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Dead To Me
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There’s a whole lot to see in Netflix’s new dark dramedy Dead to Me. There are killer performances from series leads Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini, all that gorgeous LA real estate, and the stunning vista that is James Marsden’s smile. But if you spent every Friday night of early ’90s parked in front of TGIF, there’s one stunning sight to see that outdoes everything else: the return of Telma Hopkins! Y’all heard me! Aunt Rachel from Family Matters is on Dead to Me, and I am living for it!
Hopkins has a recurring role on Netflix’s Dead to Me as Yolanda, one of the members of the grief support group that Applegate’s character Jen joins in the first episode. Her shining moment comes halfway through the season in the episode “I’ve Gotta Get Away,” which I will not spoil here and now. That episode really harkens back to Hopkins’ role as Rachel Crawford on Family Matters, a role that makes her TGIF’s best aunt.
Hopkins played Rachel, the super cool single mom and restauranteur with a heavenly voice, on the first four seasons of Family Matters. In fact, before Urkel stole the spotlight (he didn’t become a regular until Season 2), Hopkins was one of the show’s biggest stars. She even got the coveted “and X as X” spot in the opening credits!
It’s no surprise, either, because Hopkins was a sitcom pro by the time Family Matters came around. She was fresh off a main role in the hit sitcom Gimme a Break! and co-starred with Tom Hanks in the early ’80s sitcom Bosom Buddies. Before becoming a sitcom star in the ’80s, Hopkins was a member of the hit-making ’70s supergroup Tony Orlando and Dawn.
Since leaving Family Matters, Hopkins had regular roles on UPN’s Half and Half, TBS’ Are We There Yet?, and the short-lived FX sitcom Partners. Hopkins hasn’t left TV sets in decades, and this ain’t even her first appearance on a Netflix show! She played Aunt Gloria in one episode of Dear White People Season 2. After recurring on Dead to Me, we can only hope Yolanda will have more to do outside the support group in Season 2 (if the show gets a Season 2–come through, Netflix!).
