tfresca t1_j6myxbv wrote on January 31, 2023 at 2:07 PM

Reply to comment by minnick27 in Cindy Williams Dies: ‘Laverne & Shirley‘ Star Who Appeared In ’American Graffiti’ & ‘The Conversation’ Was 75 by MarvelsGrantMan136

I think spin off is more accurate as if it hadn't been a hit as an episode they wouldn't have gotten a show. You could call it a backdoor pilot.

minnick27 t1_j6nw7dy wrote on January 31, 2023 at 5:42 PM

I don't know if the episode was a hit or not. It aired almost 2 full years before the series aired. I think it was the success of American Graffiti that had them say "we own this show that's similar in tone and stars the same guy."

tfresca t1_j6of6tp wrote on January 31, 2023 at 7:39 PM

Ron Howard is in both.

minnick27 t1_j6osu5y wrote on January 31, 2023 at 9:03 PM

That was the "stars the same guy" part