The Ultimate Simpsons Spinoff that Would've Been a Smash Hit!

The Simpsons, unlike other popular TV series, has managed to avoid having spin-off shows. However, there was a scrapped spin-off idea from the ‘90s that had the potential to be impressive. In season 8, episode 24, "The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase," the show humorously explored the concept of spin-offs, including a variety show featuring the Simpson family and a detective show with Chief Wiggum and Principal Skinner solving crimes in New Orleans. Yet, there was another spin-off idea that was considered after the success of season 7, episode 21, "22 Short Films About Springfield." This episode highlighted various colorful characters in Springfield who usually have smaller roles. The writers thought about creating a spin-off series centered around the lives of these random Springfield residents. The proposed spin-off, titled simply "Springfield," was pitched to Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons, by Josh Weinstein, a former showrunner of the series. Weinstein believed that there were enough developed side characters who could carry their own stories. So, why did this spin-off never come to fruition?

The Tales Of Springfield Simpsons Spinoff Could Have Worked

When popular characters from The Simpsons like Moe or Milhouse or Dr. Nick appear in an episode, their connections to the Simpson family often overshadow what they do in their own lives. Springfield, in a way, could have been a version of The Simpsons without the main characters. In The Simpsons, many three-dimensional characters are often limited to one-dimensional roles. If the proposed Springfield spin-off series had been made, it could have explored episodes centered around Barney, Reverend Lovejoy, Fat Tony, Professor Frink, and many others.

However, if each individual supporting character from The Simpsons had their own spin-off series, it would stretch their storylines thin. For instance, a solo series starring Ned Flanders would exemplify extreme character development. A Krusty the Clown series could resemble The Larry Sanders Show within the realm of The Simpsons, but it would eventually become repetitive. Mr. Burns is most effective as a contrast to other characters, so a spin-off show focused solely on him would quickly lose its appeal. On the other hand, an anthology series about all the characters in Springfield would offer a chance for the entire supporting cast to take center stage. The Springfield spin-off would allow each character to have their own unique storylines that don't involve the Simpson family.

Why A Simpsons Spinoff Never Happened

Weinstein believed the Springfield series had potential, but the Simpsons team concluded that they lacked the capacity to undertake another full series. The production of over 20 episodes of The Simpsons each year already demanded substantial effort, leaving little room to generate an equal number of Springfield episodes within the same timeframe. While the Springfield series had the potential to become an exceptional spin-off in television history, compromising the quality of The Simpsons in order to produce it was not deemed worthwhile.