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Actor Jaleel White and comedian Joseph Vecsey took to their podcast, Everybody Lurks, to discuss anecdotes about relationships. Their producer, Chloe, began a discussion of first dates when White stated that women behave differently on dates depending on how interested they are.
Jaleel White is best known for his role as the protagonist Steve Urkel on the sitcom Family Matters, which premiered in 1989.
In the podcast, when Chloe shared an experience she had where she went on a first date to Chick-fil-A, Jaleel White said that women didn't mind where they went if they were truly attracted to their date.
"The truth of the matter is, if a woman really like a dude like that, she don't care where they go. They can go to Raising Canes, they can go bowling...they can stay in, they can order take out," White said.
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Jaleel White reflects on Urkel’s legacy, Hollywood struggles, and a bold reboot idea
Jaleel White, forever etched in pop culture as Family Matters’ Steve Urkel, recently opened up about his journey from an accidental TV icon to a reflective adult navigating Hollywood’s highs and lows. According to Entertainment Weekly, during his appearance at 90s Con 2025, the actor opened up about everything from Urkel’s “accidental” ascent, the darker side of his overwhelming fame, and a reboot pitch.
White remembered a turning point early in the first season of Family Matters, when he was almost cut from a scene where the family threw pies at each other. Eager to prove himself, the 13-year-old pleaded with producers for an opportunity.
“'I'm 13, I was like, 'please, give me anything, I'll do anything.'” he pleaded.
His hounding paid off, and the writers added a last-minute gag where Urkel barges in and is pelted with pies by the entire Winslow family. The scene turned into a memorable promo for ABC, and it was Urkel’s first step toward stealing the show.
As per People, in his 2024 memoir, Growing Up Urkel, Jaleel White exposed the darker side of losing his anonymity as a child, especially when fellow '90s actor Jonathan Brandis died by suicide. His 111 Gramercy Park co-star Brandis also suffered from a stalled career after early stardom as a heartthrob in seaQuest DSV.
In his memoir, White recounted learning of Brandis’ death at the time, writing,
"I can't do this sh*t anymore, Mom. I want out. This business kills people from the inside."
As a result of that setback, White had to confront his own struggles with typecasting and industry-induced self-doubt; however, he ultimately chose to persevere.
According to Cinema Blend, while many '90s series have already been rebooted—like Fuller House, Girl Meets World, etc.—Jaleel White has a new take on a Family Matters revival, one inspired by his real-life experiences. Rather than simply returning to the Winslows, he imagines a meta-series about a child actor put into a '90s sitcom echoing his own experience.
“This kid upsets the apple cart but saves the show,” he explained, suggesting a Wonder Years-style narrative exploring ’90s pop culture and the challenges of balancing fame with a normal adolescence. White also stressed that a traditional revival wouldn’t work without original cast members like Michelle Thomas (Myra), who passed away in 1998.
Jaleel White's podcast, Everybody Lurks, releases new episodes weekly.
