ABC's TGIF Sitcoms Followed Two Basic Rules

Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, ABC's TGIF sitcom block totally ruled the Friday night lineup with hits like "Family Matters" and "Full House" leading the way — but no matter the show, every series in the programming block followed two basic, but key, rules.

Producers Thomas L. Miller and Robert L. Boyett, the creative minds behind many of the shows during the block's heyday, cultivated a succinct formula based on what they felt was important for a family sitcom — aside from the comedy, of course. First, each show was supposed to have at least one moment of real human connection between the characters. "That's what Tom and I called it; Today they call it heart," Boyett told Entertainment Weekly in 2017.

Second, they made it a point to never avoid the scenes where parents and children needed to have difficult, but loving and productive, talks. That element was particularly one of Miller's contributions, so it became known as "Miller Time" amongst the writers of the TGIF shows.

The TGIF block's reliance on these two major sentimental rules helped turn the evening's run of shows into generational sensations, alongside some of the best sitcoms of the '90s. "Everybody's problems are getting listened to. That formula made it so special for families and kids. And they followed through with the other TGIF shows," Bob Saget, star of "Full House," told Entertainment Weekly of the TGIF writing strategy. "Every character got served. Everybody had a story," he added.

Those rules imbued some of the greatest sitcoms with a sense of idyllic realism, all within a warm and understanding world that appealed to kids and adults alike — whether they were avid viewers of the series or actually on the shows themselves. That level of connection made ABC's rules an important part of the modern sitcom blueprint. "As a kid, I didn't realize how cheesy some of the moments were. I loved it ... In the moment, I thought they were sweet and heartfelt," Candace Cameron Bure, "Full House" star, explained to the outlet. "I thought, 'Well, this is what a sitcom is all about.'"