Anatomy of a Spinoff

You may be wise to the trickery and genius of remaking a movie: people already love the story, the script is practically written to begin with and everyone’s going to be interested in how their favorite flick was done a second time around. The television spinoff refers to the same rule book, but it’s a little bit more clever. Instead of being an exact copy, a spinoff takes an aspect of an existing show and makes a brand new baby series. 

The Virtuous Spinoff

To start with, the existing TV show has a devoted fan following, which guarantees that the spinoff will have the same. Story-lines have already begun, which means that the spinoff can hop right into it without setting the stage. Producers benefit from smaller budgets, too. 

When Spinoffs Go Bad

Smiling producers and a starter fan base don’t last for long if the spinoff flops - and they usually do. Why? Because not only are they cheaper than the original, but they look cheaper, too. This isn’t true for all spinoffs, but it’s true for most. Plus, taking a small aspect of a big show doesn’t guarantee that people will fall in love with the bit role. It’s like taking a supporting actor and trying to make him carry a movie all alone - it rarely works.

The Bravo Network

Somehow, Bravo has cracked the spinoff code. Case in point: Vanderpump Rules. Lisa Vanderpump is one of the reality stars on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills(which is lovingly referred to simply as RHOBH). Ms. Vanderpump’s restaurant, SUR, is staffed by the hottest wannabe actors, directors, models and writers in West Hollywood. Now tell me that doesn’t make for a thumping story line. 

More Spinoffs We Couldn’t Have Lived Without

Any 90s child will remember Saved by the Bell. Bet you didn’t realize it was a spinoff, though. The original show was called Good Morning, Miss Bliss, with Hayley Mills as a teacher at John F. Kennedy Junior High. Her students? None other than Zack Morris, Lisa Turtle and Screech Powers. In 1989, the show was revamped asSaved by the Bell, with a focus on the students instead of the teachers. 

In the 90s, Melrose Place and Beverly Hills, 90210 were practically synonymous, and it’s no wonder - Melrose was a spinoff of 90210. During the second season of90210, Kelly had a yen for Jake, Dylan’s big bro. Melrose was born and ran for seven seasons.

Are you a Cheers fan, or do you prefer Frasier? You cannot be both - it’s a rule. Fraiser was a spinoff of Cheers, and most people are either on one side of the fence or the other.  Dr. Frasier Winslow Crane was in Cheers’ ensemble cast, but he certainly carried his own show like a star.

The Simpsons is possibly the most popular and successful TV spinoff that ever was. First appearing as shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show, Fox scooped it up as a sitcom. Homer Simpson and his family are still kicking in their 22nd season. The show’s grown over time, with a full-length movie and more merchandise than any collector could gather.

Charlie Peyton is a TV addict who likes to keep upto date with new technology. He writes on these subjects for TV blogs. Find out how you can get direct TV on 1-877-505-3198