8 TV Spinoffs You Love Just As Much (or More) Than the Shows They're Based on
"Better Call Saul" isn't just one of the best Peak TV shows on the air right now, it's all one of the greatest TV spinoffs ever ("Breaking Bad" is just the gift that keeps on giving.) As Season 4 of AMC's drama returns, we're looking back at some spinoffs you love more than (or just as much) as the show that spawned them.
'Frasier' (NBC, 1993 - 2004)
"Cheers" was the '80s mega-hit about the bar where everybody knows your name, and "Frasier" was its '90s by-product where Dr. Crane promised "I'm listening." The series garnered a whopping 37 Emmys during its 11 seasons.
'The Hills' (MTV, 2006 - 2010)
"Laguna Beach" was trivial child's play compared to LC/Lauren/'the girl who didn't go to Paris"' adventures in twenty-something Los Angeles. The show was basically comprised of scenes where people were fighting in a club or chatting over lunch, but it will go down in reality TV history as quite the memorable slice of 2000s life.
'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' (NBC, 1998 - Present)
Even with often disturbing moments and and "ripped from the headlines" plotlines, "SVU" (which is about to enter its 20th season) is a marathon-worthy television staple at this point. We've all had a Saturday that included watching at least 5 in row, yes? While Stabler is missed, Benson is still going strong, and we wouldn't be surprised to watch this show with our grandchildren.
'The Simpsons' (Fox, 1989 - Present)
Yes, we have "The Tracey Ullman Show" to thank for one of the most irreverent and hilarious animated shows ever. We owe Tracey so much.
'Laverne & Shirley' (ABC, 1976 - 1983)
This charming buddy comedy made "Happy Days" dreams come true when it decided to focus on Wisconsin pals (and brewery bottle-cappers) Laverne and Shirley. And thus the phrase "Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!" was ingrained into the pop culture section of our brains forever.
'Better Call Saul' (AMC, 2016 - Present)
"Breaking Bad" is arguably one of the best TV dramas of all time, but "Better Call Saul" is doing a darn good job of living up to its source material. Hey -- Saul Goodman is the perfect person to create an prequel for -- but we would would have watched any "Breaking" character who got out alive continue Vince Gilligan's wildly compelling narrative.
'Family Matters' (ABC, 1989 - 1998)
Lest you forget, TGIF fans — the long-running sitcom "Family Matters" was actually derived from "Perfect Strangers." Winslow matriarch Harriette actually operated the elevator at the show's Chicago Chronicle before landing a starring gig on her own family show. With nine seasons, the Urkel-fied comedy was a major success. Did they do that?!?!
'Daria' (MTV, 1997 - 2002)
"Beavis and Butthead''s "heh hehs" made way for "Daria'"s "la la la la las" and angsty MTV viewers everywhere were eternally grateful. Who knew a pair of metal-head couch potatoes would pave the way for a feminist teen with dry wit and a penchant for pizza and a show called Sick, Sad World? The show is so '90s it hurts, so of course a reboot is currently in the works.