Summary
Last year, the entertainment world mourned whenSuzanne Somerspassed away at the age of 76.
The series was calledStep by Step, and itquickly became a staple of ABC’s Friday Night TGIF lineup.
Though it lasted seven seasons, it wasn’t among the most popular series of the decade.
Image by Jefferson Chacon
Heck, it wasn’t even the most popular show on Friday nights.
That went toFamily Mattersand the antics of Steve Urkel (Jaleel White).
But if you’re a ’90s kid,Step by Stepchanged your life.
Who Starred in ‘Step by Step’?
Audiences already knew and loved Patrick Duffy and Suzanne Somers.
Patrick Duffy also wasn’t the onlyDallasalum.
His not-so-bright nephew, Cody, was played bySasha Mitchell, who had also been onDallasas well.
With a cast of big-name middle-aged actors and young established kids,Step by Stepwas a sitcom for everyone.
Why Was ‘Step by Step’ One of the Best ’90s Sitcoms?
Image via ABC
It didn’t take long forFamily Mattersto fall into a trap that both helped and hindered them.
When Steve Urkel arrived during the first season, he was only meant to be a one-time character.
There might have beenother lovable characters, buteverything revolved around Urkel.
Image via ABC
When other characters were on their own without him, it felt like a different series.
As the seasons went on, everything somehow had to lead back to Urkel.
Step by Stepcould’ve easily fallen into that same trap.
It would have been understandable to have Duffy and Somers hog the limelight but that didn’t happen.
He’s a contractor who likes his sports like many men.
Carol isn’t the doting housewife though.
Image via ABC
They’reyour typical sitcom couple.
Carol’s kids are more well-to-do and wound-tight.
Put these differing tropes together, and it made for some great clashes, especially between J.T.
and Dana, who are disgusted by each other.
Still, they grow to love each other and stand up for each other.
They might fight, butlike any good sitcom, they hug it out by the end credits.
Thank Goodness It’s Funny!
Why Was ‘Step by Step’ Canceled?
One character who could’ve overtakenStep by Stepwas Cody.
He’s not quite a kid anymore, though he acts just like one.
Cody shows up in Season 1 as a small, but over-the-top character just like Urkel.
Cody is if you tookKeanu Reevesout of aBill & Tedmovie and put him in a TV show.
He’s an idiot, but a funny and lovable one.
He often gets the biggest laughs, butStep by Stepdoesn’t revolve around him.
Anytimean aging sitcomadds a cute little toddler, consider it an act of desperation.
With all the kids becoming teenagers and young adults, the cuteness factor was wearing off as well.
Step by Stepis currently available to stream on Max in the U.S.
Watch on Max
