Waldo Faldo
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Waldo Geraldo Faldo is a supporting character on the 1990s American television situation comedy Family Matters. Waldo was portrayed by actor Shawn Harrison.
Waldo was part of Family Matters from 1990 to 1996. For most of the time Waldo was featured on the show, he was friends with Eddie Winslow (the son of the show's main characters, Carl and Harriette Winslow) and the Winslow's quintessential nerdy neighbor, Steve Urkel. Like Urkel (the show's most famous character), Waldo was an outlandish, almost surrealistic character.
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[edit] About Waldo
Waldo's most famous trait was his dim-wittedness and uncanny ability to misinterpret a simple question, comment, or directive. One example came when Urkel asked him to state his name: Waldo- "Illinois." Urkel- "No. State your name. Not name your state." Waldo- "Oh. Waldo Faldo... from Illinois."
Another example is being told the door is open (i.e. unlocked) and he walks into the door itself.
Typical examples of Waldo's tomfoolery include:
- A Halloween episode in which he takes Eddie's cousin Richie trick-or-treating and accidentally brings home another child.
- An episode in which Eddie hires him at a fast food restaurant and he accepts IOUs with gag names and botches inventory
- He asked for an order at a drive thru at a fast food restaurant and came up to the delivery area without a car.
- His joining the Army (by merely following a bunch of other troops) simply because Eddie called him an idiot.
- He once tried to mail himself to see Maxine, who has out of town at a cheerleading competition and staying at a hotel. Unfortunately, all he wrote on the side of the box were "Maxine's Room. Third Floor. Chicago Illinois.
Despite his simple mind, Waldo is shown to have a talent for cooking. Whereas Urkel fares miserably in Home Economics, Waldo excels. He is a highly accomplished tap dancer, becoming highly proficient after two weeks of lessons (Technically 13 days due to observing the birthday of Gregory Hines). Waldo also has a firm moral code. When Eddie was considering cheating on a test, Waldo said, "I for one am appalled... I may get Fs, but by God, I earn them."
[edit] Love interests
Waldo's main love interest was Laura Winslow's friend, Maxine Johnson (Cherie Johnson). There was indication that Waldo had a long time crush with Maxine, but felt insecure saying why would someone like her fall in love with a chucklehead like himself. However, the two were paired thanks to a five-way phone conversation between Urkel and the Winslows. While on the date, Waldo put his jacket in a puddle for her, then put it around her shoulders. Realizing that he made a faux pas, he sat in the mud so that they could match. A long standing romance ensued.
In a later episode, Eddie hits on two girls, bringing them to the apartment he shared with Waldo. Maxine stopped by and grew angry with Waldo, thinking he was trying to cheat on her. The two girls were so moved by Waldo's tears over losing Maxine and disgusted by Eddie's attitude that they took him over to her home and explained the whole issue.
Prior to dating Maxine, Waldo was seen in one episode as having two dates for a homecoming dance. He had a crush on one, but the other had a car, so he asked both. When the car turned out to be a two-seater, the two ladies rode together and Waldo took the bus.
Also, Waldo, along with Steve and Eddie, appeared on the dating show Dudes, getting negative feedback from two female contestants and failing to locate the home of a third.
[edit] Character history
Harrison's first appearance on Family Matters was in the 1990 episode "The Big Party" (where Eddie hosts a house party in his parents' absence, despite a "no guest" rule). Harrison was credited simply as "Guy in Towel" — indeed, he is not referred to by name — and makes only a few brief appearances. However, many fans have considered this to be Waldo's first appearance.
Later, Waldo was paired with Willie Fuffner (Larenz Tate), a bully who menaced Urkel and wanted to date an unwilling Laura. The two appeared together in two episodes: "Requiem For an Urkel" and "Life of the Party." In the latter episode, Waldo and Willie are arrested when they smuggle alcoholic beverages into a rooftop party and spike some punch, which results in Urkel nearly falling off the building. It is presumed that Waldo broke off his friendship with Willie following this episode.
Waldo was softened for the 1991-1992 season, when he became a friend of both Eddie and Urkel, and his behavior changed to that of a good-natured, all-around good guy.
Waldo continued to appear on Family Matters until 1996, when Harrison left the series. It was explained Waldo was attending culinary school.
[edit] Family
Waldo has several siblings, including a cousin on American Gladiators. One of whom is a sister named Quesadilla. Waldo explained that she was born at a Taco Bell restaurant and that her parents — in typical Faldo fashion — decided that a second possibility for a name (Burrito Grande) was not a good choice.
[edit] Getting "Waldo'd"
A slang term commonly used to describe a person getting hit in the head with a basketball. This is obviously referring to the show's opening credits, during which Waldo is hit in the head with a large basketball and does not even flinch.
