In a world whereFuller Housedoes spectacularly for Netflix andMacGyverhas been a solid player on CBS' Fall schedule, it’s not surprising that TV networks are going back to their archives to find old properties that they can dig up and make new again. In some cases likeGirl Meets World,it’s in the form of a sequel series featuring some of the other cast; in others likeHawaii Five-0we’re seeing an old favorite “re-envisioned” in a new form.
The fourth season ofArrested Developmentseemed to be one of the recent catalysts that got this revival phase going; there is already talk after a successful election-related tie-in thatWill and Gracemay even be getting some more episodes soon. Disney Channel has announced aThat’s So Ravensequel. Over on NBC, we may be seeing the adventures ofMagnum P.I.’s daughter at some point in the future.Dynasty, of all things, is in development at The CW! And, of course,Twin Peaksis back at Showtime next year after decades away.
Although they have seen some success in the recent past, reboots and revivals don’t always work. NBC’sIronsideupdate came and went faster than you could say “Raymond Burr.” The heavily promotedHeroes Rebornfizzled. FOX’s newX-Filesepisodes did very well in the ratings, but most of TNT’sDallasdidn’t bring out the same power that the original 1980s incarnation did.
Obviously, though, the networks realize they have this intellectual property and it’s an easy sell. All one has to say is the name of an old title and, for better or for worse, people know what you’re talking about without spending a dime on advertising.
With that said, there are some shows out there that, for better or for worse, will probably be back on TV or a streaming service within the next fifteen years. Here are a few. This isn’t a list of “should” so much as a “probably will.” So, sorry folks:Fireflyis absent. Enjoy:
Quantum Leap
AQuantum Leapreboot has been talked about several times over the last decade or so, with many of the potential ideas involving a female lead. Since it’s a well-known concept and property for NBCUniversal, it’ll surely be back at one point… but, of course,Scott Bakulais a bit busy withNCIS: New Orleansover at CBS.
The only thing that might preventQuantum Leapfrom being revived anytime soon is that we have so much time travel-related content on television right now, betweenTimeless, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Making History, Time after Time, Frequency,and more. When there’s an opening, though, don’t be surprised if this is the reboot that we hear about next.
Veronica Mars
Yes,Kristen Bellis busy with her own NBC show right now. Yes, creatorRob ThomashasiZombieand The CW’s upcomingLost Boysmovie revival happening. But also, yes, the Veronica Mars movie was fantastic, and Thomas has been known to give his earlier projects second tries before.
IfGilmore Girls: A Year In The Lifeis a success – and who are we kidding, it’s definitely going to be – more shows of that era are sure to be looked into. And if Bell, Thomas, and key players are willing, wouldn’t at least a short-runVeronica Marsseason be fun?
If that doesn’t happen, perhaps the concept could be completely revived in this social media era where it might get more attention from the very beginning. The problem, however, is that any successor to the Veronica role might pale in comparison to the original Kristen Bell recipe.
Murphy Brown
Murphy BrowncreatorDiane Englishhas (as recently as this past week) talked about how she wished her show was still on the air, if only to have a place for commentary on Donald Trump. The original Murphy Brown was topical – so topical that that factor might be why we haven’t seen the show too much in reruns after its popular 1990s CBS run.
Provided lead actressCandice Bergenwould return, a modern-day Murphy Brown would be really interesting, especially as real-life journalists likeDiane Sawyerare defying a media culture who expects women to disappear after a certain age. Who would still be at FYI? Would Murphy even be there? Isn’t it crazy that Murphy’s kid would be over 25 now? AMurphy Brownupdate would be fantastic – and, it might revive the demand to get all of the classic episodes on a streaming service.
Freaks and Geeks
With such creative talents asJudd ApatowandPaul Feigat the helm, and boasting big names likeJames FrancoandSeth Rogenin its cast,Freaks and Geekswas simply ahead of its time. With Apatow producing things for Netflix already, and Franco seemingly willing to do anything he’s asked to do, it might be fun to see where the “kids” of McKinley High ended up decades later as a revival a laGilmore. As a bonus: They’d probably be somewhere around 1999, when the actual show started.
It would probably be the worst idea in the world, but with CBS/Paramount owning the rights toThe Andy Griffith Showand almost all of the original show’s players being deceased, eventually someone is going to want to dig up this TV classic. In a strange way, Mayberry re-envisioned as aTwin Peaks-ish hourlong drama could be somewhat interesting, if not derivative of what The CW is doing with Archie Comics characters over onRiverdale. It’s still a safe bet, though, that unless there’s something contractual that would keep it from happening, we will be seeing Sheriff Andy Taylor, Opie, and that small town again – whether we like it or not.
Married… with Children
As mentioned before, FOX saw some success with doing a limited number of new episodes ofThe X-Files earlier this year. There’s another show in FOX history, however, that happened to be one of the network’s first big hits… and the cast has lamented not getting to wrap it all up.
So… could we see the Bundys ofMarried… with Childrenagain?
The show was an international success, and of courseEd O’Neill(Al) is busy at the moment at the head ofModern Family,but once that’s done, and assuming all of the actors are willing, catching up with the trashy Bundy family, even for a short time, might be worth something worth seeing.
Didn’t I say up above thatHeroes Rebornwas pretty much a failure?
Yes. But it’s also very valuable property in the NBC/Comcast/Universal arsenal, and the power and strong memories of that first season back in 2006 still endure. With that said, it would not be shocking if NBC tries it again, perhaps with a complete reboot of the concept and maybe even different creators. While one may argue thatRebornand the later seasons of the original series kind of killed it, there is still some goodwill there that could bring NBC success if nurtured well.
Gleeitself seemed to reboot 3 or 4 times throughout its own six-season run, but again, it’s a franchise that did very well for FOX. FOX also seems to love to be in theRyan Murphybusiness. If and when Murphy feels the mood to bring it back, they’d probably welcome a new show with open arms – even though an update ofPopularwould probably be so much better.
The Golden Girls
File this one under “really bad idea to revive but it’ll probably happen anyway.“The Golden Girlswas a popular institution with a devoted following, but let’s be realistic: No one can match the chemistry of the original four series leads, three of whom have since passed. While it’d be fun to see four new older women in 21st century Florida – and that’s probably what would end up being done – they’d be unfairly compared toBetty White,Bea Arthur,Estelle Getty, andRue McClanahan. Maybe four old guys instead?
Like withQuantum Leap,this is another one that might be held back by the overabundance of time travel TV right now. It’s a popular property, however, that at some point, someone will want to exploit.Slidersalso seemed to skew younger thanQuantum Leap,and creatorTracy Tormewould surely enjoy the opportunity to give the show another try with today’s effects and on his own terms.
