Top 10 Shows You Didn't Know Were Spinoffs

#10: "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960-68)
Spun off from "The Danny Thomas Show" (1953-64)

Andy Griffith is a certified television legend, but even his biggest fans might not remember that the celebrated actor's beloved sitcom was actually a spin-off. The character of Sheriff Andy Taylor actually first showed up on an episode of "Make Room for Daddy," later known as “The Danny Thomas Show.” Remember when Danny Thomas' character was arrested for running a stop sign while driving through the fictional Mayberry, North Carolina? The rest, as they say, is history, as "The Andy Griffith Show" quickly became a ratings monster that connected with fans young and old during its eight year run in the 1960s.

#9: "Diagnosis: Murder" (1993-2001)
Spun off from "Jake and the Fatman" (1987-92)

Dick Van Dyke is another T.V. icon, with a career that spans multiple decades. He may be forever associated with "The Dick Van Dyke Show," but the legend also thrived during the nineties with a popular murder mystery program titled "Diagnosis: Murder." Boob tube buffs may not remember exactly how the show got off the ground, however, namely as a spinoff from the equally popular cop show, "Jake and the Fatman." Van Dyke's character of Dr. Mark Sloan first appeared as a character there before moving on to "Diagnosis: Murder," where he solved homicides alongside his son - a homicide detective - on a weekly basis.

#8: "Knots Landing" (1979-93)
Spun off from "Dallas" (1978-91)

The 1970s and 80s were a huge time for the television soap opera, and there was arguably no primetime soap bigger or more widely watched than the ratings juggernaut, "Dallas." Indeed, the continuing stories of the Ewing family and co. proved so popular that they eventually spun off into another nighttime soap legend, "Knots Landing." The show was spun off from the third season of "Dallas," and follows J.R. Ewing's middle son, Gary, as he and his new wife, Valene, move away from the family into what they think is a quiet cul-de-sac, Seaview Circle. "Knots Landing" was a huge hit, packing in audience from 1979 all the way to 1993.

#7: "The Facts of Life" (1979-88)
Spun off from "Diff'rent Strokes" (1978-86)

Sitcoms were big business during the 1980s, with "The Facts of Life" being one of the most well-remembered. Not as often recalled is the show's launching point, which can be traced back to yet another popular sitcom, "Diff'rent Strokes." Veteran character actress Charlotte Rae portrayed the Drummond family's housekeeper during the first season "Diff'rent Strokes" before her character of Edna Garrett was spun off into a series of her own. This time, Mrs. Garrett would be taking care of a whole new group of kids as the housemother for an all-girls private school. Rae's natural charm and charisma translated well on both shows, with "The Facts of Life" thriving on television for nearly a decade.

#6: "Xena: Warrior Princess" (1995-2001)
Spun off from "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" (1995-99)

Themes of swords and sorcery enjoyed a big time comeback during the mid-nineties, thanks to the success of a pair of popular shows. Kevin Sorbo starred as the titular Hercules in "The Legendary Journeys," but it was Lucy Lawless' Xena who arguably eclipsed her predecessor when she was spun off into her own show. The character actually started off as a villain when she first debuted on "Hercules," but her strong personality and fierce demeanor proved so popular that "Xena: Warrior Princess" showcased a repentant Xena who was attempting to right the wrongs of her past life. Fans responded in droves, and Xena was a certified superstar.

#5: "Mork & Mindy" (1978-82)
Spun off from "Happy Days" (1974-84)

The classic sitcom "Happy Days" bore some serious creative fruit during its decade-long success on the small screen. Fonzie and his pals may have been all about 1950s nostalgia, but the laughs were brought up to date with a number of equally popular spinoffs. "Mork & Mindy" ushered in a young Robin Williams as Mork from Ork, an alien who originally attempts to abduct Richie Cunningham, before audience popularity saw him rechristened with a more family friendly tone. Meanwhile, "Laverne & Shirley" followed two of Fonzie's single friends as they enjoy life in the big city with their equally big dreams. Both shows went on to thrive as pop culture icons of their very own.

#4: "Family Matters" (1989-98)
Spun off from "Perfect Strangers" (1986-93)

The Winslow Family, for many, exemplify the height of ABC's massively popular TGIF block of family comedies. Indeed, so long has "Family Matters" endured, that many seem to have forgotten that the show was actually a spin off from another TGIF mainstay, "Perfect Strangers." The Winslow matriarch Harriette was the sassy and popular elevator operator who debuted on the show. Mrs. Winslow lasted for about two seasons of "Perfect Strangers" before her character was finally spun off into "Family Matters," a show that would later introduce a popular character of its own, Steve Urkel.

#3: "Daria" (1997-2002)
Spun off from "Beavis and Butt-Head" (1993-97; 2011)

Mike Judge's "Beavis and Butt-Head" often earned just as much controversy for its content as it did praise for its jokes. Its spin-off series was more accepted by the mainstream public, thanks mainly to its presentation of a smart, funny, and capable female lead. We're talking, of course, about Daria, who started out her life as one of Beavis and Butt-Head's classmates before jumping off into a show of her own. Daria Morgendorffer, little sister Quinn, best friend Jane Lane, and co. brought together sarcastic wit and angsty charm alongside plenty of laughs, making it a spin-off that can easily stand up against its source show in the nostalgia department.

#2: "NCIS" (2003-)
Spun off from "JAG" (1995-2005)

Some spinoffs take on a life of their own, lasting so long that viewers forget that they're actually tuning into a spinoff series week after week. "NCIS" could be counted as one such series, as many of its fans may have forgotten that this crime procedural hit was actually spun off from another small screen action series, "JAG." T.V. producer extraordinaire Donald P. Bellisario was no stranger to cop show hits on the big screen, so it only made sense that he would spin off "NCIS," a show about Naval criminal investigation, from the legal drama of "JAG." Both shows have proven immensely popular, and continue to rule in syndication to this day.

Before we name our number one spin off, here are a few honorable mentions!

"Empty Nest" (1988-95)
Spun off from "The Golden Girls" (1985-92)

"Rhoda" (1974-78)
Spun off from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (1970-77)

"Maude" (1972-78)
Spun off from "All in the Family" (1971-79)

#1: "The Simpsons" (1989-)
Spun off from "The Tracey Ullman Show" (1987-90)

The Simpsons are an animated family that has become part of our own extended households over a nearly thirty-year run. That being said, even the biggest "Simpsons" fan could be forgiven for forgetting that Marge, Homer, Bart, Lisa and Maggie started their humble lives as a spinoff. Yup, a series of roughly animated "Simpsons" shorts were first aired as a part of the FOX sketch comedy series, "The Tracey Ullman Show.” These shorts were mainstays on the first three seasons of "Tracey Ullman," and were granted full time status as a result of their incredible popularity with viewers. Meanwhile, the legacy of "The Simpsons" lives on today as an all time classic.