Always wondered if spinoffs would do better in the ratings if it came on right after it's parent show. For example, when Laverne and Shirley aired right after Happy Days on Tuesday nights and did very well in the ratings. Also A Different World aired right after it's Parent show-the Cosby Show on Thursday nights. Different World was right behind the Cosby show in the ratings at number 2 and the CS was at #1. I think more spinoffs should have followed this pattern. I guess these spinoffs did well because it was hour long connection between two shows. Now the spinoffs that didn't come on right after their parent shows and did horriblein the ratings were

1. The Ropers-created by Three's Company
2. Checking In-created by the Jeffersons


Let me know if there is spinoff who came on right after it's parent show and did not do well in the ratings.

I never noticed that trend before, but you are right, spin-offs aired directly after the parent show have a better chance in the ratings. I can't think of any examples right now, besides those already mentioned, but the concept makes sense. The spin-off is likely to spark more interest if the parent show is fresh in the viewer's mind, so until a spin-off had established enough success to be on separately, it is better off running with the parent show.

Originally posted by MBFTfan
I never noticed that trend before, but you are right, spin-offs aired directly after the parent show have a better chance in the ratings. I can't think of any examples right now, besides those already mentioned, but the concept makes sense. The spin-off is likely to spark more interest if the parent show is fresh in the viewer's mind, so until a spin-off had established enough success to be on separately, it is better off running with the parent show.

I'm glad someone sees that concept. The spinoff-The Ropers created from Three's Company should have come on at 9:30pm on Tuesday nights after Three's Company instead of a SATURDAY NIGHT??-that was a wacky timeslot-it was almost like the show was setup for failure.

The Golden Girls did very well in their timeslot, but when they moved, it signaled ratings failure, but then it ended, so The Golden Palace was born, and I admit, it was a decent "spin off" but the move to CBS and a different timeslot really didn't help it at all.

I never try and speculate at the reasons why spin offs don't last, but you made some good points guys. I think if GP might've stayed on NBC, in the same timeslot (before the timeslot change by NBC) on the same night, It COULD'VE lasted. But again, it's hard to speculate on the reasons why a spin off fails.

Facts of Life did very well, but wasn't after Diff'rent Strokes (or was it, I really don't know). Same with Maude, Good Times, etc.

Originally posted by TVJunkie101
Facts of Life did very well, but wasn't after Diff'rent Strokes (or was it, I really don't know).

Facts of Life I know wasn't after or before Diff'rent Strokes for awhile. On the Golden Girls TV Tales they showed their schedule for 1985 and it was right after Facts of Life on Saturdays, but DS wasn't before FOL from what I saw. I think they said NBC had Saturday nights for women, with women shows.

Originally posted by Silver Daze
Facts of Life I know wasn't after or before Diff'rent Strokes for awhile. On the Golden Girls TV Tales they showed their schedule for 1985 and it was right after Facts of Life on Saturdays, but DS wasn't before FOL from what I saw. I think they said NBC had Saturday nights for women, with women shows.

Yeah, I remember hearing something like that on TV Tales as well. So, there are a few spin offs that do pretty well without being before or after it's parent show.

Wasnt Family Matters a spin off too? Because that was always a good show. With the exception of Facts Of Life, and Laverne & Shirley (that show did better than its parents sometimes), most spinoffs do worse when they dont air directly after it. Shows like Frasier and such are now hugely popular, but its like a whole new show.

I Think They'd Do Better!

A sitcom would definitely do better if it were to directly follow its parent show. However, at one point or another, the spinoff would have to stand on its own two feet.

Originally posted by Silver Daze
Facts of Life I know wasn't after or before Diff'rent Strokes for awhile. On the Golden Girls TV Tales they showed their schedule for 1985 and it was right after Facts of Life on Saturdays, but DS wasn't before FOL from what I saw. I think they said NBC had Saturday nights for women, with women shows.

The Facts of Life had aired after "Diff'rent Strokes" for only one year. It was interesting to know that "The Facts of Life" had always stayed in a good timeslot throughout there course of airing.

Originally posted by TVJunkie101
Facts of Life did very well, but wasn't after Diff'rent Strokes (or was it, I really don't know). Same with Maude, Good Times, etc.

Correction on my part, Maude aired after All in the Family in 1975/1976 season at 9:30pm (AITF at 9:00pm). But Maude had already been established by then.

Originally posted by TVJunkie101
The Golden Girls did very well in their timeslot, but when they moved, it signaled ratings failure, but then it ended, so The Golden Palace was born, and I admit, it was a decent "spin off" but the move to CBS and a different timeslot really didn't help it at all.

I never try and speculate at the reasons why spin offs don't last, but you made some good points guys. I think if GP might've stayed on NBC, in the same timeslot (before the timeslot change by NBC) on the same night, It COULD'VE lasted. But again, it's hard to speculate on the reasons why a spin off fails.

Facts of Life did very well, but wasn't after Diff'rent Strokes (or was it, I really don't know). Same with Maude, Good Times, etc.


I'm not sure if the Jeffersons came on right after Allin the Family but that was another successful spinoff

Oh, right, I forgot about The Jeffersons, LOL.