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
Back in the late ‘90s, there were few comics hotter thanD.L. Hughley. So, it wasn’t much of a surprise when ABC picked up the pilot forThe 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 Hughleyswas, 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 Hughleyswas, arguably, one of the best shows going in TGIF’s dark years.
Watch On Netflix
12’Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'
Created by David Briggs, Steven Knight, and Mike Whitehall
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 calledWho Wants to Be a Millionaire, as part of a two-week special. TappingRegis Philbinto 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 thatMillionairewas 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.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Watch On Hulu
11’Mr. Belvedere'
Created by Franck Dungan and Jeff Stein
OK,Mr. Belvedereisn’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. Belvederefollows a posh, English butler as he works to adapt himself in an upper-middle-class household in suburban Pittsburgh.
Mr. Belvedereis sometimes considered an underrated ‘80s sitcom, especially given that it was competing against such titans as NBC’sThe Cosby Showand ABC’s ownWho’s the Boss?andGrowing Pains. So, the sitcom was always going to struggle for air. However, looking back,Mr. Belvedereis truly a gem, a hilarious gem, of its time.
Mr. Belvedere
Buy On Amazon
10’Clueless' (1996-1999)
Created by Amy Heckerling
Making plans on a Friday night in the ’90s? As if! There were way too many solid shows to watch.Cluelesswas one of them, appearing in the TGIF lineup for one season.Cluelessfollows 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 withAlicia Silverstoneas Cher. Theadaptation 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, andBrittany Murphydid not return for the series). While Stacey Dash,Donald Faison, andElisa Donovandid 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.WhileCluelessonly lasted for three seasons, it became a cult classic and is fondly remembered for its portrayal of teenage life in the 1990s.
Clueless (1996)
Clueless is currently not available to stream, rent, or purchase.
9’Sister, Sister' (1994-1999)
Created by Kim Bass, Gary Gilbert, and Fred Shafferman
Withtwins Tia and Tamara, it was double the laughs onSister, 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, Sisterresonated with a diverse audience and remains a fondly remembered part of 1990s sitcom television and TGIF block.
Sister, Sister
8’Hangin' With Mr. Cooper' (1992-1997)
Created by Jeff Franklin
Hangin' with Mr. Coopercenters on Mark Cooper, played by comedian and actorMark 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 youngRaven-Symoné. Thank goodness everyone got along!Hangin' With Mr. Coopercontributed 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
7’Step by Step' (1991-1998)
Created by William Bickley and Michael Warren
Six (seven once Lily was born) energetic kids, an eccentric cousin, and a couple deeply in love despite the chaos surrounding them… that wasStep By Stepin a nutshell. Theseries revolves around two single parentswho 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 popularStep by Stepwas 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 byPatrick DuffyandSuzanne Somers) busy as the Fosters and the Lamberts learned to live together and love each other.
Step by Step
6’Family Matters' (1989-1998)
Family Mattersis aspin-off of the popular sitcomPerfect 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 Mattersblends family dynamics, humor, and some fantastical elementsassociated with Urkel’s inventions, making it an essential installment of TGIF.
Family Matters
5’Sabrina the Teenage Witch' (1996-2003)
Created by Nell Scovell
Based on the Archie Comics series of the same name,Sabrina the Teenage Witchhad 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 anda talking cat named Salem(voiced byNick 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, makingSabrina the Teenage Witcha very entertaining and essential installment in the TGIF category.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Watch on Amazon Prime
4’Full House' (1987-1995)
One of the most beloved family sitcoms,Full House,had us laughing, crying, and wanting to hug our loved ones. Created byJeff Franklin,Full Houserevolves 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.Manyepisodes ofFull Houseinclude 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!
