Talib Kweli & Jaleel White On 'Family Matters,' Bill Cosby, Weed Biz, Sonic | People's Party Full 

TIME STAMPS: 4:39 -- Jaleel speaks on his entering the world of acting in 1980 after his preschool teacher recognized how funny he was, telling his mother he needs to be on TV. He goes on to talk about the early commercials he was in, they discuss our present times of a renaissance age in black cinema, and how Jaleel came from an era where black film couldn't thrive without powerful white producers. Jaleel also reflects on watching Family Matters' earliest episodes, thinking they weren't that funny, getting called in for his audition in the middle of the first season, and a problematic history of white writing for black shows. 14:33 -- Jaleel gets into his own interpretation of Steve Urkel being a bad Ed Grimley impression with a sprinkle of Pee Wee Herman and how his character entering the show gave some real synergy between the white writing staff and the all-black cast. They also talk about the producers of Family Matters adding Urkel to the teasers before he was on the show, the character of Harriette Winslow first appearing on the show Perfect Strangers, his issues with the ideas floating around for a reboot of Family Matters, and Jaleel not getting along with Jaimee Foxworth who played Judy on the show. 23:20 -- Jaleel talks about his parents doing everything they could to keep him grounded and normal during his years of being one of TV's biggest stars. They go on to discuss Jaleel's public statements about Bill Cosby being a revered man who did terrible things and payed the appropriate price for it, Jaleel's history of working with Bill, the backlash he received for believing Cosby was guilty, a conversation he had with Raven-Symoné about the situation, the impossibilities of leaving out Cosby's name when so many black actors tell their story and how not supporting Cosby now shouldn't diminish all the positive things he did in the past. 32:21 -- Jaleel is asked about being on the short-lived sitcom Charlie & Co. in 1985. They go on to discuss dishonest critics of past black shows for not being authentic, why Jaleel believes Marvel's Black Panther was such a huge success and how it's so closely related to why shows like Family Matters and others did so well across all demographics. Jaleel tells Talib to go to hell when he asks him if he remembers any of his rap from the 1990 made-for-tv movie Camp Cucamonga and he speaks on his not feeling welcomed by the cast of Family Matters for the first two seasons. 43:26 -- Jaleel speaks about fond memories of working with Kellie Shanygne Williams who played Laura Winslow. He digs into one of the most emotional episodes of the show when Jaleel realized the true heights of Kellie's acting ability and talks about some of the growing pains and struggles she endured, identifying as a role model. Jaleel also talks about his mother stepping in and demanding that he get a sufficient amount of study time during the days they were shooting the show as well as the time she hired a new teacher who could care less about his TV star status and would keep him on task. 53:03 -- Jaleel reflects on when he was asked to play Steve's female cousin Myrtle Urkle. They discuss the history of men-in-dress humor, his co-stars having issues with the idea of putting Jaleel in drag, Jaleel's concerns of being ridiculed at high-school being the fuel he needed to "play the hell out of the character" and his portrayal being so convincing that people were believing a new actress had joined the cast. They also revisit Jaleel's quote when the series ended and he was asked about playing Urkel again, him stating, "If you ever see me do that character again, take me out and put a bullet in my head." 1:02:01 -- Jaleel gets into his old side hustle, doing voice acting work for the 'Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog' cartoon series that aired in the mid-nineties. They go on to discuss some of his other voice acting work and explore why his starring in the 2010 film Mega Shark Versus Crocosaurus became a real blessing in disguise. Jaleel also speaks on how much he enjoyed hosting the game show 'Total Blackout'. He tells about never having a dull moment while working on the show and how much fun it was watching people scared out of their minds on a daily basis as well as some of the hilarity that would occur behind the scenes. 1:14:06 -- Jaleel digs into his cannabis line ItsPurpl, in a partnership with 710 Labs, creating variants of a strain called Purple Urkle. They discuss his avoiding marijuana use throughout most of his life and when he realized weed wasn't as bad as so many made it out to be. He lays out the time-line of how he decided to jump into the business, all beginning with Jaleel noticing dealers using the name and his likeness to sell strains and accessories. He also explains one of his hit signature products, 'Noodle Doinks'. Jaleel goes on to talk about the struggles of not being able to shake the Urkel image after leaving Family Matters and how it affected his social life in ways he never would have imagined.

This interview felt like soul food. Just good vibes.

I like how he exposed how the tv industry works. Great convo. He is a legit legend.

I appreciate that manz grew into a whole self assured, intelligent, confident, stable black man.... glad he didn't turn into a Hollywood mess. Props to his mom. Appreciate his clarity too

Grew up on Family Matters. TGIF had everyone inside at 8 o'clock. Miss those days

I did not know how much I needed this. Family Matters was such an important part of my childhood. Me and my parents watched faithfully every Friday. My mom always saw Steve Urkel's character as the black scientist that every kid should try to be: intelligent, funny and not caring what people think of your weirdness. Love you Jaleel. Thank you Talib and Jasmin

Seeing Jaleel is like seeing a Cousin. For years He was a part of some of my best Family nights.. Props to him! 🙌🏾🙌🏾

Jaleel White is a TV legend. Hands down.

Steve and Carl had great comedic chemistry. They were hilarious. I think I appreciated that when I was older.

Amazing interview, Jaleel is forthright, straightup, honest, indeed, his mother is an angel, watching and nurturing his ''starlight''.

This was a wonderful interview. I have so much respect for this man. He's dropping jokes, gems, and grams! Can't wait to try this new product.

Any human that can say voice acting is their 'side hustle' is a made MF. Shouts to your parents Jaleel and your ethic.

Love the convo. They're definitely historians. "They never anticipated a day where the world would demand..." Exactly.

One of the best People's Party interviews ever!!

One of the dopest episodes. My nigga Jaleel White. Props to Kweli, Jasmin, and the people's party staff.

I love the way Jaleel says "there was once life before social media&high speed internet".We have become so obsessed&over critical of our selves&each other due to everything being livestreamed&judged on social media in 2021 that people can't just live life doing what we do as human beings without fear of judgement!Damn,I miss the 90's.Family matters really made my childhood ❤️.It's sad that with all the technology in cinema&actin currently we aren't getting strong African American shows like that anymore.

I grew up with Jaleel White with Family Matters (especially when Urkel turned into Bruce Lee) and Sonic. He has always been a class act and a true icon. This was a fantastic conversation as well.

Jaleel is clearly really smart. I enjoy listening to him break stuff down.

That was an amazing 88 minutes. Jaleel was dropping mad knowledge and humor and insights, and didn't have to be dragged out of his shell. This is definitely in my top 5 People's Party eps.

Bro, We didn't even call Family Matters "Family Matters". Every TGIF me and my peoples said "Urkel's on"!

Jaleel dropped so much knowledge in this interview. I respect him even more than I did before.

Love how he gets on here still being able to criticize people while still giving them the props for helping his career

Family Matters was one of my favorite shows growing up. The 90s were so different. It’s cool to get an inside look on the vision of the show runners and how un-tapped in they were with black culture.

Jaleel White is a legend that Family Matters series was so apart of my childhood. I have the entire series on DVD and watch it all the time. Bro dont ever have to act again and he will still be forever stamped. I jus wish it wouldve been a 10th season that ended with Laura and Steve getting married and having a child. That wouldve been a perfect ending.

This is a Gold Star interview. 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Like hearing Jaleel’s pov from the business side of tv shows , with the markets , ratings and how they made decisions at the top. He’s raally got a good insiders view on it.

I was the biggest SEGA/Sonic fan. I remember finding this out as a kid made me love the original sonic cartoon even more as a kid.

Jaleel White taking me back TGIF Friday night prime time sitcom days

Jaleel is such a national treasure, thank you for this interview!

Family matters was my late Mom's favourite. Even 2 weeks ago, I was watching a marathon and i laughed so loud. I wish the cast would reunite in a new show!

Jaleel is so authentic..seems like a great guy to hang around

I was definitely watching the _Family Matters_ reruns as a kid every Saturday round 12 noon on Channel 11, I think it was after _Soul Train_ and before _Fresh Prince_ and I used to tape almost every episode.

Bring him back !! Really enjoyed the interview and wish it was longer

Don’t sleep on “Who Made the Potato Salad” that movie is hilarious

Talib this is one of the best podcast I’ve listened to out of hundreds….the memories take plus the explanations of how things were back in the day behind the scenes

Shout out to Kweli for mentioning Flip Wilson as a comedic genius. He tends to be overlooked sometimes.

…Jaleel’s comfortability was awesome! I’m going to credit Talib and Jasmine for their interview skills being strong, as a factor there. They got out of the way at the right times, and bounced off him effectively.

Kweli keep up the great work on the People’s Party. One Love!!!!

This is a fantastic, laidback conversation; it doesn’t really even feel like an interview. Terrific.

This was a 🔥 episode! I love how Jahlil is so honest and blunt, but also able to put things into context for us to understand. Legend 💪🏾🙌🏽

Another great interview!! I really dig how these interviews touch on the many layers and levels to their lives. Jaleel White is the real deal out here and we should all be extremely proud of this/our brother. Zero "talking it back' and stands on what he says. Gotta get our brother Malcolm-Jamal Warner on this joint. That brother's got them same layers & levels out here too.

Jaleel white is a legend

I've been rewatching Family Matters. Jaleel's physical comedy was and is absolutely amazing!

"a bad Ed Grimley and a pinch of Pee-Wee Herman" I can't unsee that now, damn.

This dude cool as hell irl,he came to my resto a couple years back and I dapped him up real quick while he was with his friends,had a real cool energy about him,wish him nothing but the best

I'm have to watching the entire series of family matters. I didn't watch it all back then glad I got the fire box tv.

Loved this episode. Jaleel is a great interview

That was entertaining and educational at the same time. Food for the mind and laughter for the soul. Thank you jaleel.

One of the best interviews I've heard in a looong time. So organic and enlightening!!!

Talib is such a great interviewer, never cuts his guests off just to get to his checklist of topics. Let's his guests say what they need to say

Damn, he is really spilling the beans, so to speak.

Felt like I was a fly on the wall...listening to two old friends conversation. #GoodStuff Jaleel appears to be a down to earth person.

Jaleel was one of my favorite actors in the latest eighties to 90s.

Been waiting for this one love watching Jaleel white interviews

This One Was Great Too🔥🔥🔥🔥‼️🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💯

Yeah you can tell after all these years he’s still not over Michelle’s death he was about to tear up right then and there u can tell he loved her and that they were really close rip Michelle Thomas 🙏🏿🙏🏿❤️

The character of Steve Urkel became a cultural phenomenon. I was a young young kid in the 90's, probably 5 or 6 when I first saw Jaleel White play Steve Urkel. Alot of his character was relatable to me because I was that kid nerd who was goofy and spontaneous...

Great episode. I hope Jaleel comes back for a part two!

I watch this show with my nephew and it came out before I was born we truly appreciate this man

You can tell Blackish was riding that fence a lot on what Jaleel was preaching on

To all fairness. Dr. Hukstable’s father was Light skinned. So Denise could’ve been his their daughter. And we never saw Richie Daddy. Rachael was..kinda 💡

ok jaleel has a lot of gems to drop and advice that needs to be uncovered.

This was one of the most informative programs I've seen in much too long a time! Thank you so much for being so thought provoking.

Awe I met Jaleel White and his mom@San Diego Sea World in approx 89’ish. They were soooo sweet! Damn showing my age lol 🤣🙏🏾🔥🥰

Love that he's having a good life, love that he's come into himself. He's so filled with knowledge. Respect all day!!! Oh and plz give all respect to his mom. Plenty of child stars have fallen due to bad parenting.

I love Jaleel! ❤️ A TV icon but such a humble guy. Family Matters is hands-down my favorite 90’s sitcom to watch..in a week they’re actually taking it off of Hulu (so upset 😢)

1 Of The Best Interviews I Ever Watched In My Life!!.. Long Live The 90s Golden Ages=)

Why was this one of this realist interviews ever? haha. Urkel still winning haha

This is a fantastic episode. Been a fan of Jaleel for years. Talented brother.

Respect will take you a long way even if you don't like a person. My family mentally beat that into us as kids. I see ZERO signs of that in this generation aka internet aka social media generation. It is very scary and sad to me.

Jaleel you were/are funny as hell in everything I saw you in. My son loves your character on FM. I still go back and watch Fake It Til You Make It, that was a slept on show! Anyways wish you all the best ✊🏾🤎🙏🏾

Yo, Mr. Talib, you did your thing with this interview! Much respect to Mr. White. Also, Much respect to, Jazmin, and the crew.

Kwe and Jaz, this interview was amazing. Great, great work!!

This was great! I greatly appreciate Jaleel and his whole maturation while being on TV and in Hollywood. Thanks for this!

SALUTE TO TALIB , HE'S SUCH A STUDENT OF THE GAME 🎮 ...

This is one of the best interviews I have ever listened to. Why do I feel like it was a therapy session? In a good way too. Gen X black America has a unique story and it has barely been tapped into. We grew up during the best times of hip hop one generation after our country decided we should be “free” free….ish. More of this please!

Really good interview. It put things in perspective. I'm glad Jaleel still doing thing

Props to Talib for getting the voice of '90's Animated Sonic (as well as Sonia And Manac) on the pod!!!👍👍👍👍👍

Bravo! Good to see how he owned his character, moved on, kept his head straight and avoided the pitfalls of child stardom - seems like a straight up good dude...

It never fails, every time jaleel talks about the actress that plays Myra he starts tearing up, I'm glad Talib changed the subject, it's always a hard thing for jaleel to talk about

This was a solid interview!! Damn this was my childhood! I remember how popular the Steve urkel doll

This joint! Really good interview

Jaleel is a really good dude. I love is confidence and candor. Good parenting always shows itself.

This was a decently positive show at the time. As a mostly mid 90s kid, the show was what formed basis of the WB continuum of positive images of African Americans including: Moesha, the Parkers, the Wayans Bros., Jamie Foxx show. Awesome times to build confidence and esteemed culture for Black tweens and teens through 2000s. Positive legacy contributing to something better for media content reflecting Black cultural influence on the American tv-film industry narrative.

What a great interview!

Talib's best interview. Great to see Jaleel doing his thing.

Jaleel is a smart, centered, bright, and insightful brotha. This was a truly phenomenal interview.

One of the best interviews I have ever heard. Jaleel is real one!!

This is the best interview ever. Also I loved Taliib Qweli's music back in the day even when my best friend at the time (who is ironically black) didn't think you were all that. LMAO Also appreciate all the amazing classic hip hop uploads, break to them and such.

that FILA style HELLA hat got me rolling lmfao

I really love listening to this guy tell stories and explain things. Such a great interview. And Jaleel is such a legend. Family Matters will forever be one of my favorite shows 🙏🏾

Wow so many memories. TGIF lineup was so 🔥

Jaleel is a Legend 🤜🏾🤜🏾

This was so good. Talib + Jasmin create such an amazing space for people to share their nuanced ideas. So many enlightened ideas from Jaleel.

9:13 lol jasmin response lol

Loved this episode as always; hilarious and introspective as always. Loved hearing the TV history talk.

When the two worlds I grew up on (Sidcom and Hip hop) merge. I gotta come back and watch this after Fresh and Fit. 😂😂 Be right back

This was a great interview.. Family Matters is one of my favorite shows. Dope to hear his perspective on how things were back then VS. Now

I loved this interview... I (like many others) grew up on Family Matters and Sonic the Hedgehog. I also thoroughly enjoyed Jaleel White's "Fake it Till you Make It" web series.

That was dopest PP interview!