10 Cancelled Spinoffs That Deserved a Second Probability

Every time a present makes an attempt a derivative, sequel, or prequel, typically it goes fantastically nicely, like with Frasier, a derivative of Cheers or Higher Name Saul, the prequel sequence to Breaking Unhealthy. Different occasions, it goes horribly fallacious: assume Three’s a Crowd, the unhappy try and maintain the momentum from Three’s Firm going, or The Brady Brides, spinoff of The Brady Bunch that was devised even after a film following Jan and Marcia bombed, too.

By means of the a long time, nonetheless, there have been some spinoffs that have been admittedly dangerous, however deserve a second likelihood. With a refreshed angle, possibly even forged, these ideas might doubtlessly fly if given one other go.

10

‘Fits LA’ (2025)

Created by Aaron Korsh

Fits LA was a good try and capitalize on the second lifetime of Fits as soon as the authorized drama started streaming on Netflix and catapulted up the charts a long time after it had already ended. However the spinoff wasn’t actually a derivative. It lacked the identical vitality, the identical charisma as the unique, even regardless of cameo appearances from a few of the authentic stars to deliver the brand new forged into the household fold. Fits would possibly qualify as top-of-the-line authorized drama TV reveals of all time, however Fits: LA wouldn’t.

To really make a Fits spinoff, the present wanted to be centered across the similar forged. Positive, everybody moved on by the tip of that present, some even earlier than it ended its run. However it was the chemistry among the many forged and the witty dialogue and intense storylines that made Fits so nice. All that was lacking from Fits: LA, which was a very totally different present in each approach however the title and the legislation agency setting. As a follow-up, it fell quick however had a lot potential.

9

‘CSI: Cyber’ (2015–2016)

Created by Anthony E.c Zuiker, Carol Mendelsohn, Ann Donahue

The CSI franchise is large, spawning many spin-offs like CSI: Miami and CSI: NY. CSI: Cyber had such a topical, fashionable spin that it ought to have been higher obtained than it was. Centered on investigations into cyber crimes, even the top-notch forged together with Patricia Arquette and James Van Der Beek couldn’t reserve it.

CSI: Cyber may need had higher potential with a lesser-known forged of actors to present it a extra genuine really feel. Had it pulled compelling instances from actual headlines as some police procedurals are identified to do as nicely, it may need garnered extra curiosity.

8

‘How I Met Your Father’ (2022–2023)

Created by Isaac Aptaker, Elizabeth Berger

How I Met Your Father had the chance to deliver probably the most beloved 2000s sitcoms into a brand new Gen Z period. Whereas How I Met Your Mom was set the early-to-mid 2000s, this present portrayed pals exploring being single and of their 20s in fashionable occasions, dominated by cell telephones, social media, and a complete new sense of style and youth mentality. However the sitcom didn’t seize the identical dynamic as the unique.

Regardless of a cameo from Neil Patrick Harris, reprising his position as Barney Stinson, a brand new narrator in Kim Cattrall, and robust ties to the unique idea, followers grew uninterested in the identical outdated, usual. It turned too predictable, however the ending left followers feeling cheated since they by no means discovered the identification of the daddy. A continuation with not less than a last season to wrap issues up would not less than supply satisfying closure.

7

‘Mrs. Columbo’ (1979–1980)

Created by Richard Alan Simmons

Columbo was probably the most revered police procedurals again within the day, the character arguably one of the best TV detective of all time. The present and title character have impressed most of the reveals on tv right now, like Poker Face. In Columbo, the title character, performed by Peter Falk, usually talked about his mysterious spouse, however she was by no means seen. Within the short-lived crime drama Mrs. Columbo, Kate Mulgrew tackles the position as a information reporter serving to authorities remedy crimes whereas elevating her daughter.

Viewers merely weren’t prepared for a gender-swapped idea again within the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. However right now, it might completely work. A brand new idea might star Columbo’s daughter as a substitute. Or it might take a spin like Matlock with a lead character impressed by that authentic present, which exists in her fictional universe. Regardless of the case, Mrs. Columbo would possibly merely have been earlier than its time.

6

‘The Tick’ (2016–2019)

Created by Ben Edlund

There have been excessive hopes for The Tick, which is technically not a direct spin-off however an adaptation of the comedian ebook character of the identical identify and the second live-action sequence try on the character. However Ben Edlund’s second strive centered across the kooky superhero simply didn’t fly. It lasted for 2 seasons and obtained overwhelmingly constructive critiques, which made the cancellation puzzling.

The issue was that The Tick didn’t pull in sufficient viewers. So, it wasn’t essentially that the present was dangerous, however that it didn’t seize consideration. With a brand new advertising marketing campaign, new forged, and the identical tongue-in-cheek humor and likable characters, The Tick might survive. With superhero reveals on the rise, now could be a greater time for The Tick to get extra assist behind it.

5

‘The Bionic Lady’ (1976–1977)

Created by Kenneth Johnson

Like Mrs. Columbo, The Bionic Lady could merely have been a present delivered at a time when audiences weren’t prepared for a gender-swapped spin-off of a beloved present. The sci-fi motion journey sequence was designed as a spin-off of The Six Million Greenback Man, with Jaime Sommers (Lindsay Wagner) as the brand new lead, a lady who develops superhuman bionic powers after a skydiving accident and now tackles harmful authorities missions.

The Bionic Lady did air for 3 seasons and was fairly in style, even spawning a number of spin-off TV motion pictures. Whereas a remake was tried in 2007, right now’s panorama could be excellent to deliver the idea again.

4

’24: Legacy’ (2017)

Created by Manny Coto, Evan Katz

Regardless of Corey Hawkins delivering a incredible efficiency as Eric Carter in 24: Legacy as ex-U.S. Military Ranger Sergeant, on this spin-off of 24, followers merely couldn’t wrap their heads round a present that didn’t embrace Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland). He was the center and soul of the unique, and the dynamic between he and characters like Chloe O’Brien (Mary Lynn Rajskub) is what made 24 so enthralling.

24, probably the most intense crime reveals, led to 2010 and was adopted up by the TV film 24: Redemption, which introduced Bauer again for one final trip. By 2017, followers both weren’t prepared but for a brand new character to take over or had grown uninterested in the entire real-time idea. However with reveals like The Pitt bringing again the thought of each episode protecting an hour and Bauer lengthy within the rear-view mirror, 24: Legacy and Hawkins deserve one other shot.

3

‘Joey’ (2004–2006)

Created by Scott Silveri, Shana Goldberg-Meehan

Mates was such an influential, culture-defining present that it’s no shock producers needed to maintain the characters on TV, someway, a way, after it ended. Some of the logical characters to go up his personal sequence was Joey Tribbiani (Matt Leblanc), with the storyline in Joey following his transfer to Hollywood to pursue his performing profession.

The issue with Joey regardless of the gifted supporting forged that additionally included Drea de Matteo, Paulo Costanzo, Jennifer Coolidge, and Andrea Anders, is that it was lacking that magic taste of Mates, the chemistry among the many ensemble forged. Regardless that it’s thought of to be one of many worst TV spin-offs, it might be attention-grabbing to see a follow-up sequence that facilities round Joey however possibly covers his outdated pals coming to go to him. With a lot time having handed now that Mates ended, and a brand new era watching the present by streaming, Joey might make extra sense right now.

2

‘The Golden Palace’ (1992–1993)

Created by Susan Harris

There might by no means be one other The Golden Ladies, however that doesn’t imply that it wasn’t value attempting. Creator Susan Harris did certainly strive with The Golden Palace, a sequel sitcom that centered on three of the 4 authentic girls minus Bea Arthur as Dorothy. Added to the forged was Cheech Marin and Don Cheadle. The story follows Rose (Betty White), Blanche (Rue McClanahan), and Sophia (Estelle Getty) as they put money into a Miami lodge solely to search out out that a lot of the employees is gone. This leaves them to do a number of the work themselves till they will deliver the enterprise again to profitability.

With the women all having sadly now handed, The Golden Palace might return with a brand new forged, even Cheadle and Marin reprising their roles or having cameos. It could by no means be as groundbreaking as The Golden Ladies, however a revival would pay homage to those iconic women.

1

‘That ‘90s Present’ (2023–2024)

Created by Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Et al.

It was completely corny, however That ‘90s Present was an adorably entertaining sequel to That ‘70s Present, which ranks as top-of-the-line sitcoms of all time. Whereas it centered round a brand new era of youngsters, led by Leia Forman (Callie Haverda), daughter of Eric (Topher Grace) and Donna (Laura Prepon) from the unique, there was sufficient overlap to make it completely nostalgic. There have been cameos from members of the unique forged, and the character Jay (Mace Coronel), the son of Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) and Jackie (Mila Kunis). However the spotlight was Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith reprising their roles as Kitty and Crimson Forman.

That ‘90s Present leaned closely into references from the last decade, and the unique sequence. It featured an eclectic mixture of pals and enjoyable storylines. The sitcom obtained first rate critiques, making it value bringing again for an additional go.

Preserve Studying: The ten Greatest TV Spin-Offs of All Time, Ranked