The snarky sidekick, the snooping sibling, the meddling friend, clumsy neighbor and elitist coworker are all characters that we’ve seen quite a bit of on the television screen. And, in the midst of being snarky, snoopy, meddling, clumsy and elitist, we, as viewers, notice that those characters are also really annoying. But, despite this, we do not totally hate them. In fact, we are drawn to them. In one way or another we know that the bothersome character not only has redeeming qualities, but sometimes they have the protagonist’s best interests in mind.

Tara Thornton, True Blood

Tara Thorton perpetually wakes ups on the wrong side of the bed–but with reason. She’s suffered neglect and abuse, she’s been abducted, she’s been attacked, she’s been brain washed, and she’s been vampirized. Because of her circumstances, Tara takes every opportunity she can to complain, whine, and overreact to lighter situations. The softer side of her can usually be seen when Tara deals with Sookie, whom she loves like a sister. Tara was there for Sookie when [SPOILERS] her grandmother died; Tara routinely helps with most vampire related drama, and she even sacrificed her (human) life for Sookie.

Black sitcoms in the ’90s made for good TV. But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. The question, though, is what caused these thoroughly beloved shows to suddenly find themselves without network homes after long — and sometimes rather short — runs? Did the sitcoms’ core audiences just outgrow the characters or did the plots go too left for fans to keep interest? You tell us.

The future of a kid star or teen actor is an unsure one. We learned this fact from the entire cast of Different Strokes… and, actually the stars of MOST eighties sitcoms, including Jaimee Foxworth, who played the youngest daughter, Judy, on Family Matters for the first few seasons before her character was suddenly dissolved and wound up doing adult films. So, for a star to not only survive the kid star to adult role transition–continuing to have a thriving career, but to also transition into a stunningly attractive adult, that is an amazing feat. Actresses and actors such as Hilary Duff, Dakota Fanning and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are looking better than ever, so let’s check out who’s looking better with time in our community.

WENN

Some things are so great, so classic, so epic that they don’t need to be repeated. That wasn’t the case with these incredible spin-offs. From “Family Matters” to “Melrose Place,” television has seen some wonderful follow-ups that made us laugh, made us cry, and made us fall head over heels in love with some very special characters, like they were the originals. Check out this list of the most amazing spin-offs to ever grace out TV screens.

Source: mediaoutrage.com

Every actor wants that breakout role that will propel them into the mainstream stratosphere. However, finding that one perfect character can be a blessing and a curse for some actors as they can become typecast and find it difficult for lightning to strike twice. Not only are many asked to play similar characters for the rest of their careers, but even decades after taking on these roles, people still ask them to say memorable catchphrases or do famous dances. These are a few of the many stars who created iconic characters but never quite found the same success again because of said character.

source: teendiariesonline.com

Kellie Williams, a.k.a Laura Winslow of Family Matters, is the subject of speculation concerning a $25,000 kickback to disgraced Harry Thomas Jr.  In 2006, Thomas was elected to represent Ward 5 on the D.C. Council. The Washington Post says he resigned [earlier this year] when federal prosecutors accused him of embezzling more than $350,000 in government funds intended for youth programs and filing false tax returns. The next day, he pled guilty to the charges. Last month, he was sentenced to three years in prison.

Now, LooseLips.com says they have reason to believe Kellie (a D.C. native who returned to the region and started a youth arts training group that offered summer courses) may have been involved in the scandal. LooseLips says:

An examination of court records, tax filings, and emails obtained through several Freedom of Information Act requests raises the question of whether Kellie Williams, the actress who played Laura Winslow, is the unnamed “INDIVIDUAL #1” who prosecutors say in court records used a youth arts program to help Thomas steal city money.

In total, Thomas stole more than $350,000 by funneling the cash first through the Children & Youth Investment Trust Corporation—a city-funded nonprofit—and then to three different organizations, which shuffled money back to him. Aiding Thomas in his crimes, court papers say, were four unnamed heads of those organizations. Listed in court records, they are INDIVIDUAL #1 through INDIVIDUAL #4. Since Thomas’ guilty plea, INDIVIDUALs #2, #3, and #4 have all pleaded guilty for their roles in helping Thomas steal.

Left unaccounted for, so far, is INDIVIDUAL #1, who Thomas swore in court gave him a $25,000 kickback on a grant from the CYITC.

The story as they tell it is pretty compelling, but it is still just speculation and LooseLips admits there is “no definitive proof in the court records, tax filings, and emails.” So, what they see as evidence of Kellie’s involvement could still turn out to be just coincidence. But there are quite a few of those like a $120,000 grant Thomas pushed to secure for INDIVIDUAL #1 in summer 2008. According to the site:

“The CYITC’s tax records for 2008 don’t show Williams being paid $120,000. But they do show a $120,000 payment to Prosperity Media, a D.C.-based nonprofit that partnered with Kellie Williams Programs. (On its old website, Kellie Williams Programs asks potential donors to write checks to Prosperity Media with a note on the check’s memo line saying that the money is for Kellie Williams Programs.)”

There’s also some funny math with a few grants and a description of INDIVIDUAL #1’s organization as a “for-profit organization” that “conducted arts-oriented youth programs.” Williams’ Programs offer youth activities in “Theatre, Music, Visual Arts, and Dance.”

If these aren’t just coincidences, Kellie could be in some very hot water. We definitely hope she didn’t do that, but so far she hasn’t answered the paper’s request for comment.

Alissa is a freelance writer living in Columbus, OH. Follow her on Twitter @AlissaInPink

More on Madame Noire!

• Primping Ain’t Easy: Who Said Maintaining Biracial Hair Was Simple?
• Ask a Very Smart Brotha: What Should I Do About My Man’s Crazy Ex?
• Say It Loud: 8 Celebrities Whose Parents Were Activists
• You Could’ve Kept That: 9 Movie Remakes and Sequels That Shouldn’t Have Seen the Light of Day
• Don’t Be His Fool, or His Doormat: Excuses Women Need to Stop Making For Men
• Loud Cheers, No Arrests & Cultural Celebration: The Need for Black Graduation Ceremonies
• Don’t Be Desperate, Oprah: 5 Television Programs That Could Save OWN

Source: flavorwire.com

Uh, where would we be without Steve Urkel? We wouldn’t know the “Urkel dance,” be able to say, “Did I do that!?” and wouldn’t think suspenders were maaaad cool. But the whole show that was “Family Matters” was pretty landmark, and who doesn’t miss the days of scripted shows where the black family was shown in a positive light (and they tackled tough issues!)? Time to see what this cast is up to nowadays. Be ready to click…

Source: idiotsonmyfloor.com

Reginald VelJohnson

As Carl Winlsow, the head of the Winslow family (aka, the “Big Kahuna”), he was like many fathers on television: a little uptight, but very funny. When he wasn’t spending time letting Steve Urkel get him enraged, he was working for the Chicago Police department, going up the ranks from officer to sergeant, to lieutenant, and finally captain. In real life, after “Family Matters,” VelJohnson guest starred on “The Parkers, “The Bold and the Beautiful,” and most recently, he guest starred on the popular CBS show “Mike & Molly.” He did have a role on the CW show “Hart of Dixie” before it was canceled, and he has been in the movies Like Mike and Couples Retreat.

Source: allmovie.com

Even with the old school dookie braids and the VERY foul mouth in Menace II Society, Larenz Tate knows he was a cutie! And he’s been like that since he first stepped on the scene, showing up on our favorite shows like Family Matters, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Rescue Me, as well as some of our favorite films: Love Jones, Crash, and Dead Presidents. Spitting smooth poetry, dancing and singing like Frankie Lymon and playing a ruthless killer, Tate has done it all over the years. However, the 36-year-old Chicago native doesn’t look a day over 25 (okay, maybe I’m exaggerating), and for that reason, along with his delicious smile, he’s our throwback arm candy for the day. Take a walk back down the hotness memory lane.

They come into your life, make you happy and then, just like that, it’s all over. They’re gone, leaving you alone to pick up the pieces and start all over again. No, I’m not talking about your no-good ex. It’s those TV, movie and music stars that were a regular part of your life before their limelight was up, or so you thought.

Here’s a selection of stars you probably haven’t thought about in a long time.

Kellie Shanygne Williams-Jackson

Kellie Williams is better known as Laura Winslow from the 90′s TGIF hit, Family Matters, in which she spent the majority of her time playing off the affections of Steve Urkell.

These days, Kellie is spends most of her time tending the matters of her own family. She got hitched to a guy named Hannibal Jackson in 2009 and they had their first daughter last year. Fans can ogle pictures of Jackson’s on Kellie’s Facebook page.

Since Family Matters, she’s had a handful of roles, and recently completed a lead role in a short, Aide-de-Camp.

Jaleel White, who will probably always be known for his role as Steve Urkel, spoke with “Vanity Fair” about his 31 year career.

The 34 year old Jaleel talked about his successes and rejections in the industry, including getting dissed by Bill Cosby and literally growing out of his Urkel role. Turns out White was supposed to be a Cosby kid…bet you can’t guess which one.

Check out the full story over at AOL’s Black Voices.