TV Shows Whose Spin-Offs Never Lived Up to the Hype

Throughout television history, many popular shows have tried to create new series based on their worlds. While a few of these spin-offs became hits themselves, most didn’t live up to the success of the original show. Common problems included a different feel, or missing key actors. Even with built-in fans and anticipation, many spin-offs lost steam and were quickly canceled.

‘Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!’ (1969–1970)

In 2023, a new animated series called ‘Velma’ premiered, offering a grown-up take on the origin story of the iconic character. Starring Mindy Kaling, the show updated the classic Mystery Inc. group for a modern audience and explored more mature storylines. However, the show received mostly negative reviews from critics and fans after debuting on Max. Despite being renewed for a second season, it sparked considerable controversy due to its different tone and how it portrayed the characters, making it a particularly divisive addition to the franchise’s history.

‘The Brady Bunch’ (1969–1974)

‘The Brady Brides’ premiered in 1981 and followed Marcia and Jan Brady as they planned a double wedding and shared a home. The show tried to modernize the classic ‘Brady Bunch’ family feel for 1980s viewers by highlighting the sisters’ different personalities and ways of life. Unfortunately, many felt the storyline wasn’t strong enough, and the humor didn’t appeal to fans of the original series. NBC canceled it after just ten episodes, making it one of several failed attempts to bring the franchise back to television with a scripted show during the decade.

‘The Partridge Family’ (1970–1974)

In 1971, ABC launched ‘Getting Together’ as a spin-off of another show, initially featuring a guest appearance by Bobby Sherman. The series followed two young songwriters trying to make it in the music business, hoping to capitalize on the popularity of teen idols. Although the lead actors were well-known, the show struggled to maintain its audience and faced strong competition from other programs. After just 14 episodes, it was canceled because its ratings didn’t compare to the original series. This was the first time the network tried to build a separate show around characters connected to the main family in the existing program.

‘MAS*H’ (1972–1983)

Immediately after the record-breaking series finale of the original show, CBS premiered ‘AfterMASH’ in 1983. The series followed Colonel Potter, Klinger, and Father Mulcahy as they worked in a veterans’ hospital in Missouri following the war. Although the first season performed well in the ratings, the show suffered from a significant creative decline in its second year. It was eventually canceled after its second season was scheduled against the rising hit ‘The A-Team’. The show is frequently cited in television history as a cautionary tale for franchise expansions.

‘Sanford and Son’ (1972–1977)

After Redd Foxx left, the network tried to keep the show going with ‘Sanford Arms’ in 1977. This spin-off included characters like Phil Wheeler and Aunt Esther, but it didn’t have the same chemistry as the original show’s main stars. Viewers didn’t connect with the new leads, and ratings dropped quickly. NBC canceled it after just four of the eight episodes that were planned, making it one of the shortest-running spin-offs ever on American television.

‘Happy Days’ (1974–1984)

‘Joanie Loves Chachi’ debuted in 1982, centering on Erin Moran and Scott Baio’s characters as they pursued their dreams of starting a band in Chicago. The show regularly included musical performances as it followed their journey in the music industry. Although it initially attracted a large audience thanks to the actors’ popularity on ‘Happy Days,’ viewers soon lost interest. ABC canceled the series after just 17 episodes over two seasons, and both Moran and Baio returned to ‘Happy Days’ for its final season.

‘Three’s Company’ (1977–1984)

Right after the original series ended, Jack Tripper continued his adventures in ‘Three’s a Crowd,’ which premiered in 1984. This spin-off followed Jack and his new girlfriend as they lived together above a restaurant he managed in a different city. The show had a tough time shifting from the group dynamic of the original to focusing on Jack’s relationship and his girlfriend’s interfering father. Although it started strong, ranking among the top 30 shows, ratings declined, and ABC canceled it after 22 episodes, concluding Jack’s story.

‘Dynasty’ (1981–1989)

‘The Colbys’ launched in 1985 as a spin-off aiming to capture the success and upscale feel of its original series. Set in Los Angeles, the show starred famous actors like Charlton Heston and Barbara Stanwyck and followed the lives of the Colby family. Although it had a large budget and shared storylines with the original show, ‘The Colbys’ never quite reached the same level of popularity. After two seasons, ABC canceled it in 1987, but the characters reappeared in the original series to wrap up ongoing plot threads.

‘Cheers’ (1982–1993)

As a sitcom fan, I remember ‘The Tortellis’ – it was the first spin-off from the hugely popular show, and it debuted in 1987. It followed Nick Tortelli as he moved to Las Vegas to try and build a new life with his second wife. Honestly, it didn’t really work. Critics thought it relied too much on tired clichés and just didn’t have the clever writing of the original. People tuned out pretty quickly after the first episode, and the show was cancelled after only 13 episodes. It’s a shame, because later on, ‘Frasier’ proved just how successful a ‘Cheers’ spin-off could be!

‘The Golden Girls’ (1985–1992)

Following the end of the beloved series, ‘The Golden Palace’ debuted in 1992 with three of the four original stars. The show centered around Rose, Blanche, and Sophia as they bought and ran a fancy hotel in Miami. While new cast members added a different energy, critics often pointed out the missing presence of Bea Arthur’s character. CBS cancelled the show after one season of 24 episodes, and it’s generally remembered as a spin-off that couldn’t recapture the magic of the original four leads.

‘Designing Women’ (1986–1993)

As a big fan of ‘Designing Women,’ I was excited when ‘Women of the House’ premiered in 1995, bringing back Delta Burke as Suzanne Sugarbaker. The idea was that Suzanne stepped into her late husband’s position as a congresswoman in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, it just didn’t quite recapture the magic of the original. While I loved seeing Suzanne again, the show lacked the clever writing and fantastic chemistry that made ‘Designing Women’ so special. Sadly, CBS pulled the plug after only 12 episodes – ratings were low, critics weren’t impressed, and it just didn’t have that same sharp, satirical bite.

‘Married… with Children’ (1987–1997)

‘Top of the Heap’ first aired in 1991, featuring Joseph Bologna and Matt LeBlanc as a father and son scheming to get rich. The show was initially introduced as part of an episode within the fifth season of its original series. It tried to copy the sarcastic and often inappropriate humor that made the show ‘Married… with Children’ popular, but it didn’t attract enough viewers and was canceled after just seven episodes. Another spin-off series, launched a year later, also didn’t succeed.

‘Baywatch’ (1989–2001)

‘Baywatch Nights,’ starring David Hasselhoff, began in 1995 as a spin-off featuring a private investigator. While the first season followed typical detective storylines, it didn’t achieve the same popularity as the original ‘Baywatch.’ Hoping to improve ratings, the show dramatically changed in its second season to focus on paranormal and science fiction mysteries. However, this shift turned off original viewers and received negative reviews. Ultimately, ‘Baywatch Nights’ was canceled in 1997 after two seasons of falling ratings and weak sales for reruns.

‘Saved by the Bell’ (1989–1992)

As a critic, I remember ‘Saved by the Bell: The College Years’ when it debuted in 1993. It followed Zack, Kelly, Slater, and the gang as they navigated college life at California University, but this time on Saturday nights instead of Saturday mornings. The show was clearly aiming for an older audience, but honestly, it just couldn’t stand out amongst the already popular primetime sitcoms. It was a bit of a disappointment, and after only 19 episodes, the network pulled the plug due to low ratings compared to the original. Thankfully, the franchise eventually found its footing again by going back to its roots with a more successful Saturday morning show.

‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ (1990–2000)

‘Models Inc.’ first aired in 1994 as a spin-off of ‘Melrose Place,’ focusing on a Los Angeles modeling agency headed by Hillary Michaels – a character’s mother from the original series. Created by Aaron Spelling, the show aimed to capture the dramatic, over-the-top style of 1990s soap operas, but it didn’t receive positive reviews. With low viewership, it was canceled after one season of 29 episodes and is considered one of the least successful shows within the ‘Melrose Place’ universe.

‘The X-Files’ (1993–2018)

‘The Lone Gunmen’ premiered in 2001 as a spin-off series focusing on the three conspiracy theorists who often helped Fox Mulder. It was noticeably more comedic and lighthearted than the original ‘X-Files’ show, which was known for its darker themes. While dedicated fans enjoyed it, the series didn’t gain enough viewers to justify its expensive production, and Fox canceled it after just 13 episodes. The characters later made one last appearance on the original ‘X-Files.’ Interestingly, the pilot episode became well-known after the fact due to its storyline about a hijacked airplane.

‘Friends’ (1994–2004)

After the popular sitcom ended, NBC created a spin-off called ‘Joey’ in 2004. Matt LeBlanc returned as Joey Tribbiani, and the show followed him as he moved to Los Angeles to try and become a successful actor. While the first episode attracted a lot of viewers, ratings dropped considerably as the series continued. The show was canceled in 2006, and some episodes never aired in the US. Ultimately, ‘Joey’ didn’t achieve the same popularity or critical success as the original show.

‘That ’70s Show’ (1998–2006)

Following the popularity of its nostalgic sitcom, Fox tried to recapture that success in 2002 with ‘That ’80s Show.’ Though not a direct continuation of the original story, the new series shared creators and a similar feel, but shifted the setting to the 1980s. The show followed a group of young adults in San Diego, but it didn’t have the same spark between the actors as the original. Critics felt the humor relied too much on obvious 80s trends instead of well-developed characters, and Fox ultimately canceled it after only 13 episodes due to low viewership.

‘Family Guy’ (1999–PRESENT)

‘The Cleveland Show’ first aired in 2009 as a spin-off of ‘Family Guy,’ focusing on the character Cleveland Brown. The show relocated Cleveland and his new family to his made-up hometown of Stoolbend, Virginia. Although it started well and lasted for four seasons, it didn’t become as popular as ‘Family Guy.’ Fox canceled it in 2013, and Cleveland Brown returned as a character on the original show. ‘The Cleveland Show’ is remembered as a spin-off that had difficulty finding its own unique voice.

‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ (2000–2015)

After enjoying years of success with shows like ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,’ the franchise introduced ‘CSI: Cyber’ in 2015, featuring Patricia Arquette. This series followed the FBI’s Cyber Crime Division, diving into the complex world of digital forensics and online dangers. However, unlike previous installments set in cities like Las Vegas and Miami, ‘CSI: Cyber’ had trouble attracting a loyal audience. CBS canceled it after two seasons because of poor viewership and a decline in fresh ideas. This cancellation was unusual for a brand that had consistently delivered popular shows.

’24’ (2001–2010)

In 2017, ’24: Legacy’ launched as a spin-off hoping to bring back the excitement of the original ’24’ series, but without Kiefer Sutherland in the lead role. The show followed Corey Hawkins, playing a former Army Ranger who finds himself the target of terrorists. Although it kept the distinctive split-screen look and quick pace of the original, it didn’t achieve the same critical or popular success. After airing 12 episodes, Fox decided not to order another season, making it the last live-action effort to use the franchise’s signature real-time format.

‘Battlestar Galactica’ (2004–2009)

‘Caprica,’ a prequel to the original series, debuted in 2010 and explored the origins of the Cylons and a feud between two powerful families. Unlike its predecessor, which was a fast-paced space adventure, ‘Caprica’ was a slower, more deliberate drama centered on business and family relationships. Viewership dropped throughout the first season, as many longtime fans found the change in style difficult to adjust to. The show was canceled by Syfy before all of the episodes had even aired, marking the first of several unsuccessful efforts to build upon the television series.

‘Criminal Minds’ (2005–PRESENT)

In 2011, the first ‘Criminal Minds’ spin-off, ‘Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior,’ premiered with Forest Whitaker, an Academy Award-winning actor. The show followed a new FBI profiling team who used unique approaches to solve cases. Although it had a strong lead and a promising start, the series received negative reviews and didn’t attract enough viewers to match the original ‘Criminal Minds.’ CBS canceled it after just 13 episodes. The franchise tried another spin-off some time later, but it faced similar challenges.

‘How I Met Your Mother’ (2005–2014)

‘How I Met Your Father’ debuted on Hulu in 2022 as a follow-up to the popular CBS series ‘How I Met Your Mother.’ The show centered around a new friend group in New York City, starring Hilary Duff. While the original show’s actors made some guest appearances to attract longtime fans, the series didn’t gain a large audience. Hulu canceled it in 2023 after two seasons, leaving the mystery of the father’s identity unsolved.

‘Doctor Who’ (2005–PRESENT)

I remember checking out ‘Class’ when it landed in 2016, and it was definitely an interesting experiment. It was a young adult spin-off of ‘Doctor Who,’ set at the familiar Coal Hill Academy. The show followed students and teachers battling aliens, all while dealing with the usual high school stuff. Even though it was penned by the talented Patrick Ness, it didn’t really catch on with viewers, being released on a digital-only platform. Reviews were all over the place – people appreciated the show tackling more adult themes, but felt it didn’t quite feel like ‘Doctor Who.’ Sadly, the BBC pulled the plug after just one eight-episode season.

‘Bones’ (2005–2017)

In 2012, Fox tested a potential new show called ‘The Finder’ by including it as a pilot episode within the sixth season of an existing series. The show featured Geoff Stults as a former Iraq War soldier who had a knack for finding missing people or objects. While Michael Clarke Duncan added a solid supporting role, ‘The Finder’ didn’t stand out enough from other crime shows. After airing 13 episodes, ratings stayed low, and Fox canceled the series, explaining that it hadn’t attracted enough viewers.

‘Gossip Girl’ (2007–2012)

In 2021, a new version of ‘Gossip Girl’ premiered on Max, featuring a fresh group of students at Manhattan’s elite private schools. While the reboot aimed to modernize the show for today’s social media world with a diverse cast of characters, critics found it lacked the fun and drama of the original. Due to falling viewership, Max canceled the series after two seasons in early 2023, as it failed to capture the magic of the 2007 series.

‘Pretty Little Liars’ (2010–2017)

‘Ravenswood,’ a spin-off series, premiered in 2013 hoping to build on the popularity of supernatural storylines in its parent show. The series centered around a character who relocated to a town haunted by an ancient curse and a string of unexplained deaths. Although heavily promoted and connected to the original series with crossover episodes, ratings quickly dropped after the first episode. After only ten episodes, ABC Family canceled ‘Ravenswood,’ bringing the lead character back to the original show. Ultimately, the combination of teen drama and gothic horror didn’t appeal to the show’s target audience.

‘The Walking Dead’ (2010–2022)

In 2020, AMC premiered ‘The Walking Dead: World Beyond,’ a short-lived series designed to tell the story of young adults growing up after the zombie apocalypse. The show followed a group of teenagers venturing out from their protected home on a risky journey across the country. Though meant to reveal more about the powerful Civic Republic Military, ‘World Beyond’ didn’t receive great reviews, and fewer people watched it compared to the original ‘Walking Dead’ and its first spin-off. The series ended in 2021 without becoming a major cultural phenomenon.

‘Once Upon a Time’ (2011–2018)

‘Once Upon a Time in Wonderland’ premiered in 2013 as a short-lived spin-off connected to the popular show ‘Once Upon a Time.’ The series centered on Alice’s journey to find a lost love within a fresh take on the world of Wonderland. However, it struggled to gain viewers, debuting on a night with strong competition from other popular dramas. Because of low and inconsistent ratings, and generally mixed reviews, ABC cancelled the show after just one season of 13 episodes. It’s the only live-action spin-off that was made while the original series was still on the air.

Please share which of these television spin-offs you were most disappointed by in the comments.

2026-01-30 03:19