Producer Jim Janicek, who created the popular 1990s TV programming block “TGIF” on ABC, recently revealed that — contrary to popular belief — the acronym doesn’t mean “Thank God it’s ...

ABC's "TGIF" began in 1989 and ran through 2000 ... "and then would sit and watch TV," he recalled, helping inspire the idea. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter ...

well, at least since the late ‘90s. “What is the definitive TGIF series?” The original run of the Friday night block known as ABC’s TGIF ran from Sept. 22, 1989 to Sept. 8, 2000.