The Best and Worst TV Spinoffs of All Time

Television spinoffs are the most popular way to expand a hit TV show. Spinoffs differ from sequels in that they don’t continue the storyline of the original show, but rather they take the characters and storylines in a different direction and build an entirely new series. The idea is to create something entirely new by taking characters and storylines from the original series and developing them further.

However, not all spinoffs are successful. Some spinoffs become smash hits, becoming more popular than the original series, while others flop and are quickly cancelled. In this article, we will take a look at the best and worst TV spinoffs of all time.

The Best TV Spinoffs of All Time

1. Frasier
   Perhaps the most successful spinoff of all time, Frasier was created by the writers of Cheers as a way to give the beloved character of Frasier Crane an exiting new life. The show ran for 11 seasons and won a tremendous amount of awards, including 37 Emmy Awards.

2. The Jeffersons
   The Jeffersons was created as a spinoff of All in the Family, one of the most successful TV shows of all time. The show followed the adventures of George and Louise Jefferson, a well-to-do African American couple, as they moved to their new upscale apartment in New York City. The show ran for 11 seasons and earned 15 Emmy Awards.

3. All That
   All That was spun off from the Nickelodeon sketch comedy show, Kenan and Kel. The show followed the adventures of a group of kids as they put on a kid-run sketch comedy show. All That ran for 10 seasons and earned an Emmy Award.

4. Star Trek: The Next Generation
   Star Trek: The Next Generation was created as a way of continuing the popular science fiction franchise of Star Trek. The show ran for seven seasons and earned several Emmy Awards. In addition, the show was a massive success, spawning four other successful spinoffs (Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Enterprise and Discovery) as well as a series of movies.

5. Law & Order: Criminal Intent
   Law & Order: Criminal Intent was spun off from the popular police procedural show Law & Order. The show followed the investigations of a team of detectives as they tried to solve complex crimes. The show ran for 10 seasons and earned two Emmy Awards.

The Worst TV Spinoffs of All Time

1. Joey
   Joey was a spinoff of the hit sitcom Friends, and it followed Joey Tribbiani as he struck out on his own in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the show flopped and was canceled after two seasons.

2. The Bradys
   The Bradys was an attempt to give the characters from The Brady Bunch an update for the 1990s. Unfortunately, the show was quickly cancelled after six episodes.

3. The Tortellis
   The Tortellis was a spinoff of Cheers, which followed the characters of Nick and Carla Tortelli as they move to Las Vegas. The show lasted only 13 episodes.

4. Joanie Loves Chachi
   Joanie Loves Chachi was a spinoff of Happy Days, which followed the adventures of Fonzie’s niece, Joanie and her boyfriend, Chachi, as they moved to Chicago and started a band. The show was canceled after two seasons.

5. Philadelphia
   Philadelphia was created as a spinoff of Wings, but with the focus on American history instead of the everyday life of two roommates. The show failed to capture audiences, and it was cancelled after a single season.

TV spinoffs are a popular way to take characters from a hit show and create something entirely new. While some spinoffs become massive successes and become more popular than the original show, others flop and end up canceling shortly after they debut. In this article, we looked at some of the best and worst TV spinoffs of all time.