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Steve Urkel actor Jaleel White says some local channels were rewarded for their "bigotry" when Family Matters was syndicated
Family Matters star Jaleel White is disappointed that some network affiliates were given cheaper syndication packages because of their racism
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It was impossible to escape Urkelmania in the ‘90s. The television sitcom Family Matters was a rating success, thanks to Jaleel White’s Steve Urkel. The character became a pop culture sensation, appearing on tons of licensed merchandise. However, despite the character’s popularity, Family Matters still had to fight old school bigotry. The sitcom starred a predominantly black cast, which caused some network affiliates to pass on syndicating the show.
“I remember when we went into syndication, the New England syndication market was the only major market that did not pick up Family Matters,” Jaleel White says during a panel at Salt Lake Comic Convention 2021. “Our executive producer called the GM of that affiliate and was like, ‘You know our show has performed very well.’ And he was like, ‘I don’t think it’s going to work in our demographic here.’ And so, they had to give it to him for free with the agreement that if it hit a certain rating, then they would pay an amount the following year.”
White was disgusted by this move, believing the network was getting financial incentives for their racism.
“You know, it kind of sucks that bigotry can get a discount, but when you look at it in terms of progress, I’m really honored that I go to Australia, Sweden, all these different places, and they just see us as a family.”
The Winslows were one of the best sitcom families of the ‘90s. It’s a shame the New England syndication market couldn’t see that.
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