TV Cross-Pollination and Character Transplants Could Help Ailing Television Shows

Imagine tuning into an episode of SyFy's "Eureka" and seeing Dr. Sheldon Cooper, the hilarious theoretical physicist on CBS's "The Big Bang Theory," applying for a position at Global Dynamics, Eureka's advanced research facility. How about attorney Jane Bingum from Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva" showing up in court on an episode of "The Good Wife?"
These appearances may sound far-fetched, but television has a rich history of cross-pollination, with at least once instance of a character switching between both shows and networks. Cross-pollination also can give ailing shows a much-needed lift in the ratings.

Everybody Goes to Hooterville

In the 1960s, producer Paul Henning was a real go-to guy for CBS. After creating "The Beverly Hillbillies," Henning created a spin-off series, "Petticoat Junction," for Bea Benaderet, the character actress who played Jethro's mother, Pearl Bodine. A few years later, CBS asked Henning to create another sitcom, which led to "Green Acres," the story of a wealthy lawyer who wanted to become a gentleman farmer.

For a few years, Sam Drucker, proprietor of Hooterville's general store, popped up on all three shows and even visited Beverly Hills. At one point, Miss Jane drove the Clampetts to Hooterville for a good old-fashioned country Christmas. This interplay continued until CBS cancelled all its rural comedies in a move dubbed the "Great Cornfield Massacre."

Where Everybody Knows Your Name and Medical Specialty

In 1985, the doctors from "St. Elsewhere," a popular hospital drama, stopped off for drinks at the watering hole made famous in the long-running "Cheers." In an episode appropriately entitled "Cheers," the doctors interact with Cliff and Carla and reveal Norm's connection to the staff at St. Eligius Hospital.

Speaking of "Cheers," producers David Angell, Peter Casey and David Lee created "Frasier," a spin-off featuring the bar's resident psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane, as well as the Nantucket-based comedy "Wings." It wasn't unusual to see Norm and Cliff passing through the terminal at Tom Nevers Field on "Wings" or have bartender Woody visit Dr. Crane in Seattle.

Transplanted Legal Eagles

There are times when a series is cancelled, but a few characters are so compelling that producers transplant them onto another show. Such was the case with Denise Ianello (Debi Mazar) and Eli Levinson (Alan Rosenberg) from ABC's "Civil Wars," a legal drama produced by Steven Bochco. Upon its cancellation, Denise and Eli became regular characters on "L.A. Law," another Bochco series. Mazar and Levinson moved between two networks and two legal dramas in one fell swoop.

Possible Transplants/Crossovers

A fan favorite, NBC's "Chuck" has struggled in the ratings, but not because of quality. Now wrapping up its final season, the spy comedy has memorable characters, not the least of which is John Casey, played to perfection by Adam Baldwin. Casey is a man of few words who values his daughter, gun and car above everything else.

The John Casey character is so memorable that it would be great if he was transplanted to a show like USA's "Covert Affairs" or even given his own spin-off series. Casey is too good to land in a television junkheap.