Whenever a show attempts aspinoff, sequel, or prequel, sometimes it goes fantastically well, like withFrasier, a spinoff ofCheersorBetter Call Saul, the prequel series toBreaking Bad. Other times, it goes horribly wrong: thinkThree’s a Crowd, the sad attempt to keep the momentum fromThree’s Companygoing, orThe Brady Brides, spinoff ofThe Brady Bunchthat was devised even after a movie following Jan and Marcia bombed, too.
Through the decades, however, there have been some spinoffs that were admittedly bad, but deserve a second chance. With a refreshed angle, maybe even cast, these concepts could potentially fly if given another go.
10’Suits LA' (2025)
Created by Aaron Korsh
Suits LAwas a decent attempt to capitalize on the second life ofSuitsonce the legal drama began streaming on Netflix and catapulted up the charts decades after it had already ended. But the spinoff wasn’t really a spinoff. It lacked the same energy, the same charisma as the original, even despite cameo appearances from some of the original stars to bring the new cast into the family fold.Suitsmight qualify as one of thebest legal drama TV shows of all time, butSuits: LAwould not.
To truly make aSuitsspinoff, the show needed to be centered around the same cast. Sure, everyone moved on by the end of that show, some even before it ended its run. But it was the chemistry among the cast and the witty dialogue and intense storylines that madeSuitsso great. All that was missing fromSuits: LA, which was a completely different show in every way but the title and the law firm setting. As a follow-up, it fell short but had so much potential.
9’CSI: Cyber' (2015–2016)
Created by Anthony E.c Zuiker, Carol Mendelsohn, Ann Donahue
TheCSIfranchise is huge, spawning many spin-offs likeCSI: MiamiandCSI: NY.CSI: Cyberhad such a topical, modern spin that it should have been better received than it was. Focused on investigations into cyber crimes, even the top-notch cast includingPatricia ArquetteandJames Van Der Beekcouldn’t save it.
CSI: Cybermight have had better potential with a lesser-known cast of actors to give it a more authentic feel. Had it pulled compelling cases from real headlines as some police procedurals are known to do as well, it might have garnered more interest.
CSI: Cyber
8’How I Met Your Father' (2022–2023)
Created by Isaac Aptaker, Elizabeth Berger
How I Met Your Fatherhad the opportunity to bring one of the most beloved 2000s sitcoms into a new Gen Z era. WhileHow I Met Your Motherwas set the early-to-mid 2000s, this show portrayed friends exploring being single and in their 20s in modern times, ruled by cell phones, social media, and a whole new sense of fashion and youth mentality. But the sitcom failed to capture the same dynamic as the original.
Despite a cameo fromNeil Patrick Harris, reprising his role as Barney Stinson, a new narrator inKim Cattrall, and strong ties to the original concept, fans grew tired of the same old, same old. It became too predictable, but the ending left fans feeling cheated since they never found out the identity of the father. A continuation with at least a final season to wrap things up would at least offer satisfying closure.
How I Met Your Father
7’Mrs. Columbo' (1979–1980)
Created by Richard Alan Simmons
Columbowas one of the most revered police procedurals back in the day, the character arguablythe best TV detective of all time. The show and title character have inspired many of the shows on television today, likePoker Face. InColumbo, the title character, played byPeter Falk, often talked about his mysterious wife, but she was never seen. In the short-lived crime dramaMrs. Columbo,Kate Mulgrewtackles the role as a news reporter helping authorities solve crimes while raising her daughter.
Viewers simply weren’t ready for a gender-swapped concept back in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. But today, it would totally work. A new concept could star Columbo’s daughter instead. Or it could take a spin likeMatlockwith a lead character inspired by that original show, which exists in her fictional universe. Whatever the case,Mrs. Columbomight simply have been before its time.
6’The Tick' (2016–2019)
Created by Ben Edlund
There were high hopes forThe Tick, which is technically not a direct spin-off but an adaptation of the comic book character of the same name and the second live-action series attempt at the character. ButBen Edlund’s second try centered around the kooky superhero just didn’t fly. It lasted for two seasons and received overwhelmingly positive reviews, which made the cancellation puzzling.
The problem was thatThe Tickdidn’t pull in enough viewers. So, it wasn’t necessarily that the show was bad, but that it didn’t grab attention. With a new marketing campaign, new cast, and the same tongue-in-cheek humor and likable characters,The Tickcould survive. With superhero shows on the rise, now might be a better time forThe Tickto get more support behind it.
5’The Bionic Woman' (1976–1977)
Created by Kenneth Johnson
LikeMrs. Columbo,The Bionic Womanmay simply have beena show delivered at a time when audiences weren’t ready for a gender-swapped spin-off of a beloved show. The sci-fi action adventure series was designed as aspin-off ofThe Six Million Dollar Man, with Jaime Sommers (Lindsay Wagner) as the new lead, a woman who develops superhuman bionic powers after a skydiving accident and now tackles dangerous government missions.
The Bionic Womandid air for three seasons and was quite popular, even spawning several spin-off TV movies. While a remake was attempted in 2007, today’s landscape would be perfect to bring the concept back.
The Bionic Woman
4'24: Legacy' (2017)
Created by Manny Coto, Evan Katz
DespiteCorey Hawkinsdelivering a fantastic performance as Eric Carter in24: Legacyas ex-U.S. Army Ranger Sergeant, in this spin-off of24, fans simply couldn’t wrap their heads around a show that didn’t include Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland). He was the heart and soul of the original, and the dynamic between he and characters like Chloe O’Brien (Mary Lynn Rajskub) is what made24so enthralling.
24, one ofthe most intense crime shows, ended in 2010 and was followed up by the TV movie24: Redemption, which brought Bauer back for one last ride. By 2017, fans either weren’t ready yet for a new character to take over or had grown tired of the whole real-time concept. But with shows likeThe Pittbringing back the idea of every episode covering an hour and Bauer long in the rear-view mirror,24: Legacyand Hawkins deserve another shot.
24: Legacy
3’Joey' (2004–2006)
Created by Scott Silveri, Shana Goldberg-Meehan
Friendswas such an influential, culture-defining show that it’s no surprise producers wanted to keep the characters on TV, somehow, some way, after it ended. One of the most logical characters to head up his own series was Joey Tribbiani (Matt Leblanc), with the storyline inJoeyfollowing his move to Hollywood to pursue his acting career.
The problem withJoeydespite the talented supporting cast that also includedDrea de Matteo, Paulo Costanzo,Jennifer Coolidge, andAndrea Anders, is that it was missing that magic flavor ofFriends, the chemistry among the ensemble cast. Even though it’s considered to be one ofthe worst TV spin-offs, it would be interesting to see a follow-up series that centers around Joey but maybe covers his old friends coming to visit him. With so much time having passed now thatFriendsended, and a new generation watching the show through streaming, Joey could make more sense today.
2’The Golden Palace' (1992–1993)
Created by Susan Harris
There could never be anotherThe Golden Girls, but that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t worth trying. CreatorSusan Harrisdid indeed try withThe Golden Palace, a sequel sitcom that centered on three of the four original women minusBea Arthuras Dorothy. Added to the cast wasCheech MarinandDon Cheadle. The story follows Rose (Betty White), Blanche (Rue McClanahan), and Sophia (Estelle Getty) as they invest in a Miami hotel only to find out that much of the staff is gone. This leaves them to do a lot of the work themselves until they can bring the business back to profitability.
With the ladies all having sadly now passed,The Golden Palacecould return with a new cast, even Cheadle and Marin reprising their roles or having cameos. It would never be as groundbreaking asThe Golden Girls, but a revival would pay homage to these iconic ladies.
The Golden Palace
1’That ‘90s Show' (2023–2024)
Created by Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Et al.
It was totally corny, butThat ‘90s Showwas an adorably entertaining sequel toThat ‘70s Show,which ranks as one ofthe best sitcoms of all time. While it centered around a new generation of kids, led by Leia Forman (Callie Haverda), daughter of Eric (Topher Grace) and Donna (Laura Prepon) from the original, there was enough overlap to make it totally nostalgic. There were cameos from members of the original cast, and the character Jay (Mace Coronel), the son of Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) and Jackie (Mila Kunis). But the highlight wasDebra Jo RuppandKurtwood Smithreprising their roles as Kitty and Red Forman.
That ‘90s Showleaned heavily into references from the decade, and the original series. It featured an eclectic mix of friends and fun storylines. The sitcom received decent reviews, making it worth bringing back for another go.
