Classic TV Series You Didn’t Realize Are Spinoffs Of Other Shows

Let’s get real. Hollywood isn’t exactly brimming with new and original ideas. And in a world ruled by successful remakes and reboots, studios are champing at the bit to recycle material. But television is no different than film.

Because when a TV series finds success with audiences, it becomes the perfect jumping off point for a spinoff. But sometimes, the spinoff outshines its parent. And people forget it was a spinoff in the first place. So here are a bunch of classic TV series you never knew were spinoffs.

“The Twilight Zone” (“Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse”)

tv spinoffs — IMAGE BY: http://www.cbs.com/shows/the_twilight_zone/

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz are best known for the on-screen comedic portrayal of their off-screen romance, but more than that, they helped create some of the greatest shows in history.

One of those is Rod Serling’s “The Twilight Zone,” which started as an episode on the anthology series “Desilu Playhouse.” Lucy gave us the greatest sci-fi series of all time. Think about that.

“Booker” (“21 Jump Street”)

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If you were to try and name an actor who could carry a TV series during the ‘80s, Johnny Depp would probably make the top of your list. Richard Grieco, who’s likely best known for 1998’s “A Night at the Roxbury,” would not.

Regardless, he was the star of a “21 Jump Street” spinoff series, thereby cementing his place in history as the poor man’s Depp.

“NCIS” (“JAG”)

“NCIS” is that show your parents have been tuning into religiously every Tuesday night for the last 15 years, probably because it’s incredibly formulaic and easily digestible, and that Mark Harmon is just so darn dreamy.

But it actually came from “JAG,” another long-running formulaic Navy show, starring another mom-approved dream boat named David James Elliott. Really, it’s moms who are keeping CBS afloat.

“Torchwood” (“Dr. Who”)

Okay, so if you’re an actual “Dr. Who” fan, “Torchwood” is a pretty obvious spinoff series.

But for those of us who don’t actually self-identify as Whovians, the news that “Dr. Who” generated an entirely separate series (and not just an entirely new Doctor) might come as something of a surprise. Especially considering the lack of evil angel statues here.