# Horrible spin offs of successful sitcoms **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 21, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524 "2018-06-21T17:49:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/21 "2018-06-22T05:26:00Z")
There was a spin off of the Jeffersons (which was a spin off itself) called “Checking In” which was excruciating! ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/22 "2018-06-22T05:45:27Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > IThen, I remembered the horrible show The Ropers which was a spin off of Three’s Company. > [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078679/?ref\_=fn\_al\_tt\_1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078679/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1) It is commonly known that _Three’s Company_ was based on the UK sitcom [_Man About The House_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_About_the_House), but what is perhaps less well known is that said UK sitcom had two _very_ successful spin-offs, called [_George and Mildred_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_and_Mildred), and [_Robin’s Nest_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin%27s_Nest). _The Ropers_ is based on _George and Mildred_. And [_Three’s A Crowd_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three%27s_a_Crowd) is based on _Robin’s Nest_. Neither of the US spin-offs succeeded. +++ Anyway, here’s another spin-off that wasn’t bad, but wasn’t a hit, because it went dramatic instead of comedic. [_Enos_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enos_(TV_series)). ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/23 "2018-06-22T12:37:25Z")
I don’t how good either “December Bride”or its spinoff “Pete and Gladys” were in the 1950s/early 60s. “December Bride” ran for 5 years, the first few very successful as it followed “I Love Lucy”. “Pete and Gladys” ran for two, never cracking the top 30. Harry Morgan, who played the neighbor Pete Porter on “December Bride” would later say he had a great time, five years flew by as one. As for “Pete and Gladys”, he didn’t care for his co-star Cara Williams (allegedly very temperamental), who was unseen on “December Bride”, and would in 1967 tell TV Guide he wasn’t sorry to see the show end. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/24 "2018-06-22T13:46:34Z")
> [@Jim\_s\_Son](#): > > I don’t how good either “December Bride”or its spinoff “Pete and Gladys” were in the 1950s/early 60s. “December Bride” ran for 5 years, the first few very successful as it followed “I Love Lucy”. “Pete and Gladys” ran for two, never cracking the top 30. Harry Morgan, who played the neighbor Pete Porter on “December Bride” would later say he had a great time, five years flew by as one. As for “Pete and Gladys”, he didn’t care for his co-star Cara Williams (allegedly very temperamental), who was unseen on “December Bride”, and would in 1967 tell TV Guide he wasn’t sorry to see the show end. I saw them both at the time. They were about of equal quality. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/25 "2018-06-22T16:17:24Z")
I actually liked _Pete and Gladys_ more than _December Bride_. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/26 "2018-06-22T17:49:12Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > [_W_A_L_T_E_R\*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS8Vd1vVqXc). I never knew that existed. I wish I still didn’t. > [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > The [Toretllis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tortellis). > > Spun off from Cheers, this had Dan Hedaya as greasy lothario Nick Tortelli and Jean Kasem as ditzy wife. Some other characters were added but none of them got much past “one note” and the depth and quality of the show didn’t come close to Cheers. I used to attend the test audience screenings at the Preview House in Hollywood. One of the shows we tested was The Tortellis. As much as I rated it down, it still got on the air. Someone there must have liked it. As a matter of fact, every show I previewed both sucked, and got on the air. And not long after, went off the air. Not sure what good the Preview House actually did. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/27 "2018-06-22T18:28:28Z")
> [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](#): > > The [Toretllis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tortellis). > > Spun off from Cheers, this had Dan Hedaya as greasy lothario Nick Tortelli and Jean Kasem as ditzy wife. Some other characters were added but none of them got much past “one note” and the depth and quality of the show didn’t come close to Cheers. > [Joey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_(TV_series)) > > Not terrible but not great either, imo. Joey from Friends moves to LA with his sister to become a movie star, becomes romantically involved with his married next door neighbor, and has a nerdy nephew that he can’t quite relate to. It was nice to see Jennifer Coolidge become more recognized as a comedic actor but Matt LeBlanc wasn’t a strong enough lead and Joey isn’t a strong enough character to front a TV show. Speaking of Matt LeBlanc, he starred in a couple of other failed spinoffs, [Top of the Heap](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_of_the_Heap), which was a spinoff of _Married With Children_, and [Vinnie and Bobby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinnie_and_Bobby), which, incredibly, was spun off from _Top of the Heap_. Each series lasted only seven episodes. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/28 "2018-06-22T18:42:12Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > I used to attend the test audience screenings at the Preview House in Hollywood. One of the shows we tested was The Tortellis. As much as I rated it down, it still got on the air. Someone there must have liked it. I think the fact the production team behind “Cheers” was also behind “The Tortellis” meant it was a lock to go on the schedule no matter what. The test audience you were at was just a formality. The failure of “The Tortellis” was a perfect example of recurring characters who were amusing in small doses but completely obnoxious when a series was built around them. Also, I could never believe Mrs. Tortelli and her sister were from the same family. They didn’t even seem to be from the same planet. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/29 "2018-06-22T18:58:19Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > As for other lame spinoffs, anyone remember “Archie Bunker’s Place”? I didn’t watch it so I don’t know if it was any good, but it didn’t seem to make much of a splash. It wasn’t as popular as _All in the Family_, but it lasted four seasons and 97 episodes, which is usually considered successful enough to sell to syndication. What wasn’t nearly as successful was [Gloria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloria_(TV_series)), which focused on the newly divorced Gloria Bunker, who moved back to New York with her and Michael’s son, Joey. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/30 "2018-06-22T19:26:33Z")
Dr. Addison Montgomery from Grey’s Anatomy got a spin off, Private Practice. I think it ran for quite a few seasons, but I never saw the point of it and gave up on it pretty quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/31 "2018-06-22T19:32:19Z")
“Sanford and Son” had the spinoff “Grady” starring cast member Whitman Mayo. It lasted 10 episodes. Not sure if “Sanford Arms” should be mentioned as a spinoff; more of a continuation without its two main stars and lasted only four episodes ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/32 "2018-06-22T19:39:17Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > Dr. Addison Montgomery from Grey’s Anatomy got a spin off, Private Practice. I think it ran for quite a few seasons, but I never saw the point of it and gave up on it pretty quickly. Wasted the actor and character. But it was hot and sexy, they say.:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/33 "2018-06-22T19:45:45Z")
_Welcome Back, Kotter_ was hardly great television, but the spinoff [Mr. T and Tina](https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xstdz0) with Pat Morita was even worse. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/34 "2018-06-22T20:21:11Z")
Oh, I remembered another one. **Golden Girls** had a spin-off called **The Golden Palace**. On the other hand, **Cheers** spun off **Frasier** , which worked quite well. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/35 "2018-06-22T20:36:52Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > From Happy Days alone: > > [Blansky’s Beauties](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blansky%27s_Beauties) - Mr. C’s cousin(?) runs a Vegas girlie show. > > [Joanie Loves Chachi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joanie_Loves_Chachi) > > [Out Of The Blue](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out_of_the_Blue_(1979_TV_series)) - an angel-in-training has hilarious adventures (notable because the show actually aired the week before the main character was in the backdoor pilot episode of Happy Days). > > There were also failed pilot eps of The Ralph and Potsie Show and The Pinky Tuscedaro Show. And an attempt at [having the female equivalent of Fonzie lead her own show](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0249644/reference). ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/36 "2018-06-22T20:54:43Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Oh, I remembered another one. **Golden Girls** had a spin-off called **The Golden Palace**. Golden Palace was more of a continuation than a spin-off. It took place after the Golden Girls ended and had most of the same cast (Bea Arthur had left, Dorothy marrying Blanche’s uncle in the last episode). They just changed the venue and added Don Cheadle and Cheech Marin. Actually, someone mentioned W_A_L_T_E\*R and AfterMASH up above, so never mind. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/37 "2018-06-22T21:00:34Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > Dr. Addison Montgomery from Grey’s Anatomy got a spin off, Private Practice. I think it ran for quite a few seasons, but I never saw the point of it and gave up on it pretty quickly. I liked this one initially but it started to feel like “let’s debate a new social issue this week”. ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/38 "2018-06-22T21:04:17Z")
The rural comedies that required a theme song to establish the premise was the ultimate examples for the OP. Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction, Green Acres ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/39 "2018-06-22T21:50:36Z")
> [@tim-n-va](#): > > The rural comedies that required a theme song to establish the premise was the ultimate examples for the OP. Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction, Green Acres Beverly Hillbillies was the original, and one of the greatest ensemble comedies of all time. Green Acres was the epitome of absurdist comedy. Petticoat junction was lame though. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524/40 "2018-06-22T21:54:41Z")
Not really a spin-off but another imitation of a BBC series was the US version of[Coupling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coupling_(U.S._TV_series)). Simply horrid. The original [Coupling on BBC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coupling_(UK_TV_series)) was an excellent show. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/horrible-spin-offs-of-successful-sitcoms/816524.md?page=3)