TV series
A long-running dramedy centering on the Winslow family, a middle-class African American family living in Chicago, and their pesky next-door neighbor, ultra-nerd Steve Urkel. A spin-off of Perfect Strangers.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Sep 1, 2026
Family Matters is available to stream on DirecTV On Demand, Disney+, Hulu, and YouTube TV in United States. You can also rent or buy it from Google Play, Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
A long-running dramedy centering on the Winslow family, a middle-class African American family living in Chicago, and their pesky next-door neighbor, ultra-nerd Steve Urkel. A spin-off of Perfect Strangers.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
Mother Winslow moves in and immediately begins to usurp Carl's authority. Eddie wants to go out with his friends, but he has a strict curfew that complicates things with Carl.
Directed by Joel ZwickWritten by Michael Warren, William BickleyGuest stars Joseph Wright, Julius Wright, Valerie Jones
Episode 2
Hariette loses her job to automation, forcing the family into austerity measures while Carl stews over the family debts.
Directed by James O'KeefeWritten by Robert BlairGuest stars Larry Block, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright
Episode 3
Rachel writes a short story with characters that seem all too familiar; Carl becomes obsessed with the family's out of proportion water bill.
Directed by Joel ZwickWritten by Michael Warren, William BickleyGuest stars Joseph Wright, Julius Wright
Episode 4
The Winslows finally get to be alone together when Rachel accepts a date with a man from the church choir.
Directed by John BowabWritten by Pamela Eells, Sally LapidussGuest stars Jaleel White, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright, Peter Fitzsimmons
Episode 5
Eddie comes home with straight A's on his report card and the whole family is proud of him. Rodney comes over and tells him that he changed the grades on the report cards on the school computer. Eddie doesn't want to tell the truth because he fears that he will hurt Carl's feelings.
Directed by John BowabWritten by Geoff Gordon, Gordon LewisGuest stars Randy Josselyn, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright
Episode 6
Carl's efforts to get Eddie psyched for a pro basketball career is enhanced by a visit from basketball star Bolton.
Directed by James O'KeefeWritten by Barry GoldGuest stars Joseph Wright, Julius Wright, Jacques Apollo Bolton
Episode 7
Rachel takes an unauthorized spin in the classic automobile that Carl plans to drive in the Columbus Day Parade.
Directed by James O'KeefeWritten by Ken KutaGuest stars Jaleel White, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright
Episode 8
Self-proclaimed handyman Carl decides to install a shower in Mother Winslow's quarters while she's out of town.
Directed by John BowabWritten by Larry Mintz, Alan EisenstockGuest stars Jaleel White, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright, Susan Merson
Episode 9
After Carl is on an all-night stakeout with his attractive new partner, Harriette finds a room key to Louie's Love Grotto in his pocket.
Directed by Peter BaldwinWritten by Pamela Eells, Sally LapidussGuest stars Olivia Brown, Ken Foree, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright, J.W. Smith
Episode 10
The Winslows are aghast to discover that their TV idol has been arrested for assaulting a police officer - Officer Carl Winslow.
Directed by Peter BaldwinGuest stars Jaleel White, Justin Gocke, Shawn Phelan, Ron Glass, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright, Thom Adcox-Hernandez, Neil Elliot
Episode 11
Laura sells a quilt Grandmother Winslow considered an heirloom.
Directed by Peter BaldwinGuest stars Ann Ryerson, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright
Episode 12
Laura wants to go to an upcoming dance with a good-looking boy. Carl and Eddie try to find Laura a date. Carl asks Steve Urkel to take Laura to the dance, while Eddie asks one of his friends to take her out. When Laura finds out what happened, she is humiliated.
Directed by Rich CorrellGuest stars Jaleel White, Ebonie Smith, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright, Keith Williams, Adam Jeffries
Episode 13
Carl has a rule he intends to enforce not pets in the house until he meets a big, playful puppy who follows the kids home from school.
Directed by Rich CorrellGuest stars Jaleel White, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright
Episode 14
Thanks to Rachel's brainstorm, Carl could become the "king of tarts" if he shares his secret recipe for lemon tarts, which were a big hit at a local restaurant.
Guest stars Jaleel White, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright, Robert G. Lee
Episode 15
Carl decides to lose weight before going to his high-school reunion.
Directed by Rich CorrellGuest stars Jaleel White, Ellen Albertini Dow, Ron Taylor, Ken Page, Lou B. Washington, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright, Louis Mustillo
Episode 16
A "No Guests" rule spells no fun for Eddie, who's left in charge of the house while the adults are away for the weekend.
Directed by Rich CorrellGuest stars Jaleel White, Randy Josselyn, John Lacy, Ebonie Smith, Shawn Harrison, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright, Tyren Perry
Episode 17
Eddie persuades Laura to date a guy he's indebted to.
Directed by Rich CorrellWritten by Pamela Eells, Sally LapidussGuest stars Jaleel White, Gino Conforti, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright
Episode 18
Laura's babysitting service floods the house with children at a bad time on the night Carl has invited his captain over.
Directed by Rich CorrellGuest stars Jaleel White, Teddy Wilson, Ebonie Smith, Tim Russ, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright, Malachi Pearson, Raymond McQueen
Episode 19
Eddie wants to do the right thing when faced with protecting Steve from a bully who threatens to beat him up, which could get Eddie creamed as well.
Directed by Rich CorrellGuest stars Jaleel White, Rick Scarry, Randy Josselyn, Ebonie Smith, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright, Markus Redmond, Tom Henschel
Episode 20
Eddie places image over integrity in his class president bid when image-maker Laura offers a thousand points of light to illuminate his campaign.
Guest stars Jaleel White, Randy Josselyn, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright, Rachel Griffin, Deonca Brown
Episode 21
The men vie with the women in a bowling match and Carl's philosophy about accepting defeat gracefully ends up in the gutter when Harriette aces him out.
Directed by Rich CorrellGuest stars Jaleel White, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright
Episode 22
When Eddie's big ego threatens to disband his group during the making of a rock video for a contest, the rest of the Winslows offer some ideas.
Directed by Rich CorrellGuest stars Jaleel White, Randy Josselyn, Joseph Wright, Julius Wright, Bumper Robinson, Chance Quinn
Episode information updated Sep 19, 2026
Reginald VelJohnsonCarl Winslow
Jo Marie PaytonHarriette Winslow
Rosetta LeNoireEstelle Winslow
Darius McCraryEddie Winslow
Kellie Shanygne WilliamsLaura Winslow
Bryton JamesRichie Crawford
Jaleel WhiteSteve Urkel
Jaimee FoxworthJudy Winslow
ABCUnited States
CBSUnited States
Lorimar TelevisionUnited States
Miller/Boyett ProductionsUnited States
Warner Bros. TelevisionUnited States
