Below Deck is one of Bravo’s most popular shows, giving viewers an inside look at the lives of the crew members of super yachts. Though the crew has to be professional with guests aboard the ship, their interpersonal drama tends to be messy and complicated, sometimes spanning over seasons. Several shows have come from the Below Deck franchise, including Below Deck Mediterranean, Below Deck Adventure, Below Deck Sailing Yacht, and Below Deck Down Under.
While some viewers enjoy the expanded Below Deck universe, others feel that there are too many spin-off shows in the franchise. Like the Real Housewives franchise, there are some iterations of Below Deck that work better than others. The original, for example, is a staple in many Bravo viewers’ TV schedules, while Below Deck Adventure is different from other spin-offs, so it may not be for everyone. For some, the influx of shows is just a bit too much to keep track of.
Are There Too Many Below Deck Spin-offs?
Some fans feel that there are too many spin-offs in the franchise now that the show has gained notoriety. With at least two seasons of separate Below Deck shows airing at once on Bravo, many feel mixed up watching and get both cast and details confused. In a Reddit thread started by u/walkerb79, one fan explained, “As much as I love having more below deck to watch…I’m not loving the two season at once because I just get them SO mixed up.” It can be difficult to keep track of all the deckhands and stews that keep the ships on course.
Many Below Deck Spin-Offs Are Similar
Other viewers are simply burnt out by the storylines on the shows as they are a little too similar to each other, especially when Below Deck cast members are boring. Another Reddit user commented, “I think they’re becoming too formulaic. Docking issues…crappy stews, lazy deckhands, lame hookups and chefs who are the best or the absolute worst.” As fans are consistently always watching a new season of Below Deck or one of its spin-offs, the plots become more and more similar and in turn, become less interesting to the viewers. Quantity isn’t necessarily always quality.
As fans continue watching the newest episodes of Below Deck season 10 and Below Deck Adventure season 1, some are finding it hard to keep up. Though it is unclear when Below Deck Down Under or Below Deck Sailing Yacht will return for new seasons, fans know that while Below Deck Mediterranean season 7 is over, the spin-off will be back for a new season in 2023. Some hope that rather than creating new shows to further expand the franchise, Bravo will focus on the originals moving forward.
