ABC announces TGIF block is back (news)

[bh7812]

Originally Posted by catsrule

Single camera does not automatically mean it will be a bad sitcom (and I do not like a lot of the acclaimed single cams like Modern Family, 30 Rock, etc). I like Speechless, it is my favorite current comedy with The Middle now done. As for Netflix and cable, a lot of their originals are TV-MA, so their sitcoms would not be family friendly for the TGIF block. And we wouldn't want dumbed down juvenile shows like Disney and Nickelodeon air either. Child Support may have a classic sitcom star hosting but game shows were definitely not part of the original TGIF, it was 4 comedies from 8-10.

The Middle I saw the first few seasons of and really enjoyed it quite a bit. I'm not a huge fan of Patricia Heaton but the rest of that show is sharp and well done. So I don't hate ALL single cams! I'm also interested in watching The Goldbergs which also looks really sharp as far as writing goes! It also looks really creative too!

I agree 1000 percent that none of the Nickelodeon stuff would be a good fit for or compatible with TGIF! I've SEEN some of those Nickelodeon shows and wish I hadn't, they're pretty awful!

For a while some of the Disney channel shows were decent, several of those would have worked well for TGIF. The Disney stuff is masterpieces compared to the Nickelodeon shows!

I still think they shouldn't have passed on both Girl Meets World and Fuller House, both were pitched to ABC first before Disney Channel/Netflix. They shoulda rebooted the block with Girl Meets World and added in Fuller House when it premiered and then added in two more shows for a complete block. I'm convinced if GMW and FH had anchored it, it would have been a guaranteed smash hit block again.

There's been rumblings, and I have to stress the word rumblings, that Patrick Duffy wants to reboot Step By Step, possibly Perfect Strangers coming back, and rumblings of Family Matters even but Jaleel White doesn't want to do it without Michelle Thomas so we'll see! I say get all three going, 10 episode limited revivals and see how it goes! IF they can somehow get all three to happen then that'll be lighninig striking the rod basically. At that point do it and don't second thought it. I'd be very happy with those and they'd have my butt on board for sure. I'd also be happy with new, very well done original sitcoms too.

Just out of curiosity which Netflix sitcoms are MA? Do you think something like The Ranch would be compatible with the block in the 9:30/8:30 slot? I've just started watching that this summer and its GOOD albeit it's got some strong language and the F bomb in it.

[icecream]

I don't get Netflix yet but have seen ads for a lot of their shows on various TV stations. A large portion of them have a TV-MA rating, don't know what percentage are sitcoms. It sounds like The Ranch would be too explicit for a family branded block of TGIF. Some premium cable shows with similar language have needed edited for broadcast syndication not lasting long there, and that doesn't even have much content standards with racy shows like Two and a Half Men and even trashier talk shows like Jerry Springer and Maury unfortunately being staples. Disney is probably better than Nick shows (I don't generally watch that network) but Girl Meets World was a big disappointment for me. I stayed with it through the end but the writing generally was a lot more juvenile and dumbed down than its parent show (I did not care for the college seasons of Boy Meets World though, 1-4 were my favorites and I can tolerate 5). If GMW had been renewed for season 4 I was leaning towards dropping. Also, I was at my mom's house when she watched Disney's movie premiere of Freaky Friday a month ago. It was nowhere near the quality levels of the Lindsay Lohan and Jodie Foster versions (she agreed on that and wouldn't watch Disney's version again). I have hopes for The Kids are Alright, it is a comedy going back in time that will be premiering on ABC Tuesdays in a few weeks. If Kids does well it could move in season 2 to be part of the TGIF block. Plus if any of the original TGIF revivals end up happening they would naturally air there at some point.

[bh7812]

Originally Posted by catsrule

I don't get Netflix yet but have seen ads for a lot of their shows on various TV stations. A large portion of them have a TV-MA rating, don't know what percentage are sitcoms. It sounds like The Ranch would be too explicit for a family branded block of TGIF. Some premium cable shows with similar language have needed edited for broadcast syndication not lasting long there, and that doesn't even have much content standards with racy shows like Two and a Half Men and even trashier talk shows like Jerry Springer and Maury unfortunately being staples. Disney is probably better than Nick shows (I don't generally watch that network) but Girl Meets World was a big disappointment for me. I stayed with it through the end but the writing generally was a lot more juvenile and dumbed down than its parent show (I did not care for the college seasons of Boy Meets World though, 1-4 were my favorites and I can tolerate 5). If GMW had been renewed for season 4 I was leaning towards dropping. Also, I was at my mom's house when she watched Disney's movie premiere of Freaky Friday a month ago. It was nowhere near the quality levels of the Lindsay Lohan and Jodie Foster versions (she agreed on that and wouldn't watch Disney's version again). I have hopes for The Kids are Alright, it is a comedy going back in time that will be premiering on ABC Tuesdays in a few weeks. If Kids does well it could move in season 2 to be part of the TGIF block. Plus if any of the original TGIF revivals end up happening they would naturally air there at some point.

I'm super surprised about what you said regarding Girl Meets World! I got Season Passes for most of it on iTunes, I'm just missing a few episodes so once I have those I can really watch through it. I have heard from many the writing was very dumbed down, that's probably due to it bring on the Disney Channel. The producers wanted to explore more serious issues but Disney wouldn't let them so I suppose dumbing it down was their only option if they wanted to stay on. The other thing I think that hurt it was Disney Channel's policy of each show only getting 5 seasons regardless of how well it's doing. They had hoped it would run as long as Boy Meets World did, it wasn't going to happen on Disney Channel. Had ABC picked it up like they really should have they'd have been able to more fully realize the show they wanted.

I watched Boy Meets World all the way to the end-I wasn't terribly fond of the college seasons myself. I tolerated that first college year, it wasn't horrible but the second college season the show really was ready to go. It just would have become Friends had it gone on longer, I'm glad it didn't. That emotional last scene in the Series Finale more than made up for the college years though!

The Kids Are Allright! I forgot about that and will probably check it put! That does look to be very compatible with the TGIF block. I do hope these other TGIF revivals do happen, even if only for limited Series Return since we'd have the old TGIF magic back for at least one season. Just going by the rumblings, Step By Step has a good chance of happening, Perfect Strangers 50/50 and a bit less than that for Family Matters. I'd be happy for even just one of those three but we'll just have to see how that plays out.

[TMC]

ABC's TGIF revival flops

[TMC]

Originally Posted by Mr. Television

Oh. Yea that's not the TGIF I remember .

TGIF isn't going to work if ABC comprises the schedule with a hodge podge of shows. TGIF needs to be four multi-camera, half an hour sitcoms that are ostensibly light, corny family fun. Fresh Off The Boat and Speechless are two drastically different sitcoms added with a game show.

[bh7812]

Originally Posted by TMC

TGIF isn't going to work if ABC comprises the schedule with a hodge podge of shows. TGIF needs to be four multi-camera, half an hour sitcoms that are ostensibly light, corny family fun. Fresh Off The Boat and Speechless are two drastically different sitcoms added with a game show.

That's the whole thing perfectly summed up in a short paragraph, bull's eye! I'm not surprised it's DOA more or less. The viewers are speaking very loudly with those ratings that's for damn sure! We want TGIF back but not like this. We want it done correctly and then we'll be back on board! Dungey, please, I know there's a 1 in a billion chance you'll ever see this but if you do-please PLEASE rethink this! Multi cams can absolutely still work on network TV. You can still get 4 well done ones for this block but you'll have to start planning now. Pull TGIF for now and re try this next season the way the audience is asking for.

Call Patrick Duffy and sit him down, call Mark Linn-Baker and Bronson Pinchot and sit their butts down, and make a fourth call to Reginald VelJohnson. The casts of all three shows want to do this with the exception of Jaleel White. At least try talking to him, there might be a way to get him to do limited series return or guest spot. Do it now while all three casts genuinely want to come back.

Fresh Off the Boat and Speechless aren't TGIF compatible-at all. They couldn't be more worlds away from what the audience wants. Move those two back where they were, and move the Fred Savage game show to a different slot. That can work well but not on Friday.

They've still got time to get this rolling again but not much.