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Some spin-offs become even more legendary than their original shows! We're diving into the TV series that not only survived in their predecessor's shadow but completely eclipsed them, creating their own unique legacy in television history.
Some spin-offs become even more legendary than their original shows! We're diving into the TV series that not only survived in their predecessor's shadow but completely eclipsed them, creating their own unique legacy in television history.
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo and today we're counting down our picks for the spin-offs that became
00:11even more beloved than the originals.
00:29Before beginning her own legendary adventures, this warrior princess was but a side character
00:33in Hercules.
00:35Originally meant to die after three appearances, Xena became so popular that the producers
00:39created her own show, which quickly overshadowed the original.
00:48While Hercules' Legendary Journeys was entertaining and consistent, Xena was far more captivating,
00:54with a balance of dark themes and heartwarming moments.
00:57Its campy adventure vibes resonated with many, gaining a large following and turning the
01:01show into a cultural phenomenon.
01:04During its six-year run, it dominated as one of the top-rated American shows before its
01:08eventual cancellation.
01:09Perhaps something about a kick-ass female lead always saving the day made this so iconic
01:13for its time.
01:30Some may argue that the too-serious precursor of Boston Legal is far superior, but popularity
01:35tells a different story.
01:36Taking a more light-hearted tone than its predecessor, the show revolves around the
01:40exploits of Alan Shore and his co-workers, with Denny Crane and Shore's chemistry serving
01:44as its heart.
01:48Interestingly, some standout characters like Shore first appeared in the eighth season
01:56of The Practice, before launching their own show.
01:58The spin-off pulled millions of views, earned 26 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning
02:04five, and even snagged a Peabody Award, amongst others.
02:07Today, you may hear people rave about Boston Legal, but The Practice, eh, not so much.
02:27Danny Thomas fans might recall this show, where he played the successful nightclub owner
02:30interacting with an ever-changing cast.
02:32One such character, Andy Griffith, appeared in one episode as Sheriff Andy Taylor, who
02:37arrests Danny for running a stop sign.
02:50The producers loved it, and from there on, the Andy Griffith Show was born.
02:54As the southern sheriff of Mayberry with a heart of gold and a big smile, Andy quickly
02:58became a TV icon.
03:00And his show?
03:01It became a massive success, even ending its run as the number one show on TV, an achievement
03:06few shows, including its original, could match.
03:09Adding to its legacy was comic legend Don Knotts, who won five Emmys for his iconic
03:13performance.
03:27Before becoming the face of The Hills, Lauren Conrad starred in MTV's 2004 reality series,
03:33which followed the lives of high school students in the titular seaside town.
03:36The first two seasons were a hit, but when Lauren and her classmates graduated, Laguna
03:41Beach shifted focus to a new group of students, and it just didn't feel the same.
03:54Then came The Hills, a guilty pleasure that focused mostly on Conrad's life as a budding
03:58fashion designer, navigating friendship, work drama and pair love life.
04:03While not without its share of criticisms, it reached a new level of popularity its predecessor
04:07didn't.
04:08It pulled millions of views during its run, and even though its ratings eventually declined,
04:12it still outlasted Laguna Beach.
04:22Long-time sitcom fans will surely remember this family-friendly 70s show that offered
04:37a nostalgic look at the 50s through the lives of the Cunningham family.
04:40With its wholesome portrayal of traditional American values, Richie's adventures and
04:44endearing characters like Fonzie, this show became an unforgettable entertainment giant.
04:57Yet, not many realise it originated as a segment from the anthology show, Love, American Style.
05:04While it didn't hit it big right away, it skyrocketed to number one in the mid-70s after
05:08shifting focus to the effortlessly cool Fonzie.
05:11Spanning 11 seasons, this series became a pop culture phenomenon, spawning other successful
05:16shows.
05:17You just can't talk about the best shows of the 70s without mentioning this enduring
05:20gem.
05:32These shows share the same origin, but often feel worlds apart.
05:36Jag has this slow burn vibe as it follows uniformed lawyers solving a variety of cases.
05:41Then came the wild two-part episodes, Ice Queen and Meltdown in Season 8 that introduced
05:47NCIS.
05:55This hit spin-off shifted gears, blending crime-solving with a mix of action, humour
05:59and character-driven stories, a formula that probably made it a fan favourite.
06:03With over 20 seasons, NCIS stands as one of the longest-running American shows, far
06:08outlasting Jag's 10-season run.
06:10It also has spawned several successful spin-offs itself, achieving a level of franchise expansion
06:15Jag never reached.
06:17The show's appeal may have dimmed with time, but there's no denying its impact in pop
06:21culture.
06:28Harriet Winslow first appeared as an elevator operator in the office building where Balky
06:41and Larry worked on Perfect Strangers.
06:44Then her husband later joined, in the episode Crimebusters, setting the stage for their
06:48own story.
06:49While Perfect Strangers was quite popular, this new show centred on the Winslow family
06:53quickly overtook it in popularity and ran longer.
07:07One reason the show was quite entertaining and unique was the Winslow's nerdy neighbour,
07:11Steve Urkel.
07:12Like Fonzie in Happy Days, he stole the spotlight and became an overnight sensation.
07:16Though this makes it hard to define Family Matters as either a wholesome family sitcom
07:20or Steve Urkel-led sci-fi drama, it remains far more memorable than its original and a
07:25standout in TV history.
07:31There's no arguing it, NBC's Cheers was a legendary sitcom that defined an era, following
07:50the everyday lives of working-class people at the Cheers bar, it was loved by critics
07:54and fans alike.
07:55Then Frasier was born, a series with a fresh backdrop, new characters and dynamics that
07:59fell more relatable and emotionally deeper.
08:13Centred on Frasier, his cantankerous father and his brother, it offered a more layered
08:17sitcom experience and enjoyed immense popularity over 11 seasons.
08:21Frasier became so iconic that it won 37 Primetime Emmy Awards, a big achievement at that time.
08:27Due to its success, a revival series premiered, further proving that its legacy lives on.
08:32And let's be honest, Frasier set the gold standard for intelligent sitcoms to come.
08:47If crime dramas were royalty, Dick Wolf's 1990 cop show would be the king, and its 1999
08:53spin-off would be the queen, who stole the crown.
08:55And the audience.
08:56Law & Order SVU arguably surpassed its original by dwelling more on heartfelt, realistic cases
09:01and weaving in the personal lives of its detectives.
09:12While the original was mostly about solving cases, SVU brought in a new spice by diving
09:17into stories of survivors, trauma, abuse and justice, creating a powerful bond with viewers.
09:22Now the longest-running Primetime drama ever, SVU continues to grip viewers like few shows
09:28can.
09:29And let's not forget Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson, whose evolution over the years
09:32has cemented her as one of the most endearing TV characters ever.
09:56Matt Groening's iconic creation has achieved such incredible feats that it's hard to
10:08believe it started as a small part of a Fox variety series.
10:12Even Groening couldn't have imagined it would become this big.
10:15The Simpsons began as his version of a dysfunctional family, pitched to the producers of The Tracy
10:19Orman Show.
10:25After Homer and his family debuted as a recurring segment, they got their own show, which became
10:30Fox's first series to break into the top 30 highest-rated shows.
10:38Today, it stands as the longest-running American sitcom and animated series, with over 700
10:46episodes adored by fans and newcomers alike.
10:49That's a feat no show can boast of.
10:51Love or hate it, The Simpsons is a crowning achievement in television history.
10:59So which do you like better, the spin-offs or the originals?
11:02Let us know in the comments section.