1. Jack Tripper from Three’s Company
Jack was the kind of sitcom character who could carry an entire show on his own. His mix of slapstick comedy, charm, and endless misunderstandings made him the heartbeat of Three’s Company. The show often revolved around his attempts to juggle romance, career ambitions, and living arrangements, and John Ritter’s timing was unmatched. Imagine a spin-off where Jack finally ran his dream restaurant and still got into ridiculous situations.
The character already had chemistry with everyone, from landlords to roommates, so surrounding him with new neighbors and staff would have been effortless. A sitcom about Jack navigating the restaurant business could have combined food-centered humor with the same kind of mistaken identity chaos fans loved. His warmhearted personality guaranteed audiences would follow him into any new setting. Ritter had the talent to keep the laughs coming, no matter the backdrop.
2. Carla Tortelli from Cheers
Carla was always quick with a biting comeback, and her chaotic family life was a constant source of jokes. But behind all of that sarcasm was a character with real heart, juggling motherhood and work in ways that could easily have carried its own show. Rhea Perlman gave Carla so much depth that it would have been easy to imagine her outside of the bar’s world.
A spin-off focusing on Carla raising her kids while running her own neighborhood hangout could have been both hilarious and heartfelt. Watching her balance discipline, chaos, and her own love life would have opened up plenty of comedic possibilities. Carla’s strength as a working-class single mom could have resonated with audiences far beyond the laughs. It’s a series that might have felt even more real than Cheers at times.
3. Florence Johnston from The Jeffersons
Florence was the maid who never backed down from George Jefferson’s insults. In fact, her quick wit usually won the battles. Marla Gibbs played Florence with such sharp delivery that fans often wondered what her life outside the Jefferson apartment looked like.
A sitcom centered on Florence could have followed her building a career beyond domestic work. Perhaps she could have started her own business or become a professional problem-solver for wealthy families, with her signature sass always intact. Watching her put pompous people in their place every week would have been a joy. Gibbs had the charisma and comedic chops to anchor her own series, and audiences were clearly ready for it.
4. Dr. Lilith Sternin from Cheers
Lilith might have seemed like the most serious person in the bar, but that’s what made her so funny. Bebe Neuwirth turned a character that could have been flat into someone endlessly entertaining. Her dry delivery was the perfect foil to the chaos around her.
A spin-off following Lilith’s career as a psychiatrist could have worked beautifully. Think of the patient-of-the-week formula combined with her rigid personality and occasional flashes of vulnerability. It could have had a similar energy to Frasier, but with a sharper, more biting sense of humor. Audiences would have loved to see her explore the tension between professional success and personal awkwardness.
5. Herb Tarlek from WKRP in Cincinnati
Herb was the radio station’s clueless salesman with loud plaid suits that practically shouted for their own screen time. Frank Bonner made him unforgettable, and his constant failures in business and love made him oddly endearing. He was a character you couldn’t help but laugh at, even while cringing.
A spin-off about Herb could have focused on him trying to start his own advertising agency. Watching him pitch terrible ideas to skeptical clients would have been pure comedy gold. His overconfidence in the face of disaster was exactly the kind of formula that sitcoms thrive on. It would have been a chance to explore more of his family life too, giving viewers more reasons to root for him.
6. Kimmy Gibbler from Full House
Kimmy was the ultimate quirky neighbor, and Andrea Barber played her with fearless weirdness. She was loud, unapologetic, and always managed to throw off the otherwise picture-perfect Tanner household. Every time she popped up, you knew something funny was about to happen.
Giving Kimmy her own series could have showcased her life outside of pestering the Tanners. Maybe we’d see her college years or early adulthood as she navigated the world with her offbeat personality. Watching her interact with equally eccentric friends and bosses would have been a perfect recipe for laughs. Kimmy was always memorable, and she had the comedic spark to carry her own show.
7. Larry Dallas from Three’s Company
Larry was Jack Tripper’s neighbor and constant wingman, but he could have easily stepped out of Jack’s shadow. Richard Kline made Larry charming, sleazy, and loveable all at once. His endless schemes and bad ideas often created more problems than they solved, but that was exactly the fun.
A sitcom about Larry trying to make it big in sales or real estate could have been hilarious. His mix of confidence and incompetence made him the perfect character for a series built on mishaps. Watching him stumble through both business deals and dating disasters would have been endlessly entertaining. Larry had the charisma to hold his own spotlight.
8. Carlton Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Carlton’s preppy attitude and over-the-top dance moves made him stand out even next to Will Smith. Alfonso Ribeiro turned him into one of the most beloved side characters of the ’90s, but the seeds were planted in the ’80s sitcom style. His mix of privilege, naivety, and surprising confidence made him prime spin-off material.
A Carlton-centered series could have followed him off to college or into his first job, where his sheltered upbringing clashed with the real world. Watching him struggle to fit in while staying true to his unique personality would have been fun. The comedy would come naturally from Carlton’s seriousness in absurd situations. His heart and energy could have made a spin-off as popular as the original show.
9. Murray the Cop from Taxi
Murray was the friendly, slightly naive police officer who often showed up at the garage. He wasn’t on screen as often as the main cast, but every appearance added warmth and humor. He had a kind of innocence that balanced out the more cynical tone of Taxi.
A spin-off about Murray could have been a lighter police comedy. Picture him solving small neighborhood problems while bumbling through his personal life. His good intentions would have led to plenty of comic mishaps. He was exactly the kind of character viewers would enjoy spending more time with outside of the cab company.
10. Willie Tanner from ALF
Willie always tried to keep control in a household where an alien lived in his garage, which was no small task. Max Wright played him as the voice of reason in a sea of absurdity. Yet Willie’s own quirks, frustrations, and dry humor gave him plenty of depth.
A spin-off following Willie outside of ALF’s chaos could have shown him balancing his career as a social worker with the challenges of suburban life. His character had the right blend of comedy and sincerity to hold a show together. Watching him deal with eccentric coworkers and difficult cases could have made for great sitcom material. Willie had more to offer than just keeping ALF out of trouble.
11. Arnold Jackson from Diff’rent Strokes
Gary Coleman’s Arnold was the breakout star of Diff’rent Strokes. His catchphrases, timing, and expressive face made him a household name. Even as a kid, he carried the kind of presence most adult actors only dream of.
A spin-off following Arnold into his teenage years could have been a natural continuation. Watching him grow up and find his place in the world, while still cracking wise, would have been appealing to fans who grew up with him. Coleman had the charisma to keep audiences invested in Arnold’s journey. The character deserved a chance to shine on his own stage.
12. Roz Doyle from Frasier
Roz may have technically belonged to the ’90s, but her sitcom DNA was pure ’80s sensibility. She was sharp, witty, and unafraid to cut Frasier down to size when he got too full of himself. Peri Gilpin gave Roz a warmth that balanced her sarcastic edge.
A spin-off about Roz’s life as a single working mom in radio would have been relatable and funny. Watching her juggle her career, dating, and motherhood could have provided endless material. Roz was always the most grounded person in the room, and that made her relatable. She had the perfect mix of humor and heart to carry her own series.
