TGIF

We're back with more TGIF!

I require more comedy! Therefore, TGIF must continue.

TGIF was a two-hour block of sitcoms shown Friday nights on ABC. The Henson shows Dinosaurs, Muppets Tonight, and Aliens in the Family were all shown on TGIF at some point (Dinosaurs during the show's first and third seasons, Muppets Tonight during the first ten episodes, and Aliens in the Family for the first two episodes).

For multiple seasons, the block featured specific intros and interstitials with cast members from shows in the TGIF lineup or other ABC programming. The Muppets served hosting duty when Muppets Tonight was added, hosting both one week before the premiere and again during the second week of the show. The week before the premiere of Aliens in the Family, the cast of Aliens in the Family also appeared.

TGIF shows

Henson Shows

• Dinosaurs (1992-1993; spring and summer airings of season 1, season 3)
• Muppets Tonight (1996; season 1)
• Aliens in the Family (1996, first two episodes)

Other Notable Shows:

• America's Funniest Home Videos
• Boy Meets World
• Clueless
• Family Matters
• Full House
• Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
• Perfect Strangers
• Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
• Step by Step

Bumpers

Muppets Tonight

These bumpers alternated each week, and were shown before the last commercial break on Muppets Tonight.

	Gonzo, interrupts Clifford to tell him (and Kermit) what TGIF now stands for. Clifford: We're back with more TGIF. Gonzo: Which will now stand for "Thank goodness I'm freaky!"
	Clifford translates a creature's incoherent babbling. Extreme: babbling Clifford: Which means, there's more TGIF on ABC!

Aliens in the Family

Bobut requires more TGIF. Bobut: I require more comedy! Therefore, TGIF must continue. Now!

Hosting interstitials

March 1, 1996

One week before the premiere of Muppets Tonight, Kermit the Frog and Clifford hosted the two-hour programing block with interstitials between each show of the night.

	Kermit and Clifford welcome viewers to TGIF and tell them about their new show, Muppets Tonight, premiering the next week. Clifford tells Kermit they've only got a few minor problems to work out, then Andy and Randy Pig bump their heads into each other, so Clifford clarifies that should be major problems.
	Clifford says they are back on TGIF, which, as Gonzo says, "will now stand for Thank Goodness I'm Freaky" (an edited version of this would be used to lead into the final commercial breaks on Muppets Tonight). Kermit says that's The Great Gonzo, one of the show's familiar faces, and Clifford says that the show will also have some new faces, after which one of The Extremes pops up.
	Clifford stands real close to the camera when saying "you're watching TGIF on ABC." Kermit tells Clifford he doesn't have to stand so close to the screen and Clifford reminds him he's new to this. They talk about some of the guest stars who will be on the show, but Clifford starrily keeps repeating that he'll work with Michelle Pfeiffer.
	Clifford is still mentioning Michelle Pfeiffer, Kermit asks if there's any way to snap him out of it, and Clifford says no. Kermit mentions that Muppets Tonight will have one of a kind acts like Pigs in Space: Deep Dish Nine and Bay of Pigs Watch, when Spamela Hamderson comes by and greets Clifford, so Clifford follows her, with Statler and Waldorf close behind. Kermit then introduces a sneak preview of the new show Hypernauts.

March 8, 1996

On Friday, March 8, 1996 (during the second week of Muppets Tonight on TGIF, and one week before the premiere of Aliens in the Family), Clifford and the cast of Muppets Tonight hosted the two-hour programing block with an appearance by the cast of Aliens in the Family. A running gag throughout the night is the Muppets coming up with different interpretations for what "TGIF" stands for.

	Clifford, Rizzo the Rat and a penguin welcome viewers back to TGIF, which Rizzo says stands for "The Gouda Is Fried." Clifford corrects him and says it stands for "That Garth Is Funny" as he introduces Muppets Tonight with Garth Brooks. Clifford: Hey, welcome back to more TGIF. Rizzo: Which I now believe stands for The Gouda Is Fried. Clifford: No, man, it stands for That Garth Is Funny. And I know because country star Garth Brooks is our special guest on Muppets Tonight coming up next. Rizzo: He's no fried cheese, but I guess I'll watch. Clifford:Thanks, Rizz. I'm sure that will make his day. Penguin: quack, quack Rizzo: Yeah, yeah.
	Clifford, Rizzo and Gonzo (and another Gonzo) tease Aliens in the Family coming soon to TGIF (which the Gonzos insist stands for "Two Gonzos Is Fantasmicgorical!"). Rizzo: You know Garth Brooks really is better than fried cheese. Clifford: I told you so. Gonzo: Hey, Clifford, I know what TGIF stands for! Second Gonzo appears Gonzo & Gonzo: Two Gonzos Is Fantasmicgorical! Clifford: Yeah that's Fantasmic...yeah whatever. Just wait until you see the premiere of Aliens in the Family. You see half of this family is from another planet. Gonzo #1: What's so weird about that? Gonzo #2: Sounds perfectly normal to me. Clifford: Let's watch, shall we?
	The Brody family—Doug, Cookie, Heather, Spit, and Bobut—let viewers know that Step by Step is coming up while Bobut demands pudding. Cookie: We're the Brodys with ABC's new comedy, Aliens in the Family. Back with more TGIF. Heather: Step by Step is up next. Spit: Tonight, Al has a cow, when she wants a tattoo. Bobut: Excuse me! Bobut moves his hand and everyone disappears except for him. Bobut: Greeting TGIF viewers! I require pudding. So do as I say. Find pudding! Get pudding! Now pudding to me! Repeat. Bobut moves his hand again and everyone reappears. Doug: Step by Step, next on ABC.
	Statler and Waldorf interrupt Clifford as he introduces Step by Step with Suzanne Somers. Statler says she makes TGIF stand for "That Girl Is Fine"... while Miss Piggy makes it stand for "That Girl Is Frightening." Clifford: What up? What up? The night's not over yet. There's still more TGIF coming your way. Waldorf: Hey, Statler, there's more TGIF. Statler: More TGIF - That Girl Is Fine. Waldorf: Doh-ho-ho! Clifford: Oh, you must mean Suzanne Somers on Step by Step? Waldorf: Well we sure aren't talking about Miss Piggy. Statler: That girl is frightening. Waldorf: She's a regular Frankenswine. Clifford: Stay tuned for Step by Step.
	Clifford and Rizzo close out the night with Andy and Randy Pig who let them know "There's Glue on the Floor," which Clifford says would be "TGOF." The twins explain that there actually is glue on the floor. Rizzo: Well that's a wrap! Clifford: So join us next week for ABC's new TGIF line-up. Rizzo: Starting with Family Matters. Clifford: And then Muppets Tonight with our special guest star Mr. Billy Crystal. Rizzo: And then Aliens in the Family. Clifford: Followed by Step by Step. And remember TGIF always means... Randy: There's Glue on the Floor. Clifford: No, that's TGOF. Andy: If you say so. Randy: But there's still glue on the floor. Clifford: Ah... good night, everybody. Randy: Good night! Clifford: Hey, Rizz, can you give me a lift?

References

TGYWA on ABC

• The Dinosaurs episode The Greatest Story Ever Sold spoofed TGIF as "TGYWA," which stands for "Thank Goodness You'll Watch Anything."