7 Worst TV Spin-Offs That Embarrassed The Original Show

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It’s not uncommon for successful TV shows to spawn spinoff series as a way to cash in on their popularity. While some spinoffs have been excellent, such as Better Call Saul, Gen V, The Originals, Torchwood, and others, many have fallen short of the original series, disappointing fans and failing to accurately portray the story.

These iconic series such as “How I Met Your Mother,” “The Golden Girls,” “Heroes,” and “Friends” are among the greatest TV shows ever made. Regrettably, their follow-up productions fell short of matching their initial impact and achievement. Over time, the creative minds and studios responsible for these shows, along with others, have unfortunately given us some of the most disappointing spinoffs. These spinoffs not only failed to uphold the reputation of the original projects but also presented narratives that we’d prefer to forget.

7) How I Met Your Father (2022-2023)

In simpler terms, “How I Met Your Mother,” a well-known sitcom that aired from 2005 to 2014, is fondly remembered as one of the greatest sitcoms ever made. However, its spinoff, titled “How I Met Your Father,” featuring Hilary Duff in the lead role, failed to match its predecessor’s success. The series followed Sophie Tompkins as she narrated the story of meeting her future husband, similar to Ted Mosby in “How I Met Your Mother.” Regrettably, the show was set in a time that seemed outdated, lacked significant character growth, and had humor that wasn’t consistent, which contributed to its disappointing performance. As a result, “How I Met Your Father” was canceled after just two seasons.

6) The Golden Palace (1992-1993)

From the 1980s to early 1990s, Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty graced our television screens as the beloved characters of The Golden Girls. The series concluded in 1992. However, its spin-off, The Golden Palace, failed to capture the same magic as its predecessor. In this new show, Rose (White), Blanche (McClanahan), and Sophia (Getty) managed a Miami hotel, but the absence of Dorothy (Arthur), repetitive plotlines, insufficient character development after the premiere, and subpar production resulted in CBS cancelling The Golden Palace after only one season.

5) That ’80s Show (2002)

Some people might contend that That ’80s Show isn’t truly a legitimate spinoff of the long-running series That ’70s Show, which aired from 1998 to 2006. Despite having many of the same creative minds behind it and tackling similar topics, That ’80s Show was often overshadowed by its more popular forerunner. The characters lacked chemistry with one another, there was an excessive reliance on nostalgia, the humor felt forced and inconsistent, and the portrayed characters seemed unrealistic and detached from viewers, leading to its short-lived run of only 13 episodes before being cancelled.

4) Saved By the Bell: The College Years (1993-1994)

The massive popularity of the teen sitcom “Saved by the Bell” resulted in two spin-offs debuting in 1993. One of them, “Saved by the Bell: The New Class,” lasted for seven seasons until 2000, while “Saved by the Bell: The College Years” ran for just 19 episodes. In “The College Years,” Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), A.C. Slater (Mario Lopez), and Screech (Dustin Diamond) were shown attending college, with Kelly Kapowski (Tiffani Thiessen) joining them from the original series. However, due to a lack of more original cast members, audiences didn’t develop the same affection for “The College Years,” which eventually led to its early termination.

3) The Carrie Diaries (2013-2014)

During Carrie Bradshaw’s junior year in 1984, the spinoff of “Sex and the City,” titled “The Carrie Diaries,” struggled with a drastic change in tone. Fans adored the maturity and relatability of “Sex and the City,” but “The Carrie Diaries” moved Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, now portrayed by AnnaSophia Robb, into a teen comedy-drama. This shift left many viewers feeling disconnected, ultimately leading to the cancellation of the series by The CW after two seasons. Its use of anachronisms, poor writing flow, disconnection from the original show, and excessive use of teen comedy stereotypes contributed to its eventual downfall.

2) Heroes Reborn (2015-2016)

The TV show “Heroes” is renowned for its critical acclaim and intrigue, with its first season, launched in 2006, being a standout. However, the series lost steam during its four-season run, eventually getting canceled in 2010. In 2015, “Heroes Reborn” aimed to rekindle interest in the series, but this goal was not achieved. Instead, “Heroes Reborn” concentrated more on visual effects and melodrama compared to its original, focusing less on creating compelling and relatable characters. The absence of fresh characters and a confusing, complex storyline led to the demise of “Reborn,” but a new spinoff, “Heroes: Eclipsed,” has the potential to legitimize the continuation of the series.

1) Joey (2004-2006)

Most people recognize “Friends” as one of, if not the, most renowned, widely-watched, and impactful sitcoms in television history. This series followed the lives of six friends in their twenties residing in New York City. The show concluded in a heartfelt manner in 2004 when Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler (Matthew Perry) departed from the city, but Joey Tribbiani’s (Matt LeBlanc) story didn’t stop there. In 2004, a spinoff titled “Joey” was introduced, which portrayed Joey relocating to Los Angeles for his acting career. However, this separation from the beloved characters made the show feel disconnected and unrealistic, turning Joey into a melancholic character instead of the reliable ladies’ man we adored in “Friends.” We would prefer to forget that “Joey” ever graced our television screens.

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2025-07-28 22:11