Family Matters star Jo Marie Payton is only open to a reboot of the show if Judy Winslow returns. Created by William Bickley and Michael Warren, Family Matters debuted in 1989 as part of ABC’s popular TGIF lineup. Technically a spinoff from sitcom Perfect Strangers, which featured Harriette Winslow (Payton), Family Matters centers on the Winslows, a middle-class Black family living in Chicago, Illinois.
Considered a sitcom staple of the ‘90s, Family Matters introduced the character of Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) as the Winslow family’s nerdy and clumsy neighbor halfway through season 1. Until the introduction of Urkel, the sitcom primarily focused on the everyday lives of Carl (Reginald VelJohnson), Harriette, and their three children, Eddie (Darius McCrary), Laura (Kellie Williams), and Judy (Jaimee Foxworth). However, Judy’s last appearance was in season 4, episode 19, titled “Mama’s Wedding.” Strangely, Judy’s absence was never explained in the series. Now, one cast member from Family Matters opens up about wanting the character to return.
As seen in a video posted by Williams’ company Dream Merchant Media (via ET), Payton revealed during a panel at 90s Con that she is open to a Family Matters revival, but only if Judy Winslow returns. Joined by VelJohnson, McCrary, and Williams, Payton said she would reprise her role as Harriette if Judy is written back in and said, “the very first episode has to be that [Judy] comes down those stairs.” Payton revealed she didn’t agree with producers when they opted to continue the show as if Judy never existed and was “personally hurt” by the creative decision. Read Payton’s comments on Judy’s disappearance below:
When I mentioned it to the producers, I said, ‘You guys need to tell me something that is not only creative, but also politically correct to straighten out this situation because there’s nowhere in the world a family… You gave me three kids, you took away my baby. If you had taken away my oldest child, we could have always come up with [excuses in the episodes] that she was at the mall or with her friends. You took away my baby, and when I asked you, ‘Why did you take away my baby girl?,’ you said, ‘Nobody would notice.’
Overall, the Family Matters cast appears to be on board for a follow-up. Williams and McCray also chimed in with their thoughts on returning for a revival series. “You need to contact [executive producer] Bob Boyett and Netflix and tell them,” Williams said during the panel. Speaking on finding a network that would bring Family Matters back to life, McCrary added, “Now there are so many platforms…if you guys had this much power in your hands, Judy would never have got left at the mall.”
Of course, Judy Winslow from Family Matters remains one of the most distinctive erased characters in the history of sitcoms. While it appears the actors who played the Winslows are vying for a chance to reprise their roles, Steve Urkel was a fan-favorite character and protagonist of the series. Unless White is onboard to don his suspenders as Urkel once again, it’s unlikely a Family Matters reboot would happen. However, at that point, it sounds like producers would have to commit to bringing Judy back. For now, viewers will have to be satisfied with rewatching the beloved series.
