Posted on 01/10/2008 10:46:44 AM PST by qam1
The days of neon leg warmers and hair scrunchies may be long gone, but the hit television shows from the 1980's may not be, as some of the top programs from the era continue to show up on this generation's plasma TVs. So far, NBC has been the only network to re-launch cult classics, first with "Bionic Woman" (the new version dropped the originals 'The' from the title) and then followed suit with "American Gladiators." The network is planning to air a new version of "Knight Rider" later this year, too.
With the writers strike still on and the networks having difficulty producing new -- and popular -- programming, TV insiders told ABCNEWS.com that re-inventing the cult classics, and appealing to viewers' sense of nostalgia, may be just what the industry needs.
"Broadcast network television is having the hardest time right now launching new TV," said Ben Grossman, the Los Angeles bureau chief for industry publication "Broadcasting & Cable." "It might be smart to launch something with a built-in audience." "If you can get people who know [the show] and remember it fondly and can get new people to watch, you've got a hit," added Grossman.
"Bionic Woman's" ratings weren't that impressive, and while "American Gladiators" were significantly better -- it was the highest-rated launch of any show this season so far -- it's still too early to predict its success, said Grossman.
No, it's not David Hasselhoff and the killer Trans-Am. Actor Justin Bruening and his customized Mustang update "Knight Rider" for its 2008 TV comeback.
"If you're re-making 'Bionic Woman' or 'American Gladiators' you know that at least a certain percentage of people are going to show up and watch out of curiosity and nostalgia," James Hibberd, a senior editor at "TVWeek," told ABCNEWS.com.
"This is why reality concepts from overseas are so popular, because you have at least some idea that they work," noted Hibberd. "If you're starting something from scratch you have to market the idea in a way that introduces the concept and so then you're rolling the dice because you have no template for success."
Several critics told ABCNEWS.com that NBC's decision to re-do the classics is at least partially due to the fact that Ben Silverman, co-chair of NBC Entertainment, is a Generation X-er himself, and may very well share in the nostalgia many have for the television programs they grew up watching.
But not everyone is convinced that shows that flourished more than two decades ago will continue to do so today, and some say that recycling the old content is ignoring the kind of creativity the industry desperately needs. "It's a lot easier to go with something that you know than to do something innovative," said Tom Lewis, the TV editor for the blog LAist.com. "There is a bit of a cop out [to re-doing old programs]."
Unlike the remakes of shows like Batman, Lewis told ABCNEWS.com that he thought the fault in the recent cult classic revival is that they are essentially the same shows transported into a later time period.
TV classics like "Bionic Woman" are being re-made in the hopes of attracting nostalgic fans and newcomers.
"Instead of embracing change and innovation the networks and their producers are holding onto drama [and] comedy show concepts and formats that made them big players 40 to 50 years ago," said Lewis.
Can the 'Oldies' Become the 'Goodies,' Again? Whether re-doing programming from previous decades will become a larger trend will depend largely on how successfully the first attempts are, according to TV insiders. If shows such as "American Gladiators" continue to pull in good ratings, other networks will be eager to jump on the bandwagon of a new business strategy -- much like what happened during the reality TV craze. "If somebody does find a little bit of success then everyone in television will run to copy what works. Look at "American Idol" and its rip offs," said "Broadcasting & Cable's" Grossman.
But nostalgia may not be enough to keep these shows afloat for more than a few weeks, according to Ray Richmond, TV critic and entertainment columnist for "The Hollywood Reporter."
"Nostalgia is a very powerful thing," said Richmond. "Everyone things everything was cooler 'way back when.'"
"And sometimes [shows or films] will come back and they'll be great, but often times they're paled imitations and it's better to leave the past," Richmond added. "You can't always duplicate success."
I’d go for a Cosby Show again.
Wonder if it’d suffer because of his mouthing off in the 2000s?
I love adventure/fantasy shows, but I much prefer a long story-arc like BG, 24--or even the ridiculously byzantine Lost. These days we have Netflix so it's easier to keep track.
But I pine for a remake of the 90's Lois and Clark--best TV romance series, ever. Like I Love Lucy, Moonlighting and Superman, all rolled up into one.
I just smile when I hear that...late 60's and early 70's beat the 80's hands down.
My friends and I used to have a no-talking-during-Lost rule, but eventually we gave up caring about the plot and just watched it for the sake of discussing the relative merits of the various male characters. Fortunately, just as Lost was twisting its plot into oblivion, NBC came up with Heroes, and that’s now my long-story-arc-action-adventure-show.
Wow I never disagree with anyone on so many point in a row before.
Hair metal is an embarrassment. Period.
American Pie is better and certainly sexier movie.
Who’s the Boss was horrible, simply horrible.
I agree with Alysa Milano but only because she’s hotter NOW. She was a child in the 80’s.
Christie Brinkly was hot, but she can’t hold a candle to Giselle Bundchen or Heidi Klum.
Agree completely. The 80s were superior in only one respect: Reagan.
“Every week they fired thousands of rounds from automatic weapons.......
and NEVER SHOT ANYONE!!!!!!!”
EXACTLY!!! That show was crap. Airwolf had a helicopter that could fly as fast as a Phantom jet. They never hit anything with the shots they fired either.
My doctor strongly recomends two glasses of red wine a day.
He didn’t say that I couldn’t save them up for saturday and I didn’t ask.
"Nu" metal sucks.
I agree with Alysa Milano but only because she’s hotter NOW. She was a child in the 80’s.
So was I!
“They’ll never re-create the character. Lindsay Wagner’s Jaime Sommers was the perfect everywoman (grade-schoolteacher) plunged into extraordinary circumstances, saving the world every week, but who only wanted to live an ordinary life. She could do glamorous when the mission called for it but was much more comfortable in jeans and t-shirt.”
I thought Jaime Summers was a tennis pro in the original?
I see that "Alice" is being run in our area...nice to see some of the old shows again.....We still watch "Golden Girls" and "Raymond" and I would love to see any of the Newhart shows....I catch "Kate and Allie" once in a while....
I know what you mean about “Lost”.....far too muddled now to make any sense of it.....I don’t think one should have to study to keep up with a show....
Well, search for the “Elf” soundtrack album, (it’s on Rhapsody) and you’ll find her duet with Leon Redbone doing “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”
Oh, yeah, Tuesday nights were always Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley.
I think a remake of "WRKP in Cincinnati" would still translate well.
The main thrust of the plot was a format change from Elevator Music to Rock 'n Roll. Everything else was the funny stuff that comes from people interacting with people.
That and Jennifer's rack...of course (Though, I'm still a Bailey Quarters man).
On the other hand, I think this was tried recently with the Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton sitcom called "Back To You."...but that was only centered on a TV news broadcast.
It wasn't bad. I liked it. They even a had an actress in there to do the cheesecake...but it didn't fly.
Let the voting begin.:D
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