The dream of the '90s is indeed alive--but on basic cable, not in Portland.
Networks like TV Land, Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel have found success with the format by drawing on nostalgia to attract viewers. TV Land in particular has hit upon the winning formula of sticking established sitcom veterans together with stock plots, resulting in surprise hits such as Hot in Clevelandand Happily Divorced.
Until recently, ABC Family largely traded in preteen drama, and while that's still their favored direction, they've also struck gold with their own multi-camera sitcom success story. The network has joined its corporate cousin The Disney Channel, as well as Nickelodeon, in hitting the Jeff Franklin/Miller-Boyett family sitcom well. But like TV Land, they've also taken two old professionals and put them together: in this case, Melissa Joan Hart (who also produces) and Joey Lawrence.
Since its inception, Melissa & Joey has been a solid performer for the network, but it's also become the most dependable '90s nostalgia rush for kids of our vintage. I've watched and enjoyed it--to my great surprise--so it seemed like a no-brainer that T.J. has also seen it.
To my even greater surprise, I was wrong. Upon my recommendation, he gave it a try...