FilmChik

I was sitting with my mother watching television when a thought came to my head.  What are the spinoff shows that actually made it on their own?  I couldn’t think of any, but then I slowly started to come up with a few.  It’s rare when a spinoff is able to make it.  Below are the five that I came up with.  Feel free to add your own.

1.  Frasier - We first see Frasier in “Cheers.”  The annoying therapist who always annoyed the rest of the bar attendees.  Next thing, he has his own show and it was actually hysterical.

Cheers

Frasier

2.  Simpsons - I remember watching the “Tracy Ullman Show” and wondering why in the world she had these badly-drawn characters on her show?  Awhile later, I was hooked.  I guess the rest of the country is because it’s still going strong.

Tracy Ullman Show

Simpsons

3.  Angel - Buffy, the Vampire Slayer is one of my favorite shows.  I was so sad when Angel left.  The next season I find out that he has his own show!  It was the adult version of “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.”  I love that Whedon is very loyal to the actors in his show.  He now has Fred in his new show “Dollhouse.”

Buffy, the Vampire Slayer

Angel

4.  A Different World - Denise leaves the Cosby household and heads to Spellman.  A Different World was a spinoff of The Cosby Show that actually did great even when the protagonist (Lisa Bonet) left after one year.

Cosby Show

A Different World

5.  Rhoda – It was a spinoff of the Mary Tyler Moore, and Valerie Harper made it a success.

Mary Tyler Moore

Rhoda

Further Reading:

• Dollhouse Keeps Getting Better. Go Whedon!
• Top Ten Vampire Movies of All Time

Tags: angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Cosby Show, Different World, Frasier, Lisa Bonet, Mary Tyler Moore, rhoda, simpsons, spinoffs, tracy ullman show, tv shows, Valerie Harper