Spinoffs that never happened! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 02-04-2002, 06:20 PM

There have been proposed spinoffs for many shows. The following are spinoffs that were planned or had one pilot but never materialized after that. Which ones would you have loved to have seen get a chance? If you know of any others please let me know.

1. Jackie(jackee')- the spinoff from the sitcom 227, starring Jackie from Sister, Sister fame.

2. Nick - the spinoff from Family Ties, starring Nick the boyfriend of Mallory. The premise is he moves to NY with his sister.

3. The Facts of Life actually had 3 spinoffs planned and nothing really materialized.
a.) a spinoff featuring Jo's cousins
b.) a spinoff where Natalie moves to NY to become a writer
c.) a spinoff where Blair buys Eastland school and becomes headmaster. That spinoff had Seth Green, Juliet Lewis and the future star of Blossom( I forget her name)

I know there were several others, however, I can't think of them off the top of my head.

Tiger32 · 02-05-2002, 11:54 PM

I think it would be funny to see how quickly the networks would have pulled the plug on Nick. My guess is that it would not have made it to its 4th episode. I think the rest probably would have made to the 13th episode before being canceled.

ClassicComedyFan2 · 02-08-2002, 05:58 PM

Happy Days:
Ralph and Potsie - living together in apartment
Scooby and Scrappy Doo with the Fonz - pulled from last minute by ABC, animated L&S premiered instead.

Laverne & Shirley:
Lenny & Squiggy - no plot known

Brady Bunch:
Kelly's Kids - w/ Ken Barry as a guy who adopts a PC group of kids

LucyFan · 02-11-2002, 12:46 AM

I Love Lucy:
The Mertzes- unfortunitely Vivian Vance refused to do this spin-off because she didn't like working with Bill Frawley.

Here's Lucy:
The Lucie Arnaz Show (1973)- CBS didn't accept the pilot. The pilot was actually an episode of Here's Lucy but it served as a pilot for Lucie Arnaz's show.

Caysei · 02-14-2002, 10:14 PM

Does anyone remember when the show Martin ended? The character Pam (Tichina Arnold) was supposed to be in the spinoff, along with Jenna Oy (The Parkers). They were supposed to be working in the music industry at a record label.

Tiger32 · 02-14-2002, 11:04 PM

The show Martin ended in 1997. I think it lasted 5 years, it is currently in syndication. The show could have gone on for a couple more years, but there was a sexual harrassmant suit filed by Tisha Cambell-Martin against Martin Lawerence.

Martin Lawerence then decided that he had enough.

I never heard of a Tinicha Arnold spinoff, but that would have been great, particularly if they had kept Tommy as her boyfriend.

However, I think that the window of oppurtunity has passed on that possibility, since it has been 5 years since the show has been off the air.

Brian Damage · 02-15-2002, 05:50 PM

I also believe there was a spinoff planned for the Jeffersons involving their maid Florence. I think the concept had her managing a hotel, but for whatever reason decided to back out of it.

Tiger32 · 02-15-2002, 08:29 PM

Marla Gibbs did not get her Jefferson spinoff, but she did get her own series on NBC (titled 227), in which she was the lead character as opposed to her supporting role on the Jeffersons.

But I think this talented actress would have been good in a Jefferson's spinoff as well. If she had the courage to stand up to George Jefferson, than she could have stood up to anyone.

TJ · 02-17-2002, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by briandamage
I also believe there was a spinoff planned for the Jeffersons involving their maid Florence. I think the concept had her managing a hotel, but for whatever reason decided to back out of it.

This did happen, 4 episodes were aired. It was called Checking In. After the show was cancelled, Marla Gibbs returned to The Jeffersons.

Brian Damage · 02-18-2002, 07:13 PM

When you think about it, it really is a shame that some of these spinoffs never took off. I mean a quality actress like Marla Gibbs was only given 4 episodes of her own show??? I mean shows need time to develop, characters to be established and most importantly a chance for chemistry to arise. Four episodes cannot do that! For some of these other spinoffs that never took off, it's a shame that "The Mertzes" couldn't develop because of foolish bickering. There was a definite magic between Vance and Frawley that would have made that show its own classic.
As for Lenny & Squiggy, it would have been great to see that show come about. I guess Gary Marshall felt that they were too valuable to Laverne & Shirley to spinoff?? What a shame, that too could've possibly been a hit. I suppose that's a reason alot of spinoffs don't happen, because the producer's are afraid that losing these characters will jepardize their current hits. That's why I feel the best characters to do spinoffs with, are the ones that have smaller roles. Like the gym teacher on Growing Pains, Maude, Lionel Jefferson, Mork etc,etc...

winkwilliams · 03-13-2002, 01:10 PM

One spin off that never made it past the pilot stage was Gary Burghoff in "Radar." CBS did air the pilot during summer, they burned it off, right after an "After Mash" rerun.
Anyone recall "Gloria" a dreadful spin off of "All In the Family?" It's premise was that Gloria and meathead divorced and she was on her own working at a animal clinic outside the city. Carol O'Conner was producer of the pilot but dumped when it went to series by star Sally Struthers. She replaced all of his people and Carol O'Conner was royally pissed for many years. I saw the original pilot that featured Carol. It never aired in this form and shows Archie driving his little girl and Joey in a pick up to her new home. That intro was cut from the aired version and he is never mentioned or seen again in "Gloria" at Carol's command. It was dreadful and canned after one year.
The Mertzes? That's a new one to me. I think it is an urban legend. No spin off was ever in the works that I have ever read or heard about.

ThomasE · 03-14-2002, 01:11 AM

Actually, Gloria did mention Archie a few times.

bb · 03-14-2002, 01:47 PM

Emergency!!! ,during its run there was a show featuring a team of vets, kinda of like an animal Emergency. TV Land showed it a few times back when they carried Emergency. I remember the scene of Julie London smoking those long cigarettes watching a tv news report about I believe the rescue of an animal. I also believe this was the episode where Dr. Brackett saves a goat at Rampart.

Also during the run of the Brady Bunch there was a show starring Ken Berry ( just after Mayberry RFD ) about him and his adopted kids , I believe that was supposed to have been a spin off too , but that too never happened.

TJL · 03-15-2002, 10:10 PM

Okay, this isn't a sitcom, but bear with me...
I just remembered an episode of "In The Heat Of The Night" where Bubba Skinner travelled to L.A. to solve a case. It was a real fish out of water episode, with good ol' boy Bubba mixing it up with the ultra hip citizens of Los Angeles. He got mixed up with this big insurance company that wanted him to become a member of thei investigation team. Alas, Bubba decided to return to Sparta.

karaokedude · 03-19-2002, 05:46 AM

They tried to spinoff "Horshack" from "Welcome Back Kotter" (don't think that was the title though). ABC did air the pilot. Ironically, the show co-starred John Travolta's sister, Ellen.

02-04-2002, 06:20 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Spinoffs that never happened! There have been proposed spinoffs for many shows. The following are spinoffs that were planned or had one pilot but never materialized after that. Which ones would you have loved to have seen get a chance? If you know of any others please let me know. 1. Jackie(jackee')- the spinoff from the sitcom 227, starring Jackie from Sister, Sister fame. 2. Nick - the spinoff from Family Ties, starring Nick the boyfriend of Mallory. The premise is he moves to NY with his sister. 3. The Facts of Life actually had 3 spinoffs planned and nothing really materialized. a.) a spinoff featuring Jo's cousins b.) a spinoff where Natalie moves to NY to become a writer c.) a spinoff where Blair buys Eastland school and becomes headmaster. That spinoff had Seth Green, Juliet Lewis and the future star of Blossom( I forget her name) I know there were several others, however, I can't think of them off the top of my head.

02-05-2002, 11:54 PM	#2
Tiger32 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 14, 2002 Posts: 624	Nick would not have lasted a month! I think it would be funny to see how quickly the networks would have pulled the plug on Nick. My guess is that it would not have made it to its 4th episode. I think the rest probably would have made to the 13th episode before being canceled.
	Last edited by Tiger32; 02-05-2002 at 11:55 PM.

02-14-2002, 10:14 PM	#5
Caysei Member First Time Poster Join Date: Feb 14, 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1	spinoff that never happened Does anyone remember when the show Martin ended? The character Pam (Tichina Arnold) was supposed to be in the spinoff, along with Jenna Oy (The Parkers). They were supposed to be working in the music industry at a record label.

02-14-2002, 11:04 PM	#6
Tiger32 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 14, 2002 Posts: 624	Martin Ended in May 1997 The show Martin ended in 1997. I think it lasted 5 years, it is currently in syndication. The show could have gone on for a couple more years, but there was a sexual harrassmant suit filed by Tisha Cambell-Martin against Martin Lawerence. Martin Lawerence then decided that he had enough. I never heard of a Tinicha Arnold spinoff, but that would have been great, particularly if they had kept Tommy as her boyfriend. However, I think that the window of oppurtunity has passed on that possibility, since it has been 5 years since the show has been off the air.
	Last edited by Tiger32; 02-14-2002 at 11:21 PM.

03-13-2002, 01:10 PM	#11
winkwilliams Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 15, 2002 Location: yonkers, ny Posts: 98	Radar One spin off that never made it past the pilot stage was Gary Burghoff in "Radar." CBS did air the pilot during summer, they burned it off, right after an "After Mash" rerun. Anyone recall "Gloria" a dreadful spin off of "All In the Family?" It's premise was that Gloria and meathead divorced and she was on her own working at a animal clinic outside the city. Carol O'Conner was producer of the pilot but dumped when it went to series by star Sally Struthers. She replaced all of his people and Carol O'Conner was royally pissed for many years. I saw the original pilot that featured Carol. It never aired in this form and shows Archie driving his little girl and Joey in a pick up to her new home. That intro was cut from the aired version and he is never mentioned or seen again in "Gloria" at Carol's command. It was dreadful and canned after one year. The Mertzes? That's a new one to me. I think it is an urban legend. No spin off was ever in the works that I have ever read or heard about.
	__________________ Wink Williams "I may be desperate, but I'm not dead."

02-08-2002, 05:58 PM	#3
ClassicComedyFan2 Coolicious! Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 28, 2001 Location: AL, United States, Alpha Quadrant Posts: 698	Happy Days: Ralph and Potsie - living together in apartment Scooby and Scrappy Doo with the Fonz - pulled from last minute by ABC, animated L&S premiered instead. Laverne & Shirley: Lenny & Squiggy - no plot known Brady Bunch: Kelly's Kids - w/ Ken Barry as a guy who adopts a PC group of kids

02-11-2002, 12:46 AM	#4
LucyFan Still Loving Lucy! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 23, 2001 Location: In the Wonderful World of Lucy! Posts: 8,198	I Love Lucy: The Mertzes- unfortunitely Vivian Vance refused to do this spin-off because she didn't like working with Bill Frawley. Here's Lucy: The Lucie Arnaz Show (1973)- CBS didn't accept the pilot. The pilot was actually an episode of Here's Lucy but it served as a pilot for Lucie Arnaz's show.

02-15-2002, 05:50 PM	#7
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	I also believe there was a spinoff planned for the Jeffersons involving their maid Florence. I think the concept had her managing a hotel, but for whatever reason decided to back out of it.

02-15-2002, 08:29 PM	#8
Tiger32 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 14, 2002 Posts: 624	Marla Gibbs did not get her Jefferson spinoff, but she did get her own series on NBC (titled 227), in which she was the lead character as opposed to her supporting role on the Jeffersons. But I think this talented actress would have been good in a Jefferson's spinoff as well. If she had the courage to stand up to George Jefferson, than she could have stood up to anyone.

02-18-2002, 07:13 PM	#10
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	When you think about it, it really is a shame that some of these spinoffs never took off. I mean a quality actress like Marla Gibbs was only given 4 episodes of her own show??? I mean shows need time to develop, characters to be established and most importantly a chance for chemistry to arise. Four episodes cannot do that! For some of these other spinoffs that never took off, it's a shame that "The Mertzes" couldn't develop because of foolish bickering. There was a definite magic between Vance and Frawley that would have made that show its own classic. As for Lenny & Squiggy, it would have been great to see that show come about. I guess Gary Marshall felt that they were too valuable to Laverne & Shirley to spinoff?? What a shame, that too could've possibly been a hit. I suppose that's a reason alot of spinoffs don't happen, because the producer's are afraid that losing these characters will jepardize their current hits. That's why I feel the best characters to do spinoffs with, are the ones that have smaller roles. Like the gym teacher on Growing Pains, Maude, Lionel Jefferson, Mork etc,etc...

03-14-2002, 01:11 AM	#12
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	Actually, Gloria did mention Archie a few times.

03-14-2002, 01:47 PM	#13
bb Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 30, 2001 Location: Martinsburg, WV usa Posts: 276	Emergency!!! ,during its run there was a show featuring a team of vets, kinda of like an animal Emergency. TV Land showed it a few times back when they carried Emergency. I remember the scene of Julie London smoking those long cigarettes watching a tv news report about I believe the rescue of an animal. I also believe this was the episode where Dr. Brackett saves a goat at Rampart. Also during the run of the Brady Bunch there was a show starring Ken Berry ( just after Mayberry RFD ) about him and his adopted kids , I believe that was supposed to have been a spin off too , but that too never happened.

03-15-2002, 10:10 PM	#14
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	Okay, this isn't a sitcom, but bear with me... I just remembered an episode of "In The Heat Of The Night" where Bubba Skinner travelled to L.A. to solve a case. It was a real fish out of water episode, with good ol' boy Bubba mixing it up with the ultra hip citizens of Los Angeles. He got mixed up with this big insurance company that wanted him to become a member of thei investigation team. Alas, Bubba decided to return to Sparta.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

03-19-2002, 05:46 AM	#15
karaokedude Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 03, 2002 Location: PA Posts: 58	They tried to spinoff "Horshack" from "Welcome Back Kotter" (don't think that was the title though). ABC did air the pilot. Ironically, the show co-starred John Travolta's sister, Ellen.