For the last decade CBS has been successful at doing something that the other networks can’t seem to grasp: creating long-running spinoffs from long-running original series. Granted, it’s had a lot of practice doing this ever since the early ’70s. It was during that time that All in the Family begat the popular and well-remembered series The Jeffersons and Maude (which begat Good Times). Then, in the 1980s, the network was able to spin-off Knots Landing from the very popular Dallas.
In “modern” times the two shows CBS has been able to spin-off into additional successful franchises have been CSI and JAG. CSI begat two series — CSI:Miami and CSI:NY – while JAG gave us NCIS. Now, it looks like the Mark Harmon criminal procedural will be giving birth to a spin-off of its own. Reports are now, at this very moment, flying across the Internet saying that talks are underway to introduce a new crop of naval detectives sometime this season and have them spun into a new series as early as the 2009-10 fall season.
While this sounds like a good idea, I’m a bit worried on how this will all pan out. One would think that this new group of investigators would be a younger group and would probably do something different than the current crop of investigators. And, since the current NCIS group tends to travel quite a bit for their investigations, I’m not sure how different the show could be. Maybe the focus would be on heinous crimes … something similar to Law & Order: SVU.
The other factor to consider is this: does CBS really need another criminal procedural on its schedule? Currently, there are eleven of these types of show on the lineup with a potential Criminal Minds spin-off being talked about. The network seems to be at the saturation point when it comes to these types of series. One or two more and the success that the network has had may suddenly come tumbling down.
Finally, take into consideration NCIS itself. The show has been a quiet hit for the network and is having its best season yet. Should the spin-off come to fruition, there’s a chance that current viewers would leave the parent to watch the child. This could lead to a shorter life span for the series.
I wish NCIS and CBS luck with getting this spin-off out of the discussion stage. Hopefully, the next few months will give us a better idea of what the new series will be about and if it will pique the interest of the viewers. If it does, then the formula that the network has used for several decades will survive. If not, then look for a change of tactic in the not too distant future.
Clacked by Richard Keller 
on Nov 26, 2008 @ 14:00 EST5EDT
I don’t care what they do, but i will be mighty pissed if anybody from the current team are moved to the new show: Espescially Anthony DiNozzo who could be cast as the Gibbs for a new team.
I second that. Remember a while back when they were talking about it being time for Tony to move up and have his own team……that would ruin everything! This show may be a procedural, but it’s not about the investigations, it’s about the characters and NCIS has one of the best ensembles around. DON’T SPLIT UP THE TEAM!!!!!!
Ditto that—do not change up the current cast and formula of NCIS–too good of a thing going here and don’t want to mess with the home crew!
you’re showing your age — this practice on CBS dates back to at least the early 60’s when the Beverly Hillbillies spun off to Petticoat Junction and Green Acres. And Make Room for Daddy spun off Andy Griffith which spun off Gomer Pyle.