TGIF began airing in 1989 and featured shows like Full House, Family Matters, and Perfect Strangers. The shows were aimed at a young audience and often dealt with issues that kids could relate to. Full House centered around the lives of a widowed father and his three daughters, while Family Matters focused on the Winslow family and their neighbors, the quirky Steve Urkel. Perfect Strangers followed the adventures of immigrant Balki Bartokomous and his cousin Larry Appleton as they tried to make it in the big city.
One of the reasons that TGIF was such a hit was that it offered a wholesome alternative to the often violent or racy shows that were popular at the time. Parents could feel comfortable letting their children watch the shows without worrying about inappropriate content. The shows featured relatable characters who faced real-life problems, and the humor was based on family-friendly situations.
The TGIF lineup changed over the years, with shows like Step By Step and Boy Meets World joining the fold. Step By Step was a blended family sitcom that followed the lives of two single parents, their children, and their various hijinks. Boy Meets World was a coming-of-age show that followed the life of Cory Matthews and his friends as they navigated the challenges of middle school, high school, and beyond.
TGIF was more than just a television block – it was a cultural phenomenon. The shows spawned merchandise like t-shirts, lunchboxes, and action figures. The Full House theme song, “Everywhere You Look,” became an earworm that is still remembered by many today. The catchphrases of Steve Urkel, such as “Did I do that?”, became part of the lexicon of many kids.
Even though TGIF went off the air in 2000, its influence can still be felt today. Many of the shows that aired in the block are available on streaming platforms like Hulu and Disney+, allowing a new generation to discover the magic of TGIF. In fact, Full House was even given a reboot in 2016 with Fuller House, which continued the story of the Tanner family with many of the original cast members returning.
TGIF was a cultural touchstone for a generation of viewers. It offered a safe, fun place to escape from the stress of the world and was a staple of Friday night viewing for many families. While the shows may seem dated now, they continue to hold a special place in the hearts of those who grew up watching them. TGIF proved that family-friendly programming could be entertaining, relatable, and even groundbreaking, and it will always be remembered as a hallmark of 90s pop culture.