In October 2022, Paramount+ officially ordered a revival for the long-running and enormously successful sitcom, Frasier (via Deadline). This was, in a way, no surprise, as the 2020s is something of a golden age for revivals of various sorts, with studios and streamers wanting to take advantage of an increased amount of nostalgia for the popular television of earlier years.
Indeed, it’s a little surprising just how often spinoffs have emerged several years–and sometimes decades–after the end of the original series. Such series reveal that there are some series whose appeal remains undiminished, no matter how much time it’s been since they were on the air.
Frasier (1993-2004)
Stream On Hulu
There’s no question that Frasier is one of the best sitcoms ever made. Part of this stems from the undeniable comedic abilities of the cast, including the bond between Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce as Frasier and Niles.
However, it is also true that the series featured some very strong writing, with jokes that almost never failed to land. Although it remains to be seen whether the revival will manage to capture quite the spirit of the original, it will, nevertheless, be fascinating to see what Frasier has been up to since the original series concluded.
Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)
Stream On Paramount Plus
Few franchises have been as successful as Star Trek. The original series, in particular, was a game-changer for the world of science fiction television, and it was quite revolutionary in its message about the power of international cooperation.
Though there would be several movies made after its initial release, it wouldn’t get its first official TV spinoff until The Next Generation began airing in 1987, almost a decade and a half after the original. It was, in some ways, even more successful than its predecessor, setting the stage for the franchise’s continued relevance.
Will & Grace (1998-2020)
Stream On Hulu
Will & Grace remains one of the most notable shows to feature LGBTQ+ characters. In many ways, it truly was a game-changer, introducing LGBTQ+ stories to mainstream America in a way that had almost never been seen before (or at least not to this extent).
After a hugely-successful short about the election, the series returned to the air for the first time in over a decade. Though there were a few bumps along the way, there was still much to appreciate about the revival, which continued to explore the fraught relationship between the two lead characters, as well as their attempts to deal with middle age.
That ‘70s Show (1998-2006)
Stream On Peacock
That ‘70s Show is often seen as one of the best sitcoms of the 2000s. It’s easy to see why, as it managed to check so many of the boxes someone wants from a sitcom of this sort, and the bond between the original members of the cast was one of its major selling points.
Netflix has already announced that it will be releasing That ‘90s Show, which will feature both Red and Kitty from the original show, as well as guest appearances from some of the most beloved members of the original cast. For long-time fans, it will no doubt be exciting to see Red and Kitty together again.
Full House (1987-1995)
Stream On HBO Max
With its wholesome sense of humor and its depiction of a rather unusual family arrangement, Full House was very much a product of the 1990s. In fact, it is often seen as one of the most beloved and popular of 1990s sitcoms, thanks in no small part to the fact that it has circulated in reruns and syndication since its original airing.
Given its nostalgia value to millennials, it finally received the spinoff treatment with Fuller House, which focused primarily on DJ trying to raise her boys in her old house. Somehow, it managed to retain the heartwarming nature of the origins series while also embarking on its own stories.
Boy Meets World (1993-2000)
Stream On Disney+
For many viewers in the 1990s, Boy Meets World was one of the best shows on the TGIF programming block. It managed to capture so many elements of the teenage experience, and there was no denying the chemistry between Cory and Topanga.
Given how popular it was, it’s not surprising that it eventually got its own spinoff, Girl Meets World, which focuses on Cory’s and Topanga’s daughter. It was, for many, a heartwarming experience to get to spend more time with these beloved characters as it let the viewers see the life Cory and Topanga built together and how much they had changed in the process.
Murphy Brown (1988-1998)
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Murphy Brown, both the show itself and the title character, was a truly exemplary sitcom. In particular, it was noted for the way it depicted a woman not just surviving but thriving in the traditionally male world of journalism. What’s more, it featured a powerhouse performance from Candace Bergen.
The revival series, which lasted just one season, was nevertheless notable for convincingly showcasing how Murphy and the other members of the cast would deal with the changes to the news industry since the 1990s. And, if nothing else, it gave Bergen a chance to once again inhabit the role for which she is best known.
Saved By The Bell (1989-1993)
Stream On Hulu
Saved by the Bell was a key part of the childhoods of most ‘80s kids. While it was obviously a sitcom and, for the most part, light in tone, it was also the sort of series that wasn’t afraid of addressing a number of other more important issues (which at times included drug misuse and the environment).
It has the distinction of having a number of spinoffs, one which started almost immediately after the show ended and another which began in 2020. Among other things, the revival was a bit more meta than some of its previous iterations, with a more wry comedic sensibility.
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1969-1970)
Stream On HBO Max
Few animated characters are quite as beloved as Scooby-Doo, who has appeared in a wide variety of TV series. The original series, of course, ran in the 1970s, and though it was rebooted several times since then, arguably the true spinoff of the series came in the 2000s, with the release of What’s New, Scooby-Doo?
This spinoff of the series stayed true to the original caper model of the original series (which had been somewhat left behind in the intervening years). Very notably, it also featured some of the most iconic members of the original cast, including Frank Welker and Casey Kasem.
Source:gamerant.com