Marshay’s Reading Blog #4:
Growing up TGIF on ABC was a thing for my family watching Hanging with Mr Cooper, Full House, Boy Meets World and of course Family Matters. I couldn’t wait to see Steve Urkel turn into Stefan Urquelle lol. Now that I’m older my 4-year-old and I still binge-watch Family Matters now and then. Family Matters is essential in a black family household among many other 80s and 90s black sitcoms. Hey, these days I’ll take Steve Urkel's love that he had for Laura. But I know it was just a show.
When my brother told me that Jaleel White wrote a memoir I had to read it but I honestly debated based on the reviews I saw: he is arrogant in the book, they see why Family Matters ended, etc. But like I said Family Matters was big in my childhood and I didn't want that messed up, cause a book can do that as I've seen from reading Porsha Williams' book. I just see a gold digger in her now and even more so with this divorce settlement. But I'm not going with what they say cause a lot of people really hate on Urkel in real life and I'm be the judge for myself on Jaleel White's memoir… So let me begin 🤍📖 I’ll be back!
-“Laura, I know I’m not worthy of you but I just can’t help loving you. It’s like wanting to touch a star— you know you’ll never reach it, but you’ve just gotta keep trying.”
-Steve Urkel (Family Matters)
I’m give this book a 6.5 out of 10 I am a little in different on reading this book. I can see why reviews read he is arrogant or self absorbed. But I can also see really hurt and wounds he has from his life as Steve Urkel. And this is me saying this and I’m not even finish with the book, I haven’t made it to the photos he inserted in the book. I know I couldn’t be a child actor and probably not even an adult actor. The business is not only messy and dirty but without even known it or asking for it your personal life as well. So many people took advantage of him, as we call it these was jealous and envious of him and it wasn’t even kids it was grown adults. I’m not even finish reading the book; not even to the photos to the half way mark of the book, and already how many people have hurt him as a child and he not even know it’s hurt at the time. He been used for basketball games and then can’t even play in a high school basketball game cause he was on tv (crazy work & they should be ashamed if they have morals). He was just doing his job as his parents planned so he can one day pay for college while just wanting to be a teenager off screen. Which yes is most childhood actors but his parents kept him grounded and reminded him it was a job he was Jaleel at the end of it all respect, grades and working hard was still morals for him. They ain’t play nothing lesson lol, But let me keep reading and see if my views change. And, Hey a fun fact (cause I didn’t know) Family Matters was a spin off of Perfect Strangers based on Harriette Winslow (Jo Marie Payton aka Suga Mama).
To Chapter 7 and I think I’m regretting reading this book. But we shall see let me keep reading!!
Okay it’s 10:49pm on September 10th, 2025 and baby I could have read another book for the month of August! I pushed through til the end and yes I still give this book at 6/6.5 out of 10. He states in the last chapter of his book he could be stuck on shoulda, coulda, woulda but sir you are and thats just what this book is. A lot of putting people out there for what he felt they did wrong to him from the start of Family Matters til now I’m say. I will not take from him that he was stuck in the role of Urkel or some of the things he shared in the book was wrong cause they were. Taking advantage of a child’s fame for your own personal or family gain is very bold. The title fits the story line and the anger he let out in the book, he is very bitter and hurt from his experience of begin Urkel. Ummm does this give a different out look on him, not really I hope he truly heal cause that can be another reason its stopping him from been nothing more than Urkel. Cause yes a lot of people see him as Urkel but he need to accept the good Urkel was not a bad guy, and these days a guy that some of us wish we knew, had around us or even wish they could of been.
I wish more positive experiences, reflects and memories were shared. This was just a tell all of what you did to me Memoir. I would have probably enjoyed more of learning his life and how Urkel became and grew into a household name even though we already know that if you are a true Family Matters fan. Would I suggest this book to a friend, I’m sorry NO. Would I read this book again, NO. Is this one of my top books for 2025, NO. Wasn’t a bad but book but definitely wasn’t what I expected it to be and how it was described to be. I just hope that he one he truly let go and embrace that its how life works its good, bad, ugly and sometimes worse but dont let it make him or take that much control over him.
So read at your own risk, cause I could of read something else… JUST BEEN HONEST BABES.
