Jo Marie Payton Gives Ultimatum For 'Family Matters' Reboot

The Winslow family of "Family Matters" may be getting back together!

On Sunday, March 13, the cast of the iconic family sitcom discussed the possibility of reviving the beloved show after reuniting at the 90s Con.

However, Jo Marie Payton would only continue her role as Harriette Baines Winslow on the ABC/CBS sitcom "Family Matters" once the show-runners fulfilled her request.

As shared by PEOPLE, Payton, alongside her castmates Reginald VelJohnson, Darius McCrary, and Kellie Williams attended the 90s Con in Hartford, Connecticut.

During the event, the sitcom stars got quizzed about the possible return of their hit 1990s show, and the entertainers expressed their joy for a reboot.

However, the family's matriarch emphasized that she wouldn't grace the show with her motherly presence unless Judy Winslow returned to the sitcom.

Actress Jaimee Foxworth starred as Judy, the youngest daughter of the Winslow clan until her character suddenly disappeared in the fourth season of "Family Matters."

This mysterious event baffled viewers but not as much as Payton, who emphasized that she fought the producers on Foxworth's behalf. However, the Hollywood veteran's efforts didn't pay off.

The 71-year-old explained that she asked the show-runners for a logical explanation about her TV daughter's absence as she couldn't understand why the youngest child abruptly disappeared.

The "Perfect Strangers" star pointed out that if Eddie Winslow [played by Darius McCrary] was removed from the plot, the show could easily make creative excuses for his non-appearance as the oldest child.

However, the sitcom's committee believed viewers wouldn't be concerned about Judy's sudden departure from the series. In Payton's words:

"I said, 'You know what, when we're walking down the street, nobody's gonna notice you because they're not going to ask you, they're going to ask me what happened to Judy.'"

The NAACP Image Award nominee stated that she wasn't enthusiastic about returning to the set without Foxworth. The entertainer added that the reboot should begin with the younger actress walking down the stairs.

As for the Jazz singer's profound affection for her TV family, Williams, who played the eldest daughter of the Winslow clan, indicated that the Hollywood veteran always had a soft spot for them.

All in all, the "Family Matters" stars were eager to continue their drama-filled lives, frequently being annoyed by their naughty neighbor Steve Urkel [played by Jaleel White].

The beloved TV series, which began in 1989, went on for nine seasons before ending in 1997. According to Williams and McCrary, the sitcom's revival could only be achieved with fans' help.

The "Christmas in Carolina" actress implored the show's supporters to contact Bob Boyett and Netflix for a possible reboot. While the 45-year-old actor said:

"You guys can start an online campaign. Get on Facebook, talk, share … if you guys had this much power in your hands, Judy would have never got left at the mall."

As reported by ESSENCE, McCrary previously teased fans about the return of "Family Matters" while attending the Emmy Awards.

"The Young and the Restless" actor revealed that he added the prestigious event to meet White and Williams, stating that the TV gang may be coming back together.

CinemaBlend recently took a walk down memory lane at the lives of the iconic cast members of "Family Matters" after the ABC/CBS sitcom ended.

VelJohnson, who played the show's patriarch Carl Winslow, continued his role as a law enforcer in other movies such as a prison guard in 1984’s "Ghostbusters" and Sgt. Al Powell in "Die Hard."

He also served as a limo driver in "Crocodile Dundee" and returned to his role as God on Adult Swim's "Lazor Wulf" in 2021.

On the other hand, his TV wife Payton found recurring roles in other beloved shows, including "Will & Grace," "Moesha," and 2016's "Mann and Wife."

Last month, the 71-year-old reprised her role as Suga Mama in the reboot of Disney Channel’s animated series, "The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder."

White, who played the annoying neighbor Steve Urkel, found fame as a voice actor for "Sonic the Hedgehog." He also started in BET's drama "North of 10" and upcoming projects like Netflix’s "Hustle."