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TGIF (Thank God, It's Friday) is not just a popular phrase used to show excitement for the end of the work week but it also has another meaning, "Thank Goodness, It's Funny." Back when sitcoms and laugh tracks ruled primetime television, the abbreviation described the sacred two hours of family-friendly comedies on ABC. Premiering in the fall of 1989, the popular block of shows dominated ratings.
Hearts were broken in 2000 when the magical weekend-starting entertainment ended due to a decreased following. While ABC has tried to recreate the nostalgic night, nothing has quite caught on in the same way. It's time to take a look back at some of TGIF's favorite fictional families and here some of the shows that will certainly bring back great memories.
13 'The Hughleys'
Created by D.L. Hughley
Image via ABC Back in the late ‘90s, there were few comics hotter than D.L. Hughley. So, it wasn’t much of a surprise when ABC picked up the pilot for The Hughleys, which centers around a vending machine salesman and his family, his wife Yvonne (Elise Neal) and two children, Sydney (Ashley Monique Clark), and Michael (Dee Jay Daniels).
While it’s not one of the more beloved sitcoms, The Hughleys was, arguably, one of the best shows going in TGIF’s dark years
Premiering in 1998 on TGIF, The Hughleys' timing was pretty bad, as the TV landscape was shifting, and viewers weren’t staying home much on Friday nights. Also, the TGIF block, as a whole, was on a downturn it never recovered from. The series was canceled by ABC after its second season, but found new life on the now-defunt UPN network and, after its series finale in 2002, in syndication. While it’s not one of the more beloved sitcoms, The Hughleys was, arguably, one of the best shows going in TGIF’s dark years.
12 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'
Created by David Briggs, Steven Knight, and Mike Whitehall
Image via ABC Back at the dawn of the 2000s, the TGIF block was on a spiral that it never recovered from. To try to stop this, ABC imported a British game show called Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, as part of a two-week special. Tapping Regis Philbin to host the show, Millionaire (as it would later be referred to as), wasn’t supposed to be a staple of the TGIF block.
But the show proved to be a massive hit, and it isn’t a stretch to say that Millionaire was the game show of the 2000s, made famous for its tense moments. While it moved off the TGIF slot after its first season (after execs saw how massive the show became), we can still count Millionaire as a staple of the famous block in its early years.
Release Date August 16, 1999
Cast Regis Philbin
Main Genre Game Show
Seasons 21
Network Channel 2 , Keshet 12 , Channel Eser
Character(s) Himself - Host , Uncredited
11 'Mr. Belvedere'
Created by Franck Dungan and Jeff Stein
Image via ABC OK, Mr. Belvedere isn’t quite considered a “TGIF” show, but it was one of the premier Friday night sitcoms during the latter half of the ‘80s. Based off Gwen Davenport’s 1947 novel, Belvedere, Mr. Belvedere follows a posh, English butler as he works to adapt himself in an upper-middle-class household in suburban Pittsburgh.
Mr. Belvedere is sometimes considered an underrated ‘80s sitcom, especially given that it was competing against such titans as NBC’s The Cosby Show and ABC’s own Who’s the Boss? and Growing Pains. So, the sitcom was always going to struggle for air. However, looking back, Mr. Belvedere is truly a gem, a hilarious gem, of its time.
Release Date March 15, 1985
Cast Christopher Hewett , Bob Uecker , Ilene Graff , Rob Stone , Tracy Wells , Brice Beckham , Michele Matheson , Casey Ellison
Main Genre Comedy
Seasons 6
Creator(s) Frank Dungan , Jeff Stein
Writers Fredric Weiss , Jeffrey Ferro , Liz Sage , Doug Steckler , Lisa Albert , Nancy Steen , Wayne Kline , Doug McIntyre , Bob Perlow , Gene Braunstein
Network ABC
Directors Noam Pitlik , Michael Zinberg , Rob Stone
Producers Frank Dungan , Jeff Stein , Tony Sheehan , Patricia Rickey
10 'Clueless' (1996-1999)
Created by Amy Heckerling
Image via ABC Making plans on a Friday night in the '90s? As if! There were way too many solid shows to watch. Clueless was one of them, appearing in the TGIF lineup for one season. Clueless follows Cher Horowitz (Rachel Blanchard), a wealthy and popular high school student who, along with her best friend Dionne Davenport (Stacey Dash), enjoys navigating the social scene of their upscale high school. The show was based on the 1995 popular movie of the same name with Alicia Silverstone as Cher. The adaptation wasn't as iconic as the movie, but it was a legitimate small-screen version.
Cher, her family, and Tai were played by different actors (Alicia Silverstone, Paul Rudd, and Brittany Murphy did not return for the series). While Stacey Dash, Donald Faison, and Elisa Donovan did sign on. The trendy wardrobes and cool California lingo were also brought into the half-hour format. The TV series captures the spirit of the original film, maintaining its humor and wit. While Clueless only lasted for three seasons, it became a cult classic and is fondly remembered for its portrayal of teenage life in the 1990s.
Release Date September 20, 1996
Seasons 3
Main Genre Comedy
Creator(s) Amy Heckerling
Clueless is currently not available to stream, rent, or purchase.
9 'Sister, Sister' (1994-1999)
Created by Kim Bass, Gary Gilbert, and Fred Shafferman
Image via The WB With twins Tia and Tamara, it was double the laughs on Sister, Sister. The series begins when the two sisters accidentally cross paths at a shopping mall. Upon discovering that they are long-lost twins, Tia and Tamera decide to live together, bringing their adoptive parents into each other's lives.
Although they had to deal with the annoying neighbor, Roger (Marques Houston), their lives together were pretty much perfect. As they went from high school to college, their hair went from curly to straight. Their outfits got increasingly amazing, but did anyone secretly miss the bucket hats once the twins moved on from that fashion phase? Moreover, much of the series is set in the high school where Tia and Tamera attend. The show addresses typical teenage issues, such as crushes, friendships, and academic challenges. Sister, Sister resonated with a diverse audience and remains a fondly remembered part of 1990s sitcom television and TGIF block.
Sister, Sister
Release Date April 1, 1994
Cast Tia Mowry , Tamera Mowry , Jackée Harry , marqueshouston , Tim Reid
Seasons 6
Main Genre Comedy
8 'Hangin' With Mr. Cooper' (1992-1997)
Created by Jeff Franklin
Image via ABC Hangin' with Mr. Cooper centers on Mark Cooper, played by comedian and actor Mark Curry. Mark is a former NBA player who becomes a substitute teacher and coach at his old high school. The show primarily revolves around Mark's experiences as he navigates the challenges of his new career while balancing his personal life and relationships with friends and family. The show was a "slam dunk" on TGIF for three of its five seasons.
As the show became more family-friendly, members of Mark's family moved into the already crowded house he lived in with Robin (Dawnn Lewis) and Vanessa (Holly Robinson Peete). That's where viewers met Nicole, played by a young Raven-Symoné. Thank goodness everyone got along! Hangin' With Mr. Cooper contributed to the 1990s sitcom landscape, providing a blend of comedy, relatable characters, and themes that resonated with audiences during its run.
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
Release Date September 22, 1992
Cast Marquise Wilson , Raven-Symone
Seasons 5
Main Genre Comedy
7 'Step by Step' (1991-1998)
Created by William Bickley and Michael Warren
Image via ABC Six (seven once Lily was born) energetic kids, an eccentric cousin, and a couple deeply in love despite the chaos surrounding them... that was Step By Step in a nutshell. The series revolves around two single parents who spontaneously decide to get married, blending their respective families into one household. Fans loved watching the siblings and parents adjust to their new life as a blended family living in Wisconsin.
The popular Step by Step was an integral part of the TGIF block for six years. Throughout that time, it featured storylines involving school issues, crushes, heartbreak, and most often, sibling spats. J.T. (Brandon Call), Al (Christine Lakin), Brendan (Josh Byrne), Dana (Staci Keanan), Karen (Angela Watson), Mark (Christopher Castile), and Lily (Emily Mae Young) sure kept their parents (played by Patrick Duffy and Suzanne Somers) busy as the Fosters and the Lamberts learned to live together and love each other.
Step by Step
Release Date September 20, 1991
Cast Patrick Duffy , Suzanne Somers , Staci Keanan , Brandon Call , Angela Watson , Christine Lakin , Patrika Darbo , Christopher Castile , Josh Byrne , Jason Marsden , Bronson Pinchot , Sasha Mitchell
Seasons 7
Creator
Creator(s) William Bickley , Robert L. Boyett
Writers Adam Markowitz , Liz Sage , Matt Ember , Bob Colleary , Robin J. Stein , Scott S. Gorden , Brian Bird , Garrett Donovan , John Wierick , Neil Goldman , Pamela Eells , Sally Lapiduss
Network ABC
Directors Patrick Duffy , Rich Correll , Joel Zwick , John Tracy , Mark Linn-Baker
Producers Bob Rosenfarb
6 'Family Matters' (1989-1998)
Created by William Bickley and Michael Warren
Image via ABC Family Matters is a spin-off of the popular sitcom Perfect Strangers. From 1989 to 1997, the Winslows (and an Urkel) were part of the TGIF lineup. Harriette (Jo Marie Payton) and Carl (Reginald VelJohnson) were the parents of Eddie (Darius McCrary), Laura (Kellie Shanygne Williams), and Judy (Jaimee Foxworth). Although Judy seemed to vanish into thin air a few seasons, viewers watched the remaining offspring blossom from slightly awkward pre-teens to attractive and cool young adults.
The middle-class family lived in Chicago, right next door to Steve Urkel (Jaleel White). Many episodes included the "nerd" trying to win the heart of Laura. He even used science to create an alter ego that she quickly fell for. Harriette's sister and adorable nephew joined in on the family fun, as well. Moreover, Family Matters blends family dynamics, humor, and some fantastical elements associated with Urkel's inventions, making it an essential installment of TGIF.
Release Date September 22, 1989
Seasons 9
Number of Episodes 215
Creator William Bickley, Michael Warren
Main Genre Sitcom
5 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch' (1996-2003)
Created by Nell Scovell
Image via CBS Based on the Archie Comics series of the same name, Sabrina the Teenage Witch had it all! There was fabulous fashion, intriguing fantasy, teen drama, and lots of laughs. It ran for four seasons on TGIF. The show revolves around Sabrina Spellman (Melissa Joan Hart), a teenager who, on her sixteenth birthday, discovers that she is a half-witch with magical powers. Additionally, she learns that her aunts, Hilda (Caroline Rhea) and Zelda (Beth Broderick), are also witches. Sabrina lives with her aunts and a talking cat named Salem (voiced by Nick Bakay).
While Sabrina navigated all that came with being a "teenage witch," she leaned on her loving and hilarious aunts for guidance. Fans can't discuss the show without bringing up their talking cat, Salem, who may or may not have tried taking over the world. Throughout the series, Sabrina deals with the ups and downs of relationships and friendships. She found out that some lessons needed to be learned the mortal way, making Sabrina the Teenage Witch a very entertaining and essential installment in the TGIF category.
Release Date September 27, 1996
Cast melissa joan hart
Seasons 7
Story By nell scovell
Writers Nell Scovell , Barney Cohen
Network The WB , ABC
Directors Tibor Takács
4 'Full House' (1987-1995)
Created by Jeff Franklin
Image via ABC One of the most beloved family sitcoms, Full House, had us laughing, crying, and wanting to hug our loved ones. Created by Jeff Franklin, Full House revolves around a widowed father, Danny Tanner (Bob Saget), who enlists the help of his best friend, Joey Gladstone (Dave Coulier), and his brother-in-law, Jesse Katsopolis (John Stamos), to raise his three daughters after the sudden death of his wife. It bopped around from Fridays to Tuesdays depending on the season. It was a show often associated with TGIF since it did so much to help the popular weekend-starting block.
Whether the episode was focused on the shenanigans of Danny, Jesse, and Joey or the adolescent dilemmas the Tanner girls were dealing with, viewers felt connected to the loving family. Many episodes of Full House include moral lessons and messages, providing a positive and educational aspect for viewers. When it seemed impossible to make the crew any cuter, they decided to have power couple Uncle Jesse and Aunt Becky (Lori Loughlin) become parents to adorable twin boys. Have mercy!
Full House (US)
Release Date September 22, 1987
Seasons 8
3 'Perfect Strangers' (1986-1993)
Created by Dale McRaven
Image via ABC As the anchor for the original block of TGIF shows, Perfect Strangers had a connection to another Friday night sitcom. Viewers first met Harriette Winslow on this show as the elevator operator. A successful spin-off (Family Matters) was created soon after. Perfect Strangers revolves around Balki's (Bronson Pinchot) fish-out-of-water experiences as he navigates life in the United States, with Larry (Mark Linn-Baker) acting as his guide. The cultural differences and misunderstandings between the cousins lead to various comedic situations.
Larry was moving from Wisconsin to Chicago, looking forward to some independence and privacy. Soon after, a distant cousin named Balki decided he'd become a roommate. Despite their differing personalities, the two guys grew close and helped each other achieve success. The chemistry between Pinchot and Linn-Baker also contributed to Perfect Strangers' success, helping it go on to be one of the most iconic sitcoms on the TGIF block.
perfect strangers
Release Date March 25, 1986
Cast Bronson Pinchot , Mark Linn-Baker , Anton Lesser , Ernie Sabella , Sam Anderson
Seasons 8
Main Genre Comedy
2 'Dinosaurs' (1991-1995)
Created by Michael Jacobs and Bob Young
Image via ABC While most of the TGIF sitcoms were based around people, Dinosaurs featured animatronic prehistoric reptiles. The show was Jim Henson's idea. After his death, the Henson team got to work to make his dream a reality. The central premise of Dinosaurs revolves around the Sinclair family, a family of dinosaurs living in a world that closely resembles suburban America.
Dinosaurs often satirize various aspects of contemporary society, touching on issues such as consumerism, environmentalism, corporate greed, and the consequences of human (or in this case, dinosaur) actions on the planet. The Sinclairs were like many other television families. Money was tight, sarcasm and yelling were present, but most importantly, the love was there. One of the recurring themes in the series is the impact of the dinosaurs' use of technology and the depletion of natural resources on their environment. Despite its relatively short run, Dinosaurs remains a nostalgic and unique entry in the realm of 1990s television.
Dinosaurs
Release Date April 26, 1991
Seasons 4
1 'Boy Meets World' (1993-2000)
Created by Michael Jacobs and April Kelly
Image via ABC Cory Matthews, played by Ben Savage, was the main character of this charming TGIF staple. Boy Meets World begins with Cory as a young boy in middle school and continues through his college years. The show's title, "Boy Meets World," reflects the overarching theme of Cory gradually learning about the complexities of life and relationships. He navigated the highs and lows of puberty and beyond with the support of his friends, Shawn (Rider Strong) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel).
As fans watched Cory go from middle school to marriage in Boy Meets World, they rooted for him and the gang along the way. Boy Meets World is remembered for its relatable characters, heartfelt moments, and ability to address serious issues while maintaining a sense of humor. Boy Meets World has continued to resonate with audiences, becoming a nostalgic favorite for those who grew up watching the series.
Release Date September 24, 1993
Cast Rider Strong , Danielle Fishel , Maitland Ward , Ben Savage , William Daniels , Will Friedle , Matthew Lawrence , Lindsay Ridgeway
Seasons 7
Main Genre Comedy
Keep Reading: The Best Sitcoms That Weren't Afraid to Make Us Cry
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