The 10 Most Popular TV Shows You Probably Didn’t Know Were Spinoffs

9. FRASIER (FROM CHEERS)

While Frasier is one of the most popular spin-offs in television history, many people don’t know that it’s the spawn of Cheers, an equally popular show. Many people never put the shows together simply because of their wildly different tones: Cheers is set almost exclusively in a bar in Boston and revolves around a large ensemble cast, while Frasier focuses on an intellectual psychiatrist and his family living in Seattle. But the character of Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) first appeared in season 3 of Cheers, and he remained a series regular until the show ended.

Frasier, like Cheers before it, aired for 11 seasons. During that time, every regular cast member from Cheers (except Kirstie Alley) made a guest appearance on the series. Added up, Grammer played the character of Frasier Crane for 20 years, and his portrayal of Crane was nominated for an Emmy on 3 different shows (including a crossover appearance on Wings). Interestingly, the Frasier set was actually built on the same stage Cheers was built on, despite ostensibly being set on the other side of the nation. Incidentally, Cheers also launched another, much less-successful spin-off called The Tortellis, which ended after just thirteen episodes.

10. THE SIMPSONS (FROM THE TRACY ULLMAN SHOW)

The Simpsons, also known as the longest running American sitcom, actually had its roots in a variety show most people don’t remember – The Tracy Ullman Show, which premiered in 1987 and ran for just four short seasons. The Simpson family would appear in short animated segments during the first three seasons of the popular variety show before the network decided to give the cartoon family their own thirty minute sitcom. The cartoon shorts, called “bumpers,” were written by Matt Groening and voiced by Tracy Ullman Show cast members. In 1992, Tracy Ullman even sued Fox for a share of The Simpsons‘ merchandising and gross profits because of her show’s role in the series success – a case she ultimately lost.

While The Tracy Ullman Show won several Emmys in its day, The Simpsons has certainly passed its predecessor in terms of cultural impact and popularity. Over its 26 seasons, it has spawned a movie, video games, comic books, and catchphrases. Widely considered one of the greatest shows of all time, The Simpsons has garnered dozens of awards since it premiered in 1989. The series arguably paved the way for prime time animation, leading to other 1990s animated sitcoms like King of the Hilland Family Guy.

Credits: Screenrant.com

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