10 TV Spinoffs That Were So Bad Fans Gave Up on Them

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Remember that hot new show you could not get enough of? The one you stayed up late just to binge-watch? Yeah, well, sometimes those shows take a nosedive with spin-offs that just do not hit the mark. With plots that make you cringe and other multiple reasons, these spin-offs had fans rolling their eyes and scrambling for the remote. 

So, to save you the trouble of having to find out for yourself, here is a look at some of the biggest TV show flops, to safely stay away from or you can watch them and find out!

That 80’s Show (2022)

Think back to those nostalgic days of watching That ’70s Show.

Well, the creators had a lightbulb moment and thought, why not try the same thing, but in the ’80s?” And so, That ’80s Show

was born. Unfortunately, it did not quite feel the same for fans. While the original series had fans in stitches with its lovable oddballs and hilarious antics, the spin-off just did not have the same spark. 

Maybe it was the cast that did not quite gel, or perhaps the ’80s just did not have the same comedic charm as the ’70s. For whatever reason, That ’80s Show

 was not the worst spin-off but it lost its spark pretty quickly, becoming a forgotten tale among other TV shows.

Read More: Fans Have Mixed Reaction to Spin-Offs That ‘One Piece’ Showrunner Wants to Make

Joey (2004- 2006)

Fans adored Joey from Friends

, that lovable, slightly clueless guy with a heart of gold, and he was a hit character. Well, when he got his own spin-off show, Joey

, it did not quite hit the same high notes. Sure, it was fun seeing Matt LeBlanc back in action as Joey, but the show just could not carve out its own niche. 

It missed the magic and humor that made Friends

a hit. Even though it is often put in the category and tagged with all the bad spin-offs ever, Joey

still has its own charm and a loyal fan following.

CSI: Cyber (2015- 2016)

CSI: Cyber

, a spin-off of the original CSI

was a bit of a flop show. While the original CSI

was a game-changer, Cyber just did not match the pace. The writing was a bit weak; the characters did not leave any lasting impressions. And the confusing tech jargon? Even techies found it baffling. Despite the efforts of talented actors like Patricia Arquette and Ted Danson, CSI: Cyber

could not avoid its own downfall.

Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years’ (2021 – 2024)

SpongeBob SquarePants

has been the go-to animated show of endless laughs with its unforgettable characters for ages. But to be real, when it comes to spin-offs, it feels like the series has lost its way a bit. Fans have not exactly welcomed with open arms the poor spinoffs of the classic like this Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years

show. 

Why did it all go down? Well, many argue the show does not do enough to capture the magic of the original or even try to come close to matching its charm. It was like trying to catch lightning in a bottle twice. It just does not measure up to the original series’ high standards.

Slippin’ Jimmy (2022)

Remember when Breaking Bad

was the talk of the town, and even its better spin-off, Better Call Saul?

Well, it does not stop there came another spin-off – Slipping’ Jimmy

. Slippin’ Jimmy

took a sharp, not very good, detour from the previous shows. It is an animated comedy that dives into the childhood of Jimmy McGill. Sounds interesting, yes? But, in all honesty, the delivery of the show was quite weird. 

Each episode pays a strange tribute to a different movie genre, which feels totally out of place. With its goofy humor and nonsensical plots, Slippin’ Jimmy

is a textbook case of a spin-off that did not live up to its predecessors. 

The Patrick Star Show (2021)

SpongeBob SquarePants

has been charming audiences for ages, with its quirky humor and underwater antics. The spin-offs for this show were plenty and fans did not welcome most. Take The Patrick Star Show

, for example. Despite featuring Patrick, a character everyone loves, it just did not quite make the splash fans were hoping for. Sure, the show had some delightful animation and occasional flashes of creativity, but it felt like the show leaned a bit too heavily on slapstick comedy and repetitive jokes.

Patrick, who is normally the lovable sidekick, did not do as well as expected as a single star. Critics and fans could not help but notice that it lacked the same cleverness and humor that makes SpongeBob SquarePants

such a classic.  

The Brady Brides’ (1981)

  The heartwarming sitcom, The Brady Bunch

, was the kind of show that just grabbed you by the feels with its wholesome family vibes and storylines that hit close to home. So, it was no shocker that producers wanted to ride the wave of its success with a spin-off. And so, entered. The Brady Brides

which was a show that tried to follow Jan and Marcia Brady as they stepped into married life.  

On paper, it seemed like a winner. But here is the thing: the execution just did not cut it. The show stumbled around, leaning on worn-out sitcom clichés and plotlines you could see coming a mile away. The chemistry between the characters lacked depth and the laughs also often missed the mark, leaving audiences struggling to connect with the show. 

Tabitha (1976- 1978)

The original show Bewitched

, which was about a witch married to a regular guy. Well, back in the late ’70s, a spin-off of the show came out called Tabitha

. It was all about Samantha and Darrin’s daughter. But, unfortunately, it did not gain the audience it hoped for. Lisa Hartman took on the role of Tabitha, and yes, there were some familiar faces from the original series, but something was missing. 

The show seemingly failed with the audience to get its act together. The timelines were all over the place, the dialogue felt awkward, and the magic that made Bewitched

so special was just gone. It is not like it was the worst spin-off ever, but most fans would probably rather just pretend it never happened. 

Top of the Heap (1991)

You must know of Matt LeBlanc, as the charming Joey Tribbiani from Friends

. Well, he tried his luck with another series called Top of the Heap

. This was a spin-off from the much-loved Married… with Children

, following the antics of Vinnie Verducci and his out-of-work dad, Charlie. While Married… with Children

was famous for its sharp wit and wild characters, Top of the Heap

did not live up to that.

  It was also noted by Screen Rant in an article as to how the show struggled to match the comedic energy of its predecessor. The jokes often missed the punchline, and the storylines lacked excitement. Despite LeBlanc’s star power, Top of the Heap

 failed to attract a large audience, leading to its quick cancellation after only one season.   

Baywatch Nights (1995 – 1997)

Remember those sun-soaked beaches, the slow-motion runs, and the perfectly sculpted bodies of Baywatch

? It is hard to forget that iconic series that had viewers hooked all over the globe. But then came a strange twist with its spinoff Baywatch Nights

. Baywatch Nights

tried to mix the familiar beachside drama with supernatural elements, a bold move that did not quite hit the mark. 

The show followed lifeguard Mitch Buchannon, played by David Hasselhoff, as he dug into mysterious happenings in his coastal town. Mysterious like the show had never seen before with vampires and werewolves! It was a far cry from the easygoing vibe of the original Baywatch

. The show could not juggle its supernatural twists with the classic Baywatch

formula, leaving viewers feeling let down.

So, it is clear that spin-offs can be quite a tough reach. Sometimes, they manage to capture the magic of the original series, drawing in new fans and giving old characters a fresh twist. But not all of them hit the mark. This does not stop the making of spin-offs, there are going to be many spin-offs of successful shows, like this year’s expected Arcane

 spin-off following the show’s success

. While some spinoffs can bring fresh energy into a beloved series, these ten were proof that, sometimes, less really is more.

Read More: What Sets the ‘Suits’ Spin-off Apart From the Beloved Original Series? Here’s What Fans Can Expect

Which of these tspin-offs do you think was the worst? Let us know in the comments below!

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