Uncle Phil Crashing “Family Matters” is the Smile Inducing Clip You Need to Watch

For TV and movie lovers alike, few things are more exciting than those rare occasions where our favorite characters come face to face. Whether those meetings come in the form of a crossover episode or something brand new, we can’t get enough of these unexpected encounters. Generally, it’s the viewer that gets to experience the absolute delight of beloved on-screen personalities coming together – but in a recently resurfaced Family Matters clip, it’s the cast who’s in for a shock.
Family Matters was one of those classic ’90s (ok, well it premiered in 1989, but ran through 1998) shows that we loved for being relatable. The Winslow family is full of fun and endearing characters, and the show didn’t try to be anything more than a goofy family sitcom. The creators of Family Matters didn’t shy away from covering very real issues, but they also weren’t preachy about it. Instead, they made you feel like you weren’t alone. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air fit into a similarly lovable category, following yet another family that we all dreamed of running away to live with at some point.

Recently, a video resurfaced showing two of our favorite 90s TV dads coming together. One of them, though, had no idea this incredible TV moment was about to happen. In the scene, Richie Crawford runs in with his new friend, Little G, and immediately introduces him to his Uncle Carl. Carl greets his nephew’s new friend, who stares momentarily before handing Richie some cash and conceding that Uncle Carl does in fact look like the dad on Fresh Prince.

Seconds later, Uncle Phil (James Avery, RIP) himself walks in. As soon as Carl (Reginald VelJohnson) processes that James Avery is standing casually in the doorway of his fake living room, his eyes light up and his mouth drops like a kid who was just told he no longer has a bedtime on weekends. VelJohnson, unable to contain himself, covers his enormous grin and shuffles hilariously out of the frame.
We see actors experience a range of emotions while playing their roles, but there’s something so endearing about watching them experience pure and genuine emotion. Whoever is digging through old footage of 90s TV, more content like this, please.