When it comes to a successful TV show, writers and producers will go to great lengths to keep the story running and keep audiences engaged. And even once a series has ended, that doesn’t mean there won’t be some form of pop culture adaptation slated for release afterwards.
In fact, when it comes to adaptations for popular TV shows, famous characters, quotes, and set design often find a second life. But not all adaptations will touch on the aspects of a series that fans loved. Some are surprisingly offbeat.
Keep reading for some of the most famous TV shows that have seen odd (and, at times, successful) adaptations following the release of a new season or the end of the show.
Seinfeld, Online Slot
Though it seems natural that some of the most popular TV series earn a slots adaptation, the selected titles can be a bit surprising. For example, online casino Betway features multiple slots that started out as TV shows, including Survivor, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and Game of Thrones.
All three examples highlight the types of TV shows that most often see representation in online casinos: fantasy-adventure themes and beloved reality TV. But the strangest outlier in terms of TV show adaptation is the sit-com Seinfeld.
The reels include a few nods to the series’ most beloved characters, scenes, and tropes; there’s even a special feature that unlocks the famous soup proprietor and, of course, the Festivus. Best of all, the game includes the same colors and styles famous in the 1990s when the series became a smash hit for NBC.
The Good Wife, Furniture Collection
When CBS’s The Good Wife took off in the early 2010s, most viewers were hooked on the show’s political drama. The main characters were lauded for their acting skills, while writers were applauded by critics even into the show’s fifth season.
Along the way, viewer interest didn’t focus solely on the acting. In fact, some were more concerned about the set design. Some viewers wrote in asking about color palettes for wall paint and furniture, while others asked about some of the accessories used to furnish the sets.
The result was a deal with Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, a luxury design and home furnishings group. The line was a crossover between office space and residential items with most pieces costing upwards of $1,000.
The Office, Video Game
Similar to online slots, most TV shows with strong themes of action, adventure, and drama tend to make for entertaining games of any stripe. However, as with sit-com Seinfeld, there are certain genres that don’t pair well with exciting action.
The Office is one of these titles—and it’s even more dead-pan than Seinfeld. Developers at MumboJumbo struggled to provide accurate depictions of characters, as well as a functional or enjoyable series of obstacles for gamers to overcome.
For some, interest in the game mirrored the series’ discussion of another (actual) video game titled Second Life. Unfortunately for the game developer and for fans of the series, the entire project felt just as uninspired as a day working nine-to-five in an office… minus all of the Michael Scott-led shenanigans.
Stranger Things, MLB Bobbleheads
Given what a smash hit Netflix’s Stranger Things series turned out to be, there’s been no shortage of product adaptations based on the supernatural thriller series. Along with a lovable set of characters, the show’s unique action scenes have hooked audiences around the world.
As such, some of the products associated with the series are weird, from a Demogorgon plushie to a Steve Harrington body pillow. However, few are as head-turning as the series’ official partnership with the MLB.
So, what does professional baseball have to do with Stranger Things? Not much, aside from the league’s hold on creating memorabilia bobbleheads. However, the project was a big success when launched in 2019. It featured various characters and franchises from the MLB, including the aforementioned Demogorgon.