7 ‘80s TV Characters Who Got Their Own Spin-Off – But You Forgot About Them

1. Joanie Loves Chachi (Happy Days)

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If you remember Happy Days, you probably recall Joanie Cunningham and Chachi Arcola, the sweet couple that had us all rooting for their love story. In 1982, they got their own spin-off, Joanie Loves Chachi, which took viewers to Chicago as they pursued their dreams in the music industry. While the show had a catchy theme song and a fun premise, it struggled to find its audience and was canceled after just one season. Despite being a Happy Days spin-off, it lacked the same charm, and fans didn’t quite warm up to the new setting.

Joanie and Chachi’s chemistry still stands out as a key element of the show, but without the familiar backdrop of the Cunningham family and the Fonz, it didn’t quite hit the mark. After its short run, both characters faded from the spotlight for a while, leaving fans wondering what might have been. Today, it’s a nostalgic reminder of the Happy Days era but remains largely forgotten in the sea of spin-offs from the ’80s.

2. The Tortellis (Cheers)

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Cheers was one of the most beloved sitcoms of the ’80s, and of course, its massive success led to a spin-off. Enter The Tortellis, a show that focused on Carla Tortelli’s ex-husband Nick and his new wife, Loretta. While Nick had some funny moments on Cheers, the spin-off failed to capture the magic of the original series. The show only lasted 13 episodes in 1991 before it was canned, leaving fans scratching their heads as to why it was ever green-lit in the first place.

Despite its short lifespan, The Tortellis offered a glimpse into the chaotic lives of the characters and their attempts to make it big in Las Vegas. It was a curious move for the Cheers universe, but without the backdrop of the iconic bar and ensemble cast, it couldn’t compete with its predecessor. Today, it’s a forgotten blip in the world of TV spin-offs, mainly remembered for its attempt to capitalize on the Cheers brand.

3. Laverne & Shirley in the Army (Laverne & Shirley)

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After Laverne & Shirley wrapped up its successful run in 1982, the spin-off Laverne & Shirley in the Army was introduced as a way to continue the dynamic between the two lovable women. The show followed Laverne and Shirley as they enlisted in the U.S. Army and tried to navigate military life. Though the concept sounded fun, the spin-off struggled with pacing and humor, leading to its cancellation after just a few episodes.

Laverne and Shirley’s charm came from their quirky personalities and their time working at a bottle factory, so seeing them in a military setting didn’t quite resonate with fans. The show ultimately faded into obscurity, and the duo went back to their Laverne & Shirley roots, where they were truly beloved. Laverne & Shirley in the Army is now a forgotten piece of ’80s TV history.

4. The Ropers (Three’s Company)

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Stanley and Helen Roper, the quirky couple from Three’s Company, were a fan favorite, so it made sense to give them a spin-off. The Ropers aired in 1979 and followed the couple as they moved into a new apartment complex and faced the ups and downs of married life. While the characters had undeniable charm, the series never captured the same level of humor as Three’s Company, and the audience didn’t connect with the new cast members.

After just one season, The Ropers was canceled, and the characters returned to Three’s Company for their final appearances. The show is mostly forgotten today, but it remains a brief moment in the ’80s spin-off craze. Fans of Three’s Company still talk about the Ropers’ hilarious antics, but their spin-off didn’t have the same staying power.

5. Vicki! (The Hogan Family)

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In 1986, Vicki! followed the character Vicki, a bubbly TV news reporter from The Hogan Family (formerly Valerie), as she moved from suburbia to Chicago for a new job and found herself caught up in office drama. The show starred Vicki Lawrence, but despite her comedic chops, it didn’t quite take off. The workplace sitcom had some potential, but without the familial heart of The Hogan Family, it lacked the necessary charm to hold viewers’ attention.

Vicki! was canned after just one season, and Lawrence’s character was quickly forgotten. Though the show wasn’t a total disaster, it wasn’t enough to overshadow her legacy from The Carol Burnett Show or The Hogan Family. In retrospect, Vicki! remains a brief and forgettable chapter in ’80s TV spin-off history, overshadowed by more successful sitcoms.

6. The Golden Palace (The Golden Girls)

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The Golden Girls wrapped up in 1992, but the world wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the iconic group of older women living in Miami. The Golden Palace followed Blanche, Rose, and Dorothy as they bought and ran a hotel together. Without Bea Arthur’s Dorothy, who had left the show, it felt like something was missing, and the series struggled to find its footing.

Though the show featured a great supporting cast, including Don Cheadle and Cheech Marin, it didn’t capture the same magic as the original. After just one season, The Golden Palace was canceled, and the ladies faded into TV history, leaving fans to remember them as part of the beloved original series. The hotel wasn’t as appealing as their apartment, and their personalities didn’t quite mesh in this new setting.

7. Frasier (Cheers)

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Frasier is one of the rare success stories among TV spin-offs. However, even though it’s remembered as a classic, many forget that the show was actually a spin-off of Cheers featuring Frasier Crane. The character had originally been a somewhat pompous psychiatrist in Cheers, but when he got his own show, he was transformed into the star of a new series.

The spin-off followed Frasier as he navigated his career and personal life in Seattle, creating a more refined, sophisticated version of the character. Fans of Cheers didn’t always warm up to the more intellectual humor of Frasier, but it ended up lasting 11 seasons and winning multiple Emmy Awards. Although it found success, it’s sometimes forgotten that Frasier started out in a completely different world.

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