THE PROS AND CONS OF TELEVISION SPIN-OFFS
There are several reasons to make a spin-off of a successful television series. And several reasons not to. But it would seem TV networks believe the pros outweigh the cons, with small-screen franchises proliferating in recent years. PRO: tap into an existing audience If fans like The Vampire Diaries, chances are they’ll like The Originals. If fans like both, they’ll probably enjoy Legacies, too. That’s the thinking behind many same-but-different spin-offs that don’t venture far from the source material. With so much content available, securing the attention of a ready-made audience is an instant boost.
CON: get compared to the original show
What happens when a spin-off isn’t as good as the show that spawned it? The second it begins, a spin-off is measured against the original series – a built-in judgement other new shows don’t face as they find their feet. Other debuting series get some leeway, but there’s the expectation spin-offs will instantly be as enjoyable as their parent show, which may have been on air for seven or eight seasons. When Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists kicks off this week (starts Thu., Mar. 21 at 8.30pm; FOX8), I can guarantee the expectations of the PLL fanbase will be high.
PRO: crossover potential
How good is it when multiple shows combine characters and storylines for events that continue from one show to the next? The crossovers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel were momentous, if for no other reason than they allowed the titular ex-lovers to spend time together again. CON: fans have to watch multiple shows For full enjoyment, you can’t just watch one Chicago series, you have to watch Fire, P.D. and Med (and, for a time, Justice). Also Law & Order: SVU. As for all those DC series – staying up to date with them is like a full-time job.
PRO: continue the adventures of an existing character
It can be sad to say goodbye to characters you’ve loved for years, but you don’t have to if they are given their own spin-off, like Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski) in The Good Fight. Alternatively, some second-string characters have more potential than is afforded them in their original show, which makes spinning them off into their own series the only logical move. Think Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) moving from Grey’s Anatomy to Private Practice.
CON: some characters wear out their welcome
Two words: Joey Tribbiani.
PRO: it’s a new idea without coming up with a new idea
Hey, our teen drama based on Archie comics worked, let’s do another! But in the case of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, it stands alone as something quite different.
CON: it’s not actually a new idea
All those CSIS, Criminal Minds and NCISES? All the same show. Fight me. •