Image via Complex Original
We couldn't be any happier that the higher-ups at FOX opted not to heed Kanye West's words of warning: Let's be real, one can never have too many Urkels on their team. Or at least when it comes to primetime TV shows.
Clearly, someone recognized that Jaleel White's talents had been long underutilized (well, unless you count the epic Mega Shark vs. Crocosaurus among your favorite movies of 2010, as you should). We could barely stop ourselves from doing "The Urkel" in silent approval when word circulated that the Family Matters star would be making a guest appearance on tonight's season premiere of the hit drama House. But the actor behind the iconic nerd won't be playing close to type in the eighth season's first episode, promisingly titled "Twenty Vicodin"; reportedly he'll be making the doc's acquaintance in prison as a fellow inmate.
Could this be the breakout role that puts the White back on the map? We might have the answer. Check out our list of 5 Reasons Why Jaleel White Is Poised For A Comeback. And don't say we didn't call it.
5. Nerds Are The New Leading Men
Thanks to superproducers like Judd Apatow, audiences across the country have a new brand of leading man to applaud. Though the Seth Rogens and Jonah Hills that seem to have ever so slickly stolen the show are a little rounder, a little herbier, and a little less fortunate with females than the Matt Damons of yesteryear, there's an everyman relatability that renders you unable to help rooting for them: A win for these dudes feels like a win for everyone.
Come on, would you rather see Brad Pitt get the girl, or some guy that actually has the odds stacked against them? With freaks and geeks getting up on the scene, it's the perfect time for White to get in on some of that nerdy action. Hey, look how far James Franco has come.
4. You Won't Find a Jaleel White Sex Tape
Unlike other once-promising child stars who've taken turns for the worst, showcasing goods we never especially wanted to see, White thankfully managed to age out of the spotlight without tarnishing his rep with some seedy sex tapes, thus sentencing himself to a lifetime of VH1 shows.
Now if only his castmate, Jaimee Foxworth, could've followed his example. You might remember her as the Winslows' youngest daughter, Judy, who unexplainably disappears after the first few seasons. It's more likely, though, that you caught her seeking treatment for her "weed addiction" on Celebrity Rehab, or stumbled upon headlines that she'd been starring in porno flicks under the alias "Crave."
Also guilty of attempts to parlay former fame into porn dollars: Dustin Diamond from Saved By The Bell. Unfortunately for him, people now associate Screech more closely with his grimy "Dirty Sanchez" video than any legit acting talent. White, on the other hand, has nothing of the sort to worry about.
3. The Judy Moody Appearance
With the huge popularity of unintentional stoner classics like SpongeBob SquarePants, Labyrinth, and, of course, Muppets In Space, there's no way that White's appearance in this past June's family flick Judy Moody And The NOT Bummer Summer hasn't earned him a legion of herb-passing followers. Just look at the poster.
Plus, you'll notice that lowbrow humor has started gaining props from Hollywood's elite over the years, with "Dick In A Box", Pineapple Express, and others of the same ilk getting nods for awards that might've otherwise been reserved only for the likes of Helen Mirren.
There's a reason why Harold and Kumar have managed to score a Christmas flick ages after their initial 2004 appearance: Hollywood responds to the demands of the stoner public—and it won't be long before all (red) eyes are on Jaleel.
2. It's Never Been A Better Time To Be A '90s Child Actor
Who could've guessed that the past few years would usher in a new era where child actors of the '90s would reign supreme once more? With celebs like Anna Paquin, Elijah Wood, Justin Timberlake, Ryan Gosling, and other homeschooled heroes killing it on screens small and big, it's easy to forget that their roots can be traced back to the likes of Mickey Mouse Club, Kids Incorporated, Fly Away Home, and other G-rated hits they've probably tried to repress.
What better a time for Jaleel to re-seize the spotlight? Especially given that his convict apperance on House might give him a chance to show some real range, you know, beyond the transformation from Steve Urkel to Stefan Urquelle.
1. The Guy Actually Has Some Moves
Though we're sadly living in a time where you've have to dig online for music videos (as opposed to checking them out on stations that once claimed to play music), those who've managed to catch Cee-Lo's "Cry Baby" visual are well-acquainted with White's ladykilling two-step.
It's not enough to be a solid actor these days. Due to the Glee effect, numerous primetime shows now tend to feature some god-awful musical episode, where the main characters are forced to showcase their song-and-dance chops (or lack thereof) to the masses. As the Stefan Urquelle-esque heartbreaker in Cee-Lo's video, however, White tears up the town and proves that he's got all the makings of a legit triple threat: Acting, dancing, and singing—well, lip-syncing—skills.
Worst case scenarion: If there's no place for him on basic cable, we're sure he'd fare well on Dancing With The Stars. He's much cooler than Rob Kardashian. And David Arquette, for that matter.