Television history is chock full of spin-offs that completely flunked.
Last month, we took a look at some of the best spin-off shows of all time — but let's face it, not all spinoffs are met with success.
After all, who can forget "Joey," the heavily promoted yet unsuccessful NBC show that followed Matt LeBlanc's character in a post-"Friends" world?
With networks gearing up for a bunch of newspinoffs, here are the shows that had a brief shelf life.
"Joey" (2004-2006)
Spin-off of: "Friends" (1994-2004)
NBC's hit series "Friends" found so much success in its 10-year run, it's not that surprising a spin-off didn't live up to the same glory.
"Joey" followed the main character Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) in his move to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career. Despite heavy promotion, the show failed to win over viewers, leading it to cancellation after two seasons.
In response to the show's lackluster performance, LeBlanc later said he would do it again.
“I thought that it was a good show. I just think that we were telling stories that emasculated the character," LeBlanc told the Guardian. "They wrote a guy who became very doubtful of himself in this new place, in Hollywood, no friends, can’t meet girls – and that’s not who Joey was. He was always, always, always, the consummate optimist. Always. And that’s not who they wrote. That was very frustrating for me.”
"The Lone Gunmen" (2001)
Spin-off of: "The X-Files" (1993-2002)
"The Lone Gunmen,"which premiered during a brief "The X-Files" broadcast hiatus, revolved around characters Melvin Frohike, John Fitzgerald Byers, and Richard Langly, who all ran a conspiracy theory magazine.
"The Lone Gunmen"was cancelled after thirteen episodes.
"Top of the Heap" (1991)
Spin-off of:"Married... with Children" (1987-1997)
"Joey" wasn't Matt LeBlanc's only unsuccessful spin-off.
He also appeared in "Top of the Heap," a show spun off from a "Married... with Children"episode of the same name. Featuring characters Charlie Verducci and his son Vinnie, the spin-off only lasted a total of seven episodes.
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