8 Ridiculous Cartoon Spin-Offs Of Live-Action TV Shows

Did we really need an animated version of Laverne & Shirley?

1. Gilligan's Planet

Warner Bros. Television Distribution

Network: CBS

Original run: Sept. 18, 1982 – Sept. 3, 1983

Based on: Gilligan's Island

Plot: While none of the characters on the original Gilligan's Island could build a boat, their cartoon versions were somehow able to build a rocket that shoots them into space, where they set upon crazy intergalactic adventures.

Ridiculous cartoon ranking: 7.5 out of 10. Seriously, how did they get to space in a coconut and palm tree rocket?!

Gilligan's Planet intro:

2. The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang

Hanna-Barbera

Network: ABC

Original run: Nov. 8, 1980 – Nov. 28, 1981

Based on: Happy Days

Plot: After meeting a time traveling girl from the future named Cupcake (yes I know, they gave the female character a misogynistic name), the Fonz and the gang decide to embark on time traveling adventures.

Surprisingly, the series got the original cast members, Henry Winkler, Ron Howard, and Donny Most, to supply the voices of their Happy Days characters.

Ridiculous cartoon ranking: 6 out of 10. The series' plot somehow made less since than the infamous Fonz “jumping the shark," episode of Happy Days.

The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang intro:

3. Laverne & Shirley in the Army

Hanna-Barbera

Network: ABC

Original run: Oct. 10, 1981 – Jan. 2, 1982

Based on: Laverne & Shirley

Plot: For some unclear reason, Laverne and Shirley decide to join the army and, of course, cause all sorts of chaos, much to the chagrin of their commanding officer, an anthropomorphic pig named Sgt. Squealy.

Ridiculous cartoon ranking: 9.5 out of 10, mainly because most of their army duties required them to fight monsters around the world.

Laverne & Shirley in the Army intro:

4. The Dukes

Warner Bros. Television

Network: CBS

Original run: Feb. 5 – Oct. 29, 1983

Based on: The Dukes of Hazzard

Plot: The Duke boys and their cousin, Daisy, race Boss Hogg around the world in an effort to win prize money they hope to use to save their Uncle Jesse’s farm.

Ridiculous cartoon ranking: 5 out of 10. The series was also seriously lacking the live-action show's theme song.

The Dukes intro:

5. Partridge Family 2200 A.D.

Hanna Barbera

Network: CBS

Original run: Sept. 7, 1974 – March 8, 1975

Based on: The Partridge Family

Plot: Basically it was The Jetsons mixed with The Partridge Family.

Ridiculous cartoon ranking: 9 out of 10. The series also never explains why the hell the Partridges are living in the future?!

Partridge Family 2200 A.D. intro:

6. ALF: The Animated Series

Warner Bros. Television

Network: NBC

Original run: Sept. 26, 1987 – Jan. 7, 1989

Based on: ALF

Plot: The series was a prequel to the live-action TV series and it followed ALF, whose real name is Gordon Shumway, adventures on his zany home planet, Melmac.

Ridiculous cartoon ranking: 5.5 out of 10. The series proved there could be too much of good thing, as ALF/Gordon was more annoying than funny.

ALF: The Animated Series intro:

7. Little Rosey

Nelvana

Network: ABC

Original run: Sept. 8, 1990 – Dec. 22, 1990

Based on: Roseanne

Plot: Pretty simple premise, just the childhood adventures of Roseanne (who weirdly, did not voice the character).

Ridiculous cartoon ranking: 5 out of 10, mainly because what kid would be interested in the adventures of Roseanne?

Little Rosey intro:

8. The Brady Kids

Filmation / Via tvaholics.blogspot.com

Network: ABC

Original run: Sept. 9, 1972 – Oct. 6, 1973

Based on: The Brady Bunch

Plot: The Brady kids: Greg, Marcia, Peter, Jan, Bobby, and Cindy are now a band (with apparently no parental supervision) who travel around the country getting into trouble with their teenage friends Chuck, Fleetwood, and Babs.

Ridiculous cartoon ranking: 8.5 out of 10, mainly because on top of having talking twin pandas as pets, the Brady kids also had a pet parrot, Marlon, that also happened to be a wizard.

The Brady Kids intro: