In 1994, <em>Friends</em> was a key player in NBC’s widely publicized “Blackout Thursday” event. However, the iconic sitcom Seinfeld notably declined to participate despite the promotional push. Over the years, numerous beloved sitcoms have engaged in memorable crossover events, including Brooklyn Nine-Nine with New Girl, and Abbott Elementary alongside It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. These crossover episodes became fan favorites as audiences relished the opportunity to see their beloved characters interact in fresh and exciting contexts.

The trend of sitcom crossover episodes is particularly fascinating. When multiple shows share the same setting, viewers often ponder whether their fictional worlds overlap or if they represent distinct versions of the same locale. Notably, shows like Friends, Mad About You, and Madman of the People collaborated on a special episode featuring characters experiencing a blackout, while <em>Seinfeld</em> opted out of participating in this unique NBC crossover event.

On November 3, 1994, NBC debuted the innovative “Blackout Thursday” programming block, showcasing three interconnected sitcom episodes: Mad About You’s “Pandora’s Box,” Friends’ “The One with the Blackout,” and Madman for the People’s “Birthday in the Big House.” These episodes were broadcast sequentially, with Mad About You kicking off the blackout storyline and Madman for the People concluding the event.

This creative programming strategy significantly bolstered NBC’s ratings and attracted new audiences. Notably, “The One with the Blackout” was merely the seventh episode of Friends, which had just premiered two months prior to its inclusion in the “Blackout Thursday” lineup. This groundbreaking initiative, conceived by promotional producer Dan Holm (as reported by IndieWire), has since become a legendary moment in television history, celebrated for its innovative approach.

Exploring the Connections Among the “Blackout Thursday” Episodes of Friends, Mad About You, & Madman of the People

The Interwoven Narratives of Friends, Mad About You, & Madman of the People During the Blackout

While none of the cast members from Friends appeared in the other sitcoms’ episodes, the blackout-themed episodes were cleverly interconnected. The storyline initiated with Mad About You’s “Pandora’s Box,” where Jamie inadvertently tampered with the building’s rooftop wiring following a dispute over their cable television service. Unbeknownst to her, her actions triggered a significant spark that caused a citywide blackout in New York City.

This seamlessly transitioned into Friends’ “The One with the Blackout,” which opened with Phoebe performing at Central Perk, only for the lights to go out, plunging her and the rest of the café into darkness. Throughout “The One with the Blackout,” Friends expertly wove together two primary narratives: Chandler found himself trapped in an ATM vestibule with Victoria’s Secret supermodel Jill Goodacre, while the rest of the group gathered in Monica and Rachel’s apartment, eagerly awaiting the return of power.

The final installment was Madman for the People’s “Birthday in the Big House.” This episode depicted Jack enduring a miserable birthday, culminating in his arrest alongside his son, where he encountered a flamboyant drag queen. Meanwhile, Sasha found herself trapped in an elevator, but had a serendipitous meeting with an attractive construction worker. Although Madman for the People was short-lived, lasting only one season before its cancellation in 1995, it remains memorable largely due to its involvement in NBC’s “Blackout Thursday.”

The Reasons Behind Seinfeld’s Absence from NBC’s “Blackout Thursday” Event

Seinfeld Airing “The Gymnast” as Usual, Yet Without a Blackout Theme

TheSeinfeld episode titled “The Gymnast” aired during its regular time slot, positioned between Friends and Madman for the People. However, it did not incorporate a blackout storyline, despite being advertised as part of NBC’s “Blackout Thursday” promotional event. “The Gymnast” followed a typical Seinfeld format, featuring Jerry’s relationship with a Romanian gymnast, Kramer grappling with a bothersome kidney stone, and George being caught in humorous situations involving Lindsay’s mother.

Even though there were strong hints suggesting that Friends and Seinfeld existed within the same television universe, Seinfeld chose to abstain from participating in NBC’s “Blackout Thursday” event. The reasons behind this decision were never explicitly clarified, particularly not by Jerry Seinfeld.

However, Seinfeld writer Jeff Schaffer explained in an interview that “Larry [David] and Jerry [Seinfeld] were focused on maintaining the quality of Seinfeld, rather than concerning themselves with Thursday night and other shows” (as reported by Uproxx). Despite not participating in the “Blackout Thursday” event, Seinfeld’s ratings remained stable during the airing of “The Gymnast.” Given its placement between Friends and Madman for the People, it was unlikely that the ratings would have suffered.

Sources: IndieWire, Uproxx

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  Friends
  

  

  8/10

  Release Date

  
  1994 – 2004
  

  Showrunner

  
  Marta Kauffman
  

  Directors

  
  Kevin S. Bright, Gary Halvorson, Michael Lembeck, James Burrows, Gail Mancuso, Peter Bonerz, David Schwimmer, Robby Benson, Shelley Jensen, Terry Hughes, Dana De Vally Piazza, Alan Myerson, Pamela Fryman, Steve Zuckerman, Thomas Schlamme, Roger Christiansen, Sheldon Epps, Arlene Sanford, David Steinberg, Joe Regalbuto, Mary Kay Place, Paul Lazarus, Sam Simon, Todd Holland
  

  Writers

  
  Jeff Astrof, Mike Sikowitz, Brian Boyle, Patty Lin, Bill Lawrence, R. Lee Fleming Jr.
  

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  Seinfeld
  

  

  9/10

  Release Date

  
  1989 – 1998
  

  Directors

  
  Jason Alexander
  

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  Madman of the People
  

  Release Date

  
  1994 – 1995
  

  Writers

  
  Sally Lapiduss, Dava Savel
  

  • 

  • 

    Dabney Coleman

    Jack ‘Madman’ Buckner

  • 

  • 

    Victor Raider-Wexler

    Johnny