Jaleel White Explains His Controversial Comments About “Family Matters” And “Hood” Shows

You probably know Jaleel White best as the actor for Steve Urkel in the classic television show Family Matters, but he believes there’s a certain dynamic to that appraisal that doesn’t get talked about enough. Moreover, while promoting his memoir Growing Up Urkel at the Wilmington Public Library in Delaware, he spoke on how he feels that the Black community undervalues the show because it wasn’t “hood” like Martin, Living Single, and other examples. This prompted a lot of controversy and backlash, as debates ensued over this overly dismissive notion. The actor recently clarified his comments on the Higher Learning podcast, explaining where he thinks he went wrong and what he would’ve done differently.

“I want to say, I misspoke, but I could’ve worded things better if I had known I was speaking on a world stage and not just a small room in Delaware,” Jaleel White remarked about his Family Matters take. “I shouldn’t have invoked the word ‘hood.’ When you say the word ‘hood,’ it makes certain people feel like you’re demeaning them. And that’s not what I meant at all. I conflated a couple of ideas. There’s a lot of good in the hood, and I shouldn’t have generalized. Those are the two mistakes I made in that.”

Read More: Top 10 Hottest R&B Albums Of 2024

Jaleel White Clears Up His Family Matters Comments

However, this wasn’t the only hot topic that Jaleel White engaged with in 2024. The 48-year-old claimed in his memoir that Bianca Lawson clout-chased him when they went on a couple of dates back in the days of his prime TV stardom. Clearly, he has a lot of reflections and realizations when it comes to his time in the spotlight. Despite backlash and criticism for comments like these, the years since these events have made them clearer for White, even if it’s an imperfect perspective in many’s eyes.

Furthermore, this recent controversy adds to some other alleged rifts in the Family Matters cast, such as Jo Marie Payton claiming that Jaleel White wanted to fight her. Nevertheless, folks all over continue to hold the show in high regard and with rose-tinted glasses. It’s a classic, and nothing can take that status away.

Read More: Biggest Hip-Hop Moments Of 2024

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Trailer: ‘All American’ Season 7 to Premiere January 2025

ALL AMERICAN S7 KEY ART

ALL AMERICAN S7 KEY ART

All American returns for its highly anticipated seventh season, featuring original cast members Michael Evans Behling, Greta Onieogou, and Bre-Z. Osy Ikhile, Nathaniel McIntyre, Antonio J. Bell, and Alexis Chikaeze are joining as new series regulars.

The season begins with a special sneak peek episode on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, before its official premiere on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, on The CW.

Produced by Berlanti Productions alongside Warner Bros. Television and CBS Studios, the show continues its legacy under the executive production of Greg Berlanti, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Jameal Turner, Sarah Schechter, and David Strauss.

Fans can look forward to fresh storylines and the return of familiar faces as the series revisits its roots.

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Questlove Made A Documentary About 50 Years Of ‘SNL’ Music And It Features So Many People

questlove
Getty Image

Saturday Night Live is obviously a pillar of the comedy community, but it has also played host to many moments in music history thanks to its long-running tradition of musical guests. SNL is going hard celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, and now Questlove has joined the effort: It was announced today (December 19) that he has co-directed a documentary alongside Oz Rodriguez, dubbed Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years Of SNL Music.

Questlove says in a statement, “Everyone knows the most famous SNL appearances, whether it’s Elvis Costello or Prince or the Beastie Boys, but they’re the tip of a huge iceberg. The process of going back through the incredible archival footage was like being in a time machine, DeLorean or other. I’m so happy I went on the trip and happy I now get to share it with everyone.”

Just about everybody was interviewed for the doc: Per a press release, that includes Bad Bunny, DJ Breakout, Elvis Costello, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish & Finneas, Dave Grohl, Debbie Harry & Chris Stein, Mick Jagger, Dua Lipa, Darryl DMC McDaniels, Tom Morello, Kacey Musgraves, Olivia Rodrigo, MC Sha-Rock, Paul Simon, Chris Stapleton, Justin Timberlake, Lee Ving, and Jack White.

And that’s just the musicians: Also involved are Lorne Michaels, Fred Armisen, Conan O’Brien, Eli Brueggemann, Jane Curtin, Jimmy Fallon, Al Franken, Josiah Gluck, Bill Hader, Steve Higgins, Marci Klein, Melanie Malone, Tom Malone, Mary Ellen Matthews, Eddie Murphy, Ego Nwodim, Liz Patrick, Leon Pendarvis, Lenny Pickett, Joe Piscopo, Andy Samberg, Brian Siedlecki, Akiva Schaffer, Paul Shaffer, Sarah Sherman, Howard Shore, Robert Smigel, Jorma Taccone, Kenan Thompson, Maya Rudolph, Hal Willner, and Bowen Yang.

Beyoncé Goes Certified Diamond Twice in One Day

Beyonce in Chicago

Beyonce in Chicago

Beyoncé is so cold she goes diamond twice in one day. Mrs. Carter pulled in 58 Recording Industry Association of America certifications in one day. The two diamond achievements were for “Halo” and “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).”

The I Am… Sasha Fierce album was marked 7x platinum this week, along with her Dangerously in Love debut while Renaissance has hit 2x.

You can see a full run of Beyoncé’s latest achievements here.

Beyoncé will headline Netflix’s inaugural NFL Christmas Gameday this Christmas with a special live performance during the second of the platform’s two marquee games. The Houston Texans will host the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium at 4:30 PM ET on December 25, setting the stage for a hometown performance by the global icon.

The event, produced by Parkwood Entertainment and Jesse Collins Entertainment, will feature the first live renditions of songs from Beyoncé’s groundbreaking and record-breaking album, COWBOY CARTER. Recently earning 11 Grammy nominations, the album is now the most-nominated project by a female artist in Grammy history.

Beyoncé’s NFL appearances are already legendary, including her 2013 Super Bowl XLVII halftime show, where she reunited with Destiny’s Child in a performance that became the second-most-watched halftime show of its time. She returned in 2016 for Super Bowl 50, joining Coldplay and Bruno Mars in a show watched by 115.5 million viewers.

The Netflix Christmas Gameday begins a new holiday tradition, with the streaming platform announcing NFL games for 2025 and 2026. The first game will feature the Kansas City Chiefs facing the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 PM ET, followed by the Texans-Ravens matchup.

While details of Beyoncé’s performance remain secret, fans can expect appearances from special guests featured on COWBOY CARTER. The event will be available to stream globally on Netflix, while local broadcasts and NFL+ will carry the games in the competing team cities.

With Netflix, the NFL, and Beyoncé joining forces, this Christmas promises an unforgettable blend of sports and entertainment.

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“Family Matters” Mess: Jaleel White Slammed For Black “Hood Shows” Shade

Once upon a time, Family Matters was one of the most popular sitcoms on television, thanks to a thriving cast centered around Jaleel White’s unforgettable character, Steve Urkel. From 1989 to 1998, Family Matters was a global phenomenon for nine seasons. While the Perfect Strangers spin-off was initially all about the Winslow family, it didn’t take long for Urkel, the nerdy neighbor, to steal the hearts of audiences. Urkel’s signature phrase, “Did I do that?” became a moneymaker—as did the Urkel dance, dolls, and other merchandise that helped thrust the cast and Jaleel White into a level of international fame that few have compiled.

Since the show wrapped, some have called for a reunion, like many other shows of that time have done. However, there have been rumors of inner strife on set over the years. White’s co-star, Jo Marie Payton, who portrayed Harriette Winslow, sat down with Entertainment Tonight two years ago to explain what life was like behind the scenes. She claimed White “didn’t have the etiquette” and further asserted that, allegedly, “he actually wanted to physically fight me.”

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How does Jaleel White feel about being called difficult to work with on the set of Family Matters? Listen to his full interview with @andycohen at the link in the comments.

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“There was something that he wanted to do and I said we can’t do that, standards and practices will not let that pass. It’s not gonna happen,” said Payton. “He wanted to do it anyway. He was so mad, he started kicking and screaming and stuff.” Following her interview, murmurings of diva behavior from White ran rampant. Still, there was a push for the cast to reunite a la The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but it never materialized. Then, in November 2024, White released his memoir Growing Up Urkel. During his press run, the actor garnered backlash suggesting Black viewers didn’t give enough respect to Family Matters because it wasn’t “hood.”

What Did He Say About “Hood Shows”?!

As celebrated as Family Matters has been for decades, Jaleel White doesn’t feel the love. According to him, the sitcom has been left out of “Favorite Black Shows” conversations because Family Matters, a part of ABC’s famed “TGIF” Friday line-up, didn’t fit a certain stereotype. He visited the Wilmington Library for a chat about his memoir, and while there, he made some controversial statements that gained adverse reactions.

“Being a part of the ‘TGIF’ brand sometimes makes you feel like you don’t belong in the pantheon of Blackness,” the actor said. “Blackness has been treated as a very monolithic experience in entertainment. ‘If it’s not a hood story, it’s not a Black story.’ And you know, sometimes I feel left out of that.” White added, “If there’s ever a poll, and they say, ‘What are your favorite Black shows?’ Martin is in there, Living SingleI already know we’re coming in last. But if there’s ever a poll and it’s just your favorite family shows, suddenly we rank really high. So, it’s kind of interesting in how we look at ourselves even as Black folks.”

The Push-Back Has To Do With Family Matters, Not The Hood

We have to take a good look at what Family Matters was poised to be. It was an extreme on a Black nerd and his integration with a wholesome Black family from Chicago. For almost a decade, fans watched as their favorite characters evolved—sort of. Whereas with shows like Living Single and, let’s say, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the comedic plot points tackled racism, classism, fluctuating relationship dynamics, and a desire to work hard in a society that often has its foot on the necks of marginalized communities. There was personal growth and lessons to be learned that seemed applicable to audiences of all backgrounds. However, they pointed to the Black community, often incorporating our language, culture, music, entertainment, and history, and working hard to help fight the system.

This isn’t to say that Family Matters didn’t address issues centered on Black culture; yet, overall, the series was added to a lineup of shows with predominately white casts, including Boy Meets World, Step By Step, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Full House. Its appeal was geared toward a particular audience, and ABC wanted viewers to stay stuck to the network for hours on end rather than flip channels. It was a mold that saw Family Matters acquire success but was rooted in overdramatization. Living Single and Martin weren’t series that focused on “hood” narratives—it wasn’t as if they were New Jack City. They featured groups of friends who were all professionals, working hard to make names for themselves in a competitive workspace. Except for Tommy, we’re still not sure what he did for a living.

Family Matters Was Cute But Lacked Relatability

To begin with, as someone who grew up as a Black nerd—or Blerd, if you will—and had friends with similar interests, no one I knew was like Steve Urkel. Whereas we knew women like Living Single‘s Khadija James, with aspirations of bringing light to her culture, or Regine Hunter, who wanted a rich man to match her bougie attitude, Urkel was an embellishment that didn’t land in reality. Many of us had friends like Martin‘s Martin Payne, an over-the-top personality who cracked jokes at our friends’ expense, but we knew it was all in love. These shows weren’t “hood” because they were all Black casts; they were sympathetic because, as adorned as the plots were, we could see ourselves going through similar scenarios. Plus, they were just hilarious.

Yet, remember when Family Matters introduced “Stefan Urquelle,” Urkel’s alter ego created by using a machine that split his DNA? Not to mention Urkel’s inflated look, excessively clumsy nature that often destroyed entire sets, extreme reactions to his adoration for classmate Laura Winslow, and overblown comedic moments made for laughs, not connection. Family Matters was what its title entailed: an uncontroversial, comfy, family-friendly show that didn’t particularly push the envelope. Its safety let us walk away with a warm fuzzy feeling that didn’t push back on issues plaguing the late ’80s and early ’90s. Further, the show quickly became all about Urkel, making the “family” part of it all more like a subplot.

Put Some Respect On The Queen & Comedy Giant

Further, for White to mention Living Single and Martin is interesting. Particularly because the stars of these two classics had a background in art forms that laid the foundations of Black culture. Prior to taking over the airwaves with his own series, Martin Lawrence made a broad name for himself on the stand-up circuit. His first silver screen acting gig came courtesy of Spike Lee’s politically charged Do The Right Thing. Then, he followed up with House Party and House Party 2 alongside Kid ‘N Play, etching his name in comedy across various mediums. Not to mention, he also hosted Def Comedy Jam, further cementing his icon status as one of the funniest comedians in his heyday.

Additionally, Queen Latifah’s background shouldn’t even need an explanation. Her additions to Hip Hop have made her a G.O.A.T. in her own right as a femcee who has influenced many of our favorite artists today. In the ’90s, Queen Latifah, real name Dana Owens, also had roles in films like Jungle Fever and joined Lawrence in House Party 2. Before Living Single, she even made a guest appearance on Fresh Prince. We recognized Queen Latifah, Martin Lawrence, and even Will Smith from other works we loved as a culture. There was already a rooted familiarity with who they were—or at least presented themselves to be—whereas Urkel was, well, a character on a primetime lineup that brought laughs.

It’s Not Us, It’s You

It seems as if White’s real problem is that Family Matters doesn’t have the same replay value as the shows he criticizes. The Golden Era of Black television gave us sitcoms that we can repeatedly binge-watch from beginning to end throughout various stages of our lives. Family Matters, however, can be challenging to get through due to its, dare we say, corny nature. That doesn’t mean it was a bad show; nine seasons on television proves otherwise. White may be more upset that his entire career and developmental stages of his youth were built on a whiny yet lovable geek, and it’s possible he’s faced people in real life who have treated him as such.

His condemnation of Black viewers not hailing Family Matters as equal to Living Single or Martin, and his love for Seinfeld, is telling. Many Family Matters fans from back in the day outgrew the show. Those “hood” shows he spoke of—we grew with and into them as we understood the messages in our maturation. And frankly, we’re not sure where Family Matters would rank in a list of all-time favorite family sitcoms. Don’t get us wrong, it still is significant and portrayed a Black family in ways that non-Black audiences needed to see, but Jaleel White needs a reality check on why he really has an issue with Black viewers not praising him as much as we do the Fresh Prince.

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Travis Scott Assures Fans New Music is ‘Really on the Way’

travis scott fans

Travis Scott is letting fans know the wait for music isn’t that long. While on hand at Art Basel, Scott provided an update to fans.

“It’s on the way,” he said. “Like, really on the way.”

Maybe the new music will come as soon as the migration of WWE Raw to Netflix.

WWE and Netflix are joining forces to bring the high-energy excitement of Monday Night RAW to streaming, with a historic live debut on January 6, 2025, at the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The event, set to air live at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET, promises an electrifying lineup of WWE Superstars and surprise guests.

The announcement was made grandly by WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque and music superstar Travis Scott during Scott’s sold-out performance at ComplexCon in Las Vegas. Adding to the excitement, Scott revealed that his new music would serve as RAW’s theme song, marking a unique crossover between wrestling and music culture.

The premiere episode will feature some of WWE’s biggest names, including John Cena, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Bianca Belair, alongside other fan-favorite Superstars.

Tickets for this groundbreaking event will go on sale this Friday, November 22, at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET via Ticketmaster.com. An official presale will start on Wednesday, November 20, at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET.

With the Intuit Dome as its backdrop, WWE’s partnership with Netflix signals a new era for the RAW franchise. It blends the spectacle of live wrestling with the accessibility of streaming entertainment. Fans won’t miss this monumental start to RAW’s streaming journey.

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Exclusive: ‘Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta’ Set for Jan. 7 Return With Drama-Filled New Season

Love & Hip Hop Atlanta 0 28 screenshot

Love & Hip Hop Atlanta 0 28 screenshot

MTV has announced the highly anticipated return of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, set to premiere on Tuesday, January 7, at 8 PM ET/PT. The new season is packed with gripping personal stories, music-focused narratives, and intense drama that promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

This season starts with Spice reclaiming her narrative following the fallout from her cast album concert. She takes a select group to London for a global performance, determined to prove herself on the world stage. Saucy Santana enters the Atlanta music scene, challenging the status quo and shaking up the industry with his bold moves. Meanwhile, Karlie Redd faces challenges in her relationship with millionaire TLO as past exes resurface to disrupt their happiness.

Rasheeda and Kirk Frost are on a journey to restore harmony within their family, but power struggles threaten their progress. Scrappy’s personal life takes a public turn with swirling rumors and a new crisis involving Momma Dee. At the same time, Bambi works to maintain peace with her former foes and ex-husband Scrappy, but shifting loyalties and surprising revelations put her resolve to the test.

Lil Zane and Ashley Conley grapple with marital challenges as family pressures mount, while Yandy and Mendeecees attempt to rebuild their lives and relationships in the aftermath of last season’s explosive allegations. Joc and Kendra experience a reversal of roles, with jealousy threatening to tear their marriage apart. Adding new energy to the cast, Latin recording artist International Nova and his wife Cristina bring ambition and fresh perspectives to the group.

Fans can stream past seasons on Paramount+, MTV VOD, and Pluto TV’s Love & Hip Hop channel. Join the conversation with #LHHATL and follow the show on Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

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Jamie Foxx Reveals Whether Or Not Diddy Actually Tried To Kill Him

When Jamie Foxx was hospitalized with a mysterious illness months ago, many on the internet tried to conduct theories on what happened. Overall, most of these theories eventually went nowhere. However, when Diddy was being investigated for alleged sex crimes, some fans decided to connect Foxx’s hospitalization to Diddy’s alleged misdeeds. Furthermore, much of the speculation was fueled by the actor’s new Netflix special which was taped a few months ago.

According to witnesses who were in the audience, Jamie Foxx had cracked a few jokes about Diddy trying to kill him. Subsequently, the internet went into a frenzy and tried to put the pieces together. Now, clips from the Netflix special are beginning to make the rounds on social media, and a clearer picture is finally being painted. As you will hear down below, Foxx makes it crystal clear that Diddy never tried to kill him. Instead, Foxx makes some hilarious jokes about how he always left Diddy’s parties before 9 PM.

Read More: Jamie Foxx’s Alleged Diddy References In Comedy Special Were All In Jest According To New Alleged Source

Jamie Foxx Makes Some Diddy Jokes

Once again, it seems as though the internet has taken things just a bit too far. Those who were in the audience for the special ended up misrepresenting what was said. Subsequently, internet sleuths decided to piece together theories that were never based on reality. It is the perfect example of what internet culture has become these days. Whether it be politics, or pop culture, the fans are always eager to become Sherlock Holmes. Typically, this rarely actually manifests into anything.

As for Jamie Foxx, it is great to see him doing well and looking healthy. In the Netflix special clip, he seems to be his usual self, and that is wonderful news. Foxx almost died during his health scare, and we cannot imagine a world without his talent. Hopefully, Foxx continues to see health and success, going forward.

Read More: Jennifer Lopez Explains How Jamie Foxx’s Friendship Helped Her Make It In Los Angeles

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Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Trent Reznor, And More Music Stars Pick Up 2025 Golden Globe Nominations

Cynthia Erivo Ariana Grande Wicked trailer
YouTube

The nominations for the 2025 Golden Globes were announced today (check out the list here), and as is often the case, music stars are well-represented.

Unsurprisingly, Ariana Grande and Wicked are among the headliners. Grande is up for Best Supporting Actress, Any Motion Picture; while the movie itself is up for Best Picture, Musical Or Comedy and Best Cinematic And Box Office Achievement; while Cynthia Erivo is nominated for Best Performance By An Actress In A Motion Picture, Musical Or Comedy.

Selena Gomez also finds herself nominated thanks to her work in both Emilia Pérez and Only Murders In The Building: She’s nominated for Best Supporting Actress, Any Motion Picture for the former and Best Actress In A TV Series, Musical Or Comedy for the latter.

Meanwhile, the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown is nominated for Best Motion Picture, Drama and Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of Dylan earned him a nomination for Best Performance By An Actor In A Motion Picture, Drama.

Elsewhere, Donald Glover is up for Best Performance By An Actor In A Television Series, Drama for Mr. And Mrs. Smith, and Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross picked up a couple nominations for their work on the music of Challengers.

Doechii Thanks MF DOOM & Solange For Inspiring Her Stephen Colbert Performance

Doechii performed her two hit songs, “Boiled Peanuts” and “Denial is a River,” during an appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Wednesday night. The tracks stem from her acclaimed 2024 mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal. Doechii discussed how she choreographed the performance in a post on X (formerly Twitter) afterward.

“I felt heavily inspired by the lineage of Hip Hop and how it contributes to who I am today,” she wrote. “This is my first self choreographed performance and one of the most important things I wanted to highlight was my connection to black women through Hip Hop. With the help of hair artist Malcom Marquez, we were able to make this symbolic art performance come to life in just a short week.”

Read More: Doechii Poses Nearly Nude For Polaroid Photo Shoot With Muni Long

Doechii Performs During “Alligator Bites Never Heal” Tour

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 13: Recording artist Doechii performs during her “Alligator Bites Never Heal” tour at Center Stage Theater on November 13, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

Doechii also cited Carlota Guerrero, Solange, and MF DOOM as inspirations for the performance. “This is my take on the future of Hip Hop. This is blackness. This is luxury. This is history. Thank you to the @colbertlateshow team for having us on your show! And thank you to my true fans for always showing up to every performance and sharing my music. SWAMP4L,” she further wrote. Fans have been showing plenty of love for the performance in her replies on social media.

Doechii Performs During “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert”

Doechii dropped Alligator Bites Never Heal back in August to critical acclaim. It’s currently up for Best Rap Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards with the lead single, “Nissan Altima,” competing for Best Rap Performance. Additionally, Doechii earned a nomination for Best New Artist for the success of the project. Check out Doechii’s full performance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert below.

Read More: Ab-Soul Muses About Self-Confidence, Fame, & Expectations On Powerful Doechii Collab “I, Myself & Me”

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