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TGIF (TV programming block)
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<p><i>TGIF</i> was an American <a href="/facts/Prime_time/6NYMrYPL">prime time</a> television <a href="/facts/Block_programming/aNFd2Rk0">programming block</a> that has aired on <a href="/facts/American_Broadcasting_Company/WGxg4vRX">ABC</a> at various points since the late 1980s. The name comes from the initials of the popular phrase "Thank God It's Friday"; however, the stars of the lineup touted the initialism as meaning "Thank Goodness It's Funny." In its various incarnations, the block mainly featured <a href="/facts/Sitcom/a01VwMsV">situation comedies</a> aimed at a <a href="/facts/Family-friendly/PIFSrfUp">family audience</a>, and served as a lead-in to the long-running <a href="/facts/Newsmagazine/YyAzqnlb">newsmagazine</a> <i><a href="/facts/20%2f20_(American_TV_program)/agkFf9HL">20/20</a></i> (which has been part of ABC's Friday-night schedule since September 1987, two years prior to the original launch of <i>TGIF</i>). </p><p>The block initially premiered on September 22, 1989, as a partnership with <a href="/facts/Lorimar_Television/mHVVR4Ad">Lorimar Television</a> and television producers <a href="/facts/Thomas_L._Miller/vIEInYuC">Thomas L. Miller</a> and <a href="/facts/Robert_L._Boyett/vIEInYuC">Robert L. Boyett</a> (who had a deal with Lorimar), marking one of the first attempts by a major network to brand a programming block (a concept that was concurrently becoming popular among <a href="/facts/Cable_television/GzXa4pbW">cable networks</a> at the time of its inception), with the goal of encouraging young viewers to watch the entire lineup and not just a particular show. The <i>TGIF</i> block dominated the ratings in the 18–49 demographic for most of the 1990s. However, ratings began declining during the latter half of the decade due partly to Fridays becoming more common for social outings among segments of the block's key <a href="/facts/Demography/VktYwWUD">demographic</a> as well as the loss and aging quality of many of the lineup's signature shows, culminating in the end of the original incarnation after eleven years on September 8, 2000. </p><p>ABC revived the <i>TGIF</i> brand on September 26, 2003, with its second run lasting only two seasons, ending on September 15, 2005. On May 15, 2018, ABC announced that it would revive the block, with the third incarnation, which was launched on October 5, 2018. This newest incarnation of TGIF consisted of a mix of sitcoms and game shows. The incarnation was short-lived, with the block ending for the third time on September 27, 2019. </p>