There could be a spinoff after all!

I heard on the radio today about a rumor that Michael Richards was talking to NBC about a pilot called "Kramer". According to the report, he would be placed in a different setting than the apartment building he currently resides in on "Seinfeld". He would refer to Jerry, George and Elaine, but they would not be actors on the show. Any truth to this rumor?

No. There will definitely not be a spinoff with the main characters. Besides, it would be career suicide for Richards to do it.

NBC might offer him a series, but it won't be as Kramer. And I'm sure he will take off a season or two.

Michael Higby wrote in message ...

Why? I'd be interested in your "analysis."

Well, thanks for your expert opinion, which you seem to regard as fact.

Why is everyone so against any spin offs. Spin offs are more successful than you'd think. Recently, for instance, FRASIER is a wonderful example. THe show is no Seinfeld, but it is very well written.. THe people REALLY no how to use language in that show. And it also has a few things worth noting: 1: good secondary characters, 2: a different "feel" or "set-up" than CHeers had. It wasn't trying to carry on that show, but to spin OFF of the show.

I think that KRAMER would be a horrible choice with Kramer as a main character to carry the show. His character is great on seinfeld, but thats because of his insanity... shifting his insanity to the focus of teh show, the norm of the show, would make it less funny.. it would become stale QUICK. Actually the show with all of its side characters could probably carry on without jerry if they wanted to. You'd just have to add in another "normal" guy to be surrounded by the supporting character misfits.... this, however, would not be desireable simply because the fans would automatically NOT approve of the guy, who ever he would be and/or how ever good or bad he would be.. we simply know jerry, and don't WANT to enjoy a substitue.

I am not sure what the solution is. Either let the series die off honorably or come up with something EXTREMELY creative as a SPIN OFF. I really do think the key is NEW, totally different side characters (even if the old cast is referred to on occassion, or even seen from time to time) and a totally different feel/set-up/chemistry to the show. Keeping the craziness of seinfeld is okay. Keeping the plots about "nothing" is okay... but they really better not try to duplicate the clever style of the show.

I too think a seinfeld spin off would most likely ruin things... but the success of FRASIER has me questioning what I should be hoping for. Basically, if nothing happens and the show ends, I'll be satisfied. IF a spin off occurs, I'll watch it and give it an unbaised chance... and like many shows, including seinfeld itself, it may need a while to set itself straight and find its niche.

ANyway, just my two cents. I am working on shooting films, and some video work... but mainly I am an animator.... although I think my opinon is relevent to topics like this, I do not think that I know all.... after all this is a creative feild, so anything and everything is possible... and nothing is certain!

ELI

You're forgetting that FRASIER was the only successful spinoff in history, and Frasier Crane was probably the only character in history with enough depth to have a spinoff.

Frasier Crane was probably the only character in history with enough depth to have a spinoff. <

** How are you defining successful.??Maude had pretty good ratings..and lasted a few years.... Good times ran a while,,, Rhoda lasted a while.....There are others... But of course,,there's always Phyllis(BLECH)**

It Shrinks...???

Interestingly, both Rhoda and Phyliss were higher rated shows than the Mary Tyler Moore show, when they were on at the same time. Let's not forget The Jeffersons, and Mayberry R.F.D. And an extremely successful spin-off was Laverne and Shirley. What about dramas? Lou Grant comes to mind, also Trapper John M.D. I could probably think of more.

Mike

Actually I am very surprised that this usually astute group has forgotten about the #1 spin-off show that eventually got higher ratings than the show it was spun from (Dallas), and that show is...............Knots Landing!!!!

On 27 Jan 1998, Paul52751 wrote:

Really ? Rhoda and Phylis were rated Higher than MTM ? Ofcourse I wasn't here in the US at the time of their original Airing, but I do watch them on Nick-at-Nite. To me MTM is a much better show than either Phylis or Rhoda (of these 2 I prefer to watch Rhoda) and ofcourse have always thought MTM to have been the higher rated show of the three.

Oh well, learn something new everyday.

--/\/\[email]://www.commuter.net/hassan/---

I think, therefor I think I am.

I probably could have thought of that ;-)

Since you ask, here are a few more.

Gomer Pyle (#3) edged out The Andy Griffith Show (#4) in '64-65 the following year, they were #2 and #6, respectively (after that, Andy bounced back, it was the #1 show in '67-68, its last season)

Green Acres was a spin-off of Petticoat Junction; #11 and #21 in '65-'66, then #6 and #23. Until 1970, both shows were on the air, and Green Acres always did better in the ratings.

Laverne & Shirley was a spin-off from Happy Days, as I said. In fact, during both the '77-'78 and the '78-'79 season, L&S was the number one show in prime time, while HD was #2 and then #4. So there! (incidentally, Mork & Mindy, a Happy Days spin-off, was #3 in '78-'79)

In '79-'80, Benson was #23, beating Soap at #25

Now, let's take a look at Dallas vs. Knots Landing, which you claim got higher ratings. Dallas made its debut in 1978, and in '79-'80 it was #6. Then it was ranked #1, #1 again, #2 (behind 60 Minutes), back to #1, #2 (behind Dynasty) then it dropped to #6, while Knots Landing was at #17 (this was '85-86). The following year, Dallas had dropped further, to #11 and Knots Landing was nowhere in sight (at least not in the top 25)

When Dallas was in its heyday, Knots Landing enjoyed some success. One year it was #9, another year it was #11. Far behind Dallas, which had enjoyed the first or second spots. Knots Landing made two other appearances in the top 25, around 20 and 21, also well behind Dallas.

Sorry, you're wrong. Knots Landing may have been your favorite show, but it never was nearly as popular as its predecessor.

Sources: TV Guide's Television Almanac, 1995 Edition The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows

Mike

a person who really ought to find something better to do with his time

Mike, I stand corrected! However, given the fact that Knots was always up against L.A.Law versus no one for Dallas that should also count for something

As much as I love Frasier, in no way is that show the only successful spinoff in history. What about Maude, The Jeffersons, Laverne & Shirley, or Good Times? (just some examples) I do agree, however, that the character of Frasier Crane was the only one on Cheers that could have successfully carried a spinoff.

I've heard news that come September 1998, Frasier will take over Seinfeld's spot at 9:00 P.M. on Thursday nights.

Well, I haven't heard any confirmation on that, but that's a good move. Newsradio would be the other candidate.

KrzyJay45 wrote in message ...

and

to

I have one word for you - "Aftermash"

Uh, IIRC, "AfterMash" didn't even last a whole season! So this is not what I would call a "successful" spinoff. Does anyone remember "Lou Grant" which was a very successful *drama* series which was a spinoff from the old "Mary Tyler Moore" *comedy* series? And how about all the spinoffs from the original Star Trek series (1966)? There has been a cartoon series, several movies, ST: TNG, ST: DS9 and ST: Voyager, which have been immensely successful, much more so than the original series. So if Jerry ever changes his mind, maybe someday a series about Kramer and Newman, George and all his career (for lack of a better word) moves, Elaine and Peterman, or whoever your favorite characters might be, might eventually overshadow *Seinfeld*? Time will tell... Carolyne in Texas

KrzyJay45 wrote in message ...

and

to

I have one word for you - "Aftermash"

Mork and Mindy was a good spin-off....

It was not either the only successful spinoff in history. Not even close. Ever hear of a little show called "Laverne and Shirley"? One of the biggest shows of its time. Other successful spinoffs (although less so):

a: The Jefferson's (from "All In the Family") b: Rhoda (from "The May Tyler Moore Show) c: The Facts of Life (from "Different Strokes") d: Mork and Mindy (from "Happy Days") e: Gomer Pyle (from "The Andy Griffith Show)

The are probably others as well. I could mention "A Different World," but it's success only lasted as long as "The Cosby Show" was on the air. besides, I think I've made my point.

"Early to rise, early to bed makes a man healthy but socially dead." ---Yakko Warner

Question re: Mork & MIndy.. my recollection is they appeared in Happy Days more to introduce the characters as "promo" for their own show, than as "regular" HD characters who "spun off". Rite??/Rong?? homerr

Single White Male wrote in message ...

history, and

Lou Grant was also a spinoff from Mary Tyler Moore show...the only twist was that Lou Grant was a drama. Perhaps Elaine could get a private eye licence and investigate serious crimes. George and Kramer could appear from time to time to be her hapless assistants, ala Jim Rockford and Angel.

Magnum P.I. was a spin-off of The Rockford Files.

Magnum PI was not a spinoff of The Rockford Files. The only show The Rockford Files spun off was Richie Brockelman, Private Eye from March 17th, 1978 to August 24th, 1978.

Jay Snively wrote:

Rockford Files spun off was Richie Brockelman, Private Eye from March 17th, 1978 to August 24th, 1978.<<<<<

I was reminded today of another hugely successful spin-off:

"What's Happenin' Now"

I think Dee (in the original show) was overlooked for her role as a supporting actress. Her dry wit and ability to wrangle money of out Rajah (Dwayne and Rerun, too) are the mark of a truly great show.

Mike

However, Tom Selleck DID guest star on a Rockford episode, as a morally upright, all-american type private detective who always played fair and square--in other words, the exact opposite of Jim Rockford.

Technically What's Happening Now!! isn't a spinoff from What's Happening!! it is a continuation of the same show just set six years later.

Right. One of the first truly horrible blacksploitation sitcoms of the 70s.

Single White Male wrote in message ... Other successful spinoffs (although less so):

and don't forget that "Maude" was a spinoff from "All in the Family", too, and that "Good Times" was a spin off from "Maude"!

Mary

I agree that a Seinfeld spinoff would have a hard time equaling the success of Seinfeld. However, The Jeffersons, as was mentioned, was a very successful spinoff--even though it never reached the heights of its parent, All in the Family. My point is, what is the problem with doing a spinoff when there are so many lovable characters from Seinfeld remaining, who have an extremely high television recognition quotient? A spinoff doesn't have to be in the same setting or be a clone of its parent show. Even if it never reached the greatness of Seinfeld, it could still be popular, profitable, and keep the lovers of Seinfeld placated, to some degree. Too often, the lovable actors from a wildly popular show (Cheers and Roseanne comes to mind) want to try other things on the big screen when the series ends. Unfortunately, they get stuck with small roles in mediocre movies, and lose the career heat they once had. alt showbiz gossip

Any of the lead characters on Seinfeld, and George's parents as well, would be strong enough to have a spinoff around them. There is already talk of Jerry Stiller and Estelle Harris in a new series, but not playing George's parents. If they don't do a spinoff, it will be because the stars aren't interested. I personally would love to see a Kramer spinoff, where he has a new location and a variety of jobs--like maybe a male model or even a White House aide--I know that's a stretch, but with his "Kavorka" he might work his magic on Hillary (g). alt showbiz gossip

Richards is best known as Kramer. People see him on the street and yell "Hey Kramer!" Like a lot of very popular supporting actors on a sitcom (Henry Winkler and Jaleel White come to mind), Richards runs the risk of being stereotyped.

Its clear that Richards would like a film career as a character actor. To be succesful at this, he will have to divorce himself from Kramer. I can't put it any plainer than that.

I say NBC might offer him a series, because, they kind of "owe" him for helping to make them a lot of money. Same thing goes for Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Jason Alexander. Or they might get a development deal to produce sitcoms in which they would not star. That's fairly common (for example, Kelsey Grammer is the executive producer of Fired Up).

I would imagine, however, after nine years of being on a succesful series, most actors like Richards would want to take some time off, do some movies, etc. before starting another series. Ted Danson and Kirstie Alley come to mind.

Or my personal favorite, Family Matters from Perfect Strangers.

In article , [email] wrote:

Well, throughout the years Kramer has always talked about his friend Bob Sakamento...a side of Kramer's other relationships that we don't see. A Kramer show would be a great exposure to this side.

In , Kirby's of Fredericton writes:

Hmmm.  Replace "Kramer" with "Frasier", then replace "Jerry, George,
and Elaine" with "Sam, Norm, and Cliff".  Sound familiar?  I feel it
would be a tremendous mistake, bus I would still watch it every week.
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Kirby's of Fredericton wrote:

I'm not sure if there is any truth to it, but it sounds like a great idea. If they can gather some good writers together, and have the other actors make guest appearences once in a while, the show could be a hit. Obviously, whoever produces the show will have to be very careful NOT drift away from the original Kramer character. Being given a glimpse into Kramer's world ought to be exiciting...as long as that world reflects the world Kramer has been living in for the past seven years (last two years don't count).

Justin T.

Well then, you're screwed because in the unlikely event that Richards agrees to the spinoff, do you suppose they're gonna go back and rehash the 'old' Kramer'? Of course not. it will be an all-new Kramer. And since Larry David will not be writing it, you will be sorely disappointed.

We do have one thing to look forward to at least.  Once this new
show hits the airwaves, and the inevitable newsgroup is created, we can
all be sure you'll be there ripping each new episode as they air.
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tribble dribbled as follows:>>>I heard on the radio today about a rumor that Michael Richards was

But maybe if Tribble promises to kill himself, then we might be able to convince Larry David to do one episode

Justin Tribble wrote:

Forget it. There's definitely not going to be a Seinfeld spin-off EVER. Radio stations are unfortunately notorious for making up fake information.

-DK