Question: What was the first TV spinoff? Answer: Before I answer that, we have to talk about what a spinoff is. “The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Showsâ€? defines it as “when one or more characters from a series, usually supporting characters, subsequently appeared on another series.â€? That would include, say, “Frasierâ€? from “Cheersâ€? and “The Jeffersonsâ€? from “All in the Family.â€? The reference book’s spinoff list also includes what it calls “semi spinoffs,â€? shows whose characters appear only briefly on an earlier series, in order to try out a new show; one famous example was using “JAGâ€? to introduce the characters who would star in “NCIS.â€? (You can also find such things referred to as back-door pilots.) But unlike some list makers, the “Complete Directoryâ€? does not include shows that first appeared on anthology programs (“Happy Daysâ€? on “Love, American Style,â€? for one) where others have argued for that; I side with the directory. Still, we can go a long way back in our search for a spinoff, to “The Andy Griffith Showâ€? (from “The Danny Thomas Showâ€?) and “Pete and Gladysâ€? (from “December Brideâ€?), both from 1960; “Law of the Plainsman,â€? derived in 1959 from “The Rifleman,â€? and “Wanted: Dead or Alive,â€? spun from “Trackdownâ€? in 1958. But I’m going to accept the earliest mentioned in the “Complete Directory,â€? the 1955-56 series “The Adventures of Champion,â€? which sprang from “The Gene Autry Show.â€? “Champion,â€? as those of us who grew up on TV westerns know, was Gene Autry’s horse. Q: Can you tell us if “Game of Silence,â€? “The Walking Deadâ€? and “Life in Piecesâ€? will be back next season? A: “The Walking Deadâ€? is a huge hit for AMC and will be back in October. CBS’s “Life in Piecesâ€? has been renewed for a second season, and will resume on Oct. 27 (Some CBS shows get a late start because of its carrying NFL games on Thursdays early in the TV season.) NBC did not include “Game of Silenceâ€? in its announced plans for next season. Q: Could you find out if “Masterpieceâ€? is going to have a third series of “Grantchesterâ€?? A: ITV, which produces “Grantchesterâ€? overseas, announced in April that it had ordered a third run. (The second season ended its run on “Masterpieceâ€? on May 1.) I would expect “Masterpieceâ€? to pick up the third series, but I don’t know when. ITV has said only that there will be a third series; it has promised additional details in the coming months. Q: Can you tell me what happened to the show “Hap and Leonardâ€?? There weren’t many episodes shown when it had stopped. A: There were only six episodes in the first season of the Sundance TV series. But here’s good news: The network has ordered a second season of six more episodes to air in 2017. Rich Heldenfels is an Akron Beacon Journal staff writer. Write him at Akron Beacon Journal, 44 E. Exchange St., Akron, OH 44328 or rheldenfels@thebeaconjournal.com. Email Newsletters TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.