Spinoffs are a TV gamble: sometimes they take a supporting character or a familiar universe and build something even sharper; other times they expose exactly how much of the original magic depended on a specific ensemble, tone, or moment in time.
To separate the classics from the cautionary tales, Entertainment Weekly published a ranked list in February 2025 spotlighting the 10 best spinoffs—and the 10 worst that couldn’t justify their existence.
The 10 best spinoff shows (ranked)
10) A Different World (from The Cosby Show) — A campus comedy that grew into a smarter, more socially engaged series with its own voice.
9) Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (from Law & Order) — A procedural that became a long-running institution by investing in character arcs and continuity.
8) Angel (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) — A darker, moodier companion series that still kept the franchise’s wit and emotional stakes.
7) Benson (from Soap) — A character-driven sitcom that successfully promoted a beloved supporting player into a lead.
6) The Good Fight (from The Good Wife) — A spinoff that used its legal framework to reflect its political moment and push stylistic boundaries.
5) Laverne & Shirley (from Happy Days) — A classic example of a side-character launch that turned into a pop-culture staple all its own.
4) NCIS (from JAG) — A franchise engine that outlasted expectations and became one of broadcast TV’s most durable hits.
3) The Jeffersons (from All in the Family) — A landmark sitcom that expanded the conversation (and the audience) while staying genuinely funny.
2) Frasier (from Cheers) — A rare spinoff that translated a supporting character into an all-time great ensemble comedy.
1) Better Call Saul (from Breaking Bad) — A prequel/spinoff that critics routinely cite as exceptional on its own terms—and, in some views, comparable to or even exceeding its parent series.
The 10 worst spinoff shows (ranked)
10) Living Dolls (from Who’s the Boss?) — A short-lived attempt to build a new show around a secondary thread.
9) Saved by the Bell: The College Years (from Saved by the Bell) — A format shift that didn’t land with audiences.
8) Time of Your Life (from Party of Five) — An offshoot that couldn’t translate the original’s spark into a new setting.
7) AfterMASH (from MASH*) — A heavily scrutinized follow-up that never escaped the shadow of its predecessor.
6) The Girl From U.N.C.L.E. (from The Man From U.N.C.L.E.) — A lesser-remembered franchise extension that failed to catch on.
5) Baywatch Nights (from Baywatch) — A tonal pivot that’s become shorthand for “why did they do that?”
4) Phyllis (from The Mary Tyler Moore Show) — Proof that even a great character doesn’t always equal a great standalone.
3) Joanie Loves Chachi (from Happy Days) — Frequently cited on “worst spinoffs” lists for losing the original’s appeal.
2) Joey (from Friends) — A high-profile follow-up that struggled without the core ensemble dynamic fans loved.
1) The Brady Brides (from The Brady Bunch) — A reboot-by-extension that’s often remembered more as a curiosity than a success.
