TGIF (ABC)

This article is about the ABC programming block; for other meanings see: TGIF

TGIF is the slogan of a programming block on the ABC TV network.

The block of predominantly family-friendly situation comedies originally began with a sequence of TV shows in the 1988-89 season: Perfect Strangers, Full House, Mr. Belvedere and Just the Ten of Us. In the following years, Perfect Strangers spin-off, Family Matters and the "Brady Bunch"-themed Step by Step joined the line-up.

However, as the years progressed, ABC began to see sagging ratings in the TGIF lineup. Shows like Boy Meets World and Sabrina the Teenage Witch started out strong but weakened. New shows were added, including the likes of Teen Angel and You Wish, which lasted only a season (if that) before they were dropped. Eventually, the programming block became a dumping ground for shows that ABC no longer wished to run during other time slots, including The Hughleys and Sister, Sister (both of which later found homes on other networks). By 2000, ABC had canned the programming block entirely, only to return it to the air by Fall 2003. However, the new lineup has only met with moderate success, seeing a consistent second- or third-place showing against a popular CBS lineup that includes Joan of Arcadia and JAG.

During the heyday of TGIF, the main characters of one of the Friday night sitcoms would "host" the two-hour block of episodes for a particular week. Always in character, they would introduce each show and comment on the procedings afterward; sometimes, they would find a common thread between each show (e.g., honesty).