On February 8, 1991, television history was made, not just in sitcoms, but in dance crazes. The night Steve Urkel, the beloved super-geek from Family Matters, introduced America to the “Urkel Dance,” a quirky, unforgettable sequence that quickly became a pop culture phenomenon. This wasn’t just another sitcom gag; it was the birth of a dance that rivaled the Cabbage Patch and the Roger Rabbit, all thanks to the Season 2 episode “Life of the Party.” Family Matters was already a successful show, but the “Urkel Dance” propelled it, and Jaleel White’s iconic character, into a new stratosphere of fame.
Jaleel White himself was taken aback by the dance’s impact. Recalling the 30th anniversary of “Do the Urkel,” he expressed surprise at the lasting legacy of what was initially just another episode. “It was just another episode to do, and choreography to get down,” White mentioned in an interview with Yahoo Entertainment. “Any long-term thought that we were going to have the whole country or kids doing this — you didn’t think like that. In 1991, you didn’t try to go viral!” The “Urkel Dance” became a viral sensation before “going viral” was even a concept.
Jaleel White prepares to
Jaleel White embodies Steve Urkel preparing to perform the iconic Urkel Dance during a classic episode of the sitcom Family Matters. (Photo: Warner Bros./Hulu)
The “Urkel Dance” emerged in a decade ripe with memorable TV dances. Just before Urkel’s moves took over, The Simpsons had unleashed the “Bartman Dance” with its wildly popular music video for “Do the Bartman“. While the similar names might suggest a direct inspiration, White isn’t certain if Family Matters writers were consciously influenced by Bart Simpson’s animated steps. “I would read the script like anybody the night before, so I don’t know a lot of the motivations.” However, the “Urkel Dance” holds a unique place in dance history as it predates another famous 90s sitcom dance – The Carlton. Alfonso Ribeiro’s signature dance from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air didn’t debut until 1992. Jaleel White jokingly noted, “I had no realization until now that Alfonso ripped off my attempt to go viral back in 1991,” highlighting the playful rivalry and shared cultural space these dances occupied.
Behind the scenes of “Life of the Party,” the atmosphere was as energetic as the dance itself. White recalls dance-offs with the cast between takes, fueled by the sounds of 90s “cool kid” music. The choreography for the “Urkel Dance” was crafted by Gary Manteer, a former Broadway dancer and one of the show’s directors. “Gary was a former Broadway dancer, and he was one of our rotation directors. So he came up with the choreography,” White remembers. Reflecting on the episode’s premise – everyone at a party spontaneously joining in a synchronized dance – White acknowledges the shift in storytelling styles. “That would just be totally corny to do as an episode now. You’re suspending reality when you’re doing an episode like that — that everybody at this party just jumps in sync to this dance with no prior practice. We have a different way of storytelling now.”
White leads the cast in doing the Urkel in a classic 1991 episode of
Jaleel White, as Steve Urkel, guides the Family Matters cast through the energetic steps of the Urkel dance in a memorable 1991 episode. (Photo: Warner Bros./Hulu)
Despite evolving sitcom narratives, Family Matters and the “Urkel Dance” continue to resonate with audiences, both those who grew up watching it and new viewers discovering it on streaming platforms like Hulu. This enduring appeal mirrors the nostalgia surrounding other 90s favorites like Saved by the Bell and Punky Brewster, fueling discussions about potential reboots and reunions. “I have some things I would love to do with the legacy,” White hints, suggesting possibilities for the future of Family Matters, perhaps starting with a reunion. The ownership of Family Matters by Warner Bros. Television, the same company behind the successful Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion on HBO Max, further fuels speculation and hope for a similar revival.
A key question for any Family Matters revival is how to reimagine the Steve Urkel archetype for a contemporary audience. Geeks have transitioned from being outsiders to mainstream figures since the 90s, making the character’s context potentially different. However, Jaleel White believes that Steve Urkel is a character intrinsically tied to the 90s. “I personally don’t believe there’s a modern-day Urkel,” he states, comparing him to other unique comedic figures like Pee-wee Herman and Ed Grimley. White envisions any revival embracing the nostalgia of the 90s, complete with iconic imagery of the era, including, undoubtedly, a resurgence of the “Urkel Dance”.
Family Matters is readily available for streaming on Hulu, inviting both longtime fans and new viewers to experience the charm and, of course, the infectious energy of the “Urkel Dance” once again.
— Video produced by Jen Kucsak and edited by Leese Katsnelson
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