Networks’ success with remakes means more on way
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Netflix’s decision to remake “Lost in Space” is not nearly as risky as it might seem.
Baby boomers especially are drawn to the shows that fascinated them when they were young. With so many programming options, networks are smart to go back to a familiar property and spruce it up with a new cast and creative team to reel in old as well as young eyes.
(Mind you, we are talking remakes, as opposed to such reboots as “Roseanne,” “Will & Grace” and “The X-Files,” for increasingly arthritic adventures.)
But not all remakes are re-created equally:
Perhaps the daddy of the modern remake era, CBS’ “Hawaii Five-0” has survived tumultuous cast changes and is currently in its eighth season of capturing criminals in paradise. It paved the way for CBS to take chances on such shows as “MacGyver” and “S.W.A.T.” (The latter has already been renewed for next season.)
CW’s remake of “Dynasty” just added Nicollette Sheridan in the key role of Alexis Carrington and sparkles with killer attitude, dialogue and sets, and not a shoulder pad in sight. CW recently renewed it for a second season.
Netflix’s update of Norman Lear’s ’70s sitcom “One Day at a Time,” focusing on a Latina military veteran raising her two children, has been picked up for a third season, to the joy of its vocal fans.
Fox’s remakes of “The Exorcist” and “Lethal Weapon” haven’t scared up a lot of viewers, but “Lethal” at least has a couple more episodes to impress Fox into giving it a third season.
What’s coming?
CBS is remaking “Magnum, P.I.,” with the character made famous by Tom Selleck updated as a military veteran of Afghanistan. The network has also ordered a pilot of “Cagney & Lacey” with “Grey’s Anatomy” favorite Sarah Drew as Lacey.
CW is hot to revive “Charmed,” about three sisters, witches all, fighting demons in a college town. One of the sisters reportedly will now be a lesbian.
In Freeform’s update of “Party of Five,” the kids will be immigrants looking to stay in America.
ABC has ordered a pilot of “The Greatest American Hero,” with an Indian woman discovering the supersuit — and presumably losing the instructions in the process.
CBS is remaking “The Twilight Zone” for its streaming service CBS All-Access. With Academy Awardwinner Jordan Peele (“Get Out”) at the helm, expect the truly weird with a smack of social consciousness.
Here might be the most unusual show to be updated: ABC’s “Get Christie Love!” ran for but one season in 1974, with Teresa Graves as an undercover detective — and making Graves the first African-American woman to headline a drama. The update, from executive producer Vin Diesel, stars Kylie Bunbury (“Pitch) as the trailblazer.