Fridays (1980)
ABC's irreverent late-night live sketch comedy series that launched the careers of Larry David and Michael Richards.
Fridays - Series Information
- First Air Year: 1980
- Last Air Year: 1982
- Created by: Bill Lee, John Moffitt
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (90 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 60
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: April 11, 1980 (United States - TV-PG), April 11, 1980 (Canada - PG), April 11, 1980 (Mexico - B)
- Networks: ABC
- Production Companies: Moffitt-Lee Productions, The West Coast Comedy Company
- Production Countries: United States of America
Fridays - Plot
Fridays is the name of ABC's weekly late-night live comedy show, which aired on Friday nights from April 11, 1980 to April 23, 1982.
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Fridays - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Bill Lee
- John Moffitt
Main Cast
- Larry David
- Michael Richards
- Melanie Chartoff
- Rich Hall
- Bruce Mahler
- Maryedith Burrell
- Mark Blankfield
- John Roarke
- Stuart Pankin
- Don Kennedy
Writers
- Larry Charles
- Tom Kramer
- Bryan Gordon
- Rich Hall
- Larry David
Executive Producers
- John Moffitt
- Bill Lee
Fridays - FAQs
Did Larry David and Michael Richards appear on Fridays?
Both Larry David and Michael Richards were regular cast members on Fridays throughout its run from 1980 to 1982. The show served as an early platform for both performers years before David created Seinfeld and Richards became iconic as Kramer on that same series.
What made Fridays different from Saturday Night Live?
Fridays aired on ABC on Friday nights and positioned itself as a West Coast alternative to NBC's Saturday Night Live. It shared the live sketch format but cultivated a distinctly irreverent, edgier sensibility, and notably featured Andy Kaufman as a guest host in one of television's most talked-about moments.
What happened during the infamous Andy Kaufman incident on Fridays?
During a 1981 episode, Andy Kaufman deliberately broke character mid-sketch, refused to read his cue cards, and triggered an on-air confrontation with cast members. The chaotic scene blurred the line between performance and reality, becoming one of the most legendary and debated moments in live television history.
Where can you stream Fridays today?
Fridays is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, and Shout! Factory Amazon Channel. You can also watch it free with ads on Pluto TV, Shout! Factory TV, Tubi TV, and Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads. Episodes are available to buy on Amazon Video and Google Play Movies.
Who created and produced the Fridays TV series?
Fridays was created and executive produced by Bill Lee and John Moffitt through their production banner Moffitt-Lee Productions and The West Coast Comedy Company. The writing staff included a remarkably talented roster, among them Larry David himself, who contributed sketches before his later career as a showrunner and comedian.
How many seasons and episodes does Fridays have?
Fridays ran for three seasons between 1980 and 1982, producing 60 episodes in total across its regular run, plus 6 additional special episodes. Season 1 featured 13 episodes, Season 2 expanded to 26, and Season 3 concluded with 21 episodes before the show ended in April 1982.
Was Fridays critically well received during its original run?
Fridays earned a devoted cult following and genuine critical respect for its bold, live sketch comedy format. While it never matched Saturday Night Live's cultural dominance, it is now celebrated as a significant launching pad for future comedy legends and a daring experiment in late-night television that punched well above its weight.
What shows are similar to Fridays for fans to explore?
Fans of Fridays will likely enjoy Saturday Night Live, The Carol Burnett Show, and A Black Lady Sketch Show for their live or ensemble sketch comedy energy. Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Conan O'Brien also capture that irreverent late-night spirit that made Fridays such a distinctive fixture of early 1980s television.
More About Fridays
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