Tips for a Better Life (1996)

Plot: Urkel (transformed into his Stefan alter ego) gets a second job playing saxophone at a local coffeehouse. Meanwhile, Eddie has a bout with alcoholism, and it has an adverse effect on the family.

Original Title: Tips for a Better Life

Director: Joel Zwick

Writer: Thomas L. Miller , Robert L. Boyett , William Bickley , Michael Warren , David W. Duclon , Gary Menteer

Producer: William Bickley , Robert L. Boyett , David W. Duclon , Fred Fox Jr. , Jim Geoghan , Miles Kristman , Stephen Langford , Jeff Luini , Gary Menteer , Thomas L. Miller , Rebecca Misra , Fred Rubin , Kelly Sandefur , Michael Warren

Type: episode

Year: 1996

Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Sci-Fi

Cast: Lasondra Zarif , Reginald VelJohnson , Jo Marie Payton , Darius McCrary , Kellie Shanygne Williams , Bryton James , Jaleel White , Shawn Harrison , Tangie Ambrose , Greg Proops

Runtimes: 30

Countries: United States

Languages: English

Color Info: Color

Aspect Ratio: 1.33 : 1

Sound Mix: Stereo

Original Air Date: 09 Feb 1996

Rating: 6.4

Votes: 103

Year: 1996

Akas: Tips for a Better Life (United States)

Production Companies: Bickley-Warren Productions , Miller/Boyett Productions , Warner Bros. Television

Distributors: Amazon Instant Video , American Broadcasting Company (ABC) , Austria 9 , Comedy & Co. , Google Play , Kabel Eins , Nitro , Premiere Serie , Pro 7 , ProSieben , RTL Nitro , iTunes

Synopsis: In the beginning scene, Urkel's new invention involving the Winslow's TV set by adjusting it's height for additional viewing takes an adverse effect when it damages the floor of the Winslow's master bedroom. Steve opens the door and is relieved that no one got hurt. Carl tells Urkel not yet and gets out of bed in his pajamas. Then, he chases Steve around the house.Eddie's problems with alcohol and how it has a negative effect on his family and friends takes center stage in the whole episode. He has come home from a frat party and is recovering from his hangover. However, even the slightest sound that Richie makes by dribbling his basketball, annoys him. Carl tells him to leave so he can talk to his son alone. He's very upset with Eddie for drinking for the first time and tells him to quit while he's ahead since he's underage. Because the next time he's drunk again he'll be kicked out of this house. Eddie accuses him of not letting him have his fun and his father interjects that he's not against having fun. Carl tells him about roads and that drinking will take him to a road that leads to a dead end.In the subplot, in order to repair the damages done the floor of Carl and Harriette's master bedroom by his latest inveniton the TV adjuster, Steve auditions for a job at Cafe Java. However, the manager hates his choice of music and turns him away. Undaunted, Urkel uses the transformation chamber and transforms into his alter ego. He gets the job as Stefan, playing smooth jazz on the piano and giving out tips for a better life. The ladies are impressed and crowd around him.Two weeks later, it turns out Eddie has ignored his father's warning to stay off alcohol, by coming home drunk again from another frat party, singing while slurring his words. Waldo tries to shut him up because his parents are sleeping, but he refuses and calls him an old lady. Then, a furious Carl heads downstairs and busts him in the act. He's upset to learn that Eddie's been drinking again, against his wishes. Then he asks if Waldo was drinking too. He says no because he swore off alcohol and booze would give him a British accent. He also explains that he was the designated driver and that his friend was a lot worse before he threw up in his designated car. Eddie is upset at Waldo and insults him by telling him he'd win the gold medal in the Stupid Olympics. Carl is fed up with his drunken nature that he sends him to bed. After that, he imediately kicks Eddie out of the house and gives him an ultimatum to find another place to live within the weekend.For Stefan's final night at Cafe Java, he grants Laura's request by performing a song that professes her love for him. She sings it on the microphone, while he plays the piano. No matter how much of the costs she has to pay for, she'll still be saving all her love for Stefan.The next day, Eddie is packed up and tried to convince his friend to let him live in his house because he's homeless. However, Waldo refuses and immediately sets him straight for insulting him while he was drunk. He mentions that anyone who drinks, parties and insults their friends are no friends of his. He leaves and Eddie tells Carl that he's forced to consider living with his frat brothers in a house with six bedrooms and one bathroom. As he leaves, he immediately apologizes for ignoring his father's warning to quit drinking while he was ahead. He realized how much drinking was a dead end road for him(losing his best friend in Waldo and being kicked out of his house). Carl admits that he didn't realize how much the negative effects of drinking does to him until it's too late. Eddie resolves to never drink again even if his frat brothers give him alcohol and his father gives him a second chance living in the Winslow house.

Cinematographer: Gregg Heschong

Producer: William Bickley , Robert L. Boyett , David W. Duclon , Fred Fox Jr. , Jim Geoghan , Miles Kristman , Stephen Langford , Jeff Luini , Gary Menteer , Thomas L. Miller , Rebecca Misra , Fred Rubin , Kelly Sandefur , Michael Warren

Production Manager: Miles Kristman

Art Direction: Lynn Griffin

Certificates: United Kingdom:U , United States:TV-G , United States:Not Rated::(DVD rating) , United States:TV-14

Composer: Jesse Frederick , Bennett Salvay

Editor: Jim Miley

Editorial Department: Richard Garibaldi , Kathy Duerr

Sound Crew: Terry Fiyalko , Russ Gary , Rick Himot , Charlie McDaniel , George Nemzer

Music Department: Jesse Frederick , Laurie Higgins Tobias , Greg Sill

Miscellaneous Crew: Dan Fendel , Gregory Thomas Garcia , Shane Keller , Mark Serafini

Make Up: Gary Archer , Eddie M. Barron , Don L. Cash , Sheila Evers , Debbie Pierce

Assistant Director: Robert Altshuler , Carl Dubliclay , Catherine Schlesinger

Art Department: Gary Ramirez

Camera and Electrical Department: Ben Batzdorff

Set Decoration: Melody Lavigna

Costume Department: Joseph Watts , Bianca Dorso , Gina Trikonis , Bernie White

Special Effects: Mark DiSarro

Script Department: Gary M. Goodrich , Joyce Webb

Seasons: Elayne Teitlebaum

Casting Department: Barbara Miller

Season: 7

Episode: 16

Number of Episodes: 215

Episode of: Tips for a Better Life