7.5/10127 votes#1 - Out With the Old
Season 9 Episode 1 - Aired 9/19/1997
Urkel gets a makeover for Laura's bachelor auction. Meanwhile, Carl's thinking could use a makeover when Harriette's salary spurs his competitive instincts.
Director: Joel Zwick
Writer: David W. Duclon
- 6.9/10107 votes
#2 - They Shoot Ducks, Don't They?
Season 9 Episode 2 - Aired 9/26/1997
Carl accepts a hunting date with his boss and reneges on a promise to spend time with Urkel.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 6.9/10112 votes
#3 - Dumb Belle of the Ball
Season 9 Episode 3 - Aired 10/3/1997
Nothing will stop Myrtle from attending the Biloxi Debutante Ball--even getting hit by a car trying to save the life of Eddie.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.4/10117 votes
#4 - Drinking and Jiving
Season 9 Episode 4 - Aired 10/10/1997
Goody-two-shoes Laura has her first beer--and her second and third--at a fraternity party, where she's later rescued by a gallant Urkel. Meanwhile, Carl and Harriette keep their anniversary plans a secret from each other, but not from Eddie, who finds himself in the middle of their fight.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.1/10113 votes
#5 - Who's Afraid of the Big Black Book?
Season 9 Episode 5 - Aired 10/17/1997
Eddie and Laura's payback games hurt others; Carl's suggestion averts a major gang riot, but credit goes to the commissioner's son.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.2/10115 votes
#6 - A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Read
Season 9 Episode 6 - Aired 10/24/1997
Urkel's new Total Recall Machine malfunctions, leaving him with an uncanny ability to read minds; and Carl gets roped into serving as leader of the boys' Junior Woodsmen troop.
Director: Joel Zwick
Writer: Timothy Stack
- 7.1/10141 votes
#7 - Stevil II: This Time He's Not Alone
Season 9 Episode 7 - Aired 10/31/1997
Stevil, the mischievous ventriloquist dummy, is back to haunt Urkel, but now he's brought along a nightmarish sidekick, Carlsbad. Together Stevil and Carlsbad attempt to take over the souls of Urkel and Carl - wreaking havoc on the whole Winslow household.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.3/10116 votes
#8 - Trading Places
Season 9 Episode 8 - Aired 11/7/1997
Stefan, disguised as Urkel, pays Laura a visit to determine if Urkel's the new man in her life. Meanwhile, Eddie accompanies Carl on his beat, equipped with a video camera.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.1/10115 votes
#9 - A Pain in Harassment
Season 9 Episode 9 - Aired 11/28/1997
Harriette's new boss blindsides his employees with verbal abuse. Meanwhile, Urkel tries to win a million dollars with a basketball half-court shot in L.A.
Director: Joel Zwick
Writer: N/A
- 6.5/10125 votes
#10 - Original Gangsta Dawg
Season 9 Episode 10 - Aired 12/5/1997
Urkel's hip-hop cousin, O.G.D., makes a bad first impression on the Winslows.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.4/10125 votes
#11 - Deck the Malls
Season 9 Episode 11 - Aired 12/19/1997
Christmastime finds Richie awaiting a visit from his mom, and Urkel working as a sluggish gift wrapper at the mall.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.0/10117 votes
#12 - Grill of My Dreams
Season 9 Episode 12 - Aired 1/9/1998
Urkel apprentices as a teppanyaki chef at a Japanese restaurant and makes his cooking debut in front of Laura. Meanwhile, Carl bird-sits for the commissioner.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.3/10121 votes
#13 - Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
Season 9 Episode 13 - Aired 1/16/1998
Eddie wants to drop out of school to become a cop; and Urkel wants to drop Myra.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.4/10122 votes
#14 - Crazy for You
Season 9 Episode 14 - Aired 1/23/1998
Myra spies on Urkel's every move with her elaborate "Stevie-Glasses-cam". She is shocked to learn of his upcoming Saturday night date with Laura. When she tells Stefan about her rival's pending date with "her Stevie," Stefan agrees to help rain on their parade. Meanwhile, Carl tries to control Eddie's trigger-happy finger during police training.
Director: Rich Correll
Writer: N/A
- 6.8/10115 votes
#15 - Crazier for You
Season 9 Episode 15 - Aired 1/30/1998
Urkel discovers that Myra has been spying on him, but he thinks she's really snapped her cap when she starts dressing like Laura. Meanwhile, Harriette learns her wedding ring was originally intended for another.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 6.5/10114 votes
#16 - Whose Man Is It Anyway?
Season 9 Episode 16 - Aired 6/5/1998
Cousin Myrtle dukes it out in the boxing ring with Greta to win Eddie for her own. Meanwhile, 3J longs to find his birth mother.
Director: Rich Correll
Writer: N/A
- 7.1/10117 votes
#17 - Polkapalooza
Season 9 Episode 17 - Aired 6/12/1998
Laura reluctantly accompanies Urkel to a polka bash and actually has fun in his wacky world. Meanwhile, Eddie moves into an apartment and regrets giving Carl a standing invitation.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
- 7.1/10114 votes
#18 - Throw Urkel From the Train
Season 9 Episode 18 - Aired 6/19/1998
Laura gets bad vibes from Maxine's slick new boyfriend; Carl gets into a funk reflecting on a road not taken.
Director: Joel Zwick
Writer: N/A
- 6.8/10109 votes
#19 - Don't Make Me Over
Season 9 Episode 19 - Aired 6/26/1998
Myrtle gets a makeover, drops her inhibitions, raises her hemlines and goes after Eddie with a vengeance.
Director: Joel Zwick
Writer: N/A
- 8.0/10137 votes
#20 - Pop Goes the Question
Season 9 Episode 20 - Aired 7/3/1998
Urkel asks Carl for Laura's hand in marriage, but Stefan has already given Laura a ring.
Director: Joel Zwick
Writer: David W. Duclon
- 7.0/10143 votes
#21 - Lost in Space (1)
Season 9 Episode 21 - Aired 7/10/1998
The first of a two-part series finale sends Urkel into space, which means he'll have to postpone his marriage to Laura.
Director: Joel Zwick
Writer: Timothy Stack
- 7.0/10152 votes
#22 - Lost in Space (2)
Season 9 Episode 22 - Aired 7/17/1998
In the conclusion of the series finale, astro-nerd Urkel's life hangs in the balance when he takes a dangerous walk in space to patch the damaged spacecraft.
Director: Joel Zwick
Writer: Timothy Stack
The Best Episodes of Family Matters Season 9
Every episode of Family Matters Season 9 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Family Matters Season 9!
A long-running dramedy centering on the Winslow family, a middle-class African American family living in Chicago, and their pesky next-door neighbor, ultra-nerd Steve Urkel. A...
Genres:ComedyFamily
Network:ABC
Season 9 Ratings Summary
"Out With the Old" is the best rated episode of "Family Matters" season 9. It scored 7.5/10 based on 127 votes. Directed by Joel Zwick and written by David W. Duclon, it aired on 9/19/1997. This episode is rated 0.6 points higher than the second-best, "They Shoot Ducks, Don't They?".