Family Matters

S01E08: Mr. Badwrench

Self-proclaimed handyman Carl decides to install a shower in Mother Winslow's quarters while she's out of town.

Overview

A long-running dramedy centering on the Winslow family, a middle-class African American family living in Chicago, and their pesky next-door neighbor, ultra-nerd Steve Urkel. A spin-off of Perfect Strangers.

Episodes

The Mama Who Came to Dinner

S01E01 The Mama Who Came to Dinner

September 22, 1989 7.5 24 min
Mother Winslow moves in and immediately begins to usurp Carl's authority. Eddie wants to go out with his friends, but he has a strict curfew that complicates things with Carl.
Two-Income Family

S01E02 Two-Income Family

September 29, 1989 8.5 24 min
Hariette loses her job to automation, forcing the family into austerity measures while Carl stews over the family debts.
Short Story

S01E03 Short Story

October 6, 1989 8.5 24 min
Rachel writes a short story with characters that seem all too familiar; Carl becomes obsessed with the family's out of proportion water bill.
Rachel's First Date

S01E04 Rachel's First Date

October 13, 1989 8.0 24 min
The Winslows finally get to be alone together when Rachel accepts a date with a man from the church choir.
Straight A's

S01E05 Straight A's

October 20, 1989 7.0 24 min
Eddie comes home with straight A's on his report card and the whole family is proud of him. Rodney comes over and tells him that he changed the grades on the report cards on the...
Basketball Blues

S01E06 Basketball Blues

November 3, 1989 24 min
Carl's efforts to get Eddie psyched for a pro basketball career is enhanced by a visit from basketball star Bolton.
Body Damage

S01E07 Body Damage

November 10, 1989 8.0 24 min
Rachel takes an unauthorized spin in the classic automobile that Carl plans to drive in the Columbus Day Parade.
Mr. Badwrench

S01E08 Mr. Badwrench

November 17, 1989 7.0 24 min
Self-proclaimed handyman Carl decides to install a shower in Mother Winslow's quarters while she's out of town.
Stake-Out

S01E09 Stake-Out

November 24, 1989 8.0 24 min
After Carl is on an all-night stakeout with his attractive new partner, Harriette finds a room key to Louie's Love Grotto in his pocket.
False Arrest

S01E10 False Arrest

December 1, 1989 24 min
The Winslows are aghast to discover that their TV idol has been arrested for assaulting a police officer - Officer Carl Winslow.
The Quilt

S01E11 The Quilt

December 8, 1989 24 min
Laura sells a quilt Grandmother Winslow considered an heirloom.
Laura's First Date

S01E12 Laura's First Date

December 15, 1989 24 min
Laura wants to go to an upcoming dance with a good-looking boy. Carl and Eddie try to find Laura a date. Carl asks Steve Urkel to take Laura to the dance, while Eddie asks one...
Man's Best Friend

S01E13 Man's Best Friend

January 5, 1990 24 min
Carl has a rule he intends to enforce not pets in the house until he meets a big, playful puppy who follows the kids home from school.
Baker's Dozens

S01E14 Baker's Dozens

January 12, 1990 24 min
Thanks to Rachel's brainstorm, Carl could become the "king of tarts" if he shares his secret recipe for lemon tarts, which were a big hit at a local restaurant.
The Big Reunion

S01E15 The Big Reunion

January 19, 1990 8.0 24 min
Carl decides to lose weight before going to his high-school reunion.
The Party

S01E16 The Party

February 2, 1990 24 min
A "No Guests" rule spells no fun for Eddie, who's left in charge of the house while the adults are away for the weekend.
The Big Fix

S01E17 The Big Fix

February 9, 1990 24 min
Eddie persuades Laura to date a guy he's indebted to.
Sitting Pretty

S01E18 Sitting Pretty

February 16, 1990 24 min
Laura's babysitting service floods the house with children at a bad time on the night Carl has invited his captain over.
In a Jam

S01E19 In a Jam

March 16, 1990 24 min
Eddie wants to do the right thing when faced with protecting Steve from a bully who threatens to beat him up, which could get Eddie creamed as well.
The Candidate

S01E20 The Candidate

March 23, 1990 7.0 24 min
Eddie places image over integrity in his class president bid when image-maker Laura offers a thousand points of light to illuminate his campaign.
Bowl Me Over

S01E21 Bowl Me Over

April 13, 1990 24 min
The men vie with the women in a bowling match and Carl's philosophy about accepting defeat gracefully ends up in the gutter when Harriette aces him out.
Rock Video

S01E22 Rock Video

April 27, 1990 24 min
When Eddie's big ego threatens to disband his group during the making of a rock video for a contest, the rest of the Winslows offer some ideas.

Cast

Reginald VelJohnson
Reginald VelJohnson
Carl Winslow
Darius McCrary
Darius McCrary
Eddie Winslow
Kellie Shanygne Williams
Kellie Shanygne Williams
Laura Winslow
Jaleel White
Jaleel White
Steve Urkel

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