When it comes to '80s and '90s sitcoms, two of the most iconic are Perfect Strangers and Family Matters, both of which made it to ABC's primetime "TGIF" programming. Anyone who was around during that time remembers characters like the nerdy Steve Urkel, with his bumbling "Did I do that?" catchphrase, and the strangely happy-go-lucky Balki Bartokomous from Mypos, a fictional Mediterranean island.
Both of these shows began airing in the late 80s and had an overlap of a few years, with Perfect Strangers being the older of the two. For those who were paying close attention, they may have caught on to a little detail that connected these shows in another unique way.
Perfect Strangers was about Wisconsin native Larry Appleton, who just moved to Chicago and was ready to enjoy the bachelor life, but an unknown family member from overseas, Balki, dropped in for an extended stay. This sitcom followed the two's development as the naive and upbeat Balki adjusted to life in America under Larry's well-meaning but often misplaced guidance.
The two end up working at the Chicago Chronicle newspaper, with Larry's connections as a reporter helping Balki get a job in the mailroom. Over the course of the show, the two eventually marry and move apart, but its successful premise managed to keep Perfect Strangers on the air for a solid eight seasons, from 1986 to 1993, and it paved the way for Family Matters.
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Also based in Chicago, Family Matters featured the Winslows, a middle-class family. The show ran from 1989 to 1997 and centered on policeman Carl Winslow and his busy life dealing with his large household. One of the show's most famous and recurring characters was the neighbor Urkel, who had a crush on Carl's daughter, Laura Lee.
Family Matters was a spinoff of Perfect Strangers and developed by the same team of writers and producers. These shows were not only connected behind the scenes, but on screen as well. Harriette Winslow first appeared on Perfect Strangers as an elevator operator in the office building of the Chicago Chronicle, where Larry and Balki worked.
Her husband, Carl, also debuted on the show in an episode called "Crimebusters," in which he helped Larry get a scoop for an investigative news story. His appearance set the stage for Family Matters, which also enjoyed a long run on television. This episode also cemented Family Matters and Perfect Strangers' connected television universe.
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