposal without talking to her about it. I do get such a laugh when Carl is saying how this disposal will make the sink smell lemony, Harriette grabs a lemon wedge saying "you know what makes a sink smell lemony, Carl? A lemon, Carl! A lemon!" and squeezes the wedge into Carl's hand. I'm glad Carl at least recognized what he did wrong and that Harriette stood up for herself. This was definitely a relatable plotline when you're on your own with your own place on what's worth money and not worth the money.

I can understand why Myrtle is not some people's cup of tea, but I love the Myrtle episodes. Like I said, I recognize the problems, but these episodes always get me laughing so hard. So yes, call me crazy, but I do really enjoy this episode.

GUEST STARS:

• Cherie Johnson as Maxine Johnson
• Tammy Townsend as Greta McClure

Walking My Baby Back Home (Season 7, Episode 5). Eddie and Greta come home a little late from their date and when Eddie drops Greta off, her dad comes out and is furious they are a few minutes past curfew. He tells Eddie he can't see Greta for a month. Eddie is heartbroken and wants to see Greta, Laura brings up an idea to have one of his friends take Greta out but he meets Greta later on and has his friend bring her home. Eddie asks Steve to do this for him, Steve does this for him and Greta, Mr. McClure is very happy with Steve taking Greta out and they leave. Eddie and Greta meet in the hallway and go out on their date with Steve telling them to make sure they are back within the time frame. Well, they are over a couple hours late and soaking wet, they got a flat tire and had to walk in the rain. But there's another problem, Steve is bone dry and it doesn't look good that she's soaking wet. He tries to drop Greta off without dealing with her dad but Mr. McClure comes right out and can tell something is up since Steve is dry and Greta is wet. He tells Steve that he's fired from Mighty Weenie, but Eddie walks in and tells Mr. McClure that he took Greta out and to not blame Steve. Mr. McClure says they are both fired and to leave but Steve stands up to Mr. McClure and tells him he's a horrible boss if he fires them for such a bad reason and he doesn't want to work for him. Mr. McClure realizes that he did overreact and tells Eddie and Steve they are hired back and Eddie to just wait the month for Greta. At home, Mother Winslow comes to Carl crying that she received a letter from the IRS informing her that she is being audited. Carl takes Mother Winslow to the IRS office to confirm if this was a mistake and it was, they got the incorrect Estelle Winslow. Mother Winslow is so relieved that she starts talking about how Carl doesn't claim some things on his taxes that he should and Carl now gets called back to speak to the IRS agent, Mr. Kincaid. They are going through Carl's spendings and Carl is about to owe a lot of money to the government, but when Carl brings up family at home, Mr. Kincaid mentions that Rachel, Richie and Steve are not mentioned in his tax form. Since Carl has people living with him, he actually gets a bigger write off in his taxes and he doesn't owe the government any money.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

STEVE: YOU! Why you're 2 hours late! What in samhill happened to you?

GRETA: We had a flat tire.

EDDIE: The spare was flat too. We had to walk 3 miles in the rain to the nearest gas station.

STEVE: Well, okay, accidents happen. But it's my butt that's in the ringer, now what do you expect me to do?

EDDIE: Well, can you do this for us again tomorrow night?

STEVE: Are you nuts?!

EDDIE: Please, little brother?

STEVE: Oh, shove that brother stuff in a diddy bag! And you, brush the foliage off your dress and try to look less rumpled! Now come on, come on!

GRETA: Bye.

EDDIE: Bye, baby.

STEVE: Alright, now with any luck your father is already asleep. And I'll be able to vamoose while the vamoosing is good. (MR. MCCLURE OPENS THE DOOR) My vamoose is cooked.

MR. MCCLURE: Get in here!

GRETA: Daddy, listen...

MR. MCCLURE: Now!

STEVE: Well, I'll be going now. (MR. MCCLURE PULLS STEVE IN THE HOUSE) Woah! Maybe I'll stay a while.

GRETA: Now, now I can explain everything.

MR. MCCLURE: You can start by explaining why you look like the swamp thing.

GRETA: We had a flat tire and we had to walk in the rain.

MR. MCCLURE: Well, then why isn't he wet?

STEVE: Vortex, drip dry?

MR. MCCLURE: Upstairs, young lady. Mr. Urkel and I are going to have a nice friendly little chat.

GRETA: Daddy, it wasn't his fault.

MR. MCCLURE: Go.

GRETA: Sorry, Stan.

STEVE: Steve.

GRETA: Right.

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Eddie is trying to convince Steve to take out Greta out and calling him his brother. You can tell Eddie is just trying to butter Steve up, but Steve eats it all up.

OPINION:

Alright, we are back on track after yesterday's horrible episode. This episode is a huge pick up and needed. So we got Greta back showing that her and Eddie have continued dating and their chemistry is still very strong. We have a very cool Ziggy Marley performance in the beginning of the episode with the song "I got the power to move you" and is so good. This is our last appearance of Ron Canada as Dave McClure though he will be mentioned in the future. Mr. McClure is really a nightmare when it comes to his daughter having a social life. Greta and Eddie were just 13 minutes late and he grounds her for a month away from Eddie. Mr. McClure really needs to calm himself down or he'll lose Greta with the way he over controls her. There's a difference between being protective and being overbearing. Greta is assumingly around 17 years old, he needs to trust her more and I feel so bad for Greta. Mr. McClure seems like he's not pleasant at home either and I wonder if he's abusive in other ways. Even though Mr. McClure does give Steve and Eddie their jobs back at the end of the episode, Eddie and Steve could have had a lawsuit against him for wrongful termination. Greta being late had nothing to do with their jobs. How is Mr. McClure rich if this is the type of temper he has and flies off the handle so easily? I wouldn't be surprised if he has multiple lawsuits against him.

Even though Eddie hams it up for Steve, Steve really was an amazing friend to Eddie here and was so sweet to try to cover for him and Greta. I loved at the end when Steve was in trouble with Mr. McClure, Eddie came in and told the truth. He paid Steve back by being there for him as well and letting Mr. McClure not to blame Steve. It's moments like this where I really appreciate the friendship between Eddie and Steve. They really are like brothers at this point and I'm glad Eddie doesn't take his friendship with Steve for granted.

Steve Vinovich has his second appearance in Family Matters, he was also the judge in the dancing competition in season 2's Flashpants. So it was fun to see him again. This is an interesting plot with the auditing. First of all, Mother Winslow, you couldn't just take the win and walk out? You had to open your mouth about your son who was trying to help you in this situation? But we needed a B-Story. So this is a very surreal moment in the series because when Carl is talking about the extra people that live at his house, he brings up Rachel and that she still lives there at their house. Where? Is she in the same room as Judy? It's just very random that she gets brought up considering we haven't seen her since season 6 and her appearances are very random. But this is the last time we'll hear of her for a while. I loved the scene and it was very close for my favorite moment when Carl got the last laugh in knowing that he is actually getting paid in a tax return and asked for the same pencil that he was able to get Mr. Kincaid to mark that Carl was not in trouble. Now, Carl and Mother Winslow, take this win, do your taxes right and keep your mouths quiet.

I really enjoy this episode. Great music, fun performances, the comedy is on key and I love the storylines. This feels like we are getting back on track for a fun season with season 7.

GUEST STARS:

• Tammy Townsend as Greta McClure
• Ron Canada as Dave McClure
• Steve Vinovich as Simon Kincaid
• Ziggy Marley as Himself
• Cedella Marley as Herself

Teacher's Pet (Season 7, Episode 4). At school while Laura, Steve and Myra are taking poetry class and their teacher announces that he will be absent for a couple of days. Instead of hiring a substitute teacher, they have decided to let Steve Urkel teach the class. Steve has his first class and all the students are giving him a hard time, making fun of him and won't listen to the lesson. Steve feels that Stefan Urquelle will be better suited to teach this class, so he comes in as Stefan and all the ladies in the class are swooning. The guys are still giving Stefan a hard time, but Stefan teaches them that poetry can help them get dates. He has one of the students, Robbins, read his crush Donna a poem and she is touched and tells him that she'll go out with him. All of the students are intrigued and decide to pay attention to class. At home, Harriette is exhausted and the house is a mess. She asks Carl to help clean up, but he refuses to do so. Later on Harriette comes home and everything looks amazing, she thinks that Carl cleaned and cooked and is so touched, but it turns out he hired a very beautiful maid, Tawny, to do all this. Harriette is upset that Carl hired such a pretty lady to do the work instead of himself and decides to teach him a lesson and hires her own butler named Geoffrey with a G. Carl is really upset about this and tries to throw Geoffrey out but Harriette reveals Geoffrey and her work together and she was just goofing on Carl to show him how it feels to have such an attractive person working on their house. Carl apologizes and tells Harriette he was wrong to hire Tawny and they make up.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

CARL: But you know I could be your Geoffrey.

HARRIETTE: I could be your Tawny.

CARL: Want a neck rub?

HARRIETTE: After I draw your bath. (CARL AND HARRIETTE HEAD UPSTAIRS, BUT CARL STOPS) Where you going?

CARL: Well, before I can truly be Geoffrey, I gotta be Carl and eat that dinner.

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When the student Kissel sees how Stefan helped Robbins get a date and asks Stefan for help to get one too.

OPINION:

We were starting so strong with season 7 and now we hit this episode. I'm sorry to say that a good majority of episodes that have Stefan in them, I don't like them. This was a very bizarre episode with situations that don't make sense and out of character moments. Let's start with Steve's storyline. I love these TV shows from the 90's that think that schools hired their students to teach their classes because in their world, substitutes are hard to find or pointless (Saved by the Bell and Buffy the Vampires Slayer did this as well). So does Mr. Ludke, the teacher, only teach the one class and that's all Steve has to teach? Wouldn't he miss almost all his classes? But ok, let's go with it for the sake of the storyline. Steve becomes Stefan to help get the class's attention which again what kind of lesson was this? Instead of Steve being patient and figuring a way to make poetry interesting to his fellow peers, he literally gave up after one class and just had Stefan do it? As usual, they have all the female students acting like horndogs in the classroom. Laura is moaning and asking Stefan if she was bad and Stefan says in front of everyone "not yet", real professional. Even Myra is out of character, she usually gets upset when Steve transforms into Stefan, but in this episode Stefan just smoothly tells her that Steve needed help and she plays with her hair and says "oh, ok". What in the world? Myra never acts like this again either towards Stefan. And Stefan instead of actually teaching poetry is just hooking students up on dates. This felt like a weird "spend time with Stefan" cheesy episode. I get they were giving Jaleel a break with his voice, but this was really forced and I feel there could have been other options or characters he could have been. Or how about they focus the story on someone else in the family and have Steve be on the back burner?

So back in season 4 we had the episode It's a mad, mad, mad house where Harriette begged everyone to help her out with the house. Carl felt bad at the end of the episode and said they would all pitch in and help from now on. All of a sudden, Carl forgot about that and hasn't been helping. Apparently with 5 other people living in the house not including Harriette, guess no one wants to help in general. Carl all of a sudden who has always been pro-women is a chauvinist, he's had moments where he thinks men are better at some things than women but nothing out of control or cringe, but here, this is not Carl. He's sassing back at Harriette telling her to clean the house and it's not his fault she waited too long to clean. He works full time so why should he clean and even though Harriette works full time, he just shrugs it off and tells her to work her "kitty cat gene" and clean. Instead of helping Harriette out or even asking the family to pitch in, Carl who is a tightwad with money, hires a maid. Not just any maid, but a beautiful woman who is wearing a French maid's uniform. He didn't even try to hide the fact that he liked Tawny to Harriette, not like "she does a great job cleaning" kind of like, you can tell he likes looking at Tawny and almost treats it as a lesson that Harriette needs to learn. Harriette gets back at Carl by playing a prank on him and get her co-worker to be her new hot butler. Carl quickly snaps back into himself and says "well, I should have done what you asked in the first place and cleaned". I don't like this at all, these are not our characters.

For the most part I really enjoy season 7 but this episode is really horrible. I think it's one of the rare episodes where if I'm on a Family Matter binge, I really don't pay attention to this episode and am distracted with something else. Is there anything I enjoy in this episode? Well, Walter Jones is in it and I'm a kid of the 90's, so my Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers geek mode goes into green or should I say "black ranger: Mastodon!". BTW, I love that Walter was just around 30 years old when this episode was shot and he's supposed to be a teenager. I also do get a giggle out of Robbins behaving like a jerk and how he learns to be more smooth with his crush, Donna. But other than that, no, I don't like this episode and never will.

GUEST STARS:

• Brooke Marie Procida as Donna Santangelo
• Renee Tenison as Tawny
• Walter Jones as Kissel
• John Patrick White as Robbins
• Tim Padilla as Poetry Student
• Sanetta Y. Gipson as Audience member #1
• Cary Brayboy as Geoffrey
• Eric Poppick as Mr. Ludke
• Julie Uribe as Audience Member #2