In the words of Mariah Carey, “why are you so obsessed with me?”
That’s the billion-dollar question audiences are asking TV networks who are so blatantly obsessed with reboots. Every year delivers its fair share, but it seems like 2018’s goal is to test the audience’s threshold for past successes.
We’re not even halfway through the year, and we’ve exceeded the number of potential revivals that can be counted on both hands. No doubt we should probably blame it on the acclaim NBC received for bringing back beloved and previously statement-making hit Will & Grace.
There’s definitely an allure to revivals and reboots — there’s a nostalgia factor about catching up with old friends and revisiting stories that bring you back to “better times.”
Old characters can address the new political climate, technological advances and even challenge their ways of thinking. There are, of course, audiences who aren’t as fond of reboots, claiming that networks are of running out of ideas; scratching an itch to cash in on former glories.
Regardless of one’s personal preference, we can all agree on one thing: some shows have the potential to be reboot gold, some peaked in high school, and a select few were so solid, they could never be replicated again.
Here’s a list of 2018 shows and movies getting a second shot at life — which ones do you think should get the boot and which ones seem promising?
Charmed (The CW)
I’m coming at you hot with one of the most controversial reboots of 2018! Fans are up in arms about the reboot of Charmed, specifically saying goodbye to the beloved Halliwell sisters. Let me remind you, though, that the very definition of ‘reboot’ is to start from scratch, foregoing storylines and recreating characters, which is exactly what The CW dramedy from Jane the Virgin creator-showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman is doing.
The network describes it as a “fierce, funny, feminist reboot of the original series, which centers on three sisters in a college town who discover they are witches. Between vanquishing supernatural demons, tearing down the patriarchy, and maintaining familial bonds, a witch’s work is never done.” Melonie Diaz has been cast as the first of three sisters, while Ser’Darius Blain will play Galvin, one of the sisters’ boyfriends.
TV Fanatic verdict: Let the magic do its work. This has the potential of becoming a modern, witchy hit.
Magnum P.I. (CBS)
Reboot loving CBS is hoping to give 80’s Tom Selleck starring drama Magnum P.I a facelift. The iconic role of private investigator Thomas Magnum will be played by Suicide Squad actor Jay Hernandez. Hernandez’s character is a decorated ex-Navy SEAL who returns from Afghanistan and uses his military training to become a P.I.
While he’s no Selleck and has some pretty big shoes to fill, he did spend some time squaring up with Olivia Pope on Scandal so at least we know he has the backbone. Hey, maybe Selleck can guest-star or something? The comforting part comes with series runner Peter Leknov, who is well-versed in the reboot world having both Hawaii Five-O and MacGayver upgrades under his belt.
TV Fanatic Verdict: Seems promising enough.
Roswell (The CW)
The CW seems to think that making 90s show’s hip-again is their saving grace. This new version of Roswell is set to follow the Roswell High books from Melinda Matz. The series focuses on the daughter of undocumented immigrants reluctantly returning to her hometown of Roswell, New Mexico, where she learns her teenage crush-turned-police officer is an alien (not the illegal immigrant kind). She protects his secret, but when it becomes apparent that there are more like him, the “fear and hatred threaten to expose him.” So far, Grey’s Anatomy star Jeanine Mason has been cast as the lead character.
TV Fanatic Verdict: Supernatural dramas thrive on The CW! ‘Nuff said.
Party of Five (Freeform)
Party of Five ended 16-years-ago, so it’s basically overdue for a reboot at this point. Freeform has already given a pilot order for the series, which hails from original creators Chris Keyser and Amy Lippman. While the original followed five siblings who relied on each other following their parent’s tragic death, the new version is focusing more on immigration, following the Buendias siblings who are left to fend for themselves when their parents are unexpectedly deported to Mexico. There couldn’t have been a more timely moment to tackle deportation.
TV Fanatic Verdict: Definitely has an audience.
Cagney & Lacey (CBS)
Cagney & Lacey is a reboot of the iconic 80s police drama, which ran for several seasons on CBS. It won two best drama Emmys, along with many other awards, so it’s no surprise that the network wants more of its girl-power magic. Bridget Carpenter will helm the new reincarnation, which follows two female police detectives and their friends keeping the streets of LA safe. No word yet on who would star in the iconic roles, but rumor has it, CBS wants one of the leads to be a woman of color.
TV Fanatic Verdict: Female-leads alone can’t save this drama.
The Greatest American Hero (ABC)
ABC is really diving into diversity and gender-equality with a gender-reversal switch planned for 80s cult classic The Greatest American Hero. With New Girl coming to an end, the network has tapped actress Hannah Simone as the leading lady of the single-camera comedy. Not only is Simone a woman, she’s also Indian-American. The hero title formerly belonged to actor William Kat.
Written by Fresh off the Boat duo, Rachna Fruchbom and Nahnatchka Khan, the series centers on Meera, “a 30-year-old woman who loves tequila and karaoke and has spent her life searching and failing to find meaning, much to the chagrin of her traditional Indian-American family.” One inexplicable event changes Meera’s life forever and equips her with a super suit to protect the planet.
TV Fanatic Verdict: An Indian-American superhero? We’re here for it!
Roseanne (ABC)
Everybody loves Roseanne, including ABC, so they assembled the entire Conner family for a 20-year reunion of sorts. The reboot features the original cast with a few new familial additions. Even family patriarch Dan will be revived as the series is sidestepping his fatal heart attack in the finale. While many are thrilled to be returning to the infamous brown couch, the political tone of the show is causing some to doubt it’s worthiness.
The cast themselves acknowledge that the series will continue digging into controversial and heavy issues, of which there’s no shortage. Roseanne argues that people may assume the show is more political than it really is. She claims the series continues to paint a realistic picture of working-class people in America, showcasing how a family deals with disagreements and fallout from the recent election — and yes, Roseanne voted for Trump. The series premieres March 27.
TV Fanatic Verdict: We’re a country divided but oddly enough, Roseanne might bring us together again.
The Jetsons (ABC)
We’re in the future (technically) and the Jetson’s are back! This is a very different reboot as it’s taking an animated series from the 60s and turning it into a live-action-filmed-in-front-of-a-studio-audience comedy sitcom. Based on the cartoon, we’ll be seeing the Jetsons through a modern filter 100-years in the future. How do they plan to introduce uber-futuristic effects in real-time? We’ll leave that up to Robert Zemeckis. We just hope that the future finally brings those anticipated flying cars.
TV Fanatic Verdict:This could go either way but color us intrigued.
Miami Vice (NBC)
Who is ready for the return of mustaches and pink shorts? NBC is working on a reboot of the classic cop drama Miami Vice, which is getting a little push from Vin Diesel’s and his production company, One Race Television. This basically means the series will be fueled with testosterone along with fast and furious car chases and action scenes. During its prime, the series was a pop-culture phenomenon. Would it have the same appeal now?
TV Fanatic Verdict: Not enough is known for us to make a decision, but we’d never doubt Vin Diesel.
The Munsters (NBC)
The Munsters are planning quite the return to NBC. Odd Mom Out creators Seth Meyers and Jill Kargman want to bring back the lovable monster family. Set in modern times, the Munsters are a family struggling to fit in amongst the hipsters of Brooklyn. This is the second attempt at reviving the Munsters, the first being hour long, big-budget pilot Mockingbird Lane, which aired as Halloween special in 2012.
TV Fanatic Verdict: The Munsters would work as a half-hour comedy. Who wouldn’t want to see them struggling to fit in in hipsterville? Although, I’m afraid their outfits might actually be considered “trendy” nowadays.
Animaniacs (Hulu)
Animaniacs has gotten a second wind since getting added to Netflix back in 2016. Now, Hulu has scooped it up and given the classic cartoon a two-season, straight-to-series commitment. 90s babies will remember Yakoo, Wakoo and Dot, along with Pinky & the Brain, as a staple during “One Saturday Morning” cartoon programming. Hopefully, the three Warner siblings finally found their way out of the Warner Bros. water tower lot, which is where they’ve been trapped since the 30s. Steven Spielberg will return as executive producer. New episodes are set to air in 2020.
TV Fanatic Verdict: Don’t let us down, Hulu!
Twilight Zone (CBS All Access)
The man that brought you the deliciously twisted Get Out is spearheading the reboot of equally-as-creepy 50s thriller Twilight Zone. Of course, we’re talking about Jordan Peele. Back in December, CBS All Access announced that the Twilight Zone reincarnation was officially ordered to series. Peele said our current political climate — which in his eyes feels oddly like his own version of the twilight zone — has carved out the perfect moment for a modern spin on the anthology series that, in the past, delved into elements of science fiction, fantasy and horror. There have been multiple reboots of the series so that’s a promising start.
TV Fanatic Verdict: If it’s anything like American Horror Story, it’ll be a hit!
Sabrina the Teenage Witch (Netflix)
One thing fans across the board can agree on is the highly-anticipated Sabrina the Teenage Witch reboot. In this iteration, gone is the all-American, blonde sweetheart you’ve come to love. Based on the Archie comics and serving as a Riverdale spin-off, the upcoming Netflix reboot titled “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” will be spearheaded by Kiernan Shipka. This Sabrina is a “dark coming-of-age-story” with elements of Rosemary’s Baby and The Exorcist.
The half-witch, half-mortal will be conflicted yet also wrestling forces of evil, one of which seems to be Father Blackwood, played by Richard Coyle. Blackwood did not exist in the comics but is said to be a High Priest of the Church at night and Dean of the Academy of the Unseen Arts who is also harboring a very dark secret. Lucy Davis has been tapped as Aunt Hilda, while Homeland alum Miranda Otto takes on the sterner Aunt Zelda.
TV Fanatic Verdict: Paired with Riverdale, this is sure to be a hit amongst the young-adult demo!
L.A Confidential (CBS)
CBS is really trying to take the “King of Reboot’s” title. L.A Confidential is being billed as the modern-day take on James Elroy’s novel, which also inspired the 1997 feature film. Much like the film, secrets, lies and serial killers bring together three homicide detectives, a female reporter and an aspiring actress in 1950s LA. Justified’s Walton Goggins takes the role of Detective Jack Vincennes, the morally questionable cop played by Kevin Spacey in the Oscar-winning film. (Don’t count on an appearance from him!) Sense8’s Brian J. Smith has been tapped for the role of Detective Ed Exley, a man who will do anything to prove himself to his father.
TV Fanatic Verdict: Movie-to-TV adaptations are becoming increasingly popular, but will this one have what it takes to stick? I don’t think so.
Living Single (Unknown)
A show about six friends — three women, two men – living in the same brownstone apartment complex. No, I’m not talking about Friends because they’ve rejected every and any opportunity at a reboot. I’m talking about Living Single, a pioneering ensemble show in the 90s, especially for women of color. Queen Latifah confirmed the longstanding rumors, adding that things were in a “figuring out” phase. Her main goal before going into production/securing a studio was reuniting the whole cast, yes, even RHOA’s Kim Fields. Hopefully, once they figure it out, the series will bring back the same original magic.
TV Fanatic Verdict: Too soon to tell but there’s definitely interest from longtime fans who want the show to receive the acclaim it always deserved.
Tremors (SyFy)
Tremors, the 90s cult classic franchise is hoping their fanbase will bring them continued success on the small screen. Original star Kevin Bacon has reprised his role of Valentine McKee in the SyFy (only fitting) pilot. The follow-up picks up 25-years later and you guessed it, those killer Graboid worms are back in Perfection, NV. And yep, McKee, the former hero, is the only one that can save them all granted he can get over his age, alcohol, and his hero complex.
Big Little Lies actor P.J Byrne plays Melvin, a survivor of the original attack turned real-estate developer, whose hopes of returning the city to its former glory are fueled by his jealousy of McKee. Weeds’ Hunter Parrish is on board to play Arthur Brandt, a young leader of the 20-somethings who have come to Perfection to bask in its “unique spiritual energy.” Ebonée Noel will join as Zoe, a woman who has strong connections to the Earth and thus, visions of what’s about to happen. Brandon Jay MacLaren will play Toby, a guy no-one likes working at a data company. And finally, Haley Tju will play Jai, the towns badass.
TV Fanatic Verdict: SyFy is the perfect home for Tremors, which is likely to thrill new and longtime fans alike.
The Office (NBC)
Have you dreamt of clocking back into the Office? Rumors of a possible reboot were thrust into motion when NBC chairman told creator, Greg Daniels, he has free reign to develop a reboot whenever wants to. Since then, a handful of OG actors, including Mindy Kaling and Jonathan Krasinski, have said that they’d definitely be on board. Like, in a heartbeat. Then there was talk that NBC was indeed working on a reboot, the caveat being the new rendition would feature a mix of old and new cast.
Steve Carrell, who debunked the reboot rumors, was reportedly not interested in reprising his role of funnyman boss Michael Scott. As on now, no calls of offers have been made to the OG cast, who are all currently busy working on other projects, including Daniels himself. NBC also hasn’t revealed any concrete plans for the reboot, which we all know in Hollywood terms means it’s only a matter of time.
TV Fanatic Verdict: Where there’s hopeful chatter, there’s an audience and a market. This will happen, eventually, but something tells me there’s no way it will ever be better than the original.
Hannibal (NBC)
Fannibals, this may actually be happening! Conversations about reviving Hannibal have started, but producer Martha De Laurentiis says it may be awhile before fans can gear up for a return. Talks of a revival couldn’t start until two-years after the finale aired because you know, contracts and stuff. Still, they have some great ideas for a season four which includes chapters “between Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter that would be fascinating to unpack.” It seems like for this, patience is of the essence. A recent “meeting of the minds” happened back in August.
TV Fanatic Verdict: Great things take time, but Hannibal will rise again.
Frasier (NBC)
Here’s the summary: NBC is riding high off the success of Will & Grace so they’re very interested in a Frasier revival. Unfortunately, that’s where the positivity train stops. “I don’t think there’s any real interest,” said exec-producer David Lee, adding,”I think everyone’s moved on.” Frasier himself, Kelsey Grammer, has also expressed hesitations about the reboot. Then, there’s the fact that no one wants to do it without Frasier co-creator David Angell, who tragically passed away in the 9/11 terrorist attacks along with his wife.
TV Fanatic Verdict: Sometimes, it’s best to just let things go. We’ll always have re-runs.
30 Rock (NBC)
On the other hand, Lee (see Frasier slide above for context clues) is very much behind the idea of a 30 Rock reboot. He’s talked to Tina Fey about it and apparently, she’s not ruling it out. It seems like the ball is very much in her capable hands. Even NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt said that if Fey agreed to do it, everyone would be on board in a heartbeat. And the good news — they’re not excluding limited runs, which could always turn into a full-series, just as Big Little Lies.
TV Fanatic Verdict: Just say the magic words Tina Fey!
The L Word (Showtime)
Queer ladies everywhere are rejoicing because The L Word reboot is officially happening on Showtime, with showrunner Marja-Lewis Ryan at the helm. The original groundbreaking series ran from 2004 – 2009 and followed a group of lesbians living in Los Angeles. Those ladies will be returning for this newly minted show and joining them will be a handful of new LGBTQIA characters.
TV Fanatic Verdict: Let’s go girls!
Sin City (Unknown)
Sin City is getting a TV reboot. The series is said to follow Frank Miller’s iconic comics pretty closely, while also adding a fresh take from The Walking Dead showrunner-turned-writer Glen Mazzara. However, don’t expect to see any elements from the movie; the intention of the series is to stray far away from everything. The series will likely introduce brand new characters (sorry, Jessica Alba) and even, fudge up timelines. No cast has been announced yet and no network chosen, although, they are reportedly swarming.
TV Fanatic Verdict: Fans of the movie, maybe you should sit this one out. Unless you really like change.
Perry Mason (HBO)
You can call him Perry Mason. Robert Downey Jr. is making his return to TV — his biggest television commitment since Ally McBeal in 2002. With the help of HBO, who officially green-lit the reboot, the actor is ditching his iron suit for the sharp suit of Erle Stanley Gardner’s iconic, and unorthodox, defense attorney. Downey has been interested in reviving the character for some time now, initially with the hopes of a motion picture. Rolin Jones and Ron Fitzgerald will take on writing duties to reimagine the series. No premiere date details have been set and no further cast has been revealed.
TV Fanatic Verdict: Downy back on television. HBO, nonetheless. That is all.
Get Christie Love (ABC)
It’s been 44-years since Get Christie Love, the first hourlong drama with an African American lead, premiered and we’re officially getting a reboot. The reboot even found its leading lady in Pitch star Kylie Bunbury. Power creator Courtney Kemp will take charge of the series, which ABC describes as “an action-packed, music-driven drama that centers on Christie Love (Bunbury), an African American female CIA agent who leads an elite ops unit.” Christie does whatever she needs to to get the job done, especially when the stakes are high. Freakish actress Julie Kelly has been cast as a series regular opposite Bunbury.
TV Fanatic Verdict: The series already feels right at home on ABC, especially as we say goodbye to Scandal’s Olivia Pope.
Starsky & Hutch (Amazon)
No, not the film, but the 70s cop series had landed a script-to-series commitment at Amazon. The reboot will actually be a continuation of the original series and is described as a character-driven one-hour precedural. The project is James Gunn’s first foray into television, but he’s certainly not a newbie given his achievements as writer-director of Guardians of the Galaxy. Not to mention, he’s a huge fan of the original series saying it was the first real adult show he ever fell in love with.
TV Fanatic Verdict: It’ll be hard without Owen Wilson but we’ll give it a try.
Gone Baby Gone (Fox)
Joseph Morgan has booked his first post-The Originals gig as the male lead in the pilot for Gone Baby Gone, based on Dennis Lehane’s book and more famously, Ben Affleck’s film. Morgan will be shedding his Mikealson skins to play private eye Patrick Kenzie, a role originally brought to life by the other Affleck, Casey. The untitled hour-long drama centers on a pair of private detectives, Kenzie and Angela Gennaro (still-uncast) who combine their street wits and chemistry to “right wrongs the law can’t in working-class Boston.”
TV Fanatic Verdict: We’re suckers for Joseph Morgan so we’ll probably give this a chance.
The Purge (USA & Syfy)
The Purge: It’s the movie-turned-TV-series we hope never becomes out reality. The franchise, about one day a year where murder is legalized — and even encouraged — has found a home on the USA Network and Syfy. East Los High star Gabriel Chavarria has been tapped as male lead Miguel, “a U.S. Marine with a hard edge and a noble mission” who receives a cryptic letter from his sister and returns to town on Purge Night to fight the “senseless violence” in the name of family.
His sister Penelope, played by Six actress Jessica Garza, is described as “a woman who belongs to a Purge-worshipping cult. Having pledged herself to be sacrificed at the behest of their charismatic leader, her faith is tested when she is exposed to the ghastly realities of the Purge.”
The most recent The Purge: Election Day was the highest grossing installment, convincing creator James DeMonaco to not only pursue a TV series, but also a new film, which is set to debut this summer. There’s never been a better time to be a Purge fan!
TV Fanatic Verdict: We may still be traumatized from the films but we’re totally ready to delve deeper into what possesses humans to act on these animalistic instincts.
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (Unknown)
That’s actually Princess of Bel-Air! Will Smith made the Fresh Prince iconic but it seems he’s getting de-throned for a female-led reboot. The company that owns the rights to the original filed a few trademark applications for “Fresh Princess” sparking reboot rumors. There isn’t much to go off of but let’s just hope Will is involved in the female-led version is some way!
TV Fanatic Verdict: Why didn’t we think of this sooner? We’d actually love to see the lady-led version of this!
Snowpiercer (TNT)
Orphan Black co-creator Graeme Manson has been tapped as showrunner, replacing Josh Friedman, the man we should be thanking for writing and securing the pilot. He claims he was pushed out by TNT since they wanted someone more “complaint.” The TNT series, based on the 2013 film starring Chris Evans and Tilda Swinton, is “set seven years after the world has become a frozen wasteland” and focuses on the remnants of humanity living in a moving train that treks across the globe.
TV Fanatic Verdict: Exploring social injustice and survival while trapped in a tiny space? Yeah, we have a few minutes.
Heathers (Paramount Network)
Fans of Heathers couldn’t contain their excitement when a TV reboot of the cult film was announced. But in light of the Parkland, Florida shooting, the network had to postpone the May airdate just a few days after securing the rights to the project. They cited “sensitivity to the victims” as the ’88 film, starring Wynona Ryder and Christian Slater, features dark elements including murder, suicide, and sexual assault. Not to mention one storyline features a character trying to blow up a school. Turns out, there is such a thing as “too timely.”
TV Fanatic Verdict: If done right this could be a huge success. But we’re glad they are respecting the victims and hope they take current events into consideration when it comes to plot. The original centers around two classmates who fall in love and get revenge on bullies, which isn’t something we need to be promoting without also showing the repercussions.
