The reboot of past TV shows and movies has quickly become a staple of Hollywood. Sometimes, a reboot of an old television show can be good (Hawaii Five-O) or really bad (Knight Rider). Here are five shows that could not only be ratings success stories, but also bring new life to some beloved classics.
Gunsmoke
One of the longest running shows on American television, Gunsmoke solidified itself as a national treasure. It favored character driven storylines over the action and suspense of shows like The Lone Ranger or HoppalongCassidy . Several other Western themed TV shows began their runs at the same time, but Gunsmoke rode past them all to survive nearly 20 years on the air.
Why it should come back: With the exception of Hell on Wheels , the landscape of television is miss ing one of the great genres of American storytell ing . The Western genre is perfectly suited for the grit that modern audiences have come to expect. Hav ing a show that combines the great fable of the Old West with a modern twist might be exactly what today’s viewers want to see.
The Addams Family
The creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky family on 0001 Cemetery Lane is now remembered as a beloved American sitcom. However, when it first aired, audiences weren’t sure what to make of The Addams Family. It only lasted two seasons, with neither season doing particularly well in ratings. Still, it inspired two movies that have taken on a cult hit status, and let’s face it, everybody knows that theme song.
Why it should come back: The taste of American audiences has changed, and there are more ways for people to watch the shows they like. Back when audiences had only a few channels to watch, the time may not have been right for the particular brand of off-kilter black comedy. Now, however, a show like The Addams Family would have no trouble finding a niche with modern audiences.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Aside from being one of the funniest sitcoms to grace the airwaves, The Mary Tyler Moore Show was also groundbreak ing . It was one of the first to center on a single, professional female character. It went on to win a Peabody Award, with the committee laud ing it for “establish[ ing ] the benchmark by which all situation comedies must be judged”.
Why it should come back: Let’s skip past the glaring fact that it was called The Mary Tyler Moore Show , and Ms. Moore may or may not want to take up do ing a full series again, especially if it involves here play ing a 30 year old. The Mary Richards character is fit for prime time. The omission of shows led by strong, female characters on network, or even cable TV, is a blight on our pop culture landscape. Shows like Parks and Recreation and 30 Rock prove that audiences cannot only tolerate seeing women in positions of leadership (despite what producers seem to think, based on the shows they give us), but desire it.
The A-Team
Noted for its high-octane action, and bad guys who couldn’t shoot the broad-side of a barn if they were standing next to it, The A-Team was one of the best action TV shows ever produced.
Why it should come back: The action/comedy blend of The A-Team is a well-worn path, but the mix of B.A. Baraccus’ bravado, Faceman’s slick charm, Hannibal’s strategy, and Murdock’s goof is still someth ing unique to The A-Team. There is plenty of room for adaptation and modernization without leav ing out the zeal that made the original so popular.
Quantum Leap
One of the most unique sci- fi shows, Quantum Leap kept Dr. Sam Beckett moving from one time period to another for five seasons. Aided by his partner Al, whom he saw as a hologram, Beckett travelled through time to “set right what once went wrong”. Combining drama, comedy, and action, it also tackled serious issues such as racial and gender equality.
Why it should come back: The main concern of Quantum Leap is to tell the story of people: the disenfranchised, the wounded, and the forgotten. A show that sets out to different perspectives in a time when our perspectives are very myopic is greatly needed.
