Yes, It is definitely the best theme song ever. When I was little, I actually recorded it onto a cassette with a tape recorder against my tv speaker. When the tape broke and the show got cancelled, I just knew I would never hear it again. THANK YOU, RUclips !
@lordcron Couldn't have said it better myself! I've listened to it several times today and it just feels so familiar. Reminds me of being around the tv with my siblings while mama cooking dinner and my dad making jokes. Good times, man I miss those days so much!
I just happened to stumble upon this. I miss the good old days 😀 Did anyone notice little Tatyana Ali in the Burger King commercial? Gotta love the 80's.
And exactly what would've happened to Family Matters without Urkel, no matter what these online ninjas try to say in the present day. Dude saved that show and they dunk on him now.
You can have a Steller cast, but if you have a crap script/time slot it will fail! Lots of shows fail only because they were on the wrong night of the week.
I LOVED CHRISTOFF ST JOHN AS A CHILD!!!! SUCH A CRUSH. HE SEEMS LIKE A GENTLEMAN THAT'S COMPLETELY MISSING THESE DAYS UNLESS THEY ARE ALL MARRIED TO OTHER RACES.
This aired on CBS during the 1985-86 season. They tried to capitalize on the popularity of The Cosby Show. Sadly, they never found an audience, but a little boy would become a big star later. That was Jaleel White, who would become famous as Urkel on Family Matters.
@@Multifacted_Brotha You are right! Everything is lifted from this to make Family Matters. Setting, family dynamic, even the font of the name titles are similar. It was originally a show with a white male lead and CBS retooled it to compete with the Cosby Show.
My goodness. I remember "Charlie and Company". They said that it was a poor man's "Cosby Show". What I remember, it wasn't. It was just a mid-80's show about a Black family and being that The Cosby Show was in full-swing, this one didn't have a chance. Unfortunately, things haven't really chanced much. It's been 30 years and you still can't find more than one show about a Black family or let alone a family of color ( Hispanic, Asian etc.) on prime time television. That's a trip. All day.
70s black sitcoms were brilliant. Because they didnt have to pander, they were just funny. It did that by appealing to the masses with strong writing, likeable characters and good stories.... Sanford and Son, Good times, the Jeffersons, What's happening? Were just funny....unlike this crap.
@@zt1053 the only 3 black shows back in the late 1980's! There were a few other black sitcoms that didn't last past 4 episodes then they were canceled including the black British sitcoms.
Because back in the 80s black media was all about appealing to the "mainstream" (white audiences) & if it didn't it quickly got dropped smh 🤦🏾♂️. Luckily the 90s changed the game.
Terrible time slot doomed this series moreso than anything else... had it premiered a year earlier, it probably would not have been regarded as a Cosby Clone and would probably have been given more of a chance... :)
I actually loved this show as a kid. While other kids were into The Cosby Show, I loved Charlie and Company. I was actually disappointed when it was canceled. I think due to the recent reputation of Mr. Cosby, perhaps the wrong show ended!
@jwgreek8606 At that point, I can't think of any scenario where they would have put it on Mondays... they had a relatively strong lineup of Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Kate and Allie, Newhart, and Cagney and Lacey... Mondays wasn't even good enough for Designing Women for a good chunk of the next season... I think this show's best shot at survival would have been an earlier move by Magnum to Wednesdays either as a lead in or lead out... or change networks... :)
Yep. Flip was a very astute business man and worked when he wanted to. He owned his show which kept money flowing in and he had his own record label. It was jazz and comedy. George Carlin was signed to his label and enjoyed huge success. Flip signed him after he found out the label he was on wanted to censor the content of his albums. Flip told him if he signed with him he could do whatever he wanted. The rest is history.
Wasn't sure if this would be on youtube, this show was good. It should've lasted longer just on the strength of Flip and Gladys alone-plus 2 future stars Jaleel and Kristoff (I still call him "Jr" everytime I see him on Young and the Restless). The daughter was cute too, she was one of many sweet things that was on tv in the 80's. I hope the dvd's for this show are out there somewhere.
I don't remember this show and I looked at the year it was on TV and I never saw it because I was taken three buses to get to daycare to pick up my kids and cook and get three kids ready for school and going to a second jobs. But now I watch TV land and all the old shows they have been showing over and over for the past 10 years but I never see shows like Julia, Rock,the royal family,long list short Black TV sitcoms.
I loved this show, but I hate it when people say that the Cosby Show was "unrealistic," as if to say there is no such thing as black doctors and black lawyers, raising children who go to college, not get pregnant out of wedlock, etc. I KNOW a black family like this; so believe me when I tell you that it is NOT unrealistic. To say that is equal to saying that all blacks are doomed for failure; and if one beats the odd then he or she is not "acting black." Pathetic!
Good Theme, Good Cast, but miserable time slot... It had Zero lead-in and went up against Dynasty... the only way it was going to survive on that night was if it had been paired with an established series... and the only one I can think of that CBS would have even attempted in that slot that would have been a decent fit would have been a 12th Season renewal of The Jeffersons... but they chose to clean house and went with George Burns instead...
Family Matters would've still existed since Urkel was supposed to be a one off character at first anyway however this show may have been seen as too similar so Family Matters would've never got created
Family Matters would have been axed after the first season had they decided not to continue with Urkel. I hate to say it, but Urkel kept the show going until Disney bought ABC.
there was another series around this time that never got picked up with Darius McCrary that was supposed to be a spin-off of "What’s Happening Now", instead it aired as an episode only
Another reason the show didn't take off was that they didn't allow Flip to greater input and the routine with the Aunt was like a tired gag from Sanford & Son. Although we saw in immediate syndication on BET and loved it.
Wow! I never heard of this show, but I was born in 86 so maybe thats why. I Didn't know Gladys Knight had a show. I love the theme song 🎵 I thought family matters was Jaleel first show 🤷♀️
Flip was being sarcastic. In other words, The Cosby Show wasnt a real reprsentation of typical middle class black framily was his point, and his show was.
@WREYtube At this point, I would settle for someones old VHS copies. That would probably be better, because I would have the old commercials on there as well.
I don't get it. Why would the show be taped at ABC's facilities in L.A.? If I was them, I would've shot it at CBS Television City in Hollywood, where Pyramid, Body Language, Press Your Luck, The Price is Right, and The Young and the Restless were taped during that year.
Didn't work out too well, did it? The show played much better and didn't seem like a clone in retrospect once the Rachel character came into play, but by that time, it was too late...
Holy Crap Young Urkel lol. Ive noticed on some of these one hit wonder bombed sitcoms, some of the actors landed other gigs on other sitcoms that had pretty good runs, must have been a shortage of talent or a who you know thing.
Wow! Pre-Family Matters with the sensible Black Parents, pretty boy teen son & the sassy aunt. I never saw this show I was just a kid in 86 but I remember that Burger King commercial & all the fast food/liquor commercials were targeted towards Black consumers.
@jnadle1 yea, I agree I mean shoot they would have put it on ABC along with an unsold pilot called Full House (not the same full house from 1987-1995), and He's the Mayor it would have been good for TGIF. Also it's not uncommon. Win, Lose, or Draw was taped at CBS but was on NBC same goes with Wheel of Fortune in 1991.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Rest in Peace Mr Kristoff St John, Ms Della Reese, and Mr Flip Wilson.
AMEN.
Yes, It is definitely the best theme song ever. When I was little, I actually recorded it onto a cassette with a tape recorder against my tv speaker. When the tape broke and the show got cancelled, I just knew I would never hear it again. THANK YOU, RUclips !
I absolutely LOVE this theme song. Gladys know she can sing !
I have no clue why I get so emotional at that Opening... I think it's Glady's voice with the family unity we had back then... So much has changed.
@lordcron Couldn't have said it better myself! I've listened to it several times today and it just feels so familiar. Reminds me of being around the tv with my siblings while mama cooking dinner and my dad making jokes. Good times, man I miss those days so much!
I just happened to stumble upon this. I miss the good old days 😀 Did anyone notice little Tatyana Ali in the Burger King commercial? Gotta love the 80's.
nessa Bubbles yep!
nessa Bubbles the year I was born yeah😊. That surely is her wow.
nessa Bubbles bruh I did
nessa Bubbles nice 👍🏾
I was wondering if that was her... thanks for confirming it
The original "Family Matters"
And exactly what would've happened to Family Matters without Urkel, no matter what these online ninjas try to say in the present day. Dude saved that show and they dunk on him now.
This show was so loaded with talent, it should have been a monster hit.
Came out literally in the wake of and because of "The Cosby Show". Never really had a chance.
😂😂😂
Yeah like the Brooklyn Nets.
@@HovaNirvana It was ripping off the Cosby show
You can have a Steller cast, but if you have a crap script/time slot it will fail! Lots of shows fail only because they were on the wrong night of the week.
I could listen to theme song all day
❤ me some Gladys
Me too!! This is my all--time favorite tv show theme song.
Flip Wilson, Gladys Knight and Della Reese.... Now that's what I call an all-star cast.
@Watson Everly i know.what happened to the girl?
Yes
The theme song🥰 Come through Mrs. Gladys🧡
Was very CLAUDINE SOUNDTRACK 💞
R.I.P. Flip,Della and Kristoff!
They had Flip Wilson lookin like Carl Winslow LOL
+Will M-Venom lmao
Except that this was 3 years before Carl Winslow.
And they had Urkel (Jaleel White), too!
Will M-Venom Yes he does.
correction: They had Carl Winslow looking like Flip Wilson lol this was the original Family Matters ("aunt Rachel" !?)
That Double Deluxe need to make a comeback asap
Ok! That looked good af
At least 5 actors from this show found success in other shows!
HAPPY 78TH BIRTHDAY
THE EMPRESS OF SOUL
GLADYS MARIA KNIGHT
(MAY 28, 2022)
I LOVED CHRISTOFF ST JOHN AS A CHILD!!!! SUCH A CRUSH. HE SEEMS LIKE A GENTLEMAN THAT'S COMPLETELY MISSING THESE DAYS UNLESS THEY ARE ALL MARRIED TO OTHER RACES.
R.I.P. Kristoff St. John who played Charlie Junior.
Yes, I remember him first from NBC's Sat. morning show, BIG JOHN LITTLE JOHN.
at 1:10 Ashley Banks from Fresh Prince appears in the Burger King commercial
you sure that wasn't Bashley?
@@SiccDeville 😄😄😄
I miss those memories
I used to love the theme song man I miss being young I came up in a good time now we live in a scary time I cherish the classic
The producers didn't promote this! Plain and simple. I love Gladys singing this OMG!!! it makes me feel grounded when hurt by life's ignorance today.
I love this show and the theme song is Fun to song along to!! I was so disappointed when the took it off air...
I loved this theme music. This was hard to find. Thanks for uploading.
This aired on CBS during the 1985-86 season. They tried to capitalize on the popularity of The Cosby Show. Sadly, they never found an audience, but a little boy would become a big star later. That was Jaleel White, who would become famous as Urkel on Family Matters.
and Kristoff St.John as Neil Winters on The Young And The Restless
Man this theme song stirs up nostalgia … ♥️
I remember this when I was a kid, I was a little disappointed it didn't last....
RIP Kristoff St. John
Such a beautiful song
We used to watch this show. I liked it a lot. It should have had a longer run.
So we gonna act like Family Matters didn't lift this show and tweak it? LOL this is Stefan Urquelle's alternate universe
I thought the same thing. This show even had an Aunt Rachel (Della Reese)
Family Matters is a stupid pile of unfunny shit.
@@Multifacted_Brotha all terrible
@@Multifacted_Brotha no, its fact. Find me its many Emmy nominations and wins, ok? Dumb ass
@@Multifacted_Brotha You are right! Everything is lifted from this to make Family Matters. Setting, family dynamic, even the font of the name titles are similar.
It was originally a show with a white male lead and CBS retooled it to compete with the Cosby Show.
Awwwwwww the nostalgia 💕💕💕😌 80’s commercials too? Way before my time!!! Lol
Times seemed so good back then !
Awww, look how little Jaleel White was, cute:)
It's old skool time
this show came out way before family matters
My goodness. I remember "Charlie and Company". They said that it was a poor man's "Cosby Show". What I remember, it wasn't. It was just a mid-80's show about a Black family and being that The Cosby Show was in full-swing, this one didn't have a chance. Unfortunately, things haven't really chanced much. It's been 30 years and you still can't find more than one show about a Black family or let alone a family of color ( Hispanic, Asian etc.) on prime time television. That's a trip. All day.
You Google Family Matters, and Lincoln Heights. There were plenty of shows. But again we never supported our own.
Bounce Tv has some mostly black sitcoms.
It was. These were the days of CBS when they couldnt find quality sitcoms. Such unfunny shit.
@@watsonholmes3703 dont support unfunny junk. That's pointless.
70s black sitcoms were brilliant. Because they didnt have to pander, they were just funny. It did that by appealing to the masses with strong writing, likeable characters and good stories.... Sanford and Son, Good times, the Jeffersons, What's happening? Were just funny....unlike this crap.
I liked this show when it was out.
I miss them
All I remember from this show is this theme song. It came out when I was little, and it only lasted a season.
I remember watching this I was young too
I just thought about this show so I had to check & see if it was on here! Thanks!
I remember this Show! A lot of black sitcoms didn't last long back in the 1980's
Ever heard of cosby show 227 and amen
@@zt1053 the only 3 black shows back in the late 1980's! There were a few other black sitcoms that didn't last past 4 episodes then they were canceled including the black British sitcoms.
227, Amen, A Different World "didn't last" in the '80s?
Because the cosby overshadow all of them
Because back in the 80s black media was all about appealing to the "mainstream" (white audiences) & if it didn't it quickly got dropped smh 🤦🏾♂️. Luckily the 90s changed the game.
Wow I have absolutely no memory of this show and I was definitely here. Looks like episodes are here on RUclips so I may check it out.
lovedddd the 2 commercials and the end thanks for keeping then in👌🏿
I need this show on DVD as soon as possible!!!!
Wish I lived through this time, atleast grown up !
Never heard of this show, but now I want to watch it. Side note-they need to bring back the double deluxe 😂
@@Multifacted_Brothayeah it lasted from 1985-1986
I remember Charlie and Company
Yes! Best theme ever!
Is that girl at 1:10 Tatiana Ali from fresh Prince of Belair ?
Rest In Peace #KristoffStJohn #DellaReese & #FlipWilson 🌹
I remember LOVIN' it. just now looked to see if it was on RUclips.
Terrible time slot doomed this series moreso than anything else... had it premiered a year earlier, it probably would not have been regarded as a Cosby Clone and would probably have been given more of a chance... :)
Apparently, Jaleel White was not meant for this and went on to the role that made him famous.
This was a gr8 show
I actually loved this show as a kid. While other kids were into The Cosby Show, I loved Charlie and Company. I was actually disappointed when it was canceled. I think due to the recent reputation of Mr. Cosby, perhaps the wrong show ended!
Jaleel clearly ain't tryna hear his shit at 0:14
memories.
Neil Winters with Gerry Curls
*jheri curls*
Jay Coleman ty
@@jayskicksnfits9372 👍
What if Crazy Like a Fox was on a different night and Jeffersons, Charlie and Co. and all were on Sunday?
@jwgreek8606 At that point, I can't think of any scenario where they would have put it on Mondays... they had a relatively strong lineup of Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Kate and Allie, Newhart, and Cagney and Lacey... Mondays wasn't even good enough for Designing Women for a good chunk of the next season... I think this show's best shot at survival would have been an earlier move by Magnum to Wednesdays either as a lead in or lead out... or change networks... :)
When this premiered, it seemed as if Wilson had been under the radar forever.
Yep. Flip was a very astute business man and worked when he wanted to. He owned his show which kept money flowing in and he had his own record label. It was jazz and comedy. George Carlin was signed to his label and enjoyed huge success. Flip signed him after he found out the label he was on wanted to censor the content of his albums. Flip told him if he signed with him he could do whatever he wanted. The rest is history.
It obviously was some idiots in charge back in the day that didn’t allow this show to be successful!!! This show had all the players. Smh 🤦🏾♀️
My GOD TV intros were long back then. LOL
Check out Family Guy's Maude
...And that was a great thing!
Wasn't sure if this would be on youtube, this show was good. It should've lasted longer just on the strength of Flip and Gladys alone-plus 2 future stars Jaleel and Kristoff (I still call him "Jr" everytime I see him on Young and the Restless). The daughter was cute too, she was one of many sweet things that was on tv in the 80's. I hope the dvd's for this show are out there somewhere.
I don't remember this show and I looked at the year it was on TV and I never saw it because I was taken three buses to get to daycare to pick up my kids and cook and get three kids ready for school and going to a second jobs. But now I watch TV land and all the old shows they have been showing over and over for the past 10 years but I never see shows like Julia, Rock,the royal family,long list short Black TV sitcoms.
I remember this wow
I loved this show, but I hate it when people say that the Cosby Show was "unrealistic," as if to say there is no such thing as black doctors and black lawyers, raising children who go to college, not get pregnant out of wedlock, etc. I KNOW a black family like this; so believe me when I tell you that it is NOT unrealistic. To say that is equal to saying that all blacks are doomed for failure; and if one beats the odd then he or she is not "acting black." Pathetic!
Good Theme, Good Cast, but miserable time slot... It had Zero lead-in and went up against Dynasty... the only way it was going to survive on that night was if it had been paired with an established series... and the only one I can think of that CBS would have even attempted in that slot that would have been a decent fit would have been a 12th Season renewal of The Jeffersons... but they chose to clean house and went with George Burns instead...
Family Matters would've still existed since Urkel was supposed to be a one off character at first anyway however this show may have been seen as too similar so Family Matters would've never got created
Family Matters would have been axed after the first season had they decided not to continue with Urkel. I hate to say it, but Urkel kept the show going until Disney bought ABC.
@@mgj2005 yep and then CBS picked it up and then they axed it after a year
Where can I watch this?! I don't see any full episodes on youtube..
@DirtybirdGA Where are they reunited?
there was another series around this time that never got picked up with Darius McCrary that was supposed to be a spin-off of "What’s Happening Now", instead it aired as an episode only
Another reason the show didn't take off was that they didn't allow Flip to greater input and the routine with the Aunt was like a tired gag from Sanford & Son. Although we saw in immediate syndication on BET and loved it.
Wow! I never heard of this show, but I was born in 86 so maybe thats why. I Didn't know Gladys Knight had a show. I love the theme song 🎵 I thought family matters was Jaleel first show 🤷♀️
They were a working-class family while the Huxtables were upper middleclass.
@jwgreek8606 I think it was on Wednedays, if I remember correctly.
it was
Did the same people that made Roc create this show?
This into has the same intro style as Roc
her best song!
What HASN'T Jaleel White done in the last 30+ years?
never New this existed
I don't remember this show.
Flip was being sarcastic. In other words, The Cosby Show wasnt a real reprsentation of typical middle class black framily was his point, and his show was.
gladys best song!
wow, i never know Eurkel from family Matters was part of this show
I Had Heard He Was On An 80's Sitcom Show Called Charlie & Company.
@WREYtube At this point, I would settle for someones old VHS copies. That would probably be better, because I would have the old commercials on there as well.
I don't get it. Why would the show be taped at ABC's facilities in L.A.? If I was them, I would've shot it at CBS Television City in Hollywood, where Pyramid, Body Language, Press Your Luck, The Price is Right, and The Young and the Restless were taped during that year.
what of this show was on Mondays?
My uncle was the co-producer Bob Henry
Didn't work out too well, did it? The show played much better and didn't seem like a clone in retrospect once the Rachel character came into play, but by that time, it was too late...
they wanted this to compete with the Cosby show right?
no some people said it was a Cosby Show ripoff
Seems like the original Family Matters. Kind of explains why Laura looks like Gladys Knight and Jaleel was cast as Urkel.
Holy Crap Young Urkel lol. Ive noticed on some of these one hit wonder bombed sitcoms, some of the actors landed other gigs on other sitcoms that had pretty good runs, must have been a shortage of talent or a who you know thing.
Burger King doesn't taste like backyard bbq burgers
Dancing with the Stars.
#greatintro #song
Rest In Peace Ms Della Reese and Mr Flip Wilson.
and Mr.Kristoff St.John
Flip Wilson once said that this show was the "black version of the Cosby show."
Little Jaleel White before Steven q. Urkel days.
You Know What, I Thought Jaleel White Had The Same Fade Box Haircut In Charlie & Company & In 1980 That He In Family Matters.
Wow! Pre-Family Matters with the sensible Black Parents, pretty boy teen son & the sassy aunt. I never saw this show I was just a kid in 86 but I remember that Burger King commercial & all the fast food/liquor commercials were targeted towards Black consumers.
@jnadle1 yea, I agree I mean shoot they would have put it on ABC along with an unsold pilot called Full House (not the same full house from 1987-1995), and He's the Mayor it would have been good for TGIF. Also it's not uncommon. Win, Lose, or Draw was taped at CBS but was on NBC same goes with Wheel of Fortune in 1991.