Steve Urkel

Steve Urkel (played by Jaleel White) is a character on the 1990s sitcom Family Matters. Highly intelligent, he was (like other television heroes, e.g. Tim Taylor from Home Improvement) also quite accident-prone.

Urkel was socially awkward, but in an endearing way, and his popularity with the fans made him one of America's favorite nerds. After he caused an accident (usually because of his clumsiness or when one of his inventions backfired), he would often remark, "Did I do that?"

He drives a BMW Isetta, enjoys going to polka dances, plays the accordion and his favorite food is cheese (although he also likes frog legs and anchovy paste, among other foods). He conducts most of his activities (scientific experiments and creating inventions) in the basement of his home.

In the 1991 episode "Life of the Party," Urkel creates a dance called "The Urkel" to help win friends at school.

On a serious note, Urkel's parents do not seem to love him (originally this wasn't the case); frequently, his comments allude that he is a victim of verbal and emotional abuse (although this has never explicitly been mentioned in this running gag). In 1995, the elder Urkels move to Russia without informing their son, forcing the Winslows to allow Steve to move in.

In addition to his parents (who were never seen, although Mrs. Urkel once was heard off-screen), his family includes Myrtle Urkel (also played by White), who thought of herself as a southern belle; Uncle Cecil (who was never seen, but often mentioned); Original Gangster Dawg (OGD), another cousin (also played by White); and Aunt Oona (Donna Summer), his shy, socially awkward aunt from Altoona, Iowa.

In 1993, Urkel created an elixir ("cool juice"), which he uses to create his suave, sexy alter ego, Stefan Urquelle (which later became a separate character once Urkel perfected cloning). Urkel later created other characters in the transformation chamber.

Contents

1 All for the love of Laura 2 The ratings bonanza 3 Appearances on other shows 4 References

All for the love of Laura

Urkel's long-unrequited love interest was Laura Winslow (Kellie Shanygne Williams), a popular girl who he has known since childhood. He also attracted the affection of Myra Monkhouse (Michelle Thomas), who was very pretty and often had huge crushes for nerds, like Steve and Billy Cranston. While Urkel tried his best, he ultimately realized he had no feelings for Myra, especially since he was convinced Laura was his true love.

Myra's relations with Laura were always (at best) tense, especially since she believes that Laura secretly has a crush on Urkel. Several of her schemes to expose Laura's "true feelings" fail.

Eventually, Urkel's patience paid off. In the later seasons, Laura came to appreciate Urkel's company and her feelings softened considerably; however, she always stuck up for him in his time of need and was always appreciative of his help (in the latter instance, usually only after mistakenly believing he was meddling in her social life). During the series' final season (1997-1998), she and Urkel fell in love, with Laura accepting Urkel's marriage proposal.

The ratings bonanza

Urkel was originally intended to be a one time only character (in the 1989 episode, "Laura's First Date" where Carl, Eddie and Estelle separately set up dates for Laura for a Sadie Hawkins dance). Urkel became very popular with the audience and viewers. Several scripts had to be hastily re-written to accommodate the Urkel character (while several first-season episodes that had been completed had new opening gags featuring Urkel). The addition of Urkel immediately helped the show's modest (at best) ratings.

White became a regular member of the cast in season two. White was credited as a guest star in the first season.

Appearances on other shows

Jaleel White has played Urkel on several of ABC's sitcoms, most notably:

• Full House – In the 1991 episode, "Stephanie Gets Framed" when he helps Stephanie Tanner (Jodie Sweetin) deal with her anxieties after she has to get glasses.

• Step by Step — In the series' second episode, "The Dance," Urkel helps his science-fair pen pal, Al Lambert (Christine Lakin) lift her spirits after her potential date dumps her just before a school dance. White reprises his "Do the Urkel" dance in the scene where Al gives her boyfriend his comeuppance. Note: White also has a short cameo in a 1997 episode.

• Meego — White makes an uncredited cameo in this short-lived CBS sitcom (which starred Bronson Pinchot).

References

• UrkelNet (http://www.anshawn.com/urkelnet/main.html): The most popular (unofficial) Family Matters news source.
• World of Urkel (http://urkel.n-chicken.net/): A satirical Steve Urkel tribute.