Buzz
The concept is as old as television: when the original show does well, why not spin off a new series using the same characters or themes? Although this approach can occasionally work (like with 'Happy Days' or 'Frasier'), more often than not, it falls flat. Here are the 10 most uninspired spinoffs in TV history.
10. The Bradys The Brady Bunch
Although 'The Brady Brides' could have easily made this list, by the time 'The Bradys' arrived—fifteen years after the original—the show had already seen 2.5 failed spinoffs. The producers should have known better. However, with the success of 'A Very Brady Christmas', they decided to try again. The show changed genres, moving from sitcom to dramedy, earning the mocking nickname 'Bradysomething' from insiders. All the original cast members signed on, except Maureen McCormick. After just six episodes, the show was placed on hiatus and quietly cancelled.
9. Blanksy’s Beauties Happy Days
This is an example of a carefully constructed spinoff, where the creators of the original show introduce a character early on, then quickly launch a spinoff featuring that character. This technique is used to immediately tap into the existing audience from the original show. In this case, in a 1977 episode of 'Happy Days', Nancy Blanksy was introduced as Howard Cunningham’s (from 'Happy Days') cousin visiting from Las Vegas. Just one week later, the spinoff, 'Blanksy’s Beauties', premiered. The show centered around Nancy Blanksy managing a group of Vegas showgirls at the Oasis Hotel. It also featured future 'Happy Days' cast member Scott Baio as Chachi, Nancy’s nephew, and former 'Happy Days' star Pinky Tuscadero as a stuntwoman whom Nancy hires in the first episode.
8. Three’s a Crowd Three’s Company
Perhaps the most unfortunate spinoff is one where the producers didn’t quite grasp what made the original series a hit. In 'Three’s Company', bachelor Jack Tripper shares an apartment with two beautiful women, but must constantly pretend to be gay in order to satisfy their landlord Stanley Roper. The comedy came from the misunderstandings and awkward social situations that arose from this living arrangement. Now, take away Jack’s bachelor lifestyle, the two roommates, and the need to pretend to be gay, and you’re left with the trainwreck 'Three’s a Crowd'. Not even the brilliant John Ritter could save this flop. Apologies for the poor video quality – it’s the best I could find.
7. Mr. T and Tina Welcome Back Kotter
Another example of an engineered spinoff, this show focused on Mr. T., a brilliant inventor who appeared in a single episode of 'Welcome Back Kotter'. Played by Pat Morita, Mr. T’s character marked a significant milestone as the first show to feature an actor of Asian descent in the lead role. Interestingly, Pat Morita also appeared in 'Blanksy’s Beauties' the same year.
6. The Lone Gunmen The X Files
Arguably the most personally disappointing spinoff on this list, 'The Lone Gunmen' followed three quirky but popular characters from 'The X Files'. The Lone Gunmen were a trio of conspiracy-obsessed tech geeks who occasionally aided Mulder and Scully in their investigations. The series took an eerie turn in its pilot episode, where the group prevents a hijacked airplane from being flown into the World Trade Center. This episode aired in March 2001, roughly six months before the actual 9/11 event. In addition, the storyline featured a U.S. arms manufacturer orchestrating the hijacking to provoke war in hopes of boosting weapons sales, which mirrors a common conspiracy theory surrounding the real event.
5. Flo Alice
The short-lived show 'Flo' was a spin-off of the popular series 'Alice' and proved that a catchy catchphrase alone doesn’t guarantee success. Flo’s trademark line, “Kiss my grits,” couldn’t keep the show on the air for more than two seasons. The series followed the tough yet kind-hearted Flo as she attempted to open her own diner. Although Vic Tayback made a brief appearance as Mel, no other characters from 'Alice' ever showed up. 'Flo' also featured musicians like Mickey Jones and Geoffrey Lewis, but there is no video footage available from the show online. What remains is the scene from the 'Alice' episode in which Flo leaves.
4. The Golden Palace Golden Girls
Shortly after the finale of 'The Golden Girls,' which captured 38% of the TV audience, the remaining cast members—excluding Bea Arthur—came together for 'The Golden Palace.' This spin-off focused on Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty stepping outside their comfort zone to run an upscale hotel. Bea Arthur made occasional guest appearances but was not part of the regular cast, having gotten married in the series finale. Interestingly, a young Don Cheadle played the hotel manager, though it remains uncertain if this role served as a precursor to his acclaimed performance as a hotel manager in 'Hotel Rwanda.'
3. Joanie loves Chachi Happy Days
Next up is the spin-off that became the standard for TV failures: 'Joanie Loves Chachi.' This disastrous show followed Joanie and Chachi, now living in Chicago and attempting to launch a rock band. Despite being a flop, it has remained a cultural punchline, referenced in shows like 'Scrubs,' 'Friends,' and 'Dodgeball.' The duo had zero chemistry, and the supporting characters were completely forgettable, leading to its cancellation after only two seasons. Each episode included a musical performance by Joanie and Chachi, hinting that the actors might have dreamed of taking their act on tour.
2. W*A*L*T*E*R M.A.S.H
Although this spin-off was canceled after only airing its pilot episode on the East Coast (it was pre-empted by the 1984 Democratic Convention on the West Coast), it earned the number 2 spot on this list for its portrayal of Radar’s life post-M.A.S.H., which tarnished one of the most beloved TV characters of all time, Walter 'Radar' O'Reilly. In the pilot, we learn that Radar attempted farming but failed miserably, his wife left him shortly after their honeymoon, and he ended up moving back in with his mother. In a desperate moment, Radar tries to take his own life with sleeping pills and aspirin—an odd choice for a character known for getting headaches from sleeping pills. Suicide? Radar? It just didn’t make sense.
1. Enos The Dukes of Hazzard
'Enos' is another example of a show failing to understand what made its original hit popular. A spin-off featuring the dim-witted lawman Enos, but now set in Los Angeles, seemed like a strange choice when many would have preferred a show based around the iconic General Lee or even a Daisy Duke-centered series. This misguided hour-long spin-off failed to capture an audience, even though several of 'The Dukes of Hazzard' cast members made appearances. The show was canceled after just one season, though it did feature a young Michelle Pfeiffer in a guest role during one episode.
