Top 10 Most Underrated TV Spinoffs
#10: “Bates Motel” (2013-17)
Reimagining the twisted story of Norman Bates and his overbearing mother, Norma, for the 21st Century, this A&E series is an offshoot of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” by way of David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks.” Though lead actress Vera Farmiga earned an Emmy nomination for her work as motel proprietress Norma Bates, the show itself never really got the mainstream respect it deserved. It’s a shame, too, because the reviews just got better as the show went on. Still, its suspenseful crime narrative and the uncomfortable mother-son relationship at its center won over a band of dedicated fans and breathed new life into one of American pop culture’s creepiest stories.
#9: “The Originals” (2013-18)
Top 10 Underrated Netflix Original Shows You Should Be Watching
Taking place in New Orleans’ French Quarter, “The Originals” follows a trio of siblings identified as the very first vampires. Originally introduced as a backdoor pilot during the fourth season of “The Vampire Diaries,” this CW supernatural drama doubled-down on the vampires, werewolves, and witches that made its parent series so successful. Its emphasis on politics led one critic to describe its first season as “‘House of Cards’ with werewolves and vampires.” Although viewers might come for the promise of good-looking vampires doing evil things, complicated familial relationships give the show a core of humanity.
#8: “The Good Fight” (2017-22)
Top 10 Underrated TV Couples Who Don't Get Enough Credit
Some TV spin-offs never leave the original show’s shadow. Some cast a bigger one. Ask any fan of “The Good Fight,” and they might say the Christine Baranski-led spin-off reaches higher heights and has juicier drama than its Emmy-winning predecessor “The Good Wife” ever did. Following closely after the original series’ end, Baranski reprises her role as powerful attorney Diane Lockhart as she takes on high profile cases involving political issues of the day. It may not have won as many awards as “The Good Wife,” but the show won its audience over by staying socially relevant and always trying to speak to the current political moment.
#7: “Rhoda” (1974-78)
You know that scene in “Romy & Michele” when they’re arguing about who’s the “Mary” and who’s the “Rhoda?” This is *that* Rhoda. While Mary Richards may have been a bit more confident and easygoing, her best pal Rhoda Morgenstern was eccentric and neurotic. But when actress Valerie Harper left “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and moved over to her own series, she proved that a spin-off about a sidekick could work. The series also gave Marge Simpson voice actress Julie Kavner an early start. Although the original still holds a place as a groundbreaking feminist series, “Rhoda” gave the other Rhodas of the world a chance to see someone like them succeed in life.
#6: “Boston Legal” (2004-08)
There are entire genres of television dedicated to uber-competent professionals in very important jobs. William Shatner’s conservative Denny Crane is almost a parody of that idea. He’s like an ultra-competent buffoon, full of hot air and eccentricities despite his prowess in the courtroom. Serving as both a continuation and a spin-off of David E. Kelley’s earlier series, “The Practice,” “Boston Legal” differentiated itself right away with its lighter, more whimsical tone. This also puts it at odds with other law shows with similar concepts. Unfortunately, this probably led to the show being taken less seriously than it could be.
#5: “Torchwood” (2006-11)
With as many time jumps and cosmic loopholes as there are in the “Doctor Who” franchise, it’s a wonder there aren’t a hundred companion shows. Well, there might be. Some might just exist in another universe. But in this universe of underrated spin-offs, “Torchwood” is our number five pick. John Barrowman stars as the gallivanting and cheeky Captain Jack Harkness, an immortal being who investigates supernatural and extraterrestrial activity with his team of fellow agents. While its source series may be aimed at a younger audience, “Torchwood” is known more for its adult-oriented humor and mature content.
#4: “Good Times” (1974-79)
10 Times Eleanor was the Best Character on The Good Place
So, “Good Times” has the rare distinction of being a spin-off of a spin-off. Its female lead, Esther Rolle, originated the role of Florida Evans on “Maude,” which itself was a spin-off of “All in the Family.” For her own show, Florida was rewritten as a resident of the Chicago housing projects. The show followed her and her family’s attempts to stay afloat financially and emotionally despite the hardships they faced. Although its lessons were not always treated with subtlety, the show was praised for its daring subject matter, heartbreaking storylines, and likable ensemble.
#3: “The Facts of Life” (1979-88)
Top 10 Nickelodeon Facts That Will Shock You
Before the world could be separated into Carries, Samanthas, Charlottes, or Mirandas, there were Blairs, Jos, Natalies, and Tooties. When housekeeper Mrs. Garrett left the set of “Diff’rent Strokes” to become the house mother of an all-girls boarding school, viewers didn’t exactly follow her in droves. But once the cast was whittled down to her and the core four girls in the second season, “The Facts of Life” finally found its groove. Although retrospective reviews aren’t as kind to the show’s writing and performances, there’s a reason it ran for nine seasons. The chemistry among the cast was strong, and the way it featured storylines about adolescent girls’ experiences wasn’t exactly commonplace in the early 80s.
#2: “Maude” (1972-79)
Our number two pick is full of political commentary, vicious tongue-lashings, and earth tones. No, it’s not “All in the Family.” It’s “Maude.” Before she was a “Golden Girl,” Bea Arthur created the role of Maude Findlay. Originally introduced as Edith Bunker’s liberal cousin, Maude got her own spin-off almost immediately. Known for her sarcasm and feminist politics, the show was famous for its controversial storylines, including a first season episode that saw the 47-year-old Maude having an abortion. Where shows treading the same territory today are praised for blazing trails, “Maude” was truly breaking new ground on primetime television.
#1: “Daria” (1997-2002)
Did snark exist before Daria? Looking back on the “Beavis & Butthead” spin-off that premiered in 1997, it’s almost like looking at the origin story of what would become early millennial humor. Sure, it’s peak Gen X nihilism at its funniest, but the show’s sense of irony doesn’t always side with that point of view. If anything, it finds small ways to convince us to care about the world we live in and the people in it, even if Daria Morgendorffer herself is hashtag over it. And it does this without ever stepping into afterschool special territory. It may be animated, but the characters seemed more real than any other teen show on television.
