Thursday, May 24, 2012

TV Spin Off Shows

Life is not only like a box of chocolates, but it is also like a spin-off of a TV show. I was first introduced as a new character to my family in 1968 and played a cute baby boy. Over the years I developed into a wise talking youngster and eventually took on the role of  teen heartthrob. The producers of the original show decided I should start my own show so I got married and had a family, and today I play the grumpy dad to a houseful of kids. Yes, Chaka's World is also filmed in front of a live audience.

Thinking about the different TV shows I've seen over the years brought back memories of wasted time in front of the TV. I have decided to share my memories of those spin-off TV shows with you because I'm a giver and that's what I do.

The Successful Ones:


The Jeffersons was a spin-off of All in the Family.

Frazier evolved from Cheers.

The Colbert Report originated from the Daley Show.

Happy Days gave rise to both Laverne and Shirley and Mork and Mindy.

The Andy Griffith Show helped launch Gomer Pyle and the equally successful Floyd the Barber which lasted 14 seasons. Okay, I'm messing with you now.

The Bad Ones- Maybe calling them "bad" is a bit too harsh, but since these shows only lasted one season, I feel justified.

Before we give too much credit to Happy Days, we also need to remember they were responsible for Joanie Loves Chachi, also know as "people no likey".

Three's Company spawned The Ropers. Who's bright idea was that? I'm pretty sure Elton John's song Candle in the Wind was dedicated to this show.

The Dukes of Hazzard created Enos. Really? I can see Daisy Duke, Rosco, or Boss Hog trying to branch off, but Enos getting his own show? He had a combined total of 10 minutes of screen time during the entire history of the Dukes of Hazzard, or the DOH as we cool people call it.

What Could Have Been- If television executives just had greater vision and used this concept more, then we could have seen the following shows:

Epstein's Place-I'd like to see Epstein branch out from Welcome Back Kotter and move to California and become the principal of a boys school. The tagline would be, "What goes around comes around!"

The Howells- If the castaways ever got rescued we could have seen 10 seasons of Thurston and Lovey blowing money and being oblivious to the plight of the common man.

Rerun- In this new series, Rerun from What's Happening would team up with the Doobie Brothers in every episode to try and atone for the time he lost their trust by trying to record their concert to pirate it.

Sam & Alice- Nobody really cared about the Brady kids. Sam and Alice were TomCat and Brangelina first. These two love birds and unsung heroes were the glue that kept the Brady Bunch together...along with Vincent Price.

2 comments:

mCat said...

Awesome! Sam and Alice - genius!

I didn't even know there was a spinoff from Three's Company called the Roper's.
We weren't allowed to watch such a scandalous show : )

Dr Zibbs said...

Love your scenarios for spinoffs. May have to come up with some of my own for a post.

And never understood how Mork and Mindy was a spinoff but took place in modern day. Also, when Mork was on Happy Days I think that was the really the jump the shark moment.