00:00Welcome to WatchMojo and today we're counting down our picks for the spin-offs that became
00:11even more beloved than the originals.
00:29Before beginning her own legendary adventures, this warrior princess was but a side character
00:33in Hercules.
00:35Originally meant to die after three appearances, Xena became so popular that the producers
00:39created her own show, which quickly overshadowed the original.
00:48While Hercules' Legendary Journeys was entertaining and consistent, Xena was far more captivating,
00:54with a balance of dark themes and heartwarming moments.
00:57Its campy adventure vibes resonated with many, gaining a large following and turning the
01:01show into a cultural phenomenon.
01:04During its six-year run, it dominated as one of the top-rated American shows before its
01:08eventual cancellation.
01:09Perhaps something about a kick-ass female lead always saving the day made this so iconic
01:13for its time.
01:30Some may argue that the too-serious precursor of Boston Legal is far superior, but popularity
01:35tells a different story.
01:36Taking a more light-hearted tone than its predecessor, the show revolves around the
01:40exploits of Alan Shore and his co-workers, with Denny Crane and Shore's chemistry serving
01:44as its heart.
01:48Interestingly, some standout characters like Shore first appeared in the eighth season
01:56of The Practice, before launching their own show.
01:58The spin-off pulled millions of views, earned 26 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning
02:04five, and even snagged a Peabody Award, amongst others.
02:07Today, you may hear people rave about Boston Legal, but The Practice, eh, not so much.
02:27Danny Thomas fans might recall this show, where he played the successful nightclub owner
02:30interacting with an ever-changing cast.
02:32One such character, Andy Griffith, appeared in one episode as Sheriff Andy Taylor, who
02:37arrests Danny for running a stop sign.
02:50The producers loved it, and from there on, the Andy Griffith Show was born.
02:54As the southern sheriff of Mayberry with a heart of gold and a big smile, Andy quickly
02:58became a TV icon.
03:00And his show?
03:01It became a massive success, even ending its run as the number one show on TV, an achievement
03:06few shows, including its original, could match.
03:09Adding to its legacy was comic legend Don Knotts, who won five Emmys for his iconic
03:13performance.
03:27Before becoming the face of The Hills, Lauren Conrad starred in MTV's 2004 reality series,
03:33which followed the lives of high school students in the titular seaside town.
03:36The first two seasons were a hit, but when Lauren and her classmates graduated, Laguna
03:41Beach shifted focus to a new group of students, and it just didn't feel the same.
03:54Then came The Hills, a guilty pleasure that focused mostly on Conrad's life as a budding
03:58fashion designer, navigating friendship, work drama and pair love life.
04:03While not without its share of criticisms, it reached a new level of popularity its predecessor
04:07didn't.
04:08It pulled millions of views during its run, and even though its ratings eventually declined,
04:12it still outlasted Laguna Beach.
04:22Long-time sitcom fans will surely remember this family-friendly 70s show that offered
04:37a nostalgic look at the 50s through the lives of the Cunningham family.
04:40With its wholesome portrayal of traditional American values, Richie's adventures and
04:44endearing characters like Fonzie, this show became an unforgettable entertainment giant.
04:57Yet, not many realise it originated as a segment from the anthology show, Love, American Style.
05:04While it didn't hit it big right away, it skyrocketed to number one in the mid-70s after
05:08shifting focus to the effortlessly cool Fonzie.
05:11Spanning 11 seasons, this series became a pop culture phenomenon, spawning other successful
05:16shows.
05:17You just can't talk about the best shows of the 70s without mentioning this enduring
05:20gem.
05:32These shows share the same origin, but often feel worlds apart.
05:36Jag has this slow burn vibe as it follows uniformed lawyers solving a variety of cases.
05:41Then came the wild two-part episodes, Ice Queen and Meltdown in Season 8 that introduced
05:47NCIS.
05:55This hit spin-off shifted gears, blending crime-solving with a mix of action, humour
05:59and character-driven stories, a formula that probably made it a fan favourite.
06:03With over 20 seasons, NCIS stands as one of the longest-running American shows, far
06:08outlasting Jag's 10-season run.
06:10It also has spawned several successful spin-offs itself, achieving a level of franchise expansion
06:15Jag never reached.
06:17The show's appeal may have dimmed with time, but there's no denying its impact in pop
06:21culture.
06:28Harriet Winslow first appeared as an elevator operator in the office building where Balky
06:41and Larry worked on Perfect Strangers.
06:44Then her husband later joined, in the episode Crimebusters, setting the stage for their
06:48own story.
06:49While Perfect Strangers was quite popular, this new show centred on the Winslow family
06:53quickly overtook it in popularity and ran longer.
07:07One reason the show was quite entertaining and unique was the Winslow's nerdy neighbour,
07:11Steve Urkel.
07:12Like Fonzie in Happy Days, he stole the spotlight and became an overnight sensation.
07:16Though this makes it hard to define Family Matters as either a wholesome family sitcom
07:20or Steve Urkel-led sci-fi drama, it remains far more memorable than its original and a
07:25standout in TV history.
07:31There's no arguing it, NBC's Cheers was a legendary sitcom that defined an era, following
07:50the everyday lives of working-class people at the Cheers bar, it was loved by critics
07:54and fans alike.
07:55Then Frasier was born, a series with a fresh backdrop, new characters and dynamics that
07:59fell more relatable and emotionally deeper.
08:13Centred on Frasier, his cantankerous father and his brother, it offered a more layered
08:17sitcom experience and enjoyed immense popularity over 11 seasons.
08:21Frasier became so iconic that it won 37 Primetime Emmy Awards, a big achievement at that time.
08:27Due to its success, a revival series premiered, further proving that its legacy lives on.
08:32And let's be honest, Frasier set the gold standard for intelligent sitcoms to come.
08:47If crime dramas were royalty, Dick Wolf's 1990 cop show would be the king, and its 1999
08:53spin-off would be the queen, who stole the crown.
08:55And the audience.
08:56Law & Order SVU arguably surpassed its original by dwelling more on heartfelt, realistic cases
09:01and weaving in the personal lives of its detectives.
09:12While the original was mostly about solving cases, SVU brought in a new spice by diving
09:17into stories of survivors, trauma, abuse and justice, creating a powerful bond with viewers.
09:22Now the longest-running Primetime drama ever, SVU continues to grip viewers like few shows
09:28can.
09:29And let's not forget Mariska Hargitay's Olivia Benson, whose evolution over the years
09:32has cemented her as one of the most endearing TV characters ever.
09:56Matt Groening's iconic creation has achieved such incredible feats that it's hard to
10:08believe it started as a small part of a Fox variety series.
10:12Even Groening couldn't have imagined it would become this big.
10:15The Simpsons began as his version of a dysfunctional family, pitched to the producers of The Tracy
10:19Orman Show.
10:25After Homer and his family debuted as a recurring segment, they got their own show, which became
10:30Fox's first series to break into the top 30 highest-rated shows.
10:38Today, it stands as the longest-running American sitcom and animated series, with over 700
10:46episodes adored by fans and newcomers alike.
10:49That's a feat no show can boast of.
10:51Love or hate it, The Simpsons is a crowning achievement in television history.
10:59So which do you like better, the spin-offs or the originals?
11:02Let us know in the comments section.
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