TGIF Sitcoms That Failed

Setup for 'Two of a Kind': Two of a KindThis show aimed to use the massive popularity of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, the twins who became stars onFull House.Thelast showMiller-Boyett Productions produced this. It followed a widowed college professor raising his 12-year-old identical twin daughters with different personalities, with a quirky babysitter the twins thought was the perfect girlfriend for their dad.

How Long Did It Last?:It ran for one season with 22 episodes. The show continued in syndication in the United States and abroad. It also spawned a popular preteenbook series, featuring about 40 individual books.

Why Did It Fail?:The series premiere got good ratings, but numbers dropped fast. The preteen Olsen twins did not appeal to TV viewers as much as they did when they were babies. The show's failure did not hurt the Olsens' growing media empire; they started direct-to-video films in the late '90s and early 2000s.

Setup for 'Teen Angel':A teenager named Marty dies after eating a months-old burger on a dare and becomes aguardian angelfor his best friend, Steve. Marty has a mentor, a disembodied head named Rod, who calls himself God's cousin and often speaks to the audience. Maureen McCormick (ofBrady Bunch fame) played Steve's mom but left the series halfway through.

How Long Did It Last?:One season, 17 episodes

Why Did It Fail?:Teen Angelwas one of several '80s and '90s shows with angels as main characters, and the concept started losing interest. Although ABC tried to use the show's fantasy by pairing it withSabrina the Teenage Witch, few viewers watched.

Setup for 'Muppets Tonight':The idea behind Muppets Tonightwas to make an updated version ofThe Muppet Show, which was popular in the 1970s. Kermit and his friends got an ABC TGIF spot if they could quickly create a variety show. But whileThe Muppet Showis set in a theater,Muppets Tonighttakes place at a television studio.

How Long Did It Last?:One season, 10 episodes (it moved to the Disney Channel for a second season)

Why Did It Fail?:Instead of focusing on established characters like Kermit, Fozzie Bear, and Miss Piggy,Muppets Tonight introduced many new ones likeClifford, who filled Kermit's role as host for the variety show, and Pepe the King Prawn. But these new Muppets lacked thesame appeal for viewers, shown by the low ratings. Some issues with the show might also stem from the Muppet franchise not havingrecovered from the loss of Jim Henson in 1990.

Setup for 'Brother's Keeper':An updated twist onThe Odd Couple(Tony Randall and Jack Klugman appeared as guests on one episode). The series focused on Porter Waide, an uptight, widowed professor raising his young son. Waide reluctantly agreed to take in his irresponsible younger brother Bobby, a pro football player whose contract required him to live with someone responsible enough to keep his troublesome behavior in check.Responsible enough.keep his troublesome behavior in check.

How Long Did It Last?:One season, 23 episodes.

Why Did It Fail?:ABC canceled it.Brother's Keeper.ABC canceled Brother's Keeper after one season despite the show being funny and often winningIt often won.its Friday 9:30 pm time slot. ABC scrapped it, so the reason is unclear.

What Was The Setup?:It was an attempt to update the 1960s show.I Dream of Jeannie.It featured a genie, but in this case thegenie is male.the reluctant "master" is a single mom.

How Long Did It Last?:One season, 13 episodes.

Why Did It Fail?:ABC tried another show with fantasy/magical elements to match the success ofSabrina the Teenage Witch.. Producers tried to boost ratings with a crossover episode involving bothSabrina.andBoy Meets World., but that crossover did not draw viewers. It aired the last episode beforeYou Wish.went on asix-monthhiatus. ABC finally canceled the poorly reviewed show in the summer of 1998.

What Was The Setup?:Ricky, a single mother, raises her young daughter and her two teenaged siblings after her parents died, trying tobe both a cool older sister and a strict parental figure. She also acts as a surrogate parent for her siblings' friends, who prefer the relaxed feel of her home over their own stricter ones. The cast included future stars like Hilary Swank, Jerry O'Connell, Jared Leto, Jay Mohr, and Tina Majorino.

How Long Did It Last?:One season, 19 episodes (a 20th episode was made but not shown)

Why Did It Fail?:Low ratings caused the show's cancellation. If ABC made a show about a family or orphans raised by the oldest sibling in the late 1980s/early 1990s, it needed to be a drama, likeParty of Five., it was not a sitcom likeCamp Wilder.orOn Our Own.

What Was The Setup?:Erik Von Detten played the teenaged Andrew, the only male in his large family. Episodes focused on his relationship with his mom and sisters, and his lack of privacy in the all-female home.

How Long Did It Last?:One season, 13 episodes.

Why Did It Fail?:By the timeOdd Man Outdebuted in 1999, ABC's TGIF programming block had serious ratings problems. ABC would scrap the TGIF concept the next year. So, despite heavy marketing, the odds of Odd Man Out succeeding were small even before a single episode aired.it scrapped the TGIF conceptthe following year. Despite heavy marketing, the chances ofOdd Man Outsucceeding were slim even before an episode aired.

What Was The Setup?:Four young writers. (two women and a pair of brothers) live in a rented house and work on a hidden-camera show called Here's Looking at You.Brothers liked the sexy Alex. Kate's sarcasm caused friction with the other three. When the hidden-camera show ended, all four got jobs at the Dick Roberts Show.The Dick Roberts Show A daily talk show hosted by an unpleasant egomaniac.

How Long Did It Last?: One season, 19 episodes

Why Did It Fail?: Going PlacesMiller-Boyett Productions made Going Places. That company already made three major shows for ABC's TGIF lineup: Full House.Full HousePerfect Strangers, and Family MattersFamily Matters. The pilot put Jack, Charlie, and Alex's characters on leads from The Fabulous Baker Boys, but they were writers, not musicians. Jack and Alex were involved in a romance in the pilot. The trio moved from Chicago to LA together, joining Kate there.The Fabulous Baker Boys, but they were writers, not musicians. Jack and Alex had a romance in the pilot. The trio moved from Chicago to LA, teaming up with Kate.

Alan Ruck (Ferris Bueller) and Heather Locklear (pre-Melrose PlaceWhy Did It Fail?: ABC told the producers to focus more on preteen characters. Changing how the main characters were used mid-season and adding Kate's young nephew helped ratings and made it fit better with other TGIF shows.DynastyGoing PlacesThe show struggled to find viewers, coming in at No. 50 in the November sweeps..ABC urged producers to focus more on preteen characters. A mid-season shift in how main characters worked and adding Kate's young nephew helped ratings and made it fit other TGIF shows.

When the show paused in March, hints suggested ABC might move Family Matters to Tuesdays.Family Matters with Going Places moving to that Tuesday slot.Going Placesbeing placed in that vacant time slot for its second season.vacant time slotInstead, Family Matters stayed on Friday.Family Mattersand Baby Talk, which beat Going Places in ratings after filling its time slot during the latter show's break, took the spot.Baby Talk, which outperformed Going Places in ratings after filling its time slot during the latter show's break, ended up replacing Going Places on the fall schedule.Going PlacesBaby Talk ended up replacing Going Places on the fall schedule after filling its time slot during the latter show's break.Going Placeson the fall schedule.

What Was The Setup?: When their 1950s sitcom ends, a TV family named the Nielsens (get it?) moves to 1991 for the Sitcom Relocation Program (SRP). They struggle to adapt to modern life and try to prove they deserve 1950s TV.struggle to adaptA teenager next door, who likes old TV shows, knows their secret.secret. Hi Honey, I'm HomeThis show used a gimmick where nearly every episode featured a guest star from a classic sitcom.

How Long Did It Last?: One season, six episodes (a second season with seven episodes aired only on Nick at Nite)

Why Did It Fail?: This show aired in the summer, not the regular September-May schedule. Nick at Nite re-aired episodes on Sundays.Hi Honey, I'm Homebecame the first prime-time series to show original episodes at the same time on both network and cable TV.shown concurrentlyon both network and cable television.

Ratings fell fast after the first episode ranked in the Top 20.Top 20Although some reviews were positive, ABC dropped it after six episodes. However, it got a second season on Nick at Nite.reviews ABC dropped it after airing six episodes. It got a second season on Nick at Nite.

Making things worse,Hi Honey, I'm HomeThe show 'Hi Honey, I'm Home!' brought ABC legal trouble. Scriptwriters Tom Robinson and Phil Herter sued both ABC and MTV Networks, claiming the networks took their idea.ABC had takenThey alleged they sent Nickelodeon a script for a sitcom about a middle-class family haunted by the cast of a canceled 1950s show in 1988.

What Was The Setup?: Based on the hit movie Look Who's Talking,Baby Talk Baby Talk focused on toddler Mickey, who expressed his thoughts (voiced by Tony Danza) to the viewers. The second season shifted focus to Mickey's single mother's experiences.

How Long Did It Last?: Two seasons, 35 episodes

Why Did It Fail?: The show could not keep its stars or producers. Original female lead Connie Sellecca quit after filming the pilot. This pushed the premiere from fall 1990 to spring 1991. Male lead George Clooney, the original producers, and Sellecca's replacement, Julia Duffy (who disliked the show's childish humor), all left by the end of season one. Reviewers found the sitcom lacked the humor and quirkiness of the film it was based on. Despite this, the show ended its first season ranked a respectable 27th.quitafter filming the pilot, resulting in the premiere being pushed from the fall of 1990 to the spring of 1991. Male lead George Clooney, the original producers, and Sellecca's replacement, Julia Duffy (who hated the show's infantile humor), all left by the end of the first season.lackedIt lacked the humor and quirkiness of the film it was based on. Still, its first season ended ranked a respectable 27th.

In the second season, Mary Page Keller and Scott Baio played the main roles, but ratings dropped fast, and the show got canceled in spring 1992.

What Was The Setup?: A comedy writerwith a much younger wife tries to handle married life and fatherhood ups and downs. His wife has two children from a past marriage, and the couple also has a daughter together. It was based on the life of executive producer Earl Pomerantz (the original producer of The Cosby Show).based on the lifeof executive producer Earl Pomerantz (the original producer of The Cosby Show).The Cosby Show).

How Long Did It Last?: One season, seven episodes

Why Did It Fail?: NBC first developed it for NBC, intending it to be a dramedy rather than a pure sitcom. FOX picked it up after NBC rejected it, and then ABC got it when FOX decided it did not fit its lineup. Because ABC made a last-minute decision to try it as a mid-season replacement, the show got little promotion. Low ratings caused ABC to not renew the show after its first run.last-minute decisionABC tried it as a mid-season replacement, but the show got little promotion. Low ratings made ABC decide not to renew it after its first run.

What Was The Setup?: This sitcom centered on a wealthy, social-climbing couple in New York and their issues with their children and the husband's mother, who moved in with them. Kelly Bishop, who later found success on Gilmore Girls, played the wife.Gilmore Girls, played the wife.

How Long Did It Last?: One season, seven episodes (12 episodes were produced, but five went unaired)

Why Did It Fail?: Meant to be a satireabout yuppies, the show suffered from unlikable lead characters, and viewers stayed away. ABC pulled the plug on The Thorns after just seven episodes.lead characters, and viewers stayed away. ABC pulled the plug on The Thornsafter just seven episodes.after just seven episodes.

What Was The Setup?:Praised for its realistic portrayal of Black urban life, and partly based on the life of star Doug E. Doug, the show focused on a Trinidadian American teenager living with his parents in Harlem and his adventures with his two best friends.

How Long Did It Last? The show ran for two seasons, featuring 14 episodes. Seven other episodes were made but never aired.

Why Did It Fail?:Ratings did not reach enough levels for ABC to renew the show for a second season. The show had a strong champion.Bill Cosby pushed for ABC to bring the show back. For the second season, ABC moved the show from the TGIF block. Its lead-in became Full House, toTuesdays, where it followed the less successful sitcom George. This move caused Where I Live to be canceled after just three episodes in its second season.

What Was The Setup?:It was a mix of an African American Party of Fiveand the cross-dressing idea from Mrs. Doubtfire, On Our Ownstarred thereal-life Smollett siblingsas six of the seven fictional Jerrico siblings. The oldest, Ralph Louis Harris, must dress in drag and act like their aunt to keep the family together after they are orphaned. Problems happen when a social services administrator tries to date the "aunt."

How Long Did It Last?:One season had 20 episodes.

Why Did It Fail?:The show aired on Sundays initially. It paused after 13 episodes. When it returned, the fictional aunt was gone, and the oldest brother got custody of his siblings. It then joined the TGIF lineup. Ratings did not improve, so ABC canceled the show.

Two of the Smollett siblings, Jussie (Empire)and JurneeFriday Night Lights,True Blood,Eve's Bayou) have had successful acting careers as adults.

What Was The Setup?:This show featured Cindy Williams (Laverne & Shirley)and Telma HopkinsFamily Matters), centered on two single mothers, one white and one Black. Best friends and coworkers, they decide to jointly buy a home in the Chicago suburbs to raise their children.

How Long Did It Last?:One season aired on ABC (an extra season on NBC). ABC aired 12 episodes, while NBC aired 19 extra episodes.

Why Did It Fail?:ABC wanted to move Getting Byto aSaturday night time slot.The producers refused this change and took the show to NBC. It aired on Tuesdays as the lead-out to Saved By the Bell: The College Years, only to move to Saturday due to low ratings.

What Was The Setup?:A single dad is taken by an alien single mom. They fall in love, marry, and try to live a "normal" life on Earth. The youngest member of this mixed-species family seems to be a predecessor toFamily Guy's Stewie: a baby with genius-level intelligence who constantly finds ways to get rid of his family.

How Long Did It Last?:One season had eight episodes. Only two of these aired in the TGIF block.

Why Did It Fail?:The attempt to copy the success ABC had with DinosaursThe show, 'Aliens in the Family,' featured dinosaur puppets from 60,000,000 BC. The Jim Henson Creature Shop made the alien puppets. ABC paused the show after two episodes. It returned, and the rest aired Saturday mornings.

What Was The Setup?: Scottish actor Billy Connolly starred as the teacher in the final season of this sitcom.Head of the Class. A spinoff of that show, Billy deals with marrying for convenience to get a green card., then he must deal with his wife and stepkids while proving the marriage is real to immigration officials. This concept echoes the 1987 ABC sitcom, , then deals with his wife and stepkids, convincing immigration authorities the marriage is legal. This idea recalls another ABC immigration-marriage sitcom, 1987's I Married Dora.

How Long Did It Last?: One season had 13 episodes.

Why Did It Fail?: ABC could not find viewers for the sitcom despite airing it on Friday and Saturday slots.