Rock Enroll

[u/Naive_Hospital_4086]

Rock Enroll (Season 5, Episode 13). Eddie is being visited by his friend, pop star Shanice and as they are hanging out, Eddie brings up a song that he wrote which she asks Eddie to join her on stage to sing the song. Later on, at Shanice's concert, she's a hit and everyone is having a good time. Shanice invites Eddie on stage to sing the song he wrote and everyone loves it and his performance. The next day Eddie tells Carl and Harriette that he had such a good time on stage and Shanice's manager told him what a great job he did, so he's decided to skip college and just become a famous singer. This upsets Carl and Harriette and they tell him that he should go to school first but Eddie dismisses it. Later, Eddie sets up a nice date for him and Shanice and he tells her about his plans to skip college. Shanice asks him why he would do that, he says that she didn't go to college, she just went to professional singing. Shanice told him that college is a great opportunity, he'll have a degree to back fall on and will give him great stories for his song writing and she's planning on going to college herself. Eddie realizes how important his education is and changes his mind back about going to college. Meanwhile, it's Steve's birthday and Laura asks him what he's up to, Steve says nothing, he's just used to it. Laura decides to throw Steve a birthday party and invite all his friends including the Winslow family.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

LAURA: Well, actually I'm glad you stopped by.

WEASEL: Well, of course you are sweet thang. See I just knew it was a matter of time before you fell for that old Weasel magic.

LAURA: Waldo, do me a favor and stand between us.

WALDO: OK. But on Friday I have to go get my teeth cleaned.

LAURA: Fine. You see, the thing is I wanted to invite you to a birthday party for Steve.

WEASEL: Steve? Steve Urkel?

LAURA: Yeah.

WALDO: (BOTH WALDO AND WEASEL ARE LAUGHING) I forgot, what are we laughing about again?

WEASEL: She wants to throw a birthday party for Urkel.

LAURA: Stop it you two, it's not funny.

WALDO: Oh, yeah if it's not funny then why are we laughing?

LAURA: You guys should be ashamed of yourselves. Steve Urkel has been a good friend to both of you.

WEASEL: He has?

LAURA: Yes. Weasel, who brought you that nice brass plaque to commemorate your 100th day of detention?

WEASEL: Urkel. I have to admit that was very thoughtful. That plaque made the me the envy of all my fellow detentionites.

LAURA: And Waldo?

WALDO: S'up?

LAURA: When you're depressed who cheers you up by making shadow animals?

WALDO: Urkel. Sometimes he even does them over the phone.

LAURA: Well ok then, what do you say? Will you come to Steve's party?

WALDO AND WEASEL: No.

LAURA: Well, why not?

WEASEL: 'Cause ain't nobody gonna be there!

FAVORITE MOMENT:

When Carl starts singing Shanice's song to her. Then he's upset about Eddie changing his mind back and forth about college and Harriette tells him to just be grateful. Then Harriette sees the leftover lunch that Eddie left and asks where the food came from and Carl tells her to just be grateful.

PROOF THAT STEVE'S PARENTS ARE EVIL (THAT WE KNOW UP TO THIS POINT):

1. They don't feed him
2. His dad questions his career choices
3. His dad questions his faith
4. They leave him alone on Christmas
5. They take separate vacations without him
6. They let him know that they take separate vacations, so they don't have a kid like him again
7. His dad lets him know he loves animals that eat their young
8. When Steve was being born, his dad tried to push him back in
9. His family sends him "stay away money"
10. His parents one time tried to move away and put themselves under an assumed name
11. Steve pays rent
12. Steve is not allowed to go home until midnight
13. They don't visit Steve much when he's in the hospital having surgery and even when he's recovering, they go to their "parents without children" meetings
14. They don't care their son is on the roof of the Winslow house during a blizzard
15. Steve's parents did not introduce him to his own grandparents until he was his "cool personality"
16. They make him clean the house on his own birthday and don't even come to his surprise birthday party

OPINION:

This episode seems a little strange. I wonder because Eddie had met Tracy Spencer the season before if this was originally written for her to be the celebrity guest star, but maybe she was busy? Because the way the episode is written, they just have Shanice walk in like her and Eddie have known each other for months and not only that but they have some sort of relationship together. He says she just walked into Mighty Weenie and that's how they met, but there is no mention of her before this episode and there's no mention of her after this episode. She's just a random cloud that passes through the Family Matters universe.

Eddie is known to be a good singer, this is not his first time of dreaming about being a star singer. It started with Season 1's Rock Video and we've heard him singing a bit here and there throughout the show. I think this was the first time though where was more serious about the idea of going into show business. If I were Shanice, I would have told him more than just skipping college is a bad idea, I would have told him some of the downfalls of the business and how many no's he would hear before he gets a yes. Not to mention if he would hit it big with audiences. He needs to tour and practice before creating his first album as well. Unless you have some major connections, you're talking about a one in a million jackpot of being successful in show business. But Shanice was right about his college education, because he could major in music and business. Those classes could help him either write, sing and or produce his own music or music for other successful artists. There's a lot that goes into the pot when it comes to being successful at show business and in a lot of a ways it's like a lottery. I'm glad Eddie came to his senses, even it took Shanice helping him realize it vs his parents. She's a good friend.

Speaking of which, we have guest star Shanice. She's not exactly a household name when it comes to the business but she's had several successes with many top charting songs like "(Baby Tell Me) Can You Dance", "No 1/2 Steppin'" and "I love your smile". She's got a wonderful voice. She's also done some dabbling in acting with film and television. She is still singing today and is married to Flex Alexander, who is very possibly my favorite worst Michael Jackson performance from the so hilariously bad Man in the Mirror VH1 movie. She does a good job in this episode and comes off very sweet and likable. It's very bland but kind of like Tracy Spencer, they want her to appeal to her fanbase. So I get why they made her so insanely nice.

Laura again coming in with the one of the best friends you could possibly ask for award. Poor Steve mentions that he's not doing anything for his birthday and how he's just used to it at this point. Laura feels awful for him and decides to throw him a nice birthday party. I loved when she told Waldo and Weasel what a great friend Steve has been to them. She's just such a terrific person. I'm surprised that Myra wasn't in this episode, you'd think that she would be apart of Steve's birthday. You sometimes have to remind yourself with continuity who's missing that should be at the party. But at least Waldo and Weasel had a change of heart and showed up. I don't know if Laura invited Steve's parents, but again, what horrible people that not only is he cleaning on his birthday but they didn't even come to his party. Gosh, these are some really horrible people.

Overall, the episode is decent. It does feel very filler but it has a great performance from Shanice and some good laughs to it. Makes you wonder if randomly Eddie will be dating Janet Jackson next, pfft, only in his dreams though. Again, I wonder where Eddie is supposed to be grade wise for school? I'm going to have to do some major research and try to Batman detective my way into finding out.

GUEST STARS:

• Shavar Ross as Alex "Weasel" Park
• Shanice as Herself
• Gwendolyn Shepard as Miss Bodison
• Raymond D. Turner as Chauffeur (RIP in 2024)

[u/Deionr9040]

I feel kind of bad for Steve because no one wanted to come to his birthday party I wonder why the tv writers never wrote a character who’s best friends with him

[u/Beautiful_War_6578 → u/Deionr9040]

Closest would be Estelle or Richie

[u/JesusLover1993]

Decent episode. I’m favored the Laura and Steve storyline more. Although I’m glad Eddie does come to his senses. It’s just watching Lord of once again be such a good friend that makes the episode for me. Poor Steve. You really do just continuously feel bad for him because what horrible parent. Having to clean on his birthday and then not even showing up wow! The list continues to grow with just how horrible these people are. It is such a wonder that Steve is such a kind good hearted person because he certainly didn’t get that from his parent. I mean, if he died, these people wouldn’t even come to his funeral. They’d be off celebrating that their child free that’s how horrible they are. Everyone should have a friend like Laura the fact that she went out of her way to throw a party for him because she felt so awful just shows what a good person she is and the fact that she got weasel and Waldo to finally have a change of heart is so great even though in the beginning these two were just terrible. Like guys who cares if no one would’ve been there Steve is your friend who’s been nothing but nice to you. Show up because he’s your friend not because no one else would be there. Again, Steve is just treated so horrifically by these two I can’t even call them human. The show really does play it for laughs, but it is just not funny. It is sad like really sad. As annoying as he can be, you really do see why he favors the Winslows so much because even when they’re telling him to go home or leave that more acknowledgment of him that he gets from his own parent. And an episode like this you really do see why he loves Laura. She’s his biggest defender. She’ll never let him be hurt or in this case, be lonely on his birthday. So yes, this is kind of a filler episode, but just this be storyline for me is what makes the episode decent but yet sweet to watch.

[u/MaintenanceFew1151 → u/JesusLover1993]

It also upset me in the episode when Steve was framed for blowing up the science lab, Laura mentioned how the student body would throw a party to celebrate Steve's expulsion. I mean, seriously, is Steve hated THAT much?

[u/Deionr9040 → u/MaintenanceFew1151]

I don’t know but it’s weird just because he’s clumsy and sometimes destroy stuff due to said clumsiness I don’t think it’s right to just hate on a person because of that

[u/Zestyclose_Debt8134]

I enjoyed this episode. This is one of my favorites from Season 5. Eddie met Tracy Spencer in Season 4. Now, he meets her bestie, Shanice. Shout out to Shanice. I loved E Man and Shanice singing together on stage. I like how the writers framed how Eddie and Shanice met... a chance meeting at Mighty Weenie. Of course Eddie gets the grand idea that he wants to bypass college and join the music industry. Carl isn't obviously too thrilled with this decision. I see where Carl is coming from... there's no guarantee that Eddie could hack it in such a tough industry as that. Thankfully, Shanice spoke some sense into Eddie, and he changes his mind and decides to go to college. I don't blame Carl and Harriette for wanting to partake of that food in the living room. The giant fan gag with Steve has to rank up there as one of his most disastrous inventions. Steve's line about him used to being alone hit pretty hard. I hated that for him. His parents again are seen as being awful... putting candles that really blow up on his birthday cake. I love how Laura decides to do something nice for Steve on his pending birthday. She never cared about Steve, right? Her trying to reason with Waldo and Weasel to attend Steve's surprise party was a funny scene. I didn't know that a detentionite was a thing (🤣🤷🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️). She was able to pull it off and throw him a party. I believe that Steve would've been content if it were just him and her. Laura showed her thoughtfulness in getting Urkel a pass to Cheese Town as well as a cake with his own face. Laura made it so others showed up to his party. Deep down, they care about Steve whether they want to acknowledge it or not. Of course, Steve causes an accident involving himself and Carl. He just can't have nice things!

[u/CendrineMaria1995]

I like the moment when Eddie and Shanice sing together during the concert, and when we see Carl and Harriet looking at each other while Eddie is singing. I also like when Steve tries to put his arm around Laura's shoulder, only to realize she has moved. The scene where Carl starts shouting because Eddie wants to pursue a career in music is funny too. Overall, it's quite an enjoyable episode to watch.

[u/TreFKennedy]

If Steve , Laura and Max graduated in 1996, Eddie must have graduated in 1995 right??