5 TV Backdoor Pilots That Scored Spinoffs & 5 That Fell Flat

5 TV Backdoor Pilots That Scored Spin-Offs & 5 That Fell Flat

Welcome to MsMojo, and today well be counting down our picks for the best and worst television episodes that were intended as pilots for new series.

Good #5: You Really Got a Hold on Me, Greys Anatomy (2005-)

Backdoor Pilot for Station 19 (2018-24)

The success of any mainstream television show is going to naturally inspire thoughts of a spin-off. Some of these attempts prove to be more successful than others, such as You Really Got a Hold on Me from the long-running medical drama, Greys Anatomy. This episode occurred late in that shows run, during the fourteenth season, which sort of makes sense. Backdoor pilots typically, but not always, arrive as the parent program is showing its age. You Really Got a Hold on Me introduced the firefighter characters Ben Warren and Andy Herrera, who would eventually star on the successful Greys spin-off, Station 19.

Bad #5: Here Comes the Son, Gilmore Girls (2000-07)Backdoor Pilot for Proposed Windward Circle

Some spin-offs never make it past the idea stage. Others receive a backdoor pilot that essentially stops the idea dead in its tracks. This was the situation with Here Comes the Son, a third-season episode of Gilmore Girls that was intended to introduce a new series, tentatively titled Windward Circle. The setting here was switched to Venice Beach, California, as it followed the family history of Jess Mariano, the then-boyfriend of Rory Gilmore. The casting of Sherilyn Fenn for this episode was definitely welcomed, but it was the controversial reputation of Marianos character that essentially doomed interest in Windward Circle from the start.

Good #4: My Favorite Orkan, Happy Days (1974-84)

Backdoor Pilot for Mork & Mindy (1978-82)

Funnily enough, Fonzie jumping the shark wasnt the craziest thing that happened in the fifth season of Happy Days. My Favorite Orkan probably shouldn't have worked as well as it did, given its strange idea of introducing an alien from outer space into this world of retro nostalgia. Yet, the irrepressible charm and charisma of Robin Williams were impossible to deny, as he debuted on Happy Days as the interstellar visitor, Mork from Ork. The character and episode proved so popular that Mork was given his own sitcom, Mork & Mindy, which earned a solid run of its own, alongside Happy Days.

Bad #4: The Third Anniversary Show, Happy Days (1974-84)Backdoor Pilot for Blansky's Beauties (1977)

All it took was a week for this ill-advised spin-off of Happy Days to get introduced and debut on network television. Seven days for TV audiences to get introduced to Nancy Blansky, Howard Cunninghams cousin, who appeared on a single episode of Happy Days. The resulting spin-off, Blanskys Beauties, possessed only a tenuous connection to its parent show, thanks to the presence of Fonzies ex-girlfriend Pinky Tuscadero. Additionally, the character of Joey DeLuca was related to the actor Eddie Mekkas character of Carmine Ragusa from another successful Happy Days spin-off, Laverne & Shirley. These character threads largely took a backseat to Blanskys Beauties jiggle TV aesthetic, which was only enough to earn it a single season.

Good #3: The Girls School, Diffrent Strokes (1978-86)

Backdoor Pilot for The Facts of Life (1979-88)

It can often be a risk for a successful sitcom to bet upon a supporting character for spin-off success. Thankfully, fans cared enough about the Drummond familys housekeeper, Edna Garrett, to follow her on to The Facts of Life. Of course, it helped that Garrett was portrayed by the wonderful Charlotte Rae, while The Facts of Life included a cast of remarkable young talent. Kim Fields, Nancy McKeon, Mindy Cohn, and more ensured that The Facts of Life remained vibrant and likable in the aftermath of its pilot, enabling the show to find its own audience. This is a crucial aspect for any spin-off, getting to the point where fans become just as comfortable with the new stories as the old history.

Bad #3: Valley Girls, Gossip Girl (2007-12)

Backdoor Pilot for Proposed Valley Girls

This one is potentially divisive, because there admittedly ARE some fans of Gossip Girl that approved of this backdoor pilot for a new series, Valley Girls. This latter was never picked up, leaving this Gossip Girl episode as the sole remaining archive of the ideas for this show. Valley Girls was to have been set in the 1980s and featured strong casting, including future Marvel star Krysten Ritter. Still, the creative legs of Valley Girls remained in question in the aftermath of this episodes premiere, and the CW network ultimately chose not to pick up their option for Valley Girls as a full series.

Good #2: Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad (2008-13)

Backdoor Pilot for Better Call Saul (2015-22)

This one serves as a textbook example of backdoor pilot success. Breaking Bad retained a rabid fan following, thanks to its stellar writing, unique characters, and compelling drama. The second season episode, Better Call Saul, popularized Jimmy McGills Saul Goodman as a sleazy lawyer acquaintance of Walter White, but it took until Breaking Bad was off the air for a full two years for this spin-off to hit the air. The results proved worth the wait, however, since Better Call Saul proved to be just as popular with fans of Breaking Bad, who never forgot their love of the show or its characters.

Bad #2: Mr. Quiet, The Cosby Show (1984-92)Backdoor Pilot for Proposed Tony Orlando Spin-Off

The legacy of The Cosby Show may be forever tainted by the actions of its star, but its relevance and importance to the African-American community of its era meant that a lot of people were paying attention. Perhaps this was why the series attempted to parley the first season episode, Mr. Quiet, as a new show starring the popular singer Tony Orlando. The latter portrayed a director for an activity center thats hosting a lecture by Cliff Huxtable, a center that would presumably serve as the home base for its spin-off. Mr. Quiet was never to be, however, and the episode quietly slipped into obscurity.

Good #1: Maude, All in the Family (1971-79)

Backdoor Pilot for Maude (1972-78)

The best spin-off series often need to rely on a great character, and Maude Findlay was one for the ages. She was essentially the polar opposite of Archie Bunkers incorrigible bigot on All in the Family, a liberal firebrand who could match Archie at every turn. Ediths cousin proved to be so popular that she received her own titular spinoff, and it was off to the proverbial races. Maude was just as controversial and envelope-pushing as its predecessor, featuring a protagonist who was just as compelling and interesting to follow. It was a perfect situation where an amazing show spawned yet ANOTHER amazing show in its wake.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable (and dishonorable) mentions.

Bad: Too Many to Name for Charles in Charge (1984-90)If At First You Dont Succeed, Try Try Again

Bad: Witchright Hall, Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996-2003)

A Proposed Spin-Off for an Occult Boarding School

Good: Ice Queen & Meltdown, JAG (1995-2005)

Ground Zero for NCIS Success

Good: Three Ghosts, Arrow (2012-20)Arrowverse Shenanigans Featuring The Flash!

Bad #1: Kellys Kids, The Brady Bunch (1969-74)

Backdoor Pilot for Proposed Kellys Kids

If the idea worked once, lets do it again! This was essentially the thought process behind Kellys Kids, an ill-advised spin-off to The Brady Bunch that featured another blended family. Ken and Kathy Kelly are introduced as the conveniently new neighbors to the Bradys, a couple who adopt a young boy named Matt, as well as his friends from the orphanage. The race card is played big in this one, as the Kellys need to fend off a racist neighbor during their trials as new foster parents. Meanwhile, the Brady connection is strengthened (a little) via the presence of Mike Lookinlands brother Todd as Matt, but Kellys Kids is so bad its good TV at best, and a cringeworthy time capsule at worst.

Theres a long and sordid history of these backdoor pilots to be discovered. Know of any hidden gems, or perhaps some shocking examples of how did this get made? Let us know in the comments!