When a show finds a special place in the hearts of the audience, it is only natural that fans crave more. This desire to watch their favorite characters on the screen for longer or see the universe expanded is what leads to the creation of countless spin-offs of beloved TV shows. While some spin-offs like The Jeffersons and Frasier have gone on to become classics in their own right, others left their nest and fell flat on their faces.
Because for every spin-off success story, there are those that failed to capture the magic of the original. It could be due to poor writing, misguided casting choices, or simply straying in odd directions. Whatever the reasons, these are TV spin-offs that made us wonder, “What were they thinking?” The 10 TV spin-offs on this list, for one reason or another, missed the marks and became victims of bad executions. They are disasters that had the potential to excite us, but were ultimately let downs.
10
‘Tabitha’ (1976 – 1978)
‘Bewitched’
Debuting in 1977 on ABC, Tabitha is a spin-off of the beloved sitcom Bewitched. It centers on the now-grown Tabitha Stephens, the half-witch, half-mortal daughter of Samantha and Darrin Stephens. She’s portrayed as a young woman living in Los Angeles and working as a production assistant on a TV show. Meanwhile, she grapples with the weight of her magical heritage and navigates the troubles that life throws at her.
Tries to Benefit From a Faded Spark
Set years after the original show, Tabitha struggled to capture the whimsical charm of its predecessor and felt more like a pale imitation rather than a success in its own right. The show was led by Lisa Hartman, who gave her best, but the storyline itself lacked the same level of wit and humor and heart that made Bewitched a classic. The tone and the timeline felt confusing as well, which is why the spin-off never stuck.
9
‘Katy Keene’ (2020)
‘Riverdale’
Release Date
2020 – 2019
Network
The CW
Riverdale began as a dark and moody drama filled with genuinely intriguing character dynamics and plot twists. But the series itself was subject to criticism due to its incoherent storylines and lack of excellent writing that made the earlier seasons a hit. Spinning off from Riverdale is Katy Keene. It follows the title character, a fashion designer chasing her Broadway dreams alongside three aspiring artists – singer-songwriter Josie McCoy, drag queen and performer Jorgem and “It Girl” Pepper.
Never Had Potential to Begin With
The series’ aim was to offer a fresh perspective on the Riverdale franchise, but because it was based entirely on the Archie Comics character of the same name and had little to do with the main series, it failed to appeal to fans. Despite the stylish aesthetic and talented ensemble cast led by Lucy Hale, it struggled to find the glow that would stick certain elements together. Josie’s transition from Riverdale fent disconnected and the fact that the series is set five years after the main show and is still running parallel to it gave a general sense of aimlessness.
8
‘The Lone Gunmen’ (2001)
‘The X-Files’
As far as ‘90s sci-fi is concerned, The X-Files was one of the best dramas. It drew inspiration from The Twilight Zone and Twin Peaks and explored paranormal threats and conspiracy theories for nine seasons. Arriving in 2001, The Lone Gunmen focused on a trio of conspiracy theorists Frohike, Byers, and Langly, who carved out a niche for themselves as a comic relief to the original series by carrying out investigations in a lighter and slapstick manner.
When Cult Favorites Become Awkward Mains
The X-Files was defined by an eerie, suspenseful tone and the ability to keep viewers hooked on a mystery from start to finish by offering breadcrumbs of information at a well-thought pace. The Lone Gunmen, on the contrary, fails to justify the main characters as central heroes because they’re simply enjoying cases like alien cover-ups and suspicious murders. The pilot episode also gained some notoriety for its parallels to real-world events. Overall, the show lacked consistency and the absence of Mulder and Scully was felt more often than not.
Related
10 Essential X-Files Episodes You Can’t Skip
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7
‘Baywatch Nights’ (1995 – 1997)
‘Baywatch’
An attempt to capitalize on the success of Baywatch, a series where lifeguards patrolled the sun-drenched beaches of California and dealt with their personal lives, Baywatch Nights was an after-dark spin-off that initially follows Mitch Buchannon moonlighting as a private detective. The first season adapted a crime-of-the-week approach, but the second took an unexpected turn and started featuring monsters, aliens, and even vampires.
Took Off in a Direction That Confused Everyone
Not only was Baywatch Nights trying to profit off the popularity of its predecessor, but it was also aiming to compete with the then-popular The X-Files. As one would expect, the idea backfired and the show never found its footing. It failed to find an identity because it was masquerading as both a crime drama and a supernatural thriller. Which is why the show is remembered more for its bizarre tonal shifts and less for the tales it told.
6
‘The Winchesters’ (2022 – 2023)
‘Supernatural’
Release Date
2022 – 2022
Network
The CW
Showrunner
Glen Winter
Serving as a prequel to Supernatural but set in an alternate universe, The Winchesters explores the captivating early lives of John Winchester and Mary Winchester, parents of brothers Sam and Dean. It takes viewers back in time to the 1970s and tells the story of how John, a newly returned Vietnam veteran, and Mary, a skilled monster hunter, first met, embarked on a journey of fighting monsters and finding their missing fathers, and fell in love along the way.
Failed to Conjure the Same Magic
A not-so-creative spin-off to a widely popular supernatural drama, The Winchesters features narration from Dean himself, played by Jensen Ackles. Its aim to expand the Supernatural universe, pay respect to its roots, and show just what shaped the Winchester family’s legacy brings a sense of wonder and adventure. But the show suffers from poor acting and subpar writing. The nostalgic callbacks do little to cover up for the rushed plot. After just one season, The Winchester was canceled.
5
‘AfterMASH’ (1983 – 1985)
‘M*A*S*H’
AfterMASH
Release Date
1983 – 1984
Network
CBS
Directors
Burt Metcalfe, Burt Brinckerhoff, Hy Averback, Larry Gelbart, Will Mackenzie
Writers
David Isaacs, Ken Levine
-
Harry Morgan
Sherman T. Potter
-
William Christopher
Father Mulcahy
-
Rosalind Chao
Soon-Lee Klinger
Running for 11 seasons, M*A*S*H established itself as one of the most critically acclaimed series at the time with its unique blend of wartime drama and satirical comedy. It practically pioneered the dramedy genre. AfterMASH, a spin-off of the same, centered around Colonel Sherman T. Potter, Sergeant Maxwell Klinger, and Father John Mulcahy, as they adjusted to life post-Korean War and dealt with the challenges that came with integrating themselves back into the civilian world.
Too Much of a Legacy to Imitate
AfterMASH tried really hard to maintain the sharp humor and poignancy of the original, but for the most part, because its focus was on civilian struggles, it failed to capture the same level of charm and social commentary that made M*A*S*H a television landmark. The absence of iconic characters like Hawkeye and BJ was felt deeply. And while the reception was lukewarm, in retrospect, the show also failed because critics and audiences tried to compare it to M*A*S*H, which wasn’t the right approach because how could anything ever compare to M*A*S*H.
4
‘Joanie Loves Chachi’ (1982 – 1983)
‘Happy Days’
Joanie Loves Chachi
Release Date
March 23, 1982
Network
ABC
Directors
John Tracy, Joel Zwick, Lowell Ganz, Tom Trbovich
Writers
Millee Taggart, Steve Granat
Cast
-
Erin Moran
Joanie Cunningham
-
Ellen Travolta
Chachi Arcola
Happy Days was an immensely popular ABC sitcom that captured the hearts of audiences with its endearing characters and their coming-of-age narratives. But in the spin-off, Joanie Loves Chachi, the beloved duo of Joanie Cunningham and Chachi Arcola, played by Erin Moran and Scott Baio, takes center stage. They move to Chicago to pursue their musical dreams, find success and navigate their romantic entanglements.
Lacks the Context of the Original
Having a standalone series about Joanie and Chachi did not seem unnatural at all. They were two of the most brilliant characters in Happy Days and had just started a blossoming romance. But it turned out that their chemistry alone was not enough to anchor their new show. The writing relied heavily on sickly sweet moments of romance and basic conflicts. It lacked the vibe and energy of the original show and also could not hit the right notes in terms of comedy and musical elements.
3
‘The Brady Brides’ (1981)
‘The Brady Bunch’
The Brady Brides
Release Date
February 6, 1981
Network
NBC
Directors
Peter Baldwin, Alan Myerson, Herbert Kenwith
-
Maureen McCormick
Marcia Brady Logan
-
Eve Plumb
Jan Brady Covington
-
Ron Kuhlman
Philip Covington III
One of the biggest misfires in the history of spin-offs has to be The Brady Brides. Following the conclusion of The Brady Bunch, the show follows Marcia and Jan Brady, played by Maureen McCormick and Eve Plumb, as they get married and navigate life with their respective husbands. The idea was to continue the tradition of showcasing heartwarming family dynamics and chucklesome humor, just like The Brady Bunch. But, oh well.
The Brady Charm Simply Didn’t Translate
The Brady Brides tries to reimagine the wholesome charm that made the original a beloved classic by styling it as an adult-oriented series. But it is the transition from the chaos of a household to the struggles of the newlywed Brady siblings that felt unfamiliar and forced. Many of the storylines relied on predictable conflicts and the characters of Marcia and Jen lacked depth, leaving little for audiences to emotionally invest in.
Related
TV Shows from the ’80s You Would Never See On Air Today
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2
‘Joey’ (2004 – 2006)
‘Friends’
Release Date
September 9, 2004
After 10 years of giving fans iconic catchphrases, memorable outbursts, and heartwarming couples to root for, Friends ended and left a massive void on television. The generation-defining sitcom made a hit-or-miss attempt to revive the humor and warmth through Joey, a sitcom focused solely on Matt LeBlanc’s Joey Tribbiani. As he flew to Los Angeles and pursued his dream of becoming an actor, Joey’s life was filled with auditions and encounters.
Lost Without the Original Ensemble
Obviously, back in 2004, fans were simply not ready to let go of Friends, and the fact that LeBlanc’s goofy, nonchalant, and romantic Joey was a fan favorite only made it obvious that the creators would bring him back on the screen in some capacity. But without the balance of the ensemble cast, Joey’s character, once charming in small doses, felt like a watered-down and stretched-out version of the original. His trademark comedy and one-liners lost their luster and, ultimately, Joey was axed after two poorly received seasons.
1
‘That ’80s Show’ (2002)
‘That ’70s Show’
That ’80s Show
Release Date
January 23, 2002
Network
FOX
Directors
Terry Hughes
Writers
Terry Turner, Christine Zander, Cindy Caponera
Mark Brazill, Terry Turner, and Linda Wallem decided to ride the success of That ‘70s Show but creating a series that wasn’t a direct spin-off of the beloved classic but one inspired by its tone, structure, and format. That ‘80s Show transported viewers to the era of neon fashion and rock music by centering its gaze on Corey Howard, an aspiring musician dealing with his eccentric family and friends, while also navigating his romantic relationship with June Tuesday.
All Nostalgia and No Substance
Unfortunately, That ‘80s Show could not find its footing because it was trying too hard. The new characters and their exploits were meant to tap into the same sense of generational angst and coming-of-age experiences, but instead, the characters lacked depth and chemistry, which is why their struggles felt hollow. Corey’s interactions with Tuesday were supposed to provide romantic tension, but they felt forced. Overall, the ratings fell so quickly that the show had to be canceled after 13 episodes.
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