Jaleel White On Why He Shot Down Possible ‘Family Matters’ Reboot: “If It’s Just A Cash Grab … I’m Not Interested”

deadline.com:

Jaleel White played Steve Urkel in the ABC sitcom Family Matters for nine seasons, but don’t expect the actor to revisit the role if it’s just a “cash grab.” In a new interview, White revealed that he shot down reprising his role of the annoying next-door neighbor in a possible reboot of the sitcom that was part of the TGIF block of programming. “I embrace the TGIF legacy, but I’m also careful to acknowledge that TGIF was a sinking ship, and you cannot make shows like that right now,” White said on SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live. “I feel like [Fuller House] got away with it because they have a schmaltzy, kind of vanilla thing that they do that’s very Hallmarkish to be quite honest and it benefits Candace [Cameron Bure] and that’s wonderful, but I just didn’t feel like we could get away with that same brand of humor.” White noted that he “was not offered a direct reboot,” but instead was offered a “bling contract with no script and half the pay” he “made leaving the show.” If it’s just a cash grab … I’m not interested in that,” White added. “If I touch anything that’s associated with Family Matters, I want to advance the legacy and I want to help the kids’ careers.” Family Matters was created by William Bickley and Michael Warren and developed by Thomas L.

Miller and Robert L. Boyett. The family-oriented sitcom premiered in 1989 and ran for eight seasons on ABC before moving to CBS in 1997 for its ninth and final season.

The comedy series, a spinoff of Perfect Strangers, revolved around an African-American family living in Chicago, Illinois. Intended to be a one-time character, the show introduced nerdy neighbor Steve Urkel half-way through the first season and became a breakout character.