
You Know A Show Is Good When Its Spin Off Is Successful
Every show eventually comes to an end, no matter how good it is. Shows like Seinfeld, Cheers and Friends eventually run their course and become very hard to come up with new witty plots. That is where spin offs come into existence.
I wish I could see just one more episode of ….. can now be granted with a whole new series of shows loosely based off of the big hit you just enjoyed. Here is a list of shows and their spin offs. Some of these I knew, some I did not. I used Wikipedia to complete my list.
Cheers Bar
Cheers 1982- 1993
A lovable bar in Boston where everybody knows your name. Many famous lines and actors came from this series. Here are its spin off shows:
- The Tortellis (Lasted one season) 1987
- Frasier- 1993- 2004 and now they are in the process of bringing it back.
Henry Winkler visits The IMDb Show
Happy Days 1971- 1984
Although Ron Howard started out as Opie in the Andy Griffith Show, he grew up as an actor in Happy Days. Of course, the Fonz was every teenage boys idol. Here are its spin off shows:
- Laverne & Shirley 1976- 1983
- Laverne & Shirley in the Army (animated) 1981- 1982
- Blansky's Beauties 1977
- Out of the Blue 1979
- Mork & Mindy 1978- 1982
- Mork & Mindy (animated series) 1982- 1983
- Joanie Loves Chachi 1982- 1983
- The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang (animated) 1980- 1981
All in the Family 1971- 1979
Carroll O’Conner said things you could not get away with today. Carroll met his (future) wife Nancy while he was a student at the University of Montana. Here are its spin off shows:
- Maude 1972- 1978
- The Jeffersons 1975- 1985
- Archie Bunkers Place 1979- 1983
- Gloria 1982- 1983
- 704 Hauser
MelsDinerPhoenixArizona
Alice, Vera, Flo and Mel all worked at Mel's Diner. The restaurant and show was based in Phoenix, Arizona.
Alice 1976- 1985
Most of the show centers on Alice working at Mel’s Diner. “Eat My Grits.” Here are its spin off shows:
- Flo 1980- 1981
The Andy Griffith Show
The Andy Griffith Show 1960- 1968
Life was pretty simple in Mayberry! Here are its spin off shows:
- Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. 1964- 1969
- Mayberry R.F.D. 1968- 1971
- Goober and the Trucker’s Paradise (did not survive past the pilot)
Beverly Hills, 90210 1990- 2000
A very popular teen drama. Here are its spin off shows:
- Melrose Place 1992– 1999
- Models Inc. 1994– 1995
- 90210 2008– 2013
- Melrose Place 2009– 2010
- BH90210 2019
Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory 2007- 2019
A show about some really smart people and Penny- the pretty neighbor. Here are its spin off shows:
- Young Sheldon 2017- current
Paramount Network's "Yellowstone" Season 2 Premiere Party At Lombardi House
Yellowstone 2018- current
A loosely written drama about ranching life in Montana. I mean, very loose when it comes to depicting the great state of MT! Here are its spin off shows:
- 1883 2021- 2022
- 1932 2022- current
- 6666 Ranch- Premier Date has not been announced yet
Breaking Bad 2008- 2013
A teacher and a former student become business partners in the world of drugs. Here are its spin off shows:
- Better Call Saul 2015- 2022
- El Camino (Movie) 2019
- The Road to El Camino (Short Documentary) 2019
M*A*S*H* (Movie) 1970
A comedic look at the Korean War. Here are its spin off shows:
- M*A*S*H* (TV Series) 1972- 1983
- Trapper John, M.D. 1979- 1986
- AfterM*A*S*H* 1983- 1985
- W*A*L*T*E*R (did not survive past the pilot) 1984
The Cosby Show 1984- 1992
Before his down fall, Bill Cosby was considered America’s dad. Here are its spin off shows:
- A Different World 1987- 1993
Three’s Company 1977- 1984
At the time, a risqué show about a guy posing as gay so he could share an apartment with 2 single women. Here are its spin off shows:
- The Ropers 1979– 1980
- Three's a Crowd 1984– 1985
If you have a story idea or something you want to learn more about, give Randy a call at 406-788-3003 or send me an email at randall.bogden@townsquaremedia.com
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