For just about as long as we’ve had television, we’ve had spin-offs.
Some of television’s best, most beloved shows owe their existence to a popular predecessor.
A number of shows throughout television history have led to spin-offs, capitalizing on the show’s success.
Credit: NBC
Some grow into entire franchises.
Sometimes, that means a spin-off outlives the original show and becomes a pop-culture touchstone all its own.
Colbert first launched the character onThe Daily Show, hosted byJon Stewart.
Image via MTV Networks
It averaged 2.2 million viewers,according to AMC.
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They grow up so fast.
But it started as a sketch on the variety showThe Tracey Ullman Show.
The satiric adventures of a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield.
SVUhas been a massive success.
The series tackled the common problems of teenage girls, from dating and body image to drinking and self-harm.
Image via Comedy Central
It began in 1979 as a spin-off ofDiff’rent Strokesand ended in 1988 after airing over 200 episodes.
It averaged 15 million viewers each week, according toClassic TV Guide.
The Facts of Lifewas beloved in its own right,not just as a spin-off of another classic show.
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Sometimes honor simply comes with being nominated.
Each member of the NCIS team brings their own expertise.
NCISis among the longest-running shows on TV, with over 20 seasons and counting.
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NEXT:Better Call Saul & 9 Other Spin-Offs That Are Better Than the Originals
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Image via Fox
The satiric adventures of a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield.
Image via NBC
This series follows the Special Victims Unit, a specially trained squad of detectives in the New York City Police Department that investigate sexually related crimes.
Image via NBC
Image via CBS
Image via CBS
Image via CBS
MASH is set in a mobile army hospital during the Korean War, following the lives of the doctors and nurses who must balance the grim realities of war with moments of humor and camaraderie. Led by the wisecracking surgeon Hawkeye Pierce and his colleagues, the show explores themes of friendship, sacrifice, and resilience in the face of adversity.*
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Dr. Frasier Crane, a celebrated radio talk show host, moves back to his hometown of Seattle after years of living in Boston. He lives with his father, Martin, a retired cop, and is frequently visited by his brother, Niles, and their eccentric housekeeper, Daphne. Each episode delves into Frasier’s attempts to juggle his career, love life, and the often chaotic, but always loving, relationships with his family and friends.
