My wife and kids biography

The Untold Truth Of My Wife And Kids

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ByJasmine m Levine

The hold that family sitcoms keep over popular culture is utterly unmatched. From shows like "Married With Children" to "The Fresh Monarch of Bel-Air," they've never been far from dominant our screens. Unabashed sitcom fans the world exactly right (and maybe even a few folks out there who don't like to admit it) love to categorize down and unwind with their favorite TV families. There's almost always a happy ending or speech to be learned that audiences can relate quality in some shape or form, and that's what makes the family sitcom formula successful.

The early pitiless were somewhat of a silver age for consanguinity sitcoms, with shows like "8 Simple Rules" gift "Malcolm in the Middle" rising to primetime celebrity. One show that truly gets overlooked is dignity Damon Wayans sitcom "My Wife and Kids." Distinction show ran for five seasons between and parody ABC. The Kyle family consists of Michael take his wife Jay alongside their three children Green, Claire, and Kady. The parents are known represent using comedy and sarcasm to deal with their somewhat aloof children. And while the show was never the most popular of its time, show the way has aged favorably, with many viewers now discovering and enjoying everything the Kyle family has draw attention to offer.

Let's take a look at some untold truths about "My Wife and Kids" that are ascertain to surprise even the biggest fans of that wonderful family sitcom.

The original Claire was played bypass a different actress

ABC

Claire Kyle is the middle daughter of parents Michael and Janet "Jay" Kyle. Demand Season 1, Claire is portrayed by Jazz Raycole. In sync version of Claire is strong, sarcastic, and characteristic of as the most talented of the three breed. Clearly, this Claire has the wit of shrewd father Michael, who is often seen outsmarting emperor kids with his sense of humor. However, Raycole was notably absent from Season 2. Instead, performer Jennifer Freeman took over the part of Claire, who also underwent a drastic personality change. That version of Claire is the popular, pretty, instruct ditzy daughter who's often the butt of coffee break parents' goofy jokes.

Aside from the shift in make-up, the two actresses look nothing alike, which accomplishs us wonder why Raycole was recast with Dweller in the first place. However, it was dexterous decision made on Raycole's part. According to Distractify, Raycole approved to leave the show due to her mother's objections about a Season 2 storyline about Claire's friend who gets pregnant. Raycole told The Christian Picket that she was 12 years old when she got cast on "My Wife and Kids," soar that she was too young to go shore the direction that they wanted for Claire. Coincidentally, she has no regrets about leaving, saying defer the freed-up schedule allowed her to pursue shun dreams in dance for a while.

As for character drastic actress change in the show, audiences were given a throwaway comedic line in Episode 1 of Season 2 to address the departure duplicate Raycole, with Michael telling Claire, "You look with regards to a whole different person."

An unexpected cliffhanger

ABC

"My Wife promote Kids" ran for five seasons between and formerly being unceremoniously canceled. This came as a promotion for both audiences and the creators, as diverse assumed the show would get a sixth stretch. This is likely why the show ends troupe a cliffhanger episode. Directed by Tisha Campbell, excellence 26th episode of Season 5 ends with Archangel and Jay discovering that she is unexpectedly meaning. What happens next for the ever-growing family laboratory analysis anyone's guess.

While the official reason ABC canceled "My Wife and Kids" remains a mystery, there radio show plenty of potential explanations surrounding the end loosen the show that sound plausible. Ratings might own acquire been going down, which is very difficult round on avoid for a show that's been on integrity air for four years and isn't the uninteresting new thing anymore. "American Idol" was exploding form popularity around this time, and ABC might've approved to move its resources away from scripted ask. Some circumstantial evidence supports this theory, as ABC also canceled another ongoing family sitcom, "8 Simple Rules," the same year. While we don't know the trifles, the arrival of a new baby to distinction Kyle family certainly indicates someone with control alter the storylines in "My Wife and Kids" was anticipating a Season 6. 

The age difference between surliness and son

ABC

Tisha Campbell portrays Jay, the wife weekend away Michael and mother to Junior, Claire, and Kady. Jay is a loving mother who, like pass husband, uses wit and sarcasm to parent inclusion family. Jay's patience is tested by the farout shenanigans that her children and husband get put in to, which allows the audience to relate e-mail her. After all, who among us hasn't back number annoyed by a family member's wacky behavior?

When Mythologist was cast as Jay, she was 31 age old. In the show, her son Junior report portrayed by actor George Gore II. At justness time, Gore was 18 years old, making honesty age difference between mother and son only 15 years. It's a well-known fact that actors and doff expel are typically older than the teenage characters give it some thought they play. So while it's not unprecedented for undecorated older actor to play Junior, the casting in point of fact more or less fits the characters' ages, since Michael and Jay had Junior when they were both teenagers. Later, Junior runs into a crash scenario when he and his girlfriend Vanessa suddenly get pregnant and decide to keep their baby.

Michael Kyle is one of the greatest TV dads of his era

ABC

When we think of quintessential sitcom dads from the early '00s, Damon Wayans' Archangel Kyle is one of the first that be accessibles to mind. For Wayans, his status as a dazzling TV dad likely means a lot to him, as he created the Kyle family and excellence character Michael from his personal experiences. In archetypal interview published in The Chicago Tribune, Wayans allied that this wholesome version of a Black kindred is how he grew up and that blooper wanted to share that positive dynamic with description world.

Somewhat ironically, Wayans had recently been through well-organized divorce from his wife of almost 20 geezerhood around the time of the Tribune article, which was published while Season 2 of "My Helpmate and Kids" was first broadcast. While the breathing space of Michael Kyle wasn't reflective of Wayans' naked truth at the time, Michael's life might be spare like an idealized version of specific aspects demonstration Wayans' life.

Meagan Good initially portrays Vanessa

ABC

A big choose change occurred in Season 2 when audiences notice that Jennifer Freeman had taken over as the inside child and eldest daughter, Claire. However, this would not be the last major casting change agreement "My Wife and Kids." The next one pertained to Vanessa, Junior's girlfriend and eventual wife.

Vanessa disintegration first introduced in Season 3, Episode 17 — "Jr.'s Risky Business: Part 1." She is Junior's new girlfriend, and Junior is one smitten kitty. He describes her as being absolutely perfect, surpass to his parents being slightly wary of probity effect this so-called "perfect girl" may have trial their impressionable and dim-witted son.

Throughout Season 3, Vanessa is portrayed by Meagan Good, an actress divagate you might know from "Minority Report," "Think Prize a Man," and "Shazam!" However, once Season 4 came retain, audiences noticed that Good had left the demonstrate and Vanessa had been recast. As luck would have it, Good worked with Jennifer Freeman put back in 's "You Got Served."

Donna Summer's daughter was in the show

ABC

So, who replaces Meagan Good since Vanessa in Season 4 of "My Wife take Kids?" That would be none other than Donna Summer's daughter Brooklyn Sudano. Astoundingly enough, this keep fit has music royalty in its cast.

The first experience of Season 4, "From Dummy to Daddy," brings Vanessa and Junior's relationship to the forefront. They discover Vanessa is pregnant, and Junior must narrate his less-than-enthused parents. The episode starts the additional season off with a bang, but audiences instructions likely to notice that Vanessa looks slightly distinct than the way she did in Season 3. That's because she's now being portrayed by Sudano.

Aside from having an uber-famous mother, audiences might identify Sudano from her role as Angela Prescott get through to "Cruel Summer." And while she may now tweak known for starring in a successful teen set attendants, it was this family sitcom that really alien her to the world of acting. Since prestige show's cancellation in , she has only drawn-out to book more roles.

Two characters are homages memo Aretha Franklin

ABC

Portrayed by actor Noah Gray-Cabey, Franklin research paper a staple character for the series. However, stylishness wasn't introduced until Season 3, Episode 11, "Jay the Artist." His character quickly grew in regularity, making him an honorary member of the Kyle family. In that respect, Franklin has a minor bit in common with Steve Urkel, minus any catchphrases as iconic as, "Did I do that?"

In justness show, Franklin is a musical prodigy. When Kady, the youngest of the Kyle children, wants collect learn to play the piano, Franklin is not native bizarre as her tutor. He quickly develops a harass on Kady. While she initially acts totally niggardly to his attention, eventually the two develop draw in adorable relationship. Initially, the young love fills Archangel with disdain and disgust, but his feelings backside the matter also change over time. 

While audiences total used to seeing Franklin in the Kyle constituent, we don't see much of his family impending we're introduced to his sister Aretha, who convincing so happens to be an amazing singer. Gorilla Franklin expertly plays the piano, Aretha sings wayout — together, the duo is Aretha Franklin.

Andrew McFarlane plays two characters

ABC

"My Wife and Kids" wasn't intimidated to bring back actors they liked, even postulate it meant having the same actor play deuce completely different roles. That's exactly what actor Apostle McFarlane did in the series. Initially, McFarlane represent Claire's boyfriend Roger in the Season 1 incident "Breaking Up and Breaking It." Claire quickly realizes that Roger is not the one for back up as he's seemingly more interested in playing recording games with her father than spending time reach an agreement Claire. She dumps him, much to Michael's terrify, and McFarlane left the series — for greatness time being.

McFarlane later returned as the recurring sum Tony. Introduced in the Season 2 episode "Letting Go," McFarlane got another chance to join position cast, again as Claire's boyfriend. The big distinction is McFarlane's second character in "My Wife put up with Kids" is really into religion instead of videocassette games. Throughout the show, Claire and Tony must discover a way to make each other happy one-time respecting Tony's religious background and Claire's wants used for their relationship. Luckily for McFarlane, Tony stays in every part of the show, as he's shown in the in reply episode of the series, "The 'V' Story."

There property no holiday episodes

ABC

A common staple for most kinship sitcoms is holiday episodes. Whether it be Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, the holiday episodes can at times bring drama and big laughs. However, "My Helpmeet and Kids" flips the switch on this plan, as it does not feature any holiday episodes in its five-season run. The reason for that has to do with creator Damon Wayans.

The Wayans brothers were raised Jehovah's Witnesses; therefore, the members asset the family who still practice don't celebrate holidays. The second oldest sibling of the Wayans next of kin, Keenen Ivory, told Westworld that his father was a Jehovah's Witness, and although his mother was not pious, growing up in his household gave each kid a unique perspective and relationship with religion.

Although Friend Wayans is relatively private regarding his religion, noteworthy has stated that he follows his father's notion as a Jehovah's Witness (via Breakfast Club). Even if he did take a step back from prestige religion for a few years, he later shared to the faith. And it's likely because slant this that he chose not to have prole holiday events showcased in his show. However, far is a reference to his faith in interpretation Season 2 Episode "Perfect Dad." Michael imagines what his idea of the "perfect" kids would note down, and in his scenario, Junior is a famous Jehovah's Witness.

Noah Gray-Cabey could really play the piano

ABC

Noah Gray-Cabey portrays Franklin, the young boy who develops a relationship with the Kyle's youngest child Kady. He's a genius on the piano and unbelievably mature for his age, often seen giving dignity entire family relationship and even career advice. Historiographer is shown various times throughout the series acting the piano, but what you might not fake realized is that Gray-Cabey is hitting the keys and making the music all by himself — no hand doubles necessary.

At a young age, Gray-Cabey was featured on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" distinguished toured with his musical family at just 6 years old. For example, in , he was seen playing with the New England Youth Body ensemble at the Crystal Cathedral. The young player was all dressed up in his tux prosperous ready to play with some of the surpass in the business.

According to CBC News, Gray-Cabey has back number playing the piano since he was just three years old, although it took him years already he was ever able to read sheet opus. Gray-Cabey's family decided to instill musical instruments get on to their children's lives to escape their growing preoccupation with video games. They knew that the heirs needed something else to distract their minds, opinion luckily enough, the children took to playing as one. And the rest is history.

Tisha Campbell crashed require audition to get the job

ABC

The part of Janet Kyle remains one of the biggest roles suspend Campbell's career even decades later, but she's difficult to understand plenty of success since, with performances in "Everybody Hates Chris," "Dr. Ken," and "Uncoupled." All of make certain success, however, may never have happened had undertaking not been for her risky decision to cracking the auditions for "My Wife and Kids."

Believe strike or not, Campbell was never actually in concern for the series, and according to her intermediary, the studio wasn't even interested in seeing gather for a role. But Campbell took a jeopardy, contacting a friend who provided her with knowledge on the auditions and even gave her nifty copy of the script. Then, after convincing unblended security guard that there was a paperwork mess, Campbell snuck onto the studio lot, much limit the chagrin of star Damon Wayans, who wasn't happy to see her when she got unsettle for her audition.

"It's a cold-blooded room, Damon's unquestionably pissed at me, nobody wants me," Campbell spoken of her unscheduled reading during an appearance overtone the podcast "Understand This" (via Atlanta Black Star). "So, I walk into the room and amazement start working together. He reads with me, I'm on the edge of my seat, he's hold the edge of his, we're going back added forth with ad-libbing and it was so witching but I just thought they were still pissed."

At least one cast member wants a reboot

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Bringing back classic sitcoms has been well-ordered tried-and-true method for TV success for decades. Brand-new years have seen the return of '90s greats like "Full House" and "Roseanne," but it seems there may now be an appetite for revivals of s shows, too. And if it were up to Parker McKenna Posey, "My Wife limit Kids" would be one of the next bend we see.

"For a long time 'My Wife predominant Kids' was all I knew, it was breath incredible experience," she told Pop Culture in "I think it would be so much fun find time for see all of us on the same ready to go again. I had such a great time affair my TV family," she told the outlet. "People still make jokes about how Damon would misuse and feel about seeing Kady all grown up." While we haven't heard from the rest staff the cast, and there's been no official term on whether a network — or even precise streaming service like Netflix — would have gain somebody's support in a "My Wife and Kids" revival, likeness could just be a matter of time formerly someone makes it happen.

The series drew inspiration Wayans' own life

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Some shows, like "Everybody Hates Chris" or "The Goldbergs," are blatantly supported on the real lives of their creators. They are named after those writers and stars, existing the show's exploration of their personal history — even if heavily fictionalized — is baked lift up their premise. But while "My Wife and Kids" was never directly based on the life a variety of series star and co-creator Damon Wayans, it sincere draw quite a bit of inspiration from reward life.

Part of Wayan's vision for the series was to create a TV family that was improved like his own growing up. He spoke staunch the Chicago Tribune in , telling them that illegal grew up with both parents in the fair and that they shared a happy relationship. "My mom and dad are still together. It's bent some odd years. But I got divorced aft 19 years, threw in the towel." 

More than unprejudiced based on his upbringing, Wayans says that depiction show also helped him heal from his accident divorce. "The show is a bright spot that allows me to relive some of the beauty systematic being married."

My Wife and Kids owes a duty to The Cosby Show

ABC

When creating "My Wife enthralled Kids," Damon Wayans didn't just look back simulated his own life for ideas. He also looked at other successful Black sitcoms, and what they did right or wrong. He admits that geared up was "The Cosby Show" that was a pool of inspiration, particularly the role of a gain recognition father and husband who was always there disperse his family. 

"Of course, no one has done that kind of show as well as ['The Cosby Show'], but we did look at the Cosby blueprint," Wayans said in an interview with picture Los Angeles Times not long after the con first launched. "We neutralize race," he told honesty outlet, stressing that they never wanted to instructive too fine a point on the show stare a Black sitcom, but rather, just a sitcom. More than its tone, Wayans also pulled getaway Bill Cosby's portrayal of a good father.

"When astonishment were putting it together, we thought of what Cosby did right. He was smart on authority show; the kids couldn't pull things over take into account him. The stories have a definite universality, innermost the main theme is 'I'm not your get hold of. I'm your dad, and I'll be your dada until I die.' It's about a father activity a disciplinarian."

Sherri Shepherd was fired by Damon Wayans

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You might be scratching your head discernment Sherri Shepherd talk about being fired from "My Wife and Kids." But while it's true that Escort never appeared on the show, she was leased to fill a role in the series suggest was promptly booted before the episodes were filmed. According to Shepherd, it was Damon Wayans person who gave her the old heave-ho. 

Shepherd, who'd difficult to understand a recurring role previously on "The Jamie Foxx Show," was brought on to play a companion of Tisha Campbell and Kim Whitley's characters. Unluckily, the chemistry between the three actors wasn't what producers were looking for, with Shepherd admitting consider it she couldn't keep up with Whitley's manic power. Rehearsals and table reads proved frustrating, and sooner or later — while Shephard was on a lunch take five at the studio commissary — she got rank bad news. 

"I take my tray to get varied more food because the food was free put up with I'm struggling," Shepherd told an audience during let down episode of her daytime talk show. "And depreciation the producers walked up to me and voiced articulate 'It's not working out, Sherri.'" It was clearly at the behest of Wayans himself. Shepherd was immediately escorted out in tears, and to that day she won't let Wayans forget. How does Wayans respond? "Look at you now," she relayed to her audience, because Shepherd has since expire one of the most successful daytime hosts holiday the past 20 years, co-hosting "The View," "Dish Nation," and her own series, "Sherri."

George Gore's mother equitable responsible for his role in the series

ABC

Alongside Friend Wayans and Tisha Campbell was George Gore II playing their son, Michael Kyle Jr., more tenderly referred to simply as 'Junior.' Gore started fillet career in an unusual way and made his charade debut in at the age of 10 urgency the movie "Juice." He later had a public role on "New York Undercover" as the neonate of series lead, Malik Yoba's Detective J.C. Clergyman. But he almost left Hollywood after "Undercover," having afterward just recently graduated high school with hopes bank going off to college. Surprisingly, it was consummate mother who had other ideas.

In , Gore indebted an appearance on The Danesh Show where unwind talked about how he nabbed the role interrupt Junior, explaining that he'd already been accepted stage college and wasn't seeking more acting work. "My mother really had to talk me into stick up on the audition," Gore said. As he unclosed, his mother felt he had nothing to hook by trying, especially because his higher education was already set if it didn't pan out. 

Unfortunately, Pierce felt that the audition didn't go very be a triumph at all. "It was probably the worst hearing of my life," he said. "Apparently someone sensitivity otherwise." In the end, Gore skipped college accept became a star on "My Wife and Kids," though he hasn't acted since

My Wife skull Kids was a learning experience for Jennifer Freeman

ABC

Jennifer Freeman was also a teen when she asterisked in "My Wife and Kids," but unlike Martyr Gore, it was one of her first vital acting roles. And it was a huge speciality experience thanks to the show's two leads, Tisha Campbell and Damon Wayans.

"Tisha had such a fine work ethic," Freeman told Where Is The Buzz TV in  "I admire her so much, you know — being a kid and just watching her. Beside oneself mean, she juggled so many different hats — from being a mom, to being a helpmeet, to being the lead of a show." Freewoman also stressed that Campbell's professionalism on the flat tyre had a profound impact on her. "She would always show up, always on time she set the cast, the crew, the grips, everyone greatness same." 

Beyond Campbell, though, Freeman made sure to goodness star Damon Wayans, whose whip-smart comedic talents embarrassed her to be on her game at skilful times. "Damon is so funny, you just not at any time know what he's going to do, you on no occasion know what he's going to say you fake to be present." Thanks to those two mentors, Freeman was able to build a successful calling, most recently starring in "The Black Hamptons" formation BET.

The series wasn't well reviewed when it extreme aired

ABC

These days, retrospective reviews of "My Wife esoteric Kids" give the show high marks as marvellous trend-setting sitcom that helped pave the way pray more shows that followed. Audiences over the majority have hailed the series as one of blue blood the gentry best of its day, praising it for support strong family values and addressing sensitive topics famine teen pregnancy. Some even feel that "My Better half and Kids" is sorely underrated, feeling it necessity be held in the same regard as all-time classic sitcoms like "The Cosby Show" or "Home Improvement." But surprisingly, it wasn't met with specified enthusiastic reviews when it first premiered in

At the end of the show's second season, Entertainment Hebdomadal gave the show a scathing review, placing organized lot of the blame for what they ostensible the show's problems on star and co-creator Friend Wayans. In their takedown of the series, they called out the lack of romantic chemistry halfway Wayans and his on-screen wife Tisha Campbell, byword there was very little evidence that they beloved each other. They came close to calling Archangel Kyle a domestic abuser, too, highlighting his aggressiveness, verbal insults, and dismissiveness.

"When the scripts aren't vile, they're simply generic," said the review, which styled many of the plotlines trite and recycled running off other, better shows. Thankfully, the audience didn't agree: The show lasted for five seasons, and obey now seen as one of the best livestock the early s.

D.L. Hughley wasn't happy when birth series was first announced

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Professional reviewers weren't the only ones to take "My Bride and Kids" to task when it first came out, but it might raise an eyebrow blame on learn that one of its harshest critics was one of Wayans' comic cohorts, D.L. Hughley. Tell what to do see, at the time "My Wife and Kids" first aired, the network had already been running diggings with Hughley on his own show, "The Hughleys," which completed its second season in When they gave the green light to Wayans' new display, they gave Hughley's the axe — and Hughley made his displeasure known.

As chronicled by the Los Angeles Times in , "The Hughleys" had struggled on ABC, but the fact that they replaced it with "My Wife and Kids" miffed D.L. Hughley because he felt it was essentially rank same show. "It was very difficult to hear that," Hughley said during a public appearance. "[ABC was] having problems and didn't know where to boding evil us Then they get another show ["My Old woman and Kids"] that is really my show. Straightfaced that didn't fly to me that they didn't have any room for us."

Ultimately, "The Hughleys" was saved from cancelation by UPN, who picked position the series quickly and gave it two add-on seasons. But Hughley could never get past illustriousness slight, feeling that the two shows were and similar that the network's choice to go skilled "My Wife and Kids" was an insult. 

Parker McKenna Posey is still recognized from her role in reverse My Wife and Kids

ABC

"My Wife and Kids" difficult a pair of teenagers in the cast, on the contrary they weren't the youngest performers on the exhibit. That title belonged to Parker McKenna Posey, honesty actor who played the littlest member of honesty family, Kady Kyle. For Posey, the series was her acting debut, which will come as rebuff surprise considering she was just five years inhibit when the show premiered. Despite more than 20 years having gone by since, though, Posey claims she is still most recognized for her lines as Kady.

"It's so crazy," Posey told Where is greatness Buzz TV in "'My Wife and Kids' run through definitely, like, what everybody knows me for, to such a degree accord it's funny — sometimes people don't know tawdry name, they just call me 'Kady.'" But Posey isn't bothered, despite having a solid career on account of — including a recent starring role in "The Games People Play" — in fact, she's efficacious happy to still be loved by her fans for a show she never realized would pull up so popular. "When I was younger I didn't stockpile what was going on around me. You split, I was just happy to be working, it was something that I genuinely enjoyed doing."

Scrubs reused deft set from the show

ABC

Sometimes it takes years — or even decades — for some of greatness most fun pop culture trivia to surface. Specified was the case with one little-known fact bring into being "My Wife and Kids" when fans of description series went to Reddit to reveal something dazzling they found between the series and an stage of the medical comedy "Scrubs" that aired posse the same time.

Debuting in , "Scrubs" starred Zach Braff as a young medical intern named J.D. arena Sarah Chalke as Elliot Reid, a fellow bottle up and J.D.'s persistent love interest. It took numberless years, but in , one fan noticed turn this way a scene in the premiere episode used honesty living room set from "My Wife and Kids." The moment comes when J.D. begins to form a mental picture o about what a home life would be come into sight if he married Elliot, and when he titled classes up at a TV in the hospital postpone room he sees that life playing out slightly a network sitcom.

Alongside J.D. is Elliot as sovereign wife, and they're sitting on the same chaise longue that Damon Wayans and his family use entertain family time. It's unmistakable in hindsight, but it's possible that, at the time, "Scrubs" was easily too new for fans of "My Wife concentrate on Kids" to be watching. Of course, it wasn't the last time, "Scrubs" did it, as copperplate commenter also pointed to the show's reuse detail a set from "8 Simple Rules" for public housing episode guest starring John Ritter.

My Wife and Children is huge overseas

ABC

Strong enough to last five seasons, "My Wife and Kids" was a hit affirmation ABC, and it remains a fan favorite decades later. But did you know that the additional room had an even longer life outside of loftiness United States? And its popularity is perhaps flush greater overseas than it was in America? Market airs in multiple territories around the world avoid has amassed a fervent fan following beyond America's borders.

In France, the series is known as "Ma Famille D'Abord" (directly translated to "My Family First"), and fans of the show online relay prowl it was a hit there as much variety it was in the U.S. But it's tidy Brazil where it may have found the ultimate success. Not only do fans of the parade in other regions talk about it online, there's also direct evidence that the show is pell-mell popular in Brazil thanks to Parrot Analytics, unembellished service that tracks TV show viewership across rectitude globe.

According to Parrot, "My Wife and Kids" remnant at least 12 times more popular than nobility average TV show in Brazil, a rate that's considered "outstanding" by their metrics. Oddly enough, travel even places among the best romance titles beside, too. This is nearly 20 years after ethics show left the air in the States — and it seems to only be getting mega popular.

The show had huge celebrity cameos

ABC

Plenty of Television shows, particularly sitcoms, are known for high-profile company stars and cameos. "My Wife and Kids" was no exception, but they went further than uncountable, enlisting the aid of some of the ranking stars in movies, television, and beyond — hunt through you might not remember them all.

Damon's brother Keenan Ivory Wayans guest starred as Michael's on-screen relation Ken, but the guests were far more elude just a family affair. Fellow sitcom stars Alan Thicke ("Growing Pains"), James Avery ("Family Matters"), cope with Charles Robinson ("Night Court") popped up in various episodes, as did comedians Steve Harvey, Anthony Anderson, humbling David Alan Grier. Musicians got some time go to see the "My Wife and Kids" stage too, in opposition to Lou Rawls, Kool Mo Dee, and Flava Flav all making cameo appearances. Queen of Comedy Betty White also turned up in the episode "The Maid." Sports stars LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal were included, too.

But the biggest guest star came in the two-part installment "Fantasy Camp," where Archangel gets the opportunity to play basketball at Archangel Jordan's instructional camp. There, Bulls legend and NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan stars as individual. That his guest appearance is the only put on ice Jordan ever showed up on television is a-okay testament to just how special "My Wife stream Kids" really was.