Rare News Desk
With a few notable exceptions like Better Call Saul and the Law & Order and NCIS franchises, popular television spinoffs have mostly gone the way of the VCR.
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But there was a time when spinoffs of established shows were all the rage. Often, one show spawned multiple spinoffs that went on to great success. And both shows frequently overlapped and had the same producers and creators.
Here are a few of the bigger ones you might not have realized were spin-offs and the original shows:
1. Boston Legal
2004-2008
After the massive success of The Practice, which ran for eight seasons, creator David E. Kelley continued to push the right courtroom buttons with this series that starred James Spader and William Shatner (Spader played Alan Shore on both). Audiences clearly didn’t object to either show.
2. The Facts of Life
1979-1988
One of the biggest series of the 1980s starred Charlotte Rae as Edna Garrett, a house mother at an all-girls school in New York. Rae reprised her role from the massively successful Diff’rent Strokes. She played Garrett for all of the first season and part of the second season before leaving to star in Facts to drop knowledge on Blair, Jo, Tootie and Natalie. Smart move, Mrs. G.
3. Frasier
1993-2004
Frasier Crane was always a beloved member of the great ensemble cast of Cheers. But star Kelsey Grammer really shined when he finally had the spotlight all to himself. The amazing thing about Frasier is how different of a show it was than Cheers (except, of course, the fact that both shows were extremely funny). Those tossed salads and scrambled eggs — they’re calling again.
4. The Jeffersons
1975-1985
One of several All in the Family spinoffs, The Jeffersons was also a big hit that wasn’t afraid to tackle social issues while still delivering the comedy goods. George and Louise Jefferson were neighbors of the Bunkers before “moving on up to a deluxe apartment in the sky.” Sherman Hemsley was terrific in the role of George Jefferson, which he reprised from All in the Family. His strut and catchphrases are the stuff of legends.
5. Knots Landing
1979-1993
Those dates are correct. This nighttime soap opera aired for an incredible 14 seasons. Not bad for a show that came from another behemoth of evening dramas, Dallas. Interestingly, the concept of Knots Landing came before Dallas began its reign in 1978. To help launch the show, Knots Landings centered around Gary Ewing, brother of Dallas’ J.R. and Bobby. Set in California, this show more than held its own — even without a signature “Who Shot J.R.?” moment.
6. Laverne & Shirley
1976-1983
One of several Happy Days spin-offs, Laverne & Shirley was also one of the most beloved shows of the era. Set in Milwaukee, the adventures of single roommates Laverne De Fazio (Penny Marshall) and Shirley Feeney (Cindy Williams) was a must-watch back in the day. Neighbors Lenny and Squiggy were also really hilarious. The two sets of friends and roommates eventually moved to California during the show’s long run. However, the combo of milk and Pepsi still sounds insanely disgusting.
7. Maude
1972-1978
After Bea Arthur’s character stood toe-to-toe with Carroll O’Connor’s Archie Bunker on All in the Family, Maude was born. Arthur appeared on just one episode of that show, as Edith Bunker’s cousin. But that was enough for producer Norman Lear to have her star in yet another hit on his resume. The show also had a very catch theme song with the famous line “…and then there’s Maude.” Maude also spawned a successful spin-off of its own, Good Times.
8. Melrose Place
1992-1999
With the exception of monster hits Friends and Seinfeld, perhaps no other show quite embodied the decade of the 90s as much as this one did. As a spinoff of Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place seemed to creep into practically every facet of television-watching society. The show had tons of cast-member changes and was set at a Los Angles apartment complex.
9. Mork & Mindy
1978-1982
Happy Days strikes again. Following comedian Robin Williams’ appearance as an alien on the sitcom set in the fifties, he made his own show an monster hit that brought terms like “Na-Nu, Na-Nu” and “Shazbot” into the pop-culture lexicon. The show was set in Boulder, Colorado, and really helped Williams’ career take off. Plus, you really can’t go wrong with Jonathan Winters starring as a baby.
10. Saved by the Bell
1989-1993
Silly? Yes. Goofy? Always. Cheesy? Often. Say what you want about teen comedy Saved by the Bell, but there aren’t many people who have never heard of Zack Morris, Kelly Kapowski, A.C. Slater, Jessie Spano, Lisa Turtle, Screech and Principal Belding. Even though it lasted only five seasons, Saved by the Bell will likely live on in syndication for a long, long time. The show originated from Good Morning, Miss Bliss, a short-lived Disney Channel show which included several of the main characters. Go, Bayside.
Missed any of these series? Luckily, you can get every season from Amazon (and even some on Netflix).
