In this delightfully farcical and absurdly complicated comedy, Sir John Falstaff takes a break from partying with the Prince of Wales to woo two not-so-desperate housewives at the same time in the London suburb of Windsor while a Frenchman, a judge, and the boy-next-door seek to marry one of those housewives’ daughters. In their discussion of a play that some commentators allege that Shakespeare wrote at the request of Queen Elizabeth I, Will and James discuss whether it counts as a spin-off and whether or not spin-offs can succeed on their own merits. //. Credits //. Intro Music: Jon Sayles, "The Witches' Dance" (composed by anonymous); Outro Music: Jon Sayles, “Saltarello” (composed by anonymous); Illustrative Excerpts: “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” dir. Fiona Laird, Royal Shakespeare Company (2018); “The Simpsons Spinoff Showcase,” The Simpsons, dir. Neil Affleck (1997)