1
00:00:05,047 --> 00:00:06,965
-I'm sorry, let me untie it.
-Oh no, I got it.
2
00:00:06,965 --> 00:00:08,091
-No, no, I got it.
-No, no.
3
00:00:08,091 --> 00:00:09,468
No, don't Steve!
4
00:00:09,468 --> 00:00:11,970
[Glass shattering]
5
00:00:11,970 --> 00:00:15,057
-Did I do that?
-[Laughing]
6
00:00:15,057 --> 00:00:18,227
He's a nerd and the big hit
on ABC's 'Family Matters.'
7
00:00:18,227 --> 00:00:19,895
He became one of the
most recognized
8
00:00:19,895 --> 00:00:21,438
people on television.
9
00:00:21,438 --> 00:00:23,899
He's got my lips, my laugh,
my voice and all.
10
00:00:23,899 --> 00:00:25,609
Did I do that?
11
00:00:25,609 --> 00:00:29,279
There was a doll, cereal,
lunchboxes, t-shirts.
12
00:00:29,279 --> 00:00:30,864
He was huge.
13
00:00:30,864 --> 00:00:34,076
He was the first Black nerd.
And he was weird,
14
00:00:34,076 --> 00:00:37,371
and he was adorable,
and he was super smart.
15
00:00:37,371 --> 00:00:40,207
The show made its
way into the top 12,
16
00:00:40,207 --> 00:00:42,626
and then made its
way into the top six.
17
00:00:42,626 --> 00:00:45,087
-Mr. President.
-Hello.
18
00:00:45,087 --> 00:00:46,338
Wow.
19
00:00:46,338 --> 00:00:48,715
Everything about him
was White and weird,
20
00:00:48,715 --> 00:00:50,550
so it made him,
as a character,
21
00:00:50,550 --> 00:00:52,803
easy to write
for the writers.
22
00:00:52,803 --> 00:00:54,096
There was no
representation.
23
00:00:54,096 --> 00:00:56,181
"Finally we got something
we can write for."
24
00:00:56,181 --> 00:00:58,475
I knew 'Family Matters' was
a White show from day one.
25
00:00:58,475 --> 00:01:01,061
'Family Matters' was
never a Black show to me.
26
00:01:01,061 --> 00:01:02,604
No, no. Hold, hold on
a second, honey.
27
00:01:02,604 --> 00:01:05,023
[narrator] 'Family Matters'
was a hit show that would
28
00:01:05,023 --> 00:01:07,693
prove to be brutally
tough on its stars.
29
00:01:07,693 --> 00:01:09,111
Now what were
you saying, Judy?
30
00:01:09,111 --> 00:01:11,029
It was a unwritten rule
that these people on top
31
00:01:11,029 --> 00:01:13,240
can basically get away
what they wanted to.
32
00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:15,867
The way that it was so
cutthroat, abrupt...
33
00:01:15,867 --> 00:01:17,494
no one cares.
34
00:01:17,494 --> 00:01:20,664
Everybody in this industry,
whether you know it or not,
35
00:01:20,664 --> 00:01:22,582
has been touched
inappropriately.
36
00:01:22,582 --> 00:01:24,710
For the young Black
actors involved,
37
00:01:24,710 --> 00:01:26,837
the effects were
devastating.
38
00:01:26,837 --> 00:01:28,630
You grow up and maybe
39
00:01:28,630 --> 00:01:30,882
your cuteness
becomes not so cute.
40
00:01:30,882 --> 00:01:32,634
Now what do
they do with you?
41
00:01:32,634 --> 00:01:34,136
If you Black,
you should be happy
42
00:01:34,136 --> 00:01:35,804
to be invited to the party.
43
00:01:35,804 --> 00:01:38,348
The last time they saw me,
they saw me as a little girl.
44
00:01:38,348 --> 00:01:39,683
You can't believe
everything that you
45
00:01:39,683 --> 00:01:41,601
read in the news,
period.
46
00:01:41,601 --> 00:01:44,187
How did one of America's
favourite Black sitcoms
47
00:01:44,187 --> 00:01:47,190
end up exploiting the actors
who made it a hit?
48
00:01:47,190 --> 00:01:48,817
Eddie, get a life.
49
00:01:48,817 --> 00:01:51,862
Child stardom
can be very dark.
50
00:01:51,862 --> 00:01:53,238
[Overlapping voices]
Ladies and gentlemen!
51
00:01:53,238 --> 00:01:54,823
You are about to
be entertained!
52
00:01:54,823 --> 00:01:57,159
Getting the laugh is
the greatest addiction.
53
00:01:57,159 --> 00:01:58,160
They want more of it,
they want more of it.
54
00:01:58,160 --> 00:01:59,453
She was getting
death threats.
55
00:01:59,453 --> 00:02:01,747
It [beep] with your head!
He's out of his skull!
56
00:02:01,747 --> 00:02:03,915
That's what took her down.
This is a crazy story.
57
00:02:07,002 --> 00:02:09,504
Judy Winslow,
come on down!
58
00:02:09,504 --> 00:02:11,173
[Laughing]
[Clapping]
59
00:02:11,173 --> 00:02:13,759
Let's see how you did.
60
00:02:13,759 --> 00:02:17,220
I'm Jaimee Foxworth and I'm
most known for being
61
00:02:17,220 --> 00:02:20,640
Judy Winslow on
'Family Matters.'
62
00:02:20,640 --> 00:02:23,060
The daughter of a singer,
and the younger sister of
63
00:02:23,060 --> 00:02:26,021
two actresses, Jaimee
Foxworth starts working
64
00:02:26,021 --> 00:02:29,858
in show business
from a young age.
65
00:02:29,858 --> 00:02:33,195
Jaimee, she had this
big eyes and smile,
66
00:02:33,195 --> 00:02:34,863
and people would fall
in love with her.
67
00:02:34,863 --> 00:02:37,032
Ah, just cute as a button.
68
00:02:37,032 --> 00:02:38,825
Hi, my name
is Gwyn Foxx.
69
00:02:38,825 --> 00:02:41,828
I am Jaimee Foxworth's
mother.
70
00:02:41,828 --> 00:02:43,789
Skipper!
Skipper!
71
00:02:43,789 --> 00:02:47,376
We want Skipper!
Three Skipper dolls!
72
00:02:47,376 --> 00:02:49,503
When I first
started acting,
73
00:02:49,503 --> 00:02:51,963
I was around six years old?
74
00:02:51,963 --> 00:02:53,673
I did a series
of commercials.
75
00:02:53,673 --> 00:02:55,258
I did Barbie doll
commercials.
76
00:02:55,258 --> 00:02:58,804
I did NutraSweet commercial,
McDonald's commercial.
77
00:02:58,804 --> 00:03:00,430
When Jaimee is nine,
78
00:03:00,430 --> 00:03:02,391
her mother takes
her to an open call
79
00:03:02,391 --> 00:03:05,185
audition for a major
role in a new sitcom
80
00:03:05,185 --> 00:03:07,145
called 'Family Matters.'
81
00:03:07,145 --> 00:03:08,647
Let me hold him.
82
00:03:08,647 --> 00:03:11,149
'Family Matters' had
already shot a pilot.
83
00:03:11,149 --> 00:03:12,359
I want to hold him.
84
00:03:12,359 --> 00:03:14,194
You can hold him
when you get older.
85
00:03:14,194 --> 00:03:16,113
And the little girl,
it didn't work out.
86
00:03:16,113 --> 00:03:17,739
And so what they
decided to do was
87
00:03:17,739 --> 00:03:20,534
have an open call for
Judy Winslow.
88
00:03:20,534 --> 00:03:22,452
And when I say open...
89
00:03:22,452 --> 00:03:23,954
it was open.
90
00:03:23,954 --> 00:03:26,957
There were, like,
hundreds of girls,
91
00:03:26,957 --> 00:03:30,001
just for that one part.
They kept bringing her back.
92
00:03:30,001 --> 00:03:33,046
You know, they were testing
her with the family.
93
00:03:33,046 --> 00:03:34,464
I did seven auditions.
94
00:03:34,464 --> 00:03:36,883
I would just go in and
give the same personality,
95
00:03:36,883 --> 00:03:38,927
just kind of be me.
96
00:03:38,927 --> 00:03:41,555
Judy was kind of close
to my personality.
97
00:03:41,555 --> 00:03:44,391
After seven auditions,
Jaimee joins the cast
98
00:03:44,391 --> 00:03:47,727
alongside 13-year-old,
Darius McCrary.
99
00:03:47,727 --> 00:03:49,229
Today I'm gonna
do your laundry,
100
00:03:49,229 --> 00:03:51,314
and after that I'm gonna
wash your car and
101
00:03:51,314 --> 00:03:52,607
mow the lawn.
102
00:03:52,607 --> 00:03:54,651
Who are you and what have
you done with our son?
103
00:03:54,651 --> 00:03:56,695
[Laughing]
104
00:03:56,695 --> 00:03:58,488
Forget about our son,
let's keep this one.
105
00:03:58,488 --> 00:04:00,866
[Laughing]
106
00:04:00,866 --> 00:04:02,200
I'm Darius McCrary.
107
00:04:02,200 --> 00:04:04,786
That's two Cs,
one small C, big C.
108
00:04:04,786 --> 00:04:07,289
And, ah,
I'm Irish.
109
00:04:07,289 --> 00:04:08,582
Oh my God,
oh my God.
110
00:04:08,582 --> 00:04:10,625
The first day...
111
00:04:10,625 --> 00:04:14,421
meeting the cast,
table read...
112
00:04:14,421 --> 00:04:18,383
it was Hollywood history.
It was epic.
113
00:04:18,383 --> 00:04:19,801
And so the energy
was amazing.
114
00:04:19,801 --> 00:04:21,887
And I remember
shooting the pilot.
115
00:04:21,887 --> 00:04:25,015
I actually got Jason
Bateman's dressing room,
116
00:04:25,015 --> 00:04:26,391
okay, so I knew I was
gonna end up being
117
00:04:26,391 --> 00:04:29,603
a teen heartthrob, just,
just by default.
118
00:04:29,603 --> 00:04:33,899
Darius, he was just very
much like a teenager.
119
00:04:33,899 --> 00:04:35,692
Just sitting there
like, "Hey girl."
120
00:04:35,692 --> 00:04:37,569
Like, "I've been here for
hours doing my work.
121
00:04:37,569 --> 00:04:39,112
Nice to meet you."
122
00:04:39,112 --> 00:04:41,990
When I walked in
and I saw, you know,
123
00:04:41,990 --> 00:04:44,117
her sitting with everybody
at the table read,
124
00:04:44,117 --> 00:04:46,912
she actually looked
like she belonged.
125
00:04:46,912 --> 00:04:48,622
She had felt really good.
126
00:04:48,622 --> 00:04:49,956
♪
127
00:04:49,956 --> 00:04:52,834
♪ YOU KNOW THE
NIGHTTIME, DARLING ♪
128
00:04:52,834 --> 00:04:56,087
♪ IS THE RIGHT TIME. ♪
129
00:04:56,087 --> 00:04:58,507
'Family Matters' emerges
on the coattails of
130
00:04:58,507 --> 00:05:02,260
'The Cosby Show' on NBC,
when other networks
131
00:05:02,260 --> 00:05:04,763
start looking for the
next hit Black sitcom.
132
00:05:04,763 --> 00:05:07,015
Mom I wanted my
eggs scrambled.
133
00:05:07,015 --> 00:05:10,227
-Coming right up.
-[Laughing]
134
00:05:10,227 --> 00:05:12,646
I think that we could credit
'The Cosby Show' for opening
135
00:05:12,646 --> 00:05:16,399
the doors for the industry
to go, "Wait a minute.
136
00:05:16,399 --> 00:05:18,902
Black people want to
see themselves on TV?
137
00:05:18,902 --> 00:05:21,738
Ooh, Black people want to
see themselves a lot on TV.
138
00:05:21,738 --> 00:05:23,532
Oh, we need to get
some more of that."
139
00:05:23,532 --> 00:05:29,371
♪
140
00:05:29,371 --> 00:05:31,790
Family Matters was
about a police officer,
141
00:05:31,790 --> 00:05:34,417
a Chicago cop,
and his family.
142
00:05:34,417 --> 00:05:37,838
ABC wanted to have shows
that featured Black families
143
00:05:37,838 --> 00:05:39,840
to hit that demographic.
144
00:05:39,840 --> 00:05:42,259
And the network
had this hugely,
145
00:05:42,259 --> 00:05:44,052
highly rated Friday night.
146
00:05:44,052 --> 00:05:45,929
-Hey everybody.
-Hi, Carl.
147
00:05:45,929 --> 00:05:47,639
I've got big news.
148
00:05:47,639 --> 00:05:51,017
'Family Matters' premieres
in September 1989,
149
00:05:51,017 --> 00:05:55,814
as part of ABC's historic
TGIF Friday night lineup,
150
00:05:55,814 --> 00:05:59,150
alongside iconic sitcoms,
'Perfect Strangers'
151
00:05:59,150 --> 00:06:00,986
and 'Full House.'
152
00:06:00,986 --> 00:06:03,446
-Hi, we're back.
-Reminding you it's TGIF.
153
00:06:03,446 --> 00:06:05,490
That's means, 'thank
goodness it's funny'.
154
00:06:05,490 --> 00:06:06,867
My name's Rich Correll.
155
00:06:06,867 --> 00:06:09,786
I was one of the key
directors of the TGIF lineup,
156
00:06:09,786 --> 00:06:12,247
and in doing that I
became series director
157
00:06:12,247 --> 00:06:13,665
on 'Family Matters.'
158
00:06:13,665 --> 00:06:16,668
Let me get this
straight... you and...
159
00:06:16,668 --> 00:06:18,545
With a coveted
primetime spot,
160
00:06:18,545 --> 00:06:21,089
'Family Matters' is a
life changer for Jaimee,
161
00:06:21,089 --> 00:06:23,466
Darius,
and their families.
162
00:06:23,466 --> 00:06:25,218
This is beautiful.
163
00:06:25,218 --> 00:06:27,596
An opportunity like
this comes along once,
164
00:06:27,596 --> 00:06:30,056
maybe twice in a lifetime.
I want a bike.
165
00:06:30,056 --> 00:06:32,642
-What do you want, Judy?
-A pony.
166
00:06:32,642 --> 00:06:34,060
[Laughing]
167
00:06:34,060 --> 00:06:36,813
-The kid's got potential.
-You guys!
168
00:06:36,813 --> 00:06:39,482
A sitcom is a huge goal
because that's
169
00:06:39,482 --> 00:06:40,984
steady income coming in.
170
00:06:40,984 --> 00:06:43,194
Like, you can feed your
family, you kind of can,
171
00:06:43,194 --> 00:06:45,405
you know, let your hair
down and get relaxed and,
172
00:06:45,405 --> 00:06:48,742
and set yourself up instead
of working two or three jobs.
173
00:06:48,742 --> 00:06:49,868
Come on.
174
00:06:49,868 --> 00:06:51,286
Come on, just do
everything that I do.
175
00:06:51,286 --> 00:06:52,829
Despite its early promise,
176
00:06:52,829 --> 00:06:55,832
'Family Matters' tests
poorly with audiences.
177
00:06:55,832 --> 00:06:57,834
After just 11 episodes,
178
00:06:57,834 --> 00:07:00,045
it is on the verge of
getting cancelled.
179
00:07:00,045 --> 00:07:01,963
Ow! Ow!
180
00:07:01,963 --> 00:07:03,715
No, no, no!
181
00:07:03,715 --> 00:07:06,843
[Kids mimicking]
No, no, no!
182
00:07:06,843 --> 00:07:09,846
So the story of this police
officer and this family and
183
00:07:09,846 --> 00:07:12,223
kind of these problems
became a bit mundane.
184
00:07:12,223 --> 00:07:14,851
I'm wet, I'm cold,
185
00:07:14,851 --> 00:07:16,895
and I'm cranky-
Don't mess with me.
186
00:07:16,895 --> 00:07:18,229
[Laughing]
187
00:07:18,229 --> 00:07:20,690
Everybody was good,
but it just didn't have...
188
00:07:20,690 --> 00:07:21,858
the spark.
189
00:07:21,858 --> 00:07:24,402
That phone is gonna
ring any minute.
190
00:07:24,402 --> 00:07:26,071
-That's right.
-Yeah, that's right.
191
00:07:26,071 --> 00:07:27,697
♪
192
00:07:27,697 --> 00:07:30,784
The producers are told to come
up with a breakout element,
193
00:07:30,784 --> 00:07:32,702
or say goodbye
to the show.
194
00:07:32,702 --> 00:07:34,621
♪
195
00:07:36,581 --> 00:07:38,708
Hi Mr. Winslow.
196
00:07:38,708 --> 00:07:40,710
I'm Steve Urkel.
197
00:07:40,710 --> 00:07:43,797
And so they brought in
this kid, Jaleel White.
198
00:07:43,797 --> 00:07:45,674
When he auditioned
he was 12 years old.
199
00:07:45,674 --> 00:07:47,342
He was the only guy that
came in with the big glasses
200
00:07:47,342 --> 00:07:48,843
and doing the
nerdy voice.
201
00:07:48,843 --> 00:07:51,012
And I said, "Look,
this kid is nerdy and
202
00:07:51,012 --> 00:07:55,725
he's really funny, but I
want him to be a kid that
203
00:07:55,725 --> 00:07:58,436
wherever he goes, there's
a disaster happening."
204
00:07:58,436 --> 00:07:59,437
Better get going, kids,
205
00:07:59,437 --> 00:08:00,855
don't wanna miss
the big dance.
206
00:08:00,855 --> 00:08:02,148
Have a good time.
Nice to meet ya.
207
00:08:02,148 --> 00:08:03,358
Hi Laura.
208
00:08:03,358 --> 00:08:05,360
[Laughing]
209
00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:06,986
These are for you.
210
00:08:06,986 --> 00:08:09,739
Wow, are you
wearing a bra?
211
00:08:09,739 --> 00:08:11,950
[Laughing]
212
00:08:11,950 --> 00:08:13,743
The character of Urkel
was supposed to be like
213
00:08:13,743 --> 00:08:15,245
a one-off character,
where he was supposed to
214
00:08:15,245 --> 00:08:19,290
come in and just do
maybe one episode.
215
00:08:19,290 --> 00:08:22,502
Did I mention my dad
knows Wayne Newton?
216
00:08:22,502 --> 00:08:24,295
[Laughing]
217
00:08:24,295 --> 00:08:28,091
Urkel steals the show
from his very first scene.
218
00:08:28,091 --> 00:08:29,592
Get out of here,
goat face.
219
00:08:29,592 --> 00:08:34,848
[Laughing]
220
00:08:34,848 --> 00:08:37,058
Excuse me.
221
00:08:37,058 --> 00:08:39,936
And in the audience,
there was a fraternity
222
00:08:39,936 --> 00:08:42,564
there from Cal
State Northridge.
223
00:08:42,564 --> 00:08:44,941
You know, these weren't
kids, they were older guys.
224
00:08:44,941 --> 00:08:46,901
And after the scene ended,
225
00:08:46,901 --> 00:08:48,945
we started to do
another scene,
226
00:08:48,945 --> 00:08:51,906
and in between the next
scene these guys started
227
00:08:51,906 --> 00:08:55,785
to chant,
"Urkel, Urkel."
228
00:08:55,785 --> 00:08:58,329
He ends up being a
massive hit and the
229
00:08:58,329 --> 00:09:00,498
most likeable character
on the series.
230
00:09:00,498 --> 00:09:02,042
Excuse me.
231
00:09:02,042 --> 00:09:04,252
Then he came on and
did the other scenes,
232
00:09:04,252 --> 00:09:06,713
and it was like he was the
best known comedian
233
00:09:06,713 --> 00:09:08,548
in the world, like,
right off the top.
234
00:09:08,548 --> 00:09:10,717
When my dad said you
fixed me up with Laura,
235
00:09:10,717 --> 00:09:13,011
why, I thought
I'd wet my pants.
236
00:09:13,011 --> 00:09:14,596
[Laughing]
237
00:09:14,596 --> 00:09:17,015
Because Urkel is this
nerd, he just really,
238
00:09:17,015 --> 00:09:18,558
really says what's
on his mind,
239
00:09:18,558 --> 00:09:22,061
he doesn't have any filters,
he goes for the gusto in life.
240
00:09:22,061 --> 00:09:24,939
He's just there, and you're
attracted to that.
241
00:09:24,939 --> 00:09:27,108
Nice house for a cop.
242
00:09:27,108 --> 00:09:28,485
He was goofy
and nerdy and
243
00:09:28,485 --> 00:09:29,903
would say really
funny things.
244
00:09:29,903 --> 00:09:31,404
And him being
a good actor,
245
00:09:31,404 --> 00:09:32,781
he could really
handle that role.
246
00:09:32,781 --> 00:09:33,990
Thank you, uh...
247
00:09:33,990 --> 00:09:35,492
What's your name,
sugar?
248
00:09:35,492 --> 00:09:36,993
Steve.
249
00:09:36,993 --> 00:09:39,412
You know, he was the
first Black nerd...
250
00:09:39,412 --> 00:09:42,832
and he was weird,
and he was adorable,
251
00:09:42,832 --> 00:09:44,751
and he was super smart.
252
00:09:44,751 --> 00:09:47,170
Wow, thank that
fraternity, will ya?
253
00:09:47,170 --> 00:09:48,880
So I don't know who
these guys are,
254
00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:50,423
but boy, did you
help my future.
255
00:09:50,423 --> 00:09:52,217
But I'm just like,
thank you so much.
256
00:09:52,217 --> 00:09:54,677
-That's pretty good.
-I wish I could find 'em.
257
00:09:54,677 --> 00:09:57,430
Before long, Jaleel White's
one episode appearance
258
00:09:57,430 --> 00:09:59,891
turns into a
permanent role.
259
00:09:59,891 --> 00:10:01,309
They decided to,
you know what?
260
00:10:01,309 --> 00:10:04,604
Let's shift him
into the show.
261
00:10:04,604 --> 00:10:06,981
Instead of being just the
neighbour that comes by
262
00:10:06,981 --> 00:10:09,442
every so often, we're gonna
make every episode
263
00:10:09,442 --> 00:10:11,361
basically about
Steve Urkel.
264
00:10:11,361 --> 00:10:13,780
The character breeds
new life into the show.
265
00:10:13,780 --> 00:10:17,325
It's a big relief
for the cast.
266
00:10:17,325 --> 00:10:19,160
In the beginning,
everybody loved it.
267
00:10:19,160 --> 00:10:20,286
Everybody thought
this was great.
268
00:10:20,286 --> 00:10:21,538
That means
that we get to,
269
00:10:21,538 --> 00:10:23,414
we get more years
on the show and,
270
00:10:23,414 --> 00:10:26,543
you know, we get to
take care of our families.
271
00:10:26,543 --> 00:10:29,212
But the honeymoon phase
doesn't last long,
272
00:10:29,212 --> 00:10:30,755
and the new dynamic
273
00:10:30,755 --> 00:10:33,174
threatens to tear
the cast apart.
274
00:10:33,174 --> 00:10:35,802
He literally started
screaming from the back and
275
00:10:35,802 --> 00:10:38,930
he was like, "Why can't
you just act"?
276
00:10:38,930 --> 00:10:41,432
It was the most
embarrassment I've ever felt.
277
00:10:41,432 --> 00:10:43,142
♪
278
00:10:48,690 --> 00:10:50,316
As you know,
he plays Steve Urkel,
279
00:10:50,316 --> 00:10:52,485
everybody's favourite
nerd on 'Family Matters',
280
00:10:52,485 --> 00:10:54,779
which as they say airs
on another network.
281
00:10:54,779 --> 00:10:56,656
Would you welcome
14-year-old, Jaleel White?
282
00:10:56,656 --> 00:10:59,450
[Applauding]
283
00:10:59,450 --> 00:11:01,411
By the early 90s,
'Family Matters' is one of
284
00:11:01,411 --> 00:11:04,539
the most successful
sitcoms on television,
285
00:11:04,539 --> 00:11:07,458
largely because
of Steve Urkel.
286
00:11:07,458 --> 00:11:10,545
The show made its way into
the top twelve and then
287
00:11:10,545 --> 00:11:12,630
made its way
into the top six.
288
00:11:12,630 --> 00:11:14,132
You've seen
Steve Urkel on TV,
289
00:11:14,132 --> 00:11:15,800
but may not
recognize the name.
290
00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:17,760
And then he became one
of the most recognized
291
00:11:17,760 --> 00:11:20,305
people on television,
much like Fonzie was
292
00:11:20,305 --> 00:11:22,390
when Winkler was
playing him on 'Happy Days.'
293
00:11:22,390 --> 00:11:23,975
We had been through
this before,
294
00:11:23,975 --> 00:11:26,019
so we saw what was
going on and we went,
295
00:11:26,019 --> 00:11:28,062
"Oh man,
this is gonna work."
296
00:11:28,062 --> 00:11:30,023
Ladies and gentlemen,
here is the reason that
297
00:11:30,023 --> 00:11:33,735
ABC's stock soared
12 points in the last quarter.
298
00:11:33,735 --> 00:11:36,487
-[Applauding]
-[Chuckling]
299
00:11:36,487 --> 00:11:39,449
Urkel's TV popularity
is just the beginning.
300
00:11:39,449 --> 00:11:42,535
Before long, he is a
cultural phenomenon.
301
00:11:42,535 --> 00:11:45,038
Let me introduce you
to the Urkel doll!
302
00:11:45,038 --> 00:11:48,207
He's got my lips, my laugh,
my voice, and all.
303
00:11:48,207 --> 00:11:49,876
Did I do that?
304
00:11:49,876 --> 00:11:53,338
There was a doll, there
was cereal, Urkel-Os.
305
00:11:53,338 --> 00:11:55,381
Lunchboxes, t-shirts...
306
00:11:55,381 --> 00:11:58,343
there was all type of
merchandise for Steve Urkel.
307
00:11:58,343 --> 00:12:00,970
He was huge.
308
00:12:00,970 --> 00:12:04,265
Yo girls...
Sweat patrol.
309
00:12:04,265 --> 00:12:06,684
As Urkel gets bigger,
the other cast members
310
00:12:06,684 --> 00:12:08,686
begin to feel
overshadowed.
311
00:12:08,686 --> 00:12:12,065
I'd give anything to
be like Steve Urkel.
312
00:12:12,065 --> 00:12:14,484
When Jaleel showed up and
became this kind of
313
00:12:14,484 --> 00:12:15,985
centre point of the show,
no doubt about it,
314
00:12:15,985 --> 00:12:19,697
the other cast members
were like, "Well, okay,
315
00:12:19,697 --> 00:12:21,741
but this was like a show
about us and now
316
00:12:21,741 --> 00:12:23,284
it's kinda
about this kid."
317
00:12:23,284 --> 00:12:27,455
I think along the way it got
to be a little resentful,
318
00:12:27,455 --> 00:12:30,208
but it was just an adjustment
that we had to make.
319
00:12:30,208 --> 00:12:34,253
They kinda had to
accept that I was there.
320
00:12:34,253 --> 00:12:36,631
That was a process.
321
00:12:36,631 --> 00:12:38,007
For Jaimee Foxworth
it's about
322
00:12:38,007 --> 00:12:39,634
more than
acceptance.
323
00:12:39,634 --> 00:12:42,971
Jaleel's presence causes
her bigger issues.
324
00:12:42,971 --> 00:12:45,848
Hail, Winslows...
Well, man.
325
00:12:45,848 --> 00:12:47,767
When I met Jaleel for the
first time, he was nice.
326
00:12:47,767 --> 00:12:50,561
He had a good personality,
he was sweet.
327
00:12:50,561 --> 00:12:53,398
But as time progressed
with me on the show,
328
00:12:53,398 --> 00:12:55,274
this is all personally me,
329
00:12:55,274 --> 00:12:57,777
it just turned into
330
00:12:57,777 --> 00:13:00,238
this boy that would just
331
00:13:00,238 --> 00:13:02,198
pick on me for no reason.
332
00:13:02,198 --> 00:13:04,826
There was a scene where
I had to open the door
333
00:13:04,826 --> 00:13:06,661
for an older woman.
334
00:13:06,661 --> 00:13:08,496
Oh, hi Ms. Bradley,
come on in.
335
00:13:08,496 --> 00:13:10,206
Thank you, Judy.
Is your mother home?
336
00:13:10,206 --> 00:13:12,542
And for some reason I
couldn't get the words out.
337
00:13:12,542 --> 00:13:14,544
Yeah, he's upstairs
clipping his toenails.
338
00:13:14,544 --> 00:13:16,004
[Laughing]
339
00:13:16,004 --> 00:13:17,547
Jaleel was getting frustrated.
340
00:13:17,547 --> 00:13:19,298
Like, he would actually come
from where he was supposed to
341
00:13:19,298 --> 00:13:21,467
walk in, and he would kinda
like pace around and then
342
00:13:21,467 --> 00:13:23,928
he would go away, and then
by the third time I think
343
00:13:23,928 --> 00:13:27,974
I did it, he literally started
screaming from the back.
344
00:13:27,974 --> 00:13:30,143
And he was like,
"Why can't you just act?
345
00:13:30,143 --> 00:13:31,561
Why can't you act?
Like dang,
346
00:13:31,561 --> 00:13:32,812
why can't this girl-?"
And I mean,
347
00:13:32,812 --> 00:13:34,147
it was the most
embarrassment
348
00:13:34,147 --> 00:13:35,648
I've ever felt.
349
00:13:35,648 --> 00:13:38,359
Because it was in the middle
of a whole studio audience,
350
00:13:38,359 --> 00:13:40,153
it was in the middle of
the producers, the writers,
351
00:13:40,153 --> 00:13:41,446
the people that
were paying me.
352
00:13:41,446 --> 00:13:42,864
It was just embarrassing.
353
00:13:42,864 --> 00:13:45,116
And at the time I was
like 12 years old.
354
00:13:45,116 --> 00:13:48,286
The onset drama doesn't
stop Urkel's rise.
355
00:13:48,286 --> 00:13:49,746
You gave me good
advice, Dad.
356
00:13:49,746 --> 00:13:51,205
Steve helped me to see that.
357
00:13:51,205 --> 00:13:53,374
Well, actually Al just had
the good sense to listen to
358
00:13:53,374 --> 00:13:54,792
my good sense about
your good sense.
359
00:13:54,792 --> 00:13:56,377
Am I making
any sense?
360
00:13:56,377 --> 00:13:59,297
ABC cashes in on his guest
appearances on other
361
00:13:59,297 --> 00:14:03,051
TGIF shows,
including 'Full House.'
362
00:14:03,051 --> 00:14:04,802
You shift the weight,
and you go, you see?
363
00:14:04,802 --> 00:14:07,180
And it's a strut
and it's cool,
364
00:14:07,180 --> 00:14:09,057
and it's a strut
and it's cool.
365
00:14:09,057 --> 00:14:11,642
-Like that, see?
-Very inspiring.
366
00:14:11,642 --> 00:14:13,311
Seeing life on the
'Full House' set
367
00:14:13,311 --> 00:14:15,897
also reveals to the cast of
'Family Matters'
368
00:14:15,897 --> 00:14:17,899
that White and
Black shows
369
00:14:17,899 --> 00:14:20,026
are not treated equally.
370
00:14:20,026 --> 00:14:22,570
'Family Matters' was on the
same lot as 'Full House',
371
00:14:22,570 --> 00:14:26,783
and I had the opportunity
of going over on their set,
372
00:14:26,783 --> 00:14:30,161
and it was like
day and night...
373
00:14:30,161 --> 00:14:31,454
White and Black.
374
00:14:31,454 --> 00:14:33,289
You know,
the treatment,
375
00:14:33,289 --> 00:14:35,666
I mean, their
stage was nicer,
376
00:14:35,666 --> 00:14:38,044
their schoolroom
was nicer,
377
00:14:38,044 --> 00:14:40,088
the decor was nicer.
378
00:14:40,088 --> 00:14:43,591
It was just a whole 'nother
feeling with 'Full House'
379
00:14:43,591 --> 00:14:45,802
than it was with
'Family Matters.'
380
00:14:45,802 --> 00:14:47,345
I mean, they straight
out told us that, that,
381
00:14:47,345 --> 00:14:49,138
that we would never be
paid like the people on,
382
00:14:49,138 --> 00:14:51,224
on 'Full House.'
Straight up.
383
00:14:51,224 --> 00:14:52,767
I love you.
384
00:14:52,767 --> 00:14:54,268
I love you all.
I love you.
385
00:14:54,268 --> 00:14:56,979
And I can just say,
without going into
386
00:14:56,979 --> 00:15:00,024
the actual quote
of what Jaimee made,
387
00:15:00,024 --> 00:15:03,277
she was getting paid
lesser than anybody,
388
00:15:03,277 --> 00:15:05,321
than anyone there.
389
00:15:05,321 --> 00:15:06,614
Get a plastic surgeon,
390
00:15:06,614 --> 00:15:08,574
we need an
emergency beak job.
391
00:15:08,574 --> 00:15:09,826
[Laughing]
392
00:15:09,826 --> 00:15:11,786
I got extra credit for
spelling platypus right.
393
00:15:11,786 --> 00:15:14,413
Now now, hold, hold
on a second, honey.
394
00:15:14,413 --> 00:15:17,416
Jaimee starts getting
fewer and fewer lines.
395
00:15:17,416 --> 00:15:20,503
He's so cute.
396
00:15:20,503 --> 00:15:23,297
Now, what were
you saying, Judy?
397
00:15:23,297 --> 00:15:25,842
Miller and Boyett had
promised that she would have
398
00:15:25,842 --> 00:15:28,886
storylines around her
at least six episodes,
399
00:15:28,886 --> 00:15:32,056
and that never happened.
400
00:15:32,056 --> 00:15:33,724
Oh, thanks Richie.
401
00:15:33,724 --> 00:15:35,768
You're out of this
world, little buddy.
402
00:15:35,768 --> 00:15:38,312
-[Laughing]
-It was my idea.
403
00:15:38,312 --> 00:15:40,648
Yeah, but I took it
out of the dumpster.
404
00:15:40,648 --> 00:15:42,733
[Laughing]
405
00:15:42,733 --> 00:15:44,735
Yeah,
but I held your feet.
406
00:15:44,735 --> 00:15:47,196
I politely asked them
maybe four times,
407
00:15:47,196 --> 00:15:49,031
"When do you think Jaimee's
gonna have, you know,
408
00:15:49,031 --> 00:15:52,660
those episodes"?
And the final answer
409
00:15:52,660 --> 00:15:54,787
that I got,
he looked at me
410
00:15:54,787 --> 00:15:57,999
and he said,
"When pigs fly."
411
00:15:57,999 --> 00:16:00,293
For Jaimee, losing out
on storylines
412
00:16:00,293 --> 00:16:02,962
is just the beginning.
413
00:16:02,962 --> 00:16:05,590
My mom had a parking
spot that was
414
00:16:05,590 --> 00:16:08,551
maybe 60 steps
from the set.
415
00:16:08,551 --> 00:16:10,803
And a lot of the co-stars
had their parking spaces
416
00:16:10,803 --> 00:16:12,680
there as well.
417
00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:15,266
One day I drive up
and somebody's
418
00:16:15,266 --> 00:16:17,226
in the parking space.
419
00:16:17,226 --> 00:16:19,937
So I go inside, and I said,
you know, "Well,
420
00:16:19,937 --> 00:16:24,066
could you find out who's
parked in Jaimee's spot"?
421
00:16:24,066 --> 00:16:28,404
And I was told, "Well, that's
no longer your spot anymore.
422
00:16:28,404 --> 00:16:31,032
That's Jaleel's spot."
423
00:16:31,032 --> 00:16:34,035
From there,
we had to park in...
424
00:16:34,035 --> 00:16:36,495
it was basically like
the public garage.
425
00:16:36,495 --> 00:16:37,872
I'm not better
than anybody,
426
00:16:37,872 --> 00:16:41,167
but the walk from there,
it was just so far.
427
00:16:41,167 --> 00:16:44,003
That walk felt like
a walk of shame.
428
00:16:44,003 --> 00:16:45,546
Like, it was like,
this is your place now.
429
00:16:45,546 --> 00:16:46,881
This is how...
430
00:16:46,881 --> 00:16:48,174
you know, this is
where they put you.
431
00:16:48,174 --> 00:16:49,258
This is your role.
432
00:16:49,258 --> 00:16:53,387
Your role is, is
becoming non-existent.
433
00:16:53,387 --> 00:16:55,556
So Grandma, are you
gonna be a June bride?
434
00:16:55,556 --> 00:16:57,808
Not exactly, honey,
we'd like to
435
00:16:57,808 --> 00:17:00,228
get hitched
sooner than that.
436
00:17:00,228 --> 00:17:02,521
-How much sooner?
-In two weeks.
437
00:17:02,521 --> 00:17:04,732
-[Spitting]
-[Laughing]
438
00:17:04,732 --> 00:17:07,610
As 'Family Matters' raps
shooting on season four,
439
00:17:07,610 --> 00:17:10,947
Jaimee's worst
fears come true.
440
00:17:10,947 --> 00:17:14,158
There was a weird moment
where I thought that
441
00:17:14,158 --> 00:17:15,660
we were going
on hiatus,
442
00:17:15,660 --> 00:17:18,496
I thought we were going
on break, and...
443
00:17:18,496 --> 00:17:21,374
everybody started
crowding around me.
444
00:17:21,374 --> 00:17:23,834
And then Mr. Reggie
kneeled down,
445
00:17:23,834 --> 00:17:26,921
and he started crying,
and he kept saying,
446
00:17:26,921 --> 00:17:28,297
"You're a very
good actress.
447
00:17:28,297 --> 00:17:29,882
I wanna let you know
you're a very good actress.
448
00:17:29,882 --> 00:17:31,884
You're a strong girl.
You are...
449
00:17:31,884 --> 00:17:33,302
you are great at
what you do."
450
00:17:33,302 --> 00:17:36,055
And I just remember being
like, "What is going on"?
451
00:17:36,055 --> 00:17:38,849
♪
452
00:17:38,849 --> 00:17:41,644
I didn't get any tools or
material that would
453
00:17:41,644 --> 00:17:43,896
prep for the season
coming up,
454
00:17:43,896 --> 00:17:45,398
but I didn't think
anything about it.
455
00:17:45,398 --> 00:17:46,732
I just thought
they were late.
456
00:17:46,732 --> 00:17:49,527
And so I call up Jaimee's
agent and I was like,
457
00:17:49,527 --> 00:17:51,862
"Did they send anything over
because, you know,
458
00:17:51,862 --> 00:17:53,823
hiatus, you know, we only
got a couple more days
459
00:17:53,823 --> 00:17:55,700
before we have to be
back at set."
460
00:17:55,700 --> 00:17:57,577
And she was like,
"No, honey,
461
00:17:57,577 --> 00:17:59,328
I haven't gotten
anything."
462
00:17:59,328 --> 00:18:02,164
Heidi ho,
angel toes.
463
00:18:02,164 --> 00:18:05,835
They had already started
shooting for the new season.
464
00:18:05,835 --> 00:18:08,504
A couple of months later,
Jaimee's agent calls me and
465
00:18:08,504 --> 00:18:10,006
said, "Honey, I'm sorry
they're not gonna
466
00:18:10,006 --> 00:18:11,924
bring her back."
467
00:18:11,924 --> 00:18:13,509
And Daddy,
you got to help me.
468
00:18:13,509 --> 00:18:15,136
Mom will kill me.
469
00:18:15,136 --> 00:18:17,888
Well take it easy,
sweetheart. I tell you what,
470
00:18:17,888 --> 00:18:19,682
we'll wait 'til your mom is
in a real good mood
471
00:18:19,682 --> 00:18:21,726
and then I'll explain
things to her.
472
00:18:21,726 --> 00:18:24,645
Jaimee's firing doesn't
sit well with her TV mom,
473
00:18:24,645 --> 00:18:26,314
Jo Marie Peyton.
474
00:18:26,314 --> 00:18:28,399
We sent her upstairs and she
never came back down.
475
00:18:28,399 --> 00:18:30,693
I asked Bill this,
"What happened"?
476
00:18:30,693 --> 00:18:32,403
And he said, "Well
nobody's gonna notice, Jo."
477
00:18:32,403 --> 00:18:35,281
And I resented that.
It was hurtful.
478
00:18:35,281 --> 00:18:38,909
It was like you didn't care
anything about Black families.
479
00:18:38,909 --> 00:18:43,039
Carl and Harriette would
never throw their kids away.
480
00:18:43,039 --> 00:18:45,291
I just think that if you
have a show that's
481
00:18:45,291 --> 00:18:47,335
revolving around
a Black family
482
00:18:47,335 --> 00:18:49,045
that you would
do more research,
483
00:18:49,045 --> 00:18:52,089
especially as to how they
would be around their kids.
484
00:18:52,089 --> 00:18:55,718
And 90% of Black families,
the youngest child is gonna
485
00:18:55,718 --> 00:18:59,930
be the child that's more
cuddled, and around,
486
00:18:59,930 --> 00:19:03,726
and not pushed away feeling
like that child wasn't
487
00:19:03,726 --> 00:19:06,145
involved, you know,
it just didn't make sense.
488
00:19:06,145 --> 00:19:08,397
Tom Miller, may he
rest in peace,
489
00:19:08,397 --> 00:19:10,191
famously fired people.
490
00:19:10,191 --> 00:19:12,568
You know, unfortunately,
Jaimee's mother and
491
00:19:12,568 --> 00:19:15,446
their family kind of asked
for that, in a lot of,
492
00:19:15,446 --> 00:19:16,739
in a lot of
their behaviours.
493
00:19:16,739 --> 00:19:18,866
The way that it was
so cutthroat, abrupt,
494
00:19:18,866 --> 00:19:22,745
no one cares.
This is the industry.
495
00:19:22,745 --> 00:19:24,789
None of this shit
is a given.
496
00:19:24,789 --> 00:19:27,416
This shit can be taken
from you immediately.
497
00:19:27,416 --> 00:19:30,503
I mean the minute you
hear 'Cut', it's over.
498
00:19:39,887 --> 00:19:43,307
This little girl
499
00:19:43,307 --> 00:19:45,559
who had come on
the show as the little kid,
500
00:19:45,559 --> 00:19:47,395
and we all love her,
'cause the littlest ones
501
00:19:47,395 --> 00:19:49,188
are the most
precocious and sassy.
502
00:19:49,188 --> 00:19:51,482
And they're the ones
we love to see grow up.
503
00:19:51,482 --> 00:19:54,110
We can't wait to
see them grow up.
504
00:19:54,110 --> 00:19:56,237
And so...
505
00:19:56,237 --> 00:19:59,031
that doesn't happen.
506
00:19:59,031 --> 00:20:01,826
After her firing, Jaimee
struggles to overcome
507
00:20:01,826 --> 00:20:04,453
her experiences on
'Family Matters.'
508
00:20:04,453 --> 00:20:07,915
I had a summer of literally
sitting in my room crying for
509
00:20:07,915 --> 00:20:10,126
a minute, wondering,
am I good enough?
510
00:20:10,126 --> 00:20:11,877
Wondering, like, how was
the show gonna go on?
511
00:20:11,877 --> 00:20:14,088
It was so many thoughts.
512
00:20:14,088 --> 00:20:16,424
I was thinking,
I'm not a great actress.
513
00:20:16,424 --> 00:20:19,218
Maybe I grew out
of my cute years.
514
00:20:19,218 --> 00:20:22,847
Whatever it was,
it kind of affected my,
515
00:20:22,847 --> 00:20:25,015
my self-esteem.
516
00:20:25,015 --> 00:20:28,060
Meanwhile, it's business as
usual on 'Family Matters.'
517
00:20:28,060 --> 00:20:29,979
The show's ratings
aren't affected by
518
00:20:29,979 --> 00:20:32,314
Judy's unexplained
disappearance.
519
00:20:32,314 --> 00:20:34,483
But ripples of her
abrupt firing are
520
00:20:34,483 --> 00:20:35,901
felt by the community.
521
00:20:35,901 --> 00:20:40,197
Her leave of absence
felt disrespectful.
522
00:20:40,197 --> 00:20:42,658
It felt disrespectful
to the show,
523
00:20:42,658 --> 00:20:45,161
it felt disrespectful
to the audience.
524
00:20:45,161 --> 00:20:47,455
I think it's unfair to leave
an audience guessing
525
00:20:47,455 --> 00:20:51,417
what the hell
happened and why?
526
00:20:51,417 --> 00:20:54,420
-[Gasping]
-[Cheering]
527
00:20:54,420 --> 00:20:56,672
And with the ratings
going up, as soon as
528
00:20:56,672 --> 00:20:59,091
Jaleel White hit that
show running, guess what?
529
00:20:59,091 --> 00:21:00,760
We don't need to know
what happened to her.
530
00:21:00,760 --> 00:21:02,261
We're going through
the roof right now.
531
00:21:02,261 --> 00:21:03,429
Let's just keep moving.
532
00:21:03,429 --> 00:21:04,847
Keep moving,
don't look back,
533
00:21:04,847 --> 00:21:07,099
nothing to see here, people,
keep moving.
534
00:21:07,099 --> 00:21:09,226
These aren't the droids
you're looking for.
535
00:21:09,226 --> 00:21:11,645
Oh like a secret thing.
Oh, yeah, I like that.
536
00:21:11,645 --> 00:21:13,397
And then Jaleel was
carrying the ----ing show,
537
00:21:13,397 --> 00:21:15,816
let's just keep it real. I mean
let's just keep it real.
538
00:21:15,816 --> 00:21:17,526
I mean, we were
carrying it together,
539
00:21:17,526 --> 00:21:19,069
we were a great team...
540
00:21:19,069 --> 00:21:21,238
but I mean Jaleel
was Michael Jordan.
541
00:21:21,238 --> 00:21:23,991
You know,
we were the Bulls.
542
00:21:23,991 --> 00:21:26,744
Scotty Pippin here.
[Laughing]
543
00:21:26,744 --> 00:21:29,371
This looks like
a polka crowd.
544
00:21:29,371 --> 00:21:32,249
-[Laughing]
-A one and a two and a...
545
00:21:32,249 --> 00:21:34,919
Part of Urkel's success comes
from the fact that he solves
546
00:21:34,919 --> 00:21:38,380
a problem for the show's
predominantly White writers.
547
00:21:38,380 --> 00:21:41,800
There was a tradition that
was carried into the late 80s
548
00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:47,139
and early 90s, in which the
writers' rooms were all White.
549
00:21:47,139 --> 00:21:52,353
And now these writers had to
write for Black families and
550
00:21:52,353 --> 00:21:54,355
Black characters
and Black shows.
551
00:21:54,355 --> 00:21:57,066
[Humming]
552
00:21:57,066 --> 00:21:58,692
Did that always translate?
553
00:21:58,692 --> 00:22:00,486
No, it did not.
554
00:22:00,486 --> 00:22:02,988
My parents told me not
to come home 'til10.
555
00:22:02,988 --> 00:22:05,199
When the show changes
its focus to Urkel,
556
00:22:05,199 --> 00:22:07,034
the writing gets easier.
557
00:22:07,034 --> 00:22:09,703
-Got any cheese?
-[Laughing]
558
00:22:09,703 --> 00:22:12,831
Steve loved
cheese, polka,
559
00:22:12,831 --> 00:22:14,625
he played the accordion.
560
00:22:14,625 --> 00:22:15,960
-Did he eat mice?
-He did.
561
00:22:15,960 --> 00:22:17,503
Yeah, he ate mice.
Bottom line is-
562
00:22:17,503 --> 00:22:19,630
-Yeah, that's weird.
-Everything about the kid.
563
00:22:19,630 --> 00:22:20,965
He was a weird
Black guy.
564
00:22:20,965 --> 00:22:23,968
Yeah, everything about
him was White and weird.
565
00:22:23,968 --> 00:22:25,302
Yes.
566
00:22:25,302 --> 00:22:27,012
So it made him,
as a character,
567
00:22:27,012 --> 00:22:29,557
easy to write
for the writers.
568
00:22:29,557 --> 00:22:32,268
They were excited now,
like, they were hyped now.
569
00:22:32,268 --> 00:22:33,561
They were like,
"Ah. finally!"
570
00:22:33,561 --> 00:22:35,729
'Blerds' didn't exist
in the mainstream.
571
00:22:35,729 --> 00:22:38,524
"Finally, we got something
we can write for."
572
00:22:38,524 --> 00:22:41,443
I knew 'Family Matters' was
a White show from day one.
573
00:22:41,443 --> 00:22:43,654
'Family Matters' was
never a Black show to me.
574
00:22:43,654 --> 00:22:45,656
See that?
575
00:22:45,656 --> 00:22:48,158
I know that,
man, and you cool.
576
00:22:48,158 --> 00:22:50,828
But you sure you can't help
me with no diving watch?
577
00:22:50,828 --> 00:22:53,122
Yeah, I'm sure.
578
00:22:53,122 --> 00:22:55,833
After roles in major movies
like 'Big Shots' and the
579
00:22:55,833 --> 00:22:58,794
Oscar winning
'Mississippi Burning'...
580
00:22:58,794 --> 00:23:00,588
It's okay to be afraid?
581
00:23:00,588 --> 00:23:04,008
Darius knows that being a
Black kid in a White industry
582
00:23:04,008 --> 00:23:05,718
isn't always easy.
583
00:23:05,718 --> 00:23:07,970
Tell him what you saw.
584
00:23:07,970 --> 00:23:10,848
As a Black child star,
it's so difficult because
585
00:23:10,848 --> 00:23:14,894
we're not allowed to be
anything other than perfect.
586
00:23:14,894 --> 00:23:17,479
If I'm on time,
I'm late.
587
00:23:17,479 --> 00:23:19,148
My mom used to have me
on set early.
588
00:23:19,148 --> 00:23:20,941
If you speak up,
you say the wrong thing,
589
00:23:20,941 --> 00:23:23,903
you speak out of place, you
have to know your place.
590
00:23:23,903 --> 00:23:26,405
If you don't, if you
make that mistake,
591
00:23:26,405 --> 00:23:28,282
there is no coming
back from that.
592
00:23:28,282 --> 00:23:29,408
[Knocking]
593
00:23:29,408 --> 00:23:31,285
Oh my God, Eddie,
open the door.
594
00:23:31,285 --> 00:23:34,538
Hang on, my pet,
Steve Urkel to the rescue.
595
00:23:34,538 --> 00:23:37,207
Having to get cheap laughs
on a sitcom doesn't always
596
00:23:37,207 --> 00:23:40,919
fit with Darius' ambition
to be a serious actor.
597
00:23:40,919 --> 00:23:44,381
At times this leads to
tension with Jaleel White.
598
00:23:44,381 --> 00:23:47,843
I'm not gonna say that I
was ever jealous of Jaleel.
599
00:23:47,843 --> 00:23:50,596
What I probably was a little
bit envious of was
600
00:23:50,596 --> 00:23:53,390
that he got to
be this clown.
601
00:23:53,390 --> 00:23:55,059
And I'm 'a be honest,
I mean
602
00:23:55,059 --> 00:23:57,353
I did an episode where
I dressed up as Urkel
603
00:23:57,353 --> 00:23:59,938
because I went into the
transformation chamber.
604
00:23:59,938 --> 00:24:02,524
Wowzers, it worked.
605
00:24:02,524 --> 00:24:04,652
And it's so easy to clown.
606
00:24:04,652 --> 00:24:07,029
It's not that he wasn't great
at it or brilliant at it,
607
00:24:07,029 --> 00:24:09,490
but I was like damn, like,
if I got to do some of
608
00:24:09,490 --> 00:24:12,701
this silly shit, I'd be
funny as hell too.
609
00:24:12,701 --> 00:24:14,453
I had to play
the straight man.
610
00:24:14,453 --> 00:24:16,789
Even Jaleel White isn't
always comfortable with
611
00:24:16,789 --> 00:24:18,624
what he's asked
to do on set.
612
00:24:18,624 --> 00:24:20,417
-And Myrtle, Myrtle.
-Myrtle.
613
00:24:20,417 --> 00:24:22,586
Yeah, Myrtule, Myrtle's
the one that's a...
614
00:24:22,586 --> 00:24:25,589
Myrtle's the one that's a
pain in the butt to play.
615
00:24:25,589 --> 00:24:28,092
One creative decision puts
him in the middle of a
616
00:24:28,092 --> 00:24:32,137
conflict between adult cast
members and the writers.
617
00:24:32,137 --> 00:24:34,390
Jo Marie and Reggie
at that time,
618
00:24:34,390 --> 00:24:36,392
were very sensitive to
619
00:24:36,392 --> 00:24:38,769
putting Black
men in dresses.
620
00:24:38,769 --> 00:24:41,689
And they, they
heaped that on me.
621
00:24:41,689 --> 00:24:44,191
And they, they,
they let me know
622
00:24:44,191 --> 00:24:46,402
that I was not doing
623
00:24:46,402 --> 00:24:50,114
our race a service
624
00:24:50,114 --> 00:24:52,491
by putting
on that yellow dress.
625
00:24:52,491 --> 00:24:55,953
Myrtle, this is
our son, Edward.
626
00:24:55,953 --> 00:24:59,164
-Well, hello there.
-[Laughing]
627
00:24:59,164 --> 00:25:02,543
I cried like a baby at
the end of that tape.
628
00:25:02,543 --> 00:25:06,171
I just broke and I just
cried, cried, cried.
629
00:25:06,171 --> 00:25:07,631
I was like damn,
they definitely gonna
630
00:25:07,631 --> 00:25:09,466
make fun of me at
school for this.
631
00:25:09,466 --> 00:25:11,343
I mean, I'm like,
I'm like, I'm full...
632
00:25:11,343 --> 00:25:13,429
I'm like,
I had gone there.
633
00:25:13,429 --> 00:25:15,055
What are
you doing?
634
00:25:15,055 --> 00:25:17,099
I'm your dream
come true.
635
00:25:17,099 --> 00:25:18,767
My dad was like,
"He will never
636
00:25:18,767 --> 00:25:20,269
play this character again.
637
00:25:20,269 --> 00:25:24,398
He shouldn't have
to carry the burden of
638
00:25:24,398 --> 00:25:28,986
some adults making a
child feel bad
639
00:25:28,986 --> 00:25:32,239
for playing a girl
just in fun."
640
00:25:32,239 --> 00:25:34,241
Keep her away from me,
she's crazy.
641
00:25:34,241 --> 00:25:37,286
Crazy about you,
you big hunk of hominy.
642
00:25:37,286 --> 00:25:38,912
And these are
White producers,
643
00:25:38,912 --> 00:25:40,998
so they're not thinking
about this stuff.
644
00:25:40,998 --> 00:25:43,250
There were so many things
that were overlooked
645
00:25:43,250 --> 00:25:47,087
concerning us as
Black people,
646
00:25:47,087 --> 00:25:48,922
as Black performers.
647
00:25:48,922 --> 00:25:51,133
Anything would've set it off.
648
00:25:51,133 --> 00:25:54,178
As the sitcom landscape
changes in the mid 90s,
649
00:25:54,178 --> 00:25:57,598
'Family Matters' starts
to lose its appeal.
650
00:25:57,598 --> 00:25:59,767
The producers' attempts to
steady the ship
651
00:25:59,767 --> 00:26:02,060
get ever more desperate.
652
00:26:02,060 --> 00:26:04,354
It got to a point where
it just got preposterous.
653
00:26:04,354 --> 00:26:06,231
It was just one
after the next.
654
00:26:15,115 --> 00:26:17,618
As 'Family Matters'
approaches its 8th season,
655
00:26:17,618 --> 00:26:19,495
it's already one of the
longest running
656
00:26:19,495 --> 00:26:21,830
Black sitcoms of all time.
657
00:26:21,830 --> 00:26:25,167
[Audience laughing]
658
00:26:25,167 --> 00:26:28,378
And it became, really,
appointment television.
659
00:26:28,378 --> 00:26:29,838
You know, it was back
before streaming.
660
00:26:29,838 --> 00:26:32,466
Back in my day before
there was streaming,
661
00:26:32,466 --> 00:26:34,134
you had to make an
appointment to all
662
00:26:34,134 --> 00:26:36,094
sit down and watch
at the same time.
663
00:26:36,094 --> 00:26:38,388
And we did.
664
00:26:38,388 --> 00:26:41,767
But with the rise of sitcoms
like 'Friends' and 'Frasier',
665
00:26:41,767 --> 00:26:44,978
ratings for 'Family Matters'
start to drop.
666
00:26:44,978 --> 00:26:48,649
Its writers start grasping
at straws trying to keep up.
667
00:26:48,649 --> 00:26:52,027
You idiot!
668
00:26:52,027 --> 00:26:54,279
The producers of
'Family Matters' introduced
669
00:26:54,279 --> 00:26:59,201
more and more fantastical
stories and characters.
670
00:26:59,201 --> 00:27:01,537
[In sync]
Isn't this fun?
671
00:27:01,537 --> 00:27:03,330
As far as the characters
were concerned,
672
00:27:03,330 --> 00:27:05,457
it got to a point where
it just got preposterous.
673
00:27:05,457 --> 00:27:06,917
It just got to the point
where it was just like,
674
00:27:06,917 --> 00:27:08,794
yeah, you're gonna play
Albert Einstein.
675
00:27:08,794 --> 00:27:10,170
You're going to
play Bruce Lee.
676
00:27:10,170 --> 00:27:12,464
It was just one,
one after the next.
677
00:27:12,464 --> 00:27:14,299
♪
678
00:27:14,299 --> 00:27:16,301
[Cheering]
679
00:27:16,301 --> 00:27:18,554
The outlandish plots
become so infamous
680
00:27:18,554 --> 00:27:20,681
that they're
later satirized.
681
00:27:20,681 --> 00:27:24,017
-This is [beep] Gene.
-Whoa!
682
00:27:24,017 --> 00:27:25,352
Wha-wha-what's
the matter, Reg?
683
00:27:25,352 --> 00:27:28,647
In the next episode, Steve
Urkel turns Carl into
684
00:27:28,647 --> 00:27:31,817
a giant sandwich and
accidentally eats him?!
685
00:27:31,817 --> 00:27:33,986
But wait, that's hilarious,
but it's hilarious.
686
00:27:33,986 --> 00:27:36,321
Come on.
I'm an actor, Gene!
687
00:27:36,321 --> 00:27:38,532
This was supposed to be
about me and my family.
688
00:27:39,992 --> 00:27:42,244
The desperate writing
doesn't pay off.
689
00:27:42,244 --> 00:27:44,204
With every
outrageous storyline,
690
00:27:44,204 --> 00:27:46,665
ratings continue
to plummet.
691
00:27:46,665 --> 00:27:49,543
It's a business.
You've gotta get good ratings.
692
00:27:49,543 --> 00:27:51,420
You have to have
funny scripts.
693
00:27:51,420 --> 00:27:54,256
Big daddy,
this is Edward,
694
00:27:54,256 --> 00:27:57,175
the man who
hushes my puppies.
695
00:27:57,175 --> 00:27:58,760
[Laughing]
696
00:27:58,760 --> 00:28:00,429
It became corny.
697
00:28:00,429 --> 00:28:02,723
And when you don't
698
00:28:02,723 --> 00:28:05,475
leave a show or stop a
show when it's at
699
00:28:05,475 --> 00:28:09,146
its sweet spot,
people get turned off.
700
00:28:09,146 --> 00:28:13,859
ABC cuts its losses and
sells the show to CBS.
701
00:28:13,859 --> 00:28:16,820
When we moved to CBS, I was
actually a little nervous
702
00:28:16,820 --> 00:28:18,530
about that because I didn't
really think that the
703
00:28:18,530 --> 00:28:24,786
character at that point
could grow anymore.
704
00:28:24,786 --> 00:28:26,538
[Audience laughing]
705
00:28:26,538 --> 00:28:28,165
I didn't feel the
character in my heart,
706
00:28:28,165 --> 00:28:30,542
and it probably
reflects in the work,
707
00:28:30,542 --> 00:28:32,628
and I have no problem saying
that 'cause the bottom line,
708
00:28:32,628 --> 00:28:34,338
is, is, you know,
it's a business,
709
00:28:34,338 --> 00:28:37,758
and at that point people are
just making so much money.
710
00:28:37,758 --> 00:28:39,968
When JoMarie Peyton
leaves partway through
711
00:28:39,968 --> 00:28:43,639
season nine, the writing
is on the wall.
712
00:28:43,639 --> 00:28:45,265
[Squeaking door]
713
00:28:45,265 --> 00:28:48,685
Oh, Carl, I am so
glad you're home.
714
00:28:48,685 --> 00:28:51,521
Harriette,
we need to talk.
715
00:28:51,521 --> 00:28:53,315
I know. Have you been
listening to this?
716
00:28:53,315 --> 00:28:55,192
They had changed
my TV mom.
717
00:28:55,192 --> 00:28:56,985
We moved into a
whole 'nother network,
718
00:28:56,985 --> 00:28:58,654
which is really
the kiss of death.
719
00:28:58,654 --> 00:29:02,032
In July 1998,
'Family Matters' is
720
00:29:02,032 --> 00:29:05,410
quietly canceled
while on hiatus.
721
00:29:05,410 --> 00:29:08,205
Look,
most great sitcoms,
722
00:29:08,205 --> 00:29:10,332
there's the glory
days of the sitcoms
723
00:29:10,332 --> 00:29:12,668
and the great days
of them being these
724
00:29:12,668 --> 00:29:14,461
great shows that have
these huge ratings,
725
00:29:14,461 --> 00:29:16,672
and little by little by little,
they start to fade.
726
00:29:16,672 --> 00:29:18,757
It, it was
kind of like...
727
00:29:18,757 --> 00:29:20,550
their moment was gone.
728
00:29:20,550 --> 00:29:22,552
♪
729
00:29:22,552 --> 00:29:25,013
After nearly a decade of
playing Eddie Winslow,
730
00:29:25,013 --> 00:29:27,140
moving on from the
character isn't easy
731
00:29:27,140 --> 00:29:28,642
for Darius McCrary.
732
00:29:28,642 --> 00:29:30,519
My name is
Eddie Winslow,
733
00:29:30,519 --> 00:29:33,522
better known as
the Prince of Love.
734
00:29:33,522 --> 00:29:35,148
[Laughing
& cheering]
735
00:29:35,148 --> 00:29:36,566
Okay, I love
'Family Matters.'
736
00:29:36,566 --> 00:29:39,152
I love Eddie Winslow
being in my closet,
737
00:29:39,152 --> 00:29:42,030
'cause I can pull him out
whenever I want to.
738
00:29:42,030 --> 00:29:45,784
But I'm 'a be honest,
it's part of why I believe
739
00:29:45,784 --> 00:29:49,538
I've worked so hard
throughout my career.
740
00:29:49,538 --> 00:29:53,542
♪
741
00:29:53,542 --> 00:29:56,420
While the role let Darius
make his name as an actor,
742
00:29:56,420 --> 00:30:00,132
it also thrust him into
precarious situations.
743
00:30:00,132 --> 00:30:01,508
There's so much shit that
I've experienced when
744
00:30:01,508 --> 00:30:04,428
I look back in retrospect
where I'm like,
745
00:30:04,428 --> 00:30:06,346
"That was inappropriate."
It's just hard for me to talk
746
00:30:06,346 --> 00:30:10,017
about this, man, because
I've seen some shit.
747
00:30:10,017 --> 00:30:12,602
I had had my back rubbed
so many times and
748
00:30:12,602 --> 00:30:15,355
I was like,
what the ----?
749
00:30:15,355 --> 00:30:18,900
And that's why I said,
everybody in this industry-
750
00:30:18,900 --> 00:30:20,610
[clapping]- whether you
know it or not,
751
00:30:20,610 --> 00:30:23,613
has been touched
inappropriately.
752
00:30:23,613 --> 00:30:25,365
Children actors at
that time were
753
00:30:25,365 --> 00:30:27,117
very vulnerable and
not protected.
754
00:30:27,117 --> 00:30:28,493
It was just, you know,
755
00:30:28,493 --> 00:30:30,454
it was a unwritten
rule that, you know,
756
00:30:30,454 --> 00:30:32,164
these people on top
basically can get away
757
00:30:32,164 --> 00:30:34,708
what they wanted to.
758
00:30:34,708 --> 00:30:37,085
When Darius first
leaves 'Family Matters',
759
00:30:37,085 --> 00:30:39,629
he struggles to find
another major role.
760
00:30:39,629 --> 00:30:41,673
[Gunfire]
761
00:30:41,673 --> 00:30:43,050
Anybody need a ride?
762
00:30:43,050 --> 00:30:44,593
Got a brand new chopper
waiting for us
763
00:30:44,593 --> 00:30:46,428
on the other side
of the bridge.
764
00:30:46,428 --> 00:30:49,765
He briefly stars in the
sci-fi series 'Freedom',
765
00:30:49,765 --> 00:30:52,726
but it's canceled
mid-season.
766
00:30:52,726 --> 00:30:55,228
Darius McCrary,
we watched him grow up.
767
00:30:55,228 --> 00:30:57,606
He was already cute, and
then he got handsome
768
00:30:57,606 --> 00:30:58,857
and then he became
thump thump,
769
00:30:58,857 --> 00:31:00,192
thump thump,
thump thump.
770
00:31:00,192 --> 00:31:03,653
And he would've
been so easy
771
00:31:03,653 --> 00:31:06,156
to spin into something else
772
00:31:06,156 --> 00:31:07,741
on a Black show,
on a White show,
773
00:31:07,741 --> 00:31:09,910
on a purple show.
774
00:31:09,910 --> 00:31:12,245
Now you're speaking
my language.
775
00:31:12,245 --> 00:31:13,455
He's talented.
He's Black,
776
00:31:13,455 --> 00:31:15,207
and he's talented,
and he's gorgeous.
777
00:31:15,207 --> 00:31:17,959
So why didn't he
get an opportunity?
778
00:31:17,959 --> 00:31:20,587
Hi, I'm T,
I'm new in town.
779
00:31:20,587 --> 00:31:21,922
I remember.
780
00:31:21,922 --> 00:31:24,174
Professionalism in
this business is
781
00:31:24,174 --> 00:31:27,010
what defines your success.
782
00:31:27,010 --> 00:31:29,012
Yeah I think it's harder for
Black actors to, to, to...
783
00:31:29,012 --> 00:31:30,806
and actresses to
get back on that,
784
00:31:30,806 --> 00:31:32,349
to get a second chance.
785
00:31:32,349 --> 00:31:35,352
In the years after she is
fired from 'Family Matters',
786
00:31:35,352 --> 00:31:38,313
Jaimee Foxworth
continues to struggle
787
00:31:38,313 --> 00:31:40,774
with the feeling
of rejection.
788
00:31:40,774 --> 00:31:42,776
There was a period
of time between,
789
00:31:42,776 --> 00:31:45,153
I think it was 17 to 19,
where I was going
790
00:31:45,153 --> 00:31:48,281
on auditions, but I
was actively, like,
791
00:31:48,281 --> 00:31:49,616
declining them.
792
00:31:49,616 --> 00:31:51,368
And my mom was like,
"What is going on with you"?
793
00:31:51,368 --> 00:31:54,746
Like I just didn't want
to feel that rejection,
794
00:31:54,746 --> 00:31:56,373
that anxiety...
795
00:31:56,373 --> 00:31:58,667
anything that I
felt before on set,
796
00:31:58,667 --> 00:32:00,752
I didn't want to feel it.
797
00:32:00,752 --> 00:32:04,798
I just didn't want to relive
that trauma that I had.
798
00:32:04,798 --> 00:32:07,425
To deal with that reality,
799
00:32:07,425 --> 00:32:10,929
and feeling like you're
unwanted by the industry,
800
00:32:10,929 --> 00:32:12,556
let alone the show
you're on,
801
00:32:12,556 --> 00:32:15,642
and to continue to
validate that space.
802
00:32:15,642 --> 00:32:17,811
And then the crushing weight
of how it makes you feel
803
00:32:17,811 --> 00:32:19,271
emotionally and
psychologically is an
804
00:32:19,271 --> 00:32:25,443
adult weight...
on a child.
805
00:32:25,443 --> 00:32:30,407
I was trying to escape
the whole Judy Winslow.
806
00:32:30,407 --> 00:32:31,867
You know, you have
a name behind you.
807
00:32:31,867 --> 00:32:33,743
I kinda wanted to be normal.
808
00:32:33,743 --> 00:32:35,453
I just wanted to be like,
"Hey, let me just,
809
00:32:35,453 --> 00:32:36,872
you know, hang out with
regular people.
810
00:32:36,872 --> 00:32:38,248
I don't want to be in
the industry anymore.
811
00:32:38,248 --> 00:32:39,833
I just want to do
normal stuff."
812
00:32:39,833 --> 00:32:43,628
But that snowballed into
drinking, getting high,
813
00:32:43,628 --> 00:32:46,715
and just not being
my authentic self.
814
00:32:46,715 --> 00:32:51,178
To play a role or become a
character and have to
815
00:32:51,178 --> 00:32:53,180
live up to that for the
rest of their lives,
816
00:32:53,180 --> 00:32:55,932
it creates a duality
in the brain of
817
00:32:55,932 --> 00:32:58,268
what's real and
what's not real.
818
00:32:58,268 --> 00:33:03,023
I think that sometimes we see
child actors get into things
819
00:33:03,023 --> 00:33:05,483
that are dangerous or
get into substances,
820
00:33:05,483 --> 00:33:07,527
because what's real
and what's not real,
821
00:33:07,527 --> 00:33:09,321
the lines are very blurry.
822
00:33:09,321 --> 00:33:11,281
With me, I like to
block things out.
823
00:33:11,281 --> 00:33:15,285
And if drinking, smoking,
hanging out, you know,
824
00:33:15,285 --> 00:33:16,995
with people I shouldn't be
hanging out with blocks
825
00:33:16,995 --> 00:33:19,748
those feelings, then I'm
gonna take that road.
826
00:33:19,748 --> 00:33:22,959
I didn't learn until I got
late into my 30s that
827
00:33:22,959 --> 00:33:24,753
that's just not
the way to go.
828
00:33:24,753 --> 00:33:28,882
I believe Hollywood
creates co-dependence.
829
00:33:28,882 --> 00:33:32,761
So a lot of children
become codependent adults,
830
00:33:32,761 --> 00:33:34,721
and they don't have the
mechanism or the
831
00:33:34,721 --> 00:33:36,640
ability to function
on their own.
832
00:33:36,640 --> 00:33:39,601
And you always have to
remember that once you stop
833
00:33:39,601 --> 00:33:42,646
making somebody money,
you no good to nobody.
834
00:33:42,646 --> 00:33:45,899
To me, this was
like career suicide.
835
00:33:54,991 --> 00:33:59,913
It ran its mouth about having
a temporary restraining order.
836
00:33:59,913 --> 00:34:03,166
I've had a restraining order
for the past two years.
837
00:34:03,166 --> 00:34:05,085
Throughout the 2010s,
838
00:34:05,085 --> 00:34:07,295
Darius makes headlines
for problems in
839
00:34:07,295 --> 00:34:08,880
his personal life,
840
00:34:08,880 --> 00:34:11,883
including a string of
divorces, custody battles,
841
00:34:11,883 --> 00:34:15,887
and allegations of
spousal abuse.
842
00:34:15,887 --> 00:34:18,098
The image of wholesome
Eddie Winslow
843
00:34:18,098 --> 00:34:20,892
as an abusive
adult fuels the interest
844
00:34:20,892 --> 00:34:22,936
of Hollywood tabloids.
845
00:34:22,936 --> 00:34:24,938
It's safe to say that
Officer Winslow would be
846
00:34:24,938 --> 00:34:27,565
none too proud finding out
that his darling boy from
847
00:34:27,565 --> 00:34:30,527
'Family Matters', actor
Darius McCrary, recently
848
00:34:30,527 --> 00:34:33,238
tried to mow down his
girlfriend, Karrine Steffans.
849
00:34:33,238 --> 00:34:34,990
I can't take Melissa to
the dance because
850
00:34:34,990 --> 00:34:36,616
she's not pretty enough.
851
00:34:36,616 --> 00:34:38,910
That's neither
stupid nor shallow.
852
00:34:38,910 --> 00:34:41,371
[Laughing]
853
00:34:41,371 --> 00:34:42,998
Television for a
lot of people is,
854
00:34:42,998 --> 00:34:45,583
I don't have to be involved
in anything except laughing.
855
00:34:45,583 --> 00:34:47,752
You make me laugh,
you make me feel good.
856
00:34:47,752 --> 00:34:48,962
I want to know these things,
857
00:34:48,962 --> 00:34:50,213
but when it comes
to the drama,
858
00:34:50,213 --> 00:34:53,300
I will now involve myself
by speaking out.
859
00:34:53,300 --> 00:34:55,302
But you don't want to love
the reality that goes with it
860
00:34:55,302 --> 00:34:57,304
because it reminds you
too much of yourself.
861
00:34:57,304 --> 00:35:00,348
And that's why you
judge harshly.
862
00:35:00,348 --> 00:35:03,643
Darius tries to defend
himself to the media.
863
00:35:03,643 --> 00:35:07,147
None of these
allegations are true.
864
00:35:07,147 --> 00:35:11,151
And it's really saddens me
and it hurts me actually.
865
00:35:11,151 --> 00:35:13,028
I'm just going to
say that, you know,
866
00:35:13,028 --> 00:35:15,030
you can't believe
everything that you read
867
00:35:15,030 --> 00:35:16,865
in the news, period.
868
00:35:16,865 --> 00:35:21,870
People will lie to get
what they, what they want...
869
00:35:21,870 --> 00:35:23,955
and, and it's
unfortunate...
870
00:35:23,955 --> 00:35:25,915
it's unfortunate.
871
00:35:25,915 --> 00:35:28,668
Wherever the truth lies,
reputations made
872
00:35:28,668 --> 00:35:31,171
in the tabloids
tend to stick...
873
00:35:31,171 --> 00:35:34,883
especially for
former child actors.
874
00:35:34,883 --> 00:35:37,052
Most people make mistakes
in their 20s or whatever,
875
00:35:37,052 --> 00:35:38,678
but you don't
hear about it.
876
00:35:38,678 --> 00:35:39,971
They don't even, no one
else knows about it.
877
00:35:39,971 --> 00:35:41,765
So by the time
they mature, then,
878
00:35:41,765 --> 00:35:43,099
you know, their life is
straightened on
879
00:35:43,099 --> 00:35:44,392
they're doing what they're
supposed to do, but...
880
00:35:44,392 --> 00:35:46,311
for us, it's all
over the media.
881
00:35:46,311 --> 00:35:47,604
They make us
look bad.
882
00:35:47,604 --> 00:35:48,605
They make us think that,
you know,
883
00:35:48,605 --> 00:35:50,023
we're the only people,
you know,
884
00:35:50,023 --> 00:35:51,983
who go through this.
885
00:35:51,983 --> 00:35:53,526
What a thug.
886
00:35:53,526 --> 00:35:55,278
[Laughing]
887
00:35:55,278 --> 00:35:57,489
Come on, girls.
888
00:35:57,489 --> 00:36:00,158
It's even harder being a
Black child actor
889
00:36:00,158 --> 00:36:02,827
because the lens
is on you more.
890
00:36:02,827 --> 00:36:05,747
They already
expect you to be...
891
00:36:05,747 --> 00:36:07,082
to turn out
to be a thug.
892
00:36:07,082 --> 00:36:08,792
They already think
that this is a one-off.
893
00:36:08,792 --> 00:36:11,836
Like, you're, you're
good when you're cute,
894
00:36:11,836 --> 00:36:13,129
but when you get older,
let's see if
895
00:36:13,129 --> 00:36:14,714
you don't turn into that
thug that you are.
896
00:36:14,714 --> 00:36:17,092
Let's see if you don't turn
to being a drug addict or
897
00:36:17,092 --> 00:36:20,095
drug dealer or
mismanaging your money.
898
00:36:20,095 --> 00:36:22,305
After avoiding acting
work for years,
899
00:36:22,305 --> 00:36:24,849
Jaimee is strapped
for money.
900
00:36:24,849 --> 00:36:26,434
She is presented
with an offer that
901
00:36:26,434 --> 00:36:29,020
seems innocuous at first.
902
00:36:29,020 --> 00:36:30,480
There was this Black
woman, and she was like,
903
00:36:30,480 --> 00:36:32,732
"Hey." You know, "You look
like you'll be great to do,
904
00:36:32,732 --> 00:36:34,526
you know, music videos."
905
00:36:34,526 --> 00:36:35,819
She kept saying like,
"Snoop Dogg.
906
00:36:35,819 --> 00:36:37,195
It's a rap video."
907
00:36:37,195 --> 00:36:39,280
So I was like,
"No, I can't."
908
00:36:39,280 --> 00:36:41,074
You know, "I don't, I don't
think I wanna do that."
909
00:36:41,074 --> 00:36:43,827
But I took her
card anyway.
910
00:36:43,827 --> 00:36:47,080
Maybe a month later I was
just like, you know what?
911
00:36:47,080 --> 00:36:48,790
I'm not where I want to be.
912
00:36:48,790 --> 00:36:50,625
I don't have the
money that I want.
913
00:36:50,625 --> 00:36:52,168
I'm not buying the
things that I want.
914
00:36:52,168 --> 00:36:54,963
And so I got me a
bottle of Cristal,
915
00:36:54,963 --> 00:36:57,173
and I drank it in my room,
like half of it,
916
00:36:57,173 --> 00:36:58,466
and then I was like,
you know what?
917
00:36:58,466 --> 00:36:59,926
I'm gonna call that lady.
918
00:36:59,926 --> 00:37:04,139
She was like, "I can pick
you up right now."
919
00:37:04,139 --> 00:37:05,807
I still felt like doing
the music video
920
00:37:05,807 --> 00:37:07,183
was still a bad look.
921
00:37:07,183 --> 00:37:09,018
So even me getting
in the car with her,
922
00:37:09,018 --> 00:37:12,939
I felt like I was
doing something bad.
923
00:37:12,939 --> 00:37:14,732
When they arrive
at the shoot,
924
00:37:14,732 --> 00:37:18,903
Jaimee realizes she's not
there for a music video.
925
00:37:18,903 --> 00:37:20,947
Before I can even
make a decision,
926
00:37:20,947 --> 00:37:23,324
here comes the director...
927
00:37:23,324 --> 00:37:25,326
and he's like, "This is how
much you're gonna get paid,
928
00:37:25,326 --> 00:37:27,328
and it's not, it's not even
gonna be what you think it is.
929
00:37:27,328 --> 00:37:29,289
What you think it is,
it's totally different.
930
00:37:29,289 --> 00:37:30,999
It's gonna be classy.
It's gonna be on the,
931
00:37:30,999 --> 00:37:33,084
along the lines of
'Playboy.'
932
00:37:33,084 --> 00:37:34,961
It's gonna be very,
you know, seductive.
933
00:37:34,961 --> 00:37:38,214
It's not gonna be..."
My dumb ass was like,
934
00:37:38,214 --> 00:37:41,593
"Well, you know,
it sounds attractive."
935
00:37:41,593 --> 00:37:44,220
That day, Jaimee stars
in the first of
936
00:37:44,220 --> 00:37:46,556
a series of adult films.
937
00:37:46,556 --> 00:37:48,558
She doesn't tell
anyone that she's leading
938
00:37:48,558 --> 00:37:52,604
a double life under the
stage name, Crave.
939
00:37:52,604 --> 00:37:54,147
You grow up and you,
940
00:37:54,147 --> 00:37:57,108
maybe your cuteness
becomes not so cute,
941
00:37:57,108 --> 00:37:59,986
or maybe your cuteness
becomes beautiful and
942
00:37:59,986 --> 00:38:01,946
now what do they, what do
they do with you?
943
00:38:01,946 --> 00:38:05,033
And it's got to be
so tough to
944
00:38:05,033 --> 00:38:07,869
navigate this rebrand,
945
00:38:07,869 --> 00:38:09,829
which is just
growing up?
946
00:38:09,829 --> 00:38:13,875
I don't think that
child actors get
947
00:38:13,875 --> 00:38:16,085
a taste of what it
is to be "normal".
948
00:38:16,085 --> 00:38:19,297
It sets up a lot of pressure
because you're a child
949
00:38:19,297 --> 00:38:22,425
growing up in a
business that's
950
00:38:22,425 --> 00:38:24,427
not "real life".
951
00:38:24,427 --> 00:38:28,264
It's totally different,
and you are supposed
952
00:38:28,264 --> 00:38:30,225
to act like something
you're not,
953
00:38:30,225 --> 00:38:31,309
which means that
of course you're gonna
954
00:38:31,309 --> 00:38:33,311
make mistakes
because you're a kid.
955
00:38:33,311 --> 00:38:35,522
While Jaimee's bills
are getting paid,
956
00:38:35,522 --> 00:38:37,815
the work takes its toll.
957
00:38:37,815 --> 00:38:39,359
The money just wasn't
the only thing
958
00:38:39,359 --> 00:38:40,568
that was attractive.
959
00:38:40,568 --> 00:38:42,487
I also had a
plethora of weed.
960
00:38:42,487 --> 00:38:44,030
I was drinking.
961
00:38:44,030 --> 00:38:47,909
I put myself in a position of,
"Well, you're here now.
962
00:38:47,909 --> 00:38:51,120
You might as well go for it.
You might as well do it."
963
00:38:51,120 --> 00:38:52,789
'Family Matters',
it's definitely...
964
00:38:52,789 --> 00:38:55,208
it's sparked a lot
of Black people
965
00:38:55,208 --> 00:38:56,834
who wanted to
become actors.
966
00:38:56,834 --> 00:38:58,294
I just don't think
they know the price
967
00:38:58,294 --> 00:38:59,796
you have to pay
to do it. It's a, it's a
968
00:38:59,796 --> 00:39:01,381
it's a heavy burden,
you know,
969
00:39:01,381 --> 00:39:03,591
to be famous, it is...
it's a heavy burden.
970
00:39:11,849 --> 00:39:14,644
Nearly 20 years after their
emotional final episode,
971
00:39:14,644 --> 00:39:17,105
'Family Matters' remains
the third-longest running
972
00:39:17,105 --> 00:39:19,649
African-American
sitcom ever made.
973
00:39:19,649 --> 00:39:21,025
[Laughing]
974
00:39:21,025 --> 00:39:24,445
It went 215 episodes.
It was amazingly successful.
975
00:39:24,445 --> 00:39:26,155
Yes!
976
00:39:26,155 --> 00:39:27,407
[Cheering]
977
00:39:27,407 --> 00:39:29,784
Miller-Boyett, who were
the executive producers,
978
00:39:29,784 --> 00:39:32,704
their names were synonymous
with success, period.
979
00:39:32,704 --> 00:39:34,080
We didn't get no awards,
980
00:39:34,080 --> 00:39:35,832
but we made a whole
lot of money.
981
00:39:35,832 --> 00:39:39,377
We're gonna have a
Bossaroma TV funfest.
982
00:39:39,377 --> 00:39:41,880
Despite its success,
'Family Matters' doesn't get
983
00:39:41,880 --> 00:39:46,843
the same accolades as other
sitcoms from that era.
984
00:39:46,843 --> 00:39:50,179
It touched so many households
and so many hearts.
985
00:39:50,179 --> 00:39:51,723
Now the sad thing about it,
986
00:39:51,723 --> 00:39:53,558
the part that
breaks my heart,
987
00:39:53,558 --> 00:39:56,311
is that Warner Brothers
just celebrated 100 years,
988
00:39:56,311 --> 00:39:58,396
and we're not
even mentioned in that.
989
00:39:58,396 --> 00:40:00,481
We're not looked at as one
of the most successful
990
00:40:00,481 --> 00:40:03,735
Black sitcoms by a lot of
different standards.
991
00:40:03,735 --> 00:40:06,529
We were too White to be
accepted or talked about at
992
00:40:06,529 --> 00:40:09,699
the BET Awards, and not
White enough to be talked
993
00:40:09,699 --> 00:40:13,870
about at the Emmys,
and to be respected.
994
00:40:13,870 --> 00:40:17,540
Darius continues to act,
and in 2022,
995
00:40:17,540 --> 00:40:20,418
he starts a podcast called,
'I'm Not Laughing',
996
00:40:20,418 --> 00:40:22,211
which he hosts with
'Family Matters'
997
00:40:22,211 --> 00:40:24,714
co-star Kellie Williams.
998
00:40:24,714 --> 00:40:27,300
What's up, Sis?
[Laughing]
999
00:40:27,300 --> 00:40:30,845
Darius uses the platform to
address issues in Hollywood,
1000
00:40:30,845 --> 00:40:33,640
including racism
and exploitation...
1001
00:40:33,640 --> 00:40:35,725
The name of our show
is 'I'm Not Laughing',
1002
00:40:35,725 --> 00:40:37,268
and we call it that because
we've been laughing at
1003
00:40:37,268 --> 00:40:39,145
stuff that ain't funny
for way too long.
1004
00:40:39,145 --> 00:40:40,813
-No, it's not.
-This stuff is not funny.
1005
00:40:40,813 --> 00:40:44,067
And, life growing up
as a Black child star.
1006
00:40:44,067 --> 00:40:48,154
When we became adults,
I ran into an executive,
1007
00:40:48,154 --> 00:40:52,367
and people, who revealed
kind of like they were
1008
00:40:52,367 --> 00:40:55,578
almost disappointed that
1009
00:40:55,578 --> 00:40:57,914
I wasn't messed up.
1010
00:40:57,914 --> 00:40:59,874
I had a good friend at my
house one time telling me,
1011
00:40:59,874 --> 00:41:01,459
you know, "You should get
like a DUI or something.
1012
00:41:01,459 --> 00:41:03,336
It would make
you interesting."
1013
00:41:03,336 --> 00:41:05,672
My self-esteem was,
was very low.
1014
00:41:05,672 --> 00:41:10,051
I started smoking, just
disrespecting myself...
1015
00:41:10,051 --> 00:41:12,387
because I didn't know
where to place my anger.
1016
00:41:12,387 --> 00:41:14,764
Jaimee leaves the
adult film industry.
1017
00:41:14,764 --> 00:41:17,642
She goes on reality TV
seeking help with her
1018
00:41:17,642 --> 00:41:20,687
drug addiction and to
restore her image.
1019
00:41:20,687 --> 00:41:23,690
At that time, I felt like
I had to make sure that
1020
00:41:23,690 --> 00:41:26,526
I wasn't letting America
down because the last time
1021
00:41:26,526 --> 00:41:28,861
they saw me, they saw me
as a little girl.
1022
00:41:28,861 --> 00:41:30,780
And I was feeding into
the stereotype of
1023
00:41:30,780 --> 00:41:33,574
being a child star.
1024
00:41:33,574 --> 00:41:36,703
It was like a
public apology...
1025
00:41:36,703 --> 00:41:39,330
that now I believe that I
really didn't have to
1026
00:41:39,330 --> 00:41:41,249
give to people.
1027
00:41:41,249 --> 00:41:44,460
She did whatever she
had to do, and yes,
1028
00:41:44,460 --> 00:41:47,880
she found adult film.
Make your money, honey.
1029
00:41:47,880 --> 00:41:50,133
Stay safe and
make your money,
1030
00:41:50,133 --> 00:41:52,719
because no one can step
into your shoes and live the
1031
00:41:52,719 --> 00:41:55,012
reality that you do unless
they've gone through
1032
00:41:55,012 --> 00:41:56,681
what you've gone through.
1033
00:41:56,681 --> 00:41:59,183
In 2009, more than a
decade and a half
1034
00:41:59,183 --> 00:42:01,769
after the final episode
of 'Family Matters',
1035
00:42:01,769 --> 00:42:05,314
Jaimee has a son, and
finally finds peace.
1036
00:42:05,314 --> 00:42:06,691
I made a prayer to God,
and I was like,
1037
00:42:06,691 --> 00:42:08,860
"If, if you just give me
the healthiest son,
1038
00:42:08,860 --> 00:42:11,779
I will stop today."
And I stopped.
1039
00:42:11,779 --> 00:42:13,614
And I haven't had
a craving since.
1040
00:42:13,614 --> 00:42:15,366
I started to
get myself together.
1041
00:42:15,366 --> 00:42:18,119
I was clearheaded.
1042
00:42:18,119 --> 00:42:21,497
I started structuring
my life differently.
1043
00:42:21,497 --> 00:42:24,500
I had to literally take
care of a human being.
1044
00:42:24,500 --> 00:42:27,086
So, you know, he changed
my life in that way.
1045
00:42:27,086 --> 00:42:28,629
And he says it a lot.
He's like,
1046
00:42:28,629 --> 00:42:30,089
"I'm a life changer."
[Laughing]
1047
00:42:30,089 --> 00:42:33,885
He says that to me.
[Laughing] It's hilarious.
1048
00:42:33,885 --> 00:42:35,970
She loves herself now.
1049
00:42:35,970 --> 00:42:39,056
She's had to go through
all of that darkness.
1050
00:42:39,056 --> 00:42:41,434
She's put in the work.
1051
00:42:41,434 --> 00:42:44,437
I've been through so much
and the fact that
1052
00:42:44,437 --> 00:42:47,982
I was able to turn
my life around...
1053
00:42:47,982 --> 00:42:51,319
and if I wasn't let go,
and the way that I was
1054
00:42:51,319 --> 00:42:53,905
let go from 'Family
Matters', I think that
1055
00:42:53,905 --> 00:42:57,492
my path in life would've
been different.
1056
00:42:57,492 --> 00:43:00,244
I'm too sexy for my shirt,
1057
00:43:00,244 --> 00:43:02,246
too sexy for my clothes,
1058
00:43:02,246 --> 00:43:06,793
too sexy for my friends.
And, ah... ha, ha...
1059
00:43:06,793 --> 00:43:10,963
As a 47-year-old man looking
back on 'Family Matters',
1060
00:43:10,963 --> 00:43:14,217
it's pretty awesome.
It's pretty cool, you know?
1061
00:43:14,217 --> 00:43:16,135
I mean, it's something that
my children will be able to
1062
00:43:16,135 --> 00:43:18,429
look at, their children will
be able to look at, and...
1063
00:43:18,429 --> 00:43:20,139
I'm a, I'm a great
part of history,
1064
00:43:20,139 --> 00:43:22,141
a great part of
Hollywood history.
1065
00:43:22,141 --> 00:43:23,893
They look pretty good.
1066
00:43:23,893 --> 00:43:26,729
Judy, Dad made them.
How good can they be?
1067
00:43:26,729 --> 00:43:30,775
[Laughing]
1068
00:43:30,775 --> 00:43:32,401
Of course I know
I'll love 'em.
1069
00:43:32,401 --> 00:43:35,363
[Laughing]
1070
00:43:35,363 --> 00:43:39,033
As a Black performer
in this crazy business,
1071
00:43:39,033 --> 00:43:43,204
if you don't figure out a
constructive way to
1072
00:43:43,204 --> 00:43:46,791
manage the disappointment,
and the pain,
1073
00:43:46,791 --> 00:43:48,584
and the knockdowns,
and the,
1074
00:43:48,584 --> 00:43:50,503
"Oh my goodness,
this is so unfair,"
1075
00:43:50,503 --> 00:43:53,297
it will turn
into bitterness.
1076
00:43:53,297 --> 00:43:56,717
The game was supposed
to be set equally.
1077
00:43:56,717 --> 00:43:58,761
The game is not set equally.
1078
00:43:58,761 --> 00:44:00,429
But now that we know that,
1079
00:44:00,429 --> 00:44:02,265
we know how to play
the game now.