Top 10 Greatest TGIF Shows

Top 10 TGIF Shows

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 TGIF Shows.

For this list, we’ll be ranking the most popular and beloved television shows that give us a nostalgic feeling for ABC’s TGIF lineup.

What was your favorite sitcom to watch on a Friday night? Let us know in the comments!

#10: “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” (1992-97)

Never underestimate the power of a good lead-in. “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” benefited greatly from this at first, thanks to its position following “Full House” on Tuesdays. Both shows also shared a creator in the form of writer/producer Jeff Franklin. Although “Cooper” lost its “Full House” lead-in when it moved to Fridays, it still managed to find a fan following, thanks to a likable ensemble cast that included Holly Robinson Peete and Raven-Symonè. “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” may have started out as a more adult-oriented sitcom, but its repositioning with more family-friendly fare solidified its place as a reliable part of the TGIF lineup.

#9: “Sister, Sister” (1994-99)

If one Mowry Sister is good, then two must be better, right? Well, this math certainly seemed to make sense with TGIF viewers, since “Sister, Sister” ran for a solid six seasons, although it was only a regular part of ABC’s Friday night family for the first year. The show depended upon the charisma of its titular twin leads, as well as their relationships with co-stars Tim Reid and Jackèe Harry. “Sister, Sister” was generally light-hearted and cute, although a “very special episode” would occasionally show up to give the sitcom storylines some diversity. [1] Make no mistake, however, it was Tia and Tamera that helped lift “Sister, Sister” to its status as a well-remembered, nineties TGIF hit.

#8: “Step by Step” (1991-98)

“Step by Step” followed in the footsteps of “The Danny Thomas Show” and “The Brady Bunch” in featuring a blended family. It also boasted some seriously impressive talent with fat resumes, including Patrick Duffy and Suzanne Somers. Staci Keanan, the former star of “My Two Dads” led a solid family of kid co-stars making up the Lambert and Foster Families, and this diverse array of actors allowed “Step by Step” to stick out from the TGIF pack. The relationship between Somers and Duffy’s characters in particular came across as particularly romantic and genuine, so it was easy to follow this family’s adventures on a weekly basis.

#7: “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch” (1996-2003)

Let’s give a little respect to the OG bad ass witch. Long before the Netflix series gave this Archie comics character a new, adult-oriented makeover, Sabrina the Teenage Witch was making her mark as part of the TGIF lineup. Melissa Joan Hart embodied the character of Sabrina Spellman for many fans of a certain age, and the show didn’t feel too far removed from that classic Archie Comics wholesomeness. Her relationship with her aunts Hilda and Zelda was also well-defined, helped along by co-stars Caroline Rhea and Beth Broderick. Add to this Salem, the talking cat, and you have what was essentially a silly, light-hearted but extremely fun part of the TGIF experience.

#6: “Muppets Tonight” (1996-98)

“Muppets Tonight” may be a bit of a deep cut, but we’d argue that this brief entry into the Jim Henson Family canon deserves reinvestigation. The show was an attempt by Henson and his Muppets to do another sort of variety show, similar to what “The Muppet Show” did for the 1970s. “Muppets Tonight” was presented more like a television talk show than an old school variety program. The humor was also updated for the nineties, although much of that classic Muppet zaniness was still fully on display. “Muppets Tonight” also boasted some incredible guests, including Paula Abdul, Billy Crystal and even Prince! Not too shabby!

#5: “Boy Meets World” (1993-2000)

We’re going to be entering some top tier nostalgia from here on out, so strap in for a trip down memory lane. “Boy Meets World” is well remembered by fans as one of the most affecting and beloved TGIF shows of all time. There was genuine affection for Cory Matthews, Topanga Lawrence and Shawn Hunter, as well as major interest in where their lives would head from season to season. “Boy Meets World” simply seemed to strike a chord, so much so that a spin-off would be created years later with “Girl Meets World,” continuing the Matthews’ story into parenthood.

#4: “Full House” (1987-95)

Fans of “Full House” received a tragic reminder of their TGIF past with the untimely passing of Bob Saget in 2022. “Full House” meant so much to a certain generation of television viewers that they tuned in years later to watch the “Fuller House” reboot on Netflix. It’s unlikely that we’ll ever see such a guileless sitcom as “Full House” again, as it was indicative of that earnest, old school style of sitcom screenwriting. But this is why we love it. It takes us back to a more innocent time where we could forget our problems and relax, allowing the extended Tanner Family and their stories to put our minds, for the moment at least, at ease.

#3: “Dinosaurs” (1991-94)

If “Full House” was a sitcom that was of its time, then “Dinosaurs” is a show that’s frankly become better with age. Perhaps it’s because we as an audience are now adults, and can recognize how daring, smart and satirical the writing on “Dinosaurs” was, particularly for the time. Additionally, we appreciate the craftsmanship that went into the charming sets and amazing animatronics The Jim Henson Company created for us with this prehistoric situation comedy. Of course, we also can’t discuss “Dinosaurs” without mentioning that legendary, down-beat series finale, where our entire cast of characters is basically wiped out by an ice age. Damn, TGIF: that’s cold!

#2: “Family Matters” (1989-98)

“Family Matters” was one of those unique shows that was able to balance some intense moments of drama with some of the most surreal and silly comedic situations imaginable. The latter occurred primarily during the later seasons, courtesy of Jaleel White’s Steve Urkel. As it went on, the character essentially took over the show, for better or worse. However, it was the strong bond between The Winslow Family that helped solidify “Family Matters” early on as a cornerstone of the TGIF lineup. Reginald VelJohnson’s “Carl Winslow” in particular brought some gravitas to episodes that dealt with real life issues like racial profiling and gun violence. In the end,“Family Matters” was a sitcom that had something for everyone.

#1: “Perfect Strangers” (1986-93)

Not everyone remembers that “Family Matters” was a spinoff, but hardcore TGIF fans can recall its parent show, “Perfect Strangers.” The show was a huge hit, running for eight seasons, and featuring some of the most dynamic physical comedy of its day. The magical chemistry between leads Mark Linn-Baker and Bronson Pinchot was unlike any other comedy duo at the time, a sort of “Odd Couple” update with a madcap humor all their own. “Perfect Strangers” was another show that followed its characters from young adult hijinks to marriage and eventually parenthood, as cousins Larry Appleton and Balki Bartokomous grew closer to both each other and the audience. Oh, and we’ll never get tired of seeing the Dance of Joy.