They were a typical American family. They dealt with money issues (Theo in college), their daughter dating and older man (Vanessa, a freshman in college, becomes engaged to a 30 year old.), and the kids moving back in (Denise and her military husband move back in with his young daughter.) This show illustrates every family's strive for an empty nest and how bumpy the road is .
to its goal.
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The Huxtables sometimes had to entertain the children's zany friends. Theo always had his friend Cockroach over. Cockroach was an underachiever who often caused trouble for Theo, commonly looking for a good time and a girl who would have him. Cockroach was an asset to the show with his witty jokes and his lack of common sense, but was also a drain on Cliff's patience. A more notorious character on the show was the Huxtables annoying next door neighbor Kenny. Kenny hung out primarily with Rudy, and is better remembered as "Bud". Kenny was a real smooth talker, a want to be ladies man, even at the tender age of five. He wanted to make Rudy his girlfriend in many episodes unsuccessfully. Kenny would frequently come over just to be with Cliff and Claire. This is when Kenny would try to be like an adult, often he would try to be a know it all, and attempt to help Cliff fix things. Kenny was another friend that the Huxtables were close to but usually got on their nerves.
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Family Matters is a show that focuses on the Winslow family, The father Carl Winslow, played by Reginald VelJohnson is a Chicago cop, and the mother is Harriet Winslow played by JoMarie Payton, is a full time worker at a department store. The Winslow family has three children; Eddie, Laura, and Judy. Unlike the .
Huxtables, the Winslow's also enjoy the company of their extended family including Carl's mother Estelle, and Harriet's sister Rachel, and her son Ritchie. Although Carl is a cop, he is not the dominant one in the family.