The 1970s were a golden age of television, with hit shows like All in the Family, Happy Days, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show dominating the airwaves. These successes led to a wave of spin-offs as networks tried to capitalize on the popularity of beloved characters and storylines. While some spin-offs, like Laverne & Shirley and The Jeffersons, became hits in their own right, others faded into obscurity almost as quickly as they appeared. Let’s take a look back at 13 TV spin-offs from the ’70s that no one seems to remember.
1. Grady (1975–1976)
A spin-off of Sanford and Son, Grady followed the beloved character Grady Wilson (Whitman Mayo) as he moved in with his daughter and her family in Westwood, California. While Grady’s laid-back personality brought charm to Sanford and Son, his new setting and supporting cast didn’t quite click. The show struggled to find an audience and only lasted for 10 episodes. Despite Mayo’s endearing performance, Grady is a forgotten footnote in Sanford and Son history.
2. The Ropers (1979–1980)
When Norman Fell and Audra Lindley’s characters left Three’s Company, they took their comedic bickering to The Ropers. The spin-off saw Stanley and Helen Roper move into a new townhouse and deal with their snobby neighbors. While Fell and Lindley remained as entertaining as ever, the show lacked the same spark as Three’s Company. It ran for only two seasons before being canceled, and the Ropers never made a successful return to their old stomping grounds.
3. Phyllis (1975–1977)
As a spin-off of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Phyllis starred Cloris Leachman as Phyllis Lindstrom, who moved to San Francisco following the death of her husband. The show focused on her attempts to start over while living with her in-laws and working various odd jobs. Despite Leachman’s comedic talent and the show’s two-season run, Phyllis didn’t reach the iconic status of its parent show or sister spin-off Rhoda. It remains a lesser-known chapter in the Mary Tyler Moore universe.
4. Blansky’s Beauties (1977)
This Happy Days spin-off was an odd one, starring Nancy Walker as Nancy Blansky, Howard Cunningham’s cousin and a showgirl choreographer in Las Vegas. The show featured future stars like Scott Baio and even a pre-Cheers Pat Morita, but the concept struggled to resonate with audiences. The connection to Happy Days felt thin, and the show lasted only 13 episodes. It’s no surprise that Blansky’s Beauties is largely forgotten today.
5. Tabitha (1977–1978)
Fans of Bewitched might remember Samantha’s daughter, Tabitha, but fewer remember her short-lived spin-off. Tabitha followed the now-grown-up Tabitha Stephens (Lisa Hartman) as she worked at a TV station in Los Angeles while managing her magical powers. The show attempted to recapture the charm of Bewitched but lacked the same spark and chemistry. It only aired for one season, disappearing almost as quickly as a twinkle of Samantha’s nose.
6. The Girl with Something Extra (1973–1974)
This quirky spin-off of Bewitched starred Sally Field as a woman with ESP who could read minds. The premise had potential, but the show struggled to find its footing, combining sitcom humor with supernatural elements. Despite Field’s undeniable talent, the show didn’t click with audiences and lasted just one season. It’s a rare misstep in Field’s otherwise stellar career.
7. Mrs. Columbo (1979)
While Columbo was a massive hit, Mrs. Columbo struggled from the start. The show starred Kate Mulgrew as Kate Columbo, the detective’s wife, who solved crimes while working as a newspaper reporter. The idea of seeing Mrs. Columbo on screen was intriguing, but without Peter Falk’s beloved detective character, the show lacked the charm of the original. The series underwent several rebranding attempts but was ultimately canceled after just 13 episodes.
8. A.E.S. Hudson Street (1978)
This medical sitcom was a spin-off of Barney Miller and focused on the staff of a chaotic New York City emergency room. Despite the talented cast, including Gregory Sierra, the show couldn’t capture the same blend of humor and heart as Barney Miller. It aired only six episodes before being pulled from the schedule. Today, it’s a nearly forgotten part of the Barney Miller legacy.
9. Hello, Larry (1979–1980)
A spin-off of Diff’rent Strokes, Hello, Larry followed Larry Alder (McLean Stevenson) as a radio talk show host in Portland, Oregon, raising his two teenage daughters. Despite crossovers with Diff’rent Strokes and Stevenson’s comedic chops, the show was panned by critics. It ran for two seasons, but its low ratings made it the butt of many TV jokes. Few remember it today, except perhaps as a cautionary tale of spin-offs gone wrong.
10. Fish (1977–1978)
Abe Vigoda’s character from Barney Miller, Detective Phil Fish, was so popular that he earned his own spin-off. Fish focused on Phil Fish and his wife Bernice (Florence Stanley) as they ran a foster home for troubled children. While the premise was heartwarming, the show struggled to balance its sitcom roots with more serious themes. It lasted only two seasons, and Vigoda eventually returned to Barney Miller.
11. Joe and Sons (1975–1976)
Joe and Sons spun off from Chico and the Man and followed widower Joe Vitale (Richard S. Castellano) as he raised his two sons while working at a welding company. The show aimed to blend blue-collar family life with humor, but it never quite found its audience. Despite its heartfelt premise, Joe and Sons was canceled after just one season. It’s a largely forgotten spin-off from an era of memorable sitcoms.
12. The Betty White Show (1977–1978)
Betty White was a beloved part of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and The Betty White Show was created as a vehicle for her talents. The show featured White as an actress starring in a fictional TV series, but the meta concept didn’t resonate with audiences. Despite White’s comedic brilliance, the show couldn’t find its footing and was canceled after one season. While Betty White’s career remained legendary, this series became a small blip in her incredible legacy.
13. Checking In (1981)
A spin-off of The Jeffersons, Checking In followed Florence Johnston (Marla Gibbs) as she left the Jeffersons’ household to become the head of housekeeping at a hotel. Despite Gibbs’ comedic talent and the popularity of The Jeffersons, Checking In only lasted four episodes before being canceled. Gibbs quickly returned to The Jeffersons, and the brief spin-off became a forgotten chapter of the show’s history.
These lesser-known spin-offs serve as a reminder that even during the heyday of television, not every concept struck gold. While the original shows remain classics, these spin-offs are little more than a nostalgic memory for those who caught them during their short-lived runs. Still, there’s something charming about revisiting these hidden gems and wondering what might have been if they’d found a bit more success.
