Not every TV show gets the title right on the first try – with some getting renamed after their premiere.
CBS’ NCIS is currently the network’s longest-running television franchise. It premiered in 2003 as a two-part backdoor pilot from the success of JAG. I aired on NBC from 1995 to 1996 before moving to CBS and remaining on the network until 2005. From there, the show expanded to include spinoffs. NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Hawai’i, NCIS: Sydney, NCIS: Origins And NCIS: Tony and Ziva.
However, NCIS was originally called Navy NCIS, aka NAVAL Criminal Investigative Service. It was ultimately decided that Navy was repetitive and this was removed from the title.
Another CBS show that saw a title change was Luke Grimes‘ Yellow stone spin-off. The Kayce Dutton-centered series was originally called Y: marshals. Ahead of its March 2026 premiere, CBS confirmed that it will now simply be called Marshals.
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“Marshals”
Luke Grimes
Primordial NetworkAfter being called Y: marshalsCBS’ Yellow stone the spinoff dropped the Y before the series premiere.
“NCIS”
Before NCIS became CBS’ largest ongoing television franchise, it was briefly called Navy NCIS in 2003.
‘Scrubs’
The medical sitcom, which originally aired from 2001 to 2010, followed the lives of employees at the fictional Sacred Heart Hospital. The hit series played Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, Judy Reyes, Neil Flynn, Ken Jenkins And John C. McGinley before being brought back for a ninth season titled Med School.
The final season of the series shifted the setting to a medical school to introduce new characters and Kerry Bishe became the series’ new narrator after Braff, but the concept only lasted one season.
‘Roseanne’
John Goodman, Roseanne Barr
Daniel Watson / ©Carsey-Werner / Paramount Television / ABC / courtesy Everett CollectionRoseanne BarrThe sitcom originally aired on ABC from 1988 to 1997. After being briefly revived in 2018 – and after Barr’s eventual exit from the series amid controversial social media posts – the story morphed into The Conners. The spin-off, created without Barr’s participation, ended in April 2025 after seven seasons.
“Little House on the Prairie”
The show premiered in the 1980s and aired for eight seasons before being revamped in Little house: a new beginning.
“Saturday Night Live”
Before the NBC sketch series became Saturday evening live (Or SNL), it spent its first season as NBC’s Saturday evening.
“Saved by the Bell”
Elizabeth Berkley, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Tiffani Thiessen, Ed Alonzo, Dustin Diamond, Dennis Haskins, Mario Lopez, Lark Voorhies
BNCThe first season of the NBC sitcom set at Bayside High School centered on middle school teacher Carrie Bliss (Hayley Mills) and his students Zack (Marc-Paul Gosselaar), Cry (Dustin Diamond) and Lisa (Alouette Voohies). Hello, Miss Bliss was canceled after one season and reformulated into Saved by the Bell.
“Seinfeld”
Jerry Seinfeld and Julia Louis-Dreyfus on “Seinfeld.”
Cover imagesFrom episode 2, Seinfeld found its groove after going through several castings – and title changes – when debuting as The Seinfeld Chronicles.
‘Helen’
To avoid confusion with NBC Friends, Ellen DeGeneres“The ABC sitcom became Helene despite the title of the first season These friends of mine.
“Two guys and a girl”
Ryan Reynolds“The ABC sitcom Two guys, a girl and a pizzeria eventually evolved into Two guys and a girl for his last two seasons.
“8 simple rules”
John Ritter and Kaley Cuoco
ABCJohn Ritter‘s last role was on ABC 8 simple rules… for dating my teenage daughterwhich went to just 8 simple rules. The change was only reflected in the third and final season after Ritter’s shocking death.
