A little later in the day than originally intended, but here we are, ready to tackle Friday night — a night where it seems every network is trying new things.
So, of course, we have questions. “We” being Craig Byrne (KSiteTV webmaster) and Shilo Adams (from TVHackr and ScreenFad). You can find our questions about other nights here… but enough small talk. Let’s get started!
Will ABC ever just fully bring back T.G.I.F.?
SHILO: Eventually, I do think we’ll see its rebirth, though I think it depends on two things: development and the rest of their schedule. Paul Lee has expressed an interest in rebooting the ABC Friday format and turning it into their second night of comedy, but that was before Shark Tank built to become Friday’s top-rated series and ABC developed more pressing needs elsewhere. Had Malibu Country held enough of Last Man Standing’s numbers last season and one of the two multi-cams on ABC’s development slate been picked up, I think we would have seen T.G.I.F. this season with Shark Tank moving to an earlier night; however, ABC must have felt like they couldn’t built a new night without a strong 8:30 option. If The Neighbors fits well with Last Man and there are several promising multi-cams (or broad enough single-cams) in their comedy development, I think there’s a chance that we could see T.G.I.F. as early as next season, with Shark Tank moving to one of the holes that didn’t get filled this season.
CRAIG: It’s interesting to me, because just last night I was looking at TV Guide and it hit me that despite having one of the biggest sitcom stars of the 1990’s, there’s not a lot of buzz around Last Man Standing, which would have been huge 20 years ago (as it was, with three sons rather than daughters).
While they have that building block with Last Man Standing and The Neighbors, two shows that do okay-ish, I’m surprised they didn’t add another hour. But, as you said, there may not be a place for it.
I don’t think TV audiences are dead on Fridays, even now. New programming on the Disney Channel has done really well on Friday nights… and guess who owns both The Disney Channel and ABC? Perhaps some synergy? Perhaps some Girl Meets World? I’m still shocked that one isn’t just going to ABC, as I think it’ll appeal to two demographics at once… either way, I do hope T.G.I.F. is a plan for the near future. When I was a teenager in the early 90’s (yes I’m old), T.G.I.F. was a good reason to stay in on a Friday night. With the right line-up, the young people of 2013 might feel the same way.
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Can’t wait for Grimm’s return and looking forward to Dracula and Crossbones.