Family Matters
Season 1
22 listed hours · 1989–1998 · ABC/CBS
From the desk
How this season is filed
A Perfect Strangers spin-off about the Winslows that got hijacked by a high-voiced nerd in suspenders. Jaleel White's Urkel is the decade's breakout-character takeover: the family sitcom becomes a cartoon around him, then a TGIF juggernaut. Start for the Chicago household warmth; stay for the transformation you can chart episode by episode.
TV Flash files Season 1 of Family Matters (1989–1998) on ABC/CBS as the first listed season of 9 — 22 listed hours, 1989-09-22–1990-04-27 from “The Mama Who Came to Dinner” (S01E01) to “Rock Video” (S01E22). Titles, dates, and synopses on file — no invented recaps.
Desk essentials in this season
- S01E01 The Mama Who Came to Dinner
The Mama Who Came to Dinner is a Perfect Strangers spin-off as Chicago household: warmth first, the high-voiced takeover not yet the whole show.
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S01E01 The Mama Who Came to Dinner
Carl is not happy about his mother coming to live in his already crowded household.
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S01E02 Two-Income Family
The Winslows must cut costs when Harriette loses her job.
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S01E03 Short Story
Rachel's first published short story hits too close to home for certain members of the family.
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S01E04 Rachel's First Date
Desperate for some time alone with Harriette, Carl encourages Rachel to start dating again,
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S01E05 Straight A's
Carl and Harriette are thrilled when Eddie brings home an unexpected straight-A report card.
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S01E06 Mr. Badwrench
Carl and Eddie attempt to install a new shower for Grandma Winslow.
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S01E07 Body Damage
Rachel and Harriette wreck Carl's vintage patrol car.
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S01E08 Stake-Out
Harriette gets jealous when Carl goes on a lengthy stakeout with a policewoman.
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S01E09 False Arrest
Carl charges an egotistical celebrity with assault after being pushed to the limit.
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S01E10 Basketball Blues
Carl pushes Eddie to try out for the high school basketball team despite the boy's reluctance.
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S01E11 The Quilt
Laura sells a quilt Grandmother WInslow considered an heirloom.
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S01E12 Laura's First Date
Laura gets more dates than she can handle.
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S01E13 Man's Best Friend
The children bring home a stray dog that has a habit of chewing on things.
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S01E14 Baker's Dozens
The family works hard to fill an order for thousands of Carl's lemon tarts.
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S01E15 The Big Reunion
Carl decides to lose weight before going to his high-school reunion.
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S01E16 The Party
While his parents are away, Eddie's friends throw a wild party.
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S01E17 The Big Fix
Eddie talks Laura into going out with nerdy Steve Urkel
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S01E18 Sitting Pretty
The Winslow home fills with children when Laura starts a baby-sitting service.
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S01E19 In a Jam
Eddie gets himself in trouble when he defends Steve from a bully.
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S01E20 The Candidate
Laura helps Eddie run for class president.
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S01E21 Bowl Me Over
The WInslows have a battle-of-the-sexes bowling match.
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S01E22 Rock Video
The Winslow family makes a music video for a television contest.
More from the 1980s.