A good comedy show or movie will often be stuffed full of oddball characters with weirdly fascinating backstories, but we usually only get to engage with them in relation to the protagonist. But sometimes, these sidekicks are so entertaining that they threaten to steal the spotlight from the main stars: think Frasier Crane on Cheers or Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory. Sometimes, the characters become so popular that they get their own shows. Comedy has a long tradition of spin-offs, from Frasier and Young Sheldon to How I Met Your Father and That 90s Show. But this isn’t an article about them. It’s about the characters we love who are still waiting for their well-deserved moment in the spotlight. We’re putting this list out there to manifest and make things happen. Come on internet, do your thing.

Red – Pineapple Express

Pineapple Express‘s drug-dealing tritagonist Red has all the characteristics for his own story. His larger-than-life personality and bromance with Dale are the stuff of stoner comedy dreams. A spin-off delving into his origin story, how he met his wife and how many near-death experiences he’s been though (and obviously survived), would be a hilarious hit.

Leslie Chow – The Hangover

Mr. Leslie Chow, the eccentric and unpredictable party-starter from The Hangover series played by Ken Jeong, is a character that has us in splits every time he graces the screen. From befriending smoking monkeys to the meme-worthy dialogues, he’s become a favourite for fans all across the globe. A spin-off chronicling his sassy comebacks and shady business dealings before (or after) his run-ins with the Wolfpack would bring the beloved character back into the well-deserved spotlight.

Pappi – Tanu Weds Manu

Pappi, the quintessential friend and confidant, never fails to bring a smile to our faces in Tanu Weds Manu and even its slightly lacklustre sequel. His witty one-liners, quirky love advice, and dedication to his friend’s love life deserve a spotlight of their own: showing us just what antics Pappiji gets up to when not helping out with matters of the heart.

Chatur – 3 Idiots

Chatur, the eternally competitive and Hindi-challenged character from 3 Idiots, left us in splits with his iconic ‘Dhan’ speech mishap. A spin-off tracking his journey in the corporate world, his rather gnarly way of clearing the room with his gastrointestinal issues, and the many ways he continues to stumble over his words would definitely be worth a trip to the cinema hall. Plus, a cameo or two from the film’s other cast members wouldn’t hurt!

Circuit – Munna Bhai M.B.B.S

Munna’s loyal sidekick Circuit, played by Arshad Warsi, has etched himself into the comedy hall of fame with his unique brand of humour, unshakeable loyalty and drive for making all of Munna’s requests come to life. He managed to keep the audiences hooked on the character, every single time he popped up in a scene. A spin-off tracing his life before he learned those sick knife skills and met Munna would be a true jaadu ki jappi.

Rosesh – Sarabhai vs Sarabhai

‘Momma‘ a.k.a Maya Sarabhai really did bless us with Rosesh Sarabhai, the poet with his heart on his sleeve from Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. Rosesh’s unforgettable poems and his clashes with father Indravadhan make him one of the most entertaining characters on the show (and we’ve got proof to back it up). Someone please make sitcom producers give us more of Rosesh!

NoHo Hank – Barry

Even as Barry’s character taking a darker route over the run of the show, “NoHo” Hank from Barry kept it cheerful and goofy, making the criminal world look like a fun adventure. The Chechen gangster’s dreams of being a hotel concierge with bodies piling up around him could be a plot line for his own show. Think The White Lotus, but with much more crazy.

Roy Kent and Jamie Tartt – Ted Lasso

Ted Lasso‘s finale left us demanding a new show that would make us feel like we’ve been “struck by f***ing lightning”, but through Roy Kent and Jamie Tartt’s ever-evolving dynamic. From hating each other to becoming frenemies (with a competitive streak to ‘get the girl’), their grump/sunshine trope is ripe for exploration. Covering the complexities of being football heroes, at different stages in their lives, would be a great way to bring back the Lasso universe to our screens.

Bhanu Pratap Pandey – Mimi

Bhanu Pratap Pandey, the enthusiastic American-obsessed driver from Mimi, stole our hearts with his comical innocence and love for Western culture. Since he was the predominant reason for the story to evolve in the movie, you can tell this isn’t the first time he’s fallen into the affairs of helping out a fellow taxi passenger when needed, even if things don’t turn out the way he envisioned. A spin-off following his endeavours as a guide for foreigners in India would offer a comical exploration of culture clashes and more.

Bhavesh Kumar – Khichdi

Khichdi‘s ‘Bhukkad’ Bhavesh Kumar was an absolute lovable character. Even with limited screen time over the 98 episodes of the show, he made his mark with his unabashed love for food. The love he has for munching on snacks is pretty evident, with every scene involving him with a plate of food in his hands. Imagine a spin-off revolving around Bhukkad owning a restaurant, but eating off everyone’s dishes and enjoying life: we’d eat it up for sure.