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Home » comedies

6 TGIF Shows That Left A Mark

October 9, 2015 By Anne Burwell Leave a Comment

If you grew up in the 90s you surely remember some of the shows that ABC aired on Friday night and that seemed to contain important life lessons for your “problems” at the time or talk to you in particular. And in fact, they were. Because the shows in question were good wholesome situation comedies designed specifically to be viewed by families, hoping to instill that happy, balanced, feel-good vibe which should reign whenever a family gathers to spend some leisure time together.

But they probably wouldn’t have had the popularity and appeal they had if Jim Janicek (a writer and producer for ABC) hadn’t went to the network executives and pitched the idea of TGIF. It’s an acronym which has a double meaning, making reference to both the well-known expression in English “Thank God It’s Friday” as well “Thank Goodness It’s Funny”.

In short, Janicek, nostalgic after his childhood memories of his family watching “The Wonderful World of Disney” together, wanted to create a family-oriented programming block on Friday night. For the network, it would be a good thing because it would possibly convince viewers to watch all of ABC’s family oriented shows (of which “Perfect Strangers”, “Full House” and “Mr. Belvedere” enjoyed popularity already) one after the other.

So he sold the idea to the network, who agreed and the TGIF block which ran from 1989 to 2000 (and then had a re-run from 2003 to 2005), achieving great ratings, especially in the 1989 – 1990 period was created. Let’s remember 6 TGIF shows that left a mark.

1. Perfect Strangers (1986 – 1993)

Perfect Strangers, one of the 6 TGIF shows that left a mark.

Revolves around the mismatched life-styles and behavior of Larry Appleton (played by Mark Linn-Baker), a Chicago reporter, and his long-lost unexpected cousin Balki Bartokomous (Bronson Pinchot) as they have to live together as roommates.

The show, apart from its great fun and the endearing yet annoying character of Balki is also notable for having led to the creation of the “Family Matters” spin-off (another popular TGIF show) and for helping the TGIF concept take flight as it was moved early to Friday night and its stars hosted the first inter-segments between all the shows (doing so for the entire ’88-’89 season).

2. Sabrina The Teenage Witch (1996 – 2003)

6 TGIF shows that left a mark - Sabrina The Teenage Witch.

Based on the character in the series published by Archie Comics (starting in 1962), Sabrina is a teenage-girl who finds out she’s a half-witch via her father. Then the series revolves around her attempts to control her new-found powers and use them for good while simultaneously dealing with the problems of adolescent life, all the while not revealing the fact that she is a witch.

The show was so popular that it moved to Warner Bros for its final three seasons, managing to outrun the TGIF programming block which had ended. Melissa Joan Hart stars as Sabrina and Nick Bakay as her also-noteworthy talking and sarcastic cat Salem (an ex-witch punished for attempting to rule the world).

3. Boy Meets World (1993 – 2000)

One of the 6 TGIF shows that left a mark is Boy Meets World.

Also catering to adolescents, “Boy Meets World”‘s subject is the dangers of growing up as it follows the life of Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) all he way from junior high, through college, up to his marriage. Funny and striking true emotionally for all the young viewers who saw at least parts of themselves in Corey’s journey, the show aired in 1993 and lasted until 2000, making it probably the best known of the later half of the TGIF period.

4. Family Matters (1989-1998)

6 TGIF shows that left a mark - Family Matters.

It started out as a show centered on a pretty normal African-American family of the working-class with a twist: their next door neighbor Steve Urkel who happened to be a boy-genius who invents all sorts of cooky stuff. For good or for worse (depending on which fans you ask), the Steve Urkel character played by Jaleel White gained such popularity that the show gradually turned into a platform for him to showcase his brilliance, despite still managing to focus somehow on the Wilson family. It ran for 9 seasons in total (the last of which, on CBS).

5. Step by Step (1991 – 1998)

Step by Step is one of the 6 TGIF shows that left a mark.

The story of Frank Lambert (construction worker) and Carol Foster (beautician), both of them widowed and with 3 children each. As you can see from the start, it featured the extended families motif and the working-class character background of other TGIF shows, but added to that the widowed status of both protagonists. An interesting twist, extending the target audience of families and individuals some other shows catered to, by promoting the idea that, despite the hardships of integrating 2 different families, “everything will be alright, you can get your life together if you just find the right person and work at it” for people in the situation of the protagonists, which were played by veteran TV stars Suzanne Summers and Patrick Duffy.

6. Full House (1987 -1995)

One of the first 6 TGIF shows that left a mark, Full House.

Possibly the TGIF show that springs to most people’s minds first. Maybe because it was one of the earliest TGIF shows and, as a precursor, it contained “the formula” that would be varied by others. It centers on the life of Danny Tanner (Bob Seget), morning talk show host, faced with the problem of raising his three little girls (D.J., Stephanie and Michelle played by Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin and the Olsen twins respectively) after his wife is suddenly killed by a drunk driver. He calls his brother in-law Jesse Katsopolis (a rock musician played by John Stamos) and his best friend Joey Gladstone (comedian, played by Dave Coulier) to help him with raising the girls and so their life together unfolds. Extended family? Check. Mismatched life-styles? Check. Emotional? Check. Add to that a lot of catchphrases and simplistic good-natured lessons and the formula for good wholesome fun is complete.

 Image source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Filed Under: movies Tagged With: comedies, comedy, family, family fun, sitcom, TGIF, wholesome

7 Romantic Moments That Would Never Happen In Real Life

August 24, 2015 By Anne Burwell Leave a Comment

One of the reasons we swoon over Prince Charming in a romantic comedy movie is that we get to live what we would never otherwise experience in our lives. We tear up at love declarations and laugh at their inside jokes and root for the good guy because we’ll never get to live such a cheesy romantic story. And maybe there’s a good reason for that. Here are 7 romantic moments that would never happen in real life and are only worth enjoying in a movie. It’s all about showing up in the nick of time, taking a leap of faith when all the odds are against them  and just a lot of love.

1. Showing up at the last minute

7 Romantic Moments That Would Never Happen In Real Life

And delivering a heart melting, life changing, poetry like love declaration. And not only will this love declaration bring back the person you love, or snatch them from their evil partner, it will also make everything ok. The Sun will shine again, you’ll go to bed on time and wake up early to work out and make your significant other breakfast. Down here, in the real world, you end up crying on the kitchen floor.

2. Still look good while making out in the rain

7 Romantic Moments That Would Never Happen In Real Life

We all love a good make out in the rain. That is, in the movies. Where all your make up stays intact and your mascara doesn’t start running down your chicks that are no longer covered in blush. And where your hair doesn’t get all frizzy, still looking good with two random locks of hair stuck to your forehead. Totally unstaged!

3. All you have to do is take off your glasses

7 Romantic Moments That Would Never Happen In Real Life

All of a sudden everyone will be dying to be your friend, you’ll go to parties every night and your life will never be the same as before. With the messages Hollywood is putting out there, it’s no wonder kids nowadays don’t want to wear glasses anymore.

4. Falling for the person you hate

7 Romantic Moments That Would Never Happen In Real Life

It’s pretty difficult to imagine two people that hate each other falling head over heels in love all of a sudden. What happened to the things you strongly disliked about this other person? Did their qualities overwhelmed you all of a sudden? If you were feeling compelled to hook up because you’re young and attractive looking, listen: there’s no pressure, you don’t have to fall in love with each other.

5. Stumbling over your soulmate when you’re shopping for gloves

7 Romantic Moments That Would Never Happen In Real Life

I could go shopping for gloves seven times (magic number there!) every day for the next seven years, and not only during winter and I doubt I’ll happen to find my future significant other just waiting there waiting for me with a pair of kid gloves and killer haircut. Stop setting high expectations, Hollywood, we all know the only way to find a partner nowadays is on OkCupid.

6. Pretending to be someone else

7 Romantic Moments That Would Never Happen In Real Life

And when the other finds out, everything is cool, they’re still available and ready to spend the rest of their days with you. Are you actually engaged and you’re flirting with other women? Ah, no biggie. Have you been planning your wedding for two years and now you got cold feet so you’re having an affair with another guy? Pff, so what, happens to all of us.

7. Giving someone an ultimatum

7 Romantic Moments That Would Never Happen In Real Life

And having your ultimatum met by that special someone. Come on, let’s face it, when’s the last time this happened to you in real life? People don’t change over night and metamorphose in the best lover ever. That only happens in romantic comedies. And boy, are we happy for them! For a second there, their happiness is our happiness. And they live happily ever after. The end!

Image sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Filed Under: movies Tagged With: comedies, movies, romantic

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