Ever have your favorite television come to an end and you felt like your life was over? Luckily over the years, television shows are being revived or turned into a spin-off. Some shows have proven to be successful while others have fallen victim to getting the axe.
With major buzz surrounding the 2016 Netflix arrival of the Full House spin-off Fuller House, let’s take a look at television shows that have proven to stand the test of time and learn some information about the upcoming show.
Frasier (1993-2004) – What show would not want a theme song that talks about tossed salad and scrambled eggs? Frasier is a spin-off of the hit show Cheers. Relocating from Boston back to his hometown of Seattle, Dr. Frasier Crane lives with his father, his father’s caretaker, a dog named Eddie and constant visits from his brother Niles.
While juggling the crazy antics at home, Frasier also works as a radio psychiatrist. This show was one of the most successful television spin-offs and that shows with multiple Golden Globes, Primetime Emmys, SAG’s, etc. awards. Lasting 11 seasons, Frasier proved to be a success.
Girl Meets World (2014-Present) – With many 90’s nostalgia feels and more than a decade after Boy Meets World, Girl Meets World follows Riley Matthews, Corey and Topanga’s daughter, and her best friend Maya Hart as they encounter many life lessons while trying to understand the world.
The show contains some new faces as well as old ones that everyone knows and loves. Mr. Feeney, Shawn, Eric, Minkus (whose son Farkle is in Corey’s history class), Jack, Angela, Mr. Turner, Harley, and Amy and Alan have all made appearances on the show.
The show is a lot like Boy Meets World with a similar storyline. Riley and Maya are like Corey and Shawn, the circle of friends is the same (in BMW it was Corey, Shawn, Topanga, and Minkus now it’s Riley, Maya, Farkle and Riley’s love interest, Lucas), the school they attend is the same one that Corey and the rest of the bunch went to, etc.
Overall, the show seems to be doing well and is satisfying Boy Meets World fans.
The Jeffersons (1975-1985) – Movin’ on up to a deluxe apartment in the sky, The Jeffersons is follow-up to the memorable show All in the Family. The show picks up where George Jefferson and his family move to Manhattan because he has become wealthy and successful from his dry-cleaning business, Jefferson Cleaners.
The show was enjoyed by many and was very comical. George’s wife Louise, who was an open-minded woman, often had to scold when he would get a little carried away with his words. The show won a few Primetime Emmys and TV Land Awards.
The popularity of The Jeffersons continues to live on as it is still shown on multiple television channels.
Laverne and Shirley (1976-1983) – Lasting 8 seasons, Laverne and Shirley graced audiences’ television screens with humor, wit, and their misadventures. During the 50’s and 60’s, Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney are two single women who cope with life, dates, and of course, each other.
The show was a spin-off of Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley were acquaintances with Fonzie on that show. Though the show was comical, it tackled serious subjects occasionally including death, alcoholism, and potential pregnancy.
In 1982, things shook up a little bit when Shirley was no longer in the picture, it was just Laverne. Even though the show maintained good ratings, the show was canceled a year later.
What We Know So Far About Fuller House – Over the past few months, more information has been revealed about what to expect from the Full House spin-off. The show’s executive producer is John Stamos and the premise of the show is similar to the original.
Candace Cameron Bure’s character, DJ Tanner-Fuller, is now widowed and taking care of her kids with the help of sister Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) and BFF Kimmy Gibbler (Andrea Barber).
All of your favorite characters (minus Michelle Tanner) will return and reprise their roles.
Many have tried to get the Olsen Twins on board for the project but it is just not likely to happen. Just last week they released names and pictures of who DJ and Kimmy’s kids will be. A scene for an episode was recently shot at AT&T Park and it interrupted the Dodgers-Giants game which took Dodger’s pitcher Brett Anderson by surprise.
In general, these television spin-offs have become staples in television and continue to be enjoyed by many. They have been able to defy the odds despite skepticism and satisfied many with what they have seen from the show that came before it. Hopefully Fuller House will live up to the hype that it currently surrounding it and be as successful (or somewhat) as Full House.
Elizabeth Granato
Features Editor
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