Failed Sitcom Spin-Offs from Hit Television Shows

For each warmly received television spin-off, making it to the top, there are those that were perhaps best left in the talking stages. Often we won't accept familiar faces in new places.

Hit TV series like All In The Family spun off hit shows like Maude and The Jeffersons. But does anybody remember Flo or The Ropers? These shows had beloved actors, created from hits, but just didn't gel enough to withstand the ruthless cancellation ax.

Joey (2004 - 2006)

How you doin? That catchy catch phrase helped propel Joey Tribbiani as one of our friendly Friends to the star sitcom hall of fame. However, Joey's same named sitcom didn't fare nearly as well.

Despite the logical premise of Joey moving out to Los Angeles to try for stardom as an actor, and winning the People's Choice Award of Favorite New Television Comedy and Favorite Male Television Star for Matt LeBlanc, Joey lasted just two seasons. The first complete season is available to own on DVD.

Golden Palace (1992 - 1993)

This spin-off had the entire cast of Estelle Getty, Betty White and Rue McClanahan return, all but Beatrice Arthur. In that respect, it may have been the spin-off with the most original characters carried over from the origin show, The Golden Girls.

The show's set-up saw the senior trio of Blanche, Rose and Sophia managing a classy hotel called The Golden Palace, but apparently fans never got over the loss of Dorothy, although Bea Arthur did reprise her role in two of the show's episodes.

The Ropers (1979 - 1980)

Three's Company spawned a short lived look at Stanley Roper and wise cracking wife Helen.

After moving away to a more upper class area, Helen is frustrated at husband Stanley's reluctance to fit in with new neighbors. Initially it performed so well as companion piece to mega hit Three's Company that it was the highest rated TV block in TV history back then. When ABC shifted it around, ratings declined. Sadly, a commitment to bring back Fell and Lindley as the Ropers to Three's Company wasn't honored because of a contractual time limit. For Don Knotts as Mr. Furley who had replaced the bickering pair as new landlord, it was a welcome decision. Though rarely seen as a full series in syndication, two episodes of The Ropers play in a syndicated deal of Three's Company.

Flo (1980 - 1981)

Kiss mah grits! When pigs fly! The spunky, sassy waitress Flo from Mel's Diner had more comebacks than Cher or Madonna combined. Unfortunately, her spin-off wasn't as hardy and never came back.

It's rumored that Alice star Linda Lavin was upset by Polly Holiday's enormous popularity as Flo. Supposedly, producers created a show so Holliday would leave. The premise saw Florence Jean Castleberry buying a dumpy roadhouse from her youth and trying her best to run it while dealing with her mother and sister. Polly Holiday also had a memorable role in the 1980's classic Gremlins as the hateful Ms. Deagle.