Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
In the past two days, at least five classic (or semi-classic) franchises are being considered for some sort of TV treatment. Who needs original ideas anymore, right? (And I just wrote a long piece about "Drumline: A New Beat" on VH1 Monday to boot.)
Not all these ideas will necessarily come to fruition but it proves that anything has been successful before is always open to somebody trying to revive it.
Reboots happen all the time. Think "90210," "Dallas," "Melrose Place," "Knight Rider" and "Hawaii Five-O" (a rare one that has actually lasted awhile), to name a few. Later this year, Matthew Perry tries yet again on TV with an "Odd Couple" revival on CBS. Showtime is looking to bring back "Twin Peaks." And Fox is even considering a new version of "The Greatest American Hero." And don't forget movies! Fox is thinking about re-doing "Monster in Law" while NBC is looking to give "Marley & Me" new life.
Here are the latest:
According to Deadline.com, Riverdale , a drama based on the characters from the Archie comics, has landed at Fox with a script deal.
Set in the present, the series offers a bold, subversive take on Archie, Betty, Veronica and their friends, exploring the surreality of small-town life — the darkness and weirdness bubbling beneath Riverdale's wholesome façade.
Greg Berlanti, who has executive produced "Dawson's Creek" and "Arrow"/"Flash," has a good track record.
Chances of success: Better than you'd think.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
People.com yesterday broke the news that NBC is planning to create a pilot based on the original beloved sitcom "Bewitched" starring Elizabeth Montgomery that ran from 1964 to 1972.
The new iteration from Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein (The Vow) fast-forwards the tale to focus on Samantha's granddaughter Daphne, a single twentysomething who, just like the women in her family, uses magic to get through life. But it can't conjure up love!
Chances of success: I'd wiggle my nose and wish this one to go away if I were NBC.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
TVLine broke this one: ABC has brought Marc Cherry of "Desperate Housewives" to shoot a pilot based Gaston Leroux's gothic novel but set in the modern-day music business.
It will not be a musical in the sense folks just break out in song. Rather, it will have a lot of music embedded into it like 'Nashville."'
Chances of success: With Cherry's saucy, cheeky writing, it's probably as good as any. (Then again, ABC passed on his post-"Desperate Housewives" project "Devious Maids," which was sent off to Lifetime.)
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Fox is considering a TV comedic version of the 2005 hit comedy "Hitch," according to ew.com.
The half-hour, single-camera series is being described as "a workplace comedy that explores dating and sexual politics." Will Smith and Jada Smith will executive produce. Smith starred as a dating consultant in the film who tried to help out Kevin James's doofus character land a hot woman considered "out of his league."
Chances of success: Modest at best. These types of comedies don't tend to do well in general, much less on Fox.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Deadline.com says Howard Gordon of "Homeland" fame will executive produce what is being described as a "grounded" sci-fi project for Fox:
Taking inspiration from the basic Mary Shelley mythology of a man brought back to life by scientists playing god, Frankenstein centers on Adam Tremble, a morally corrupt FBI agent who is given a second chance at life when he is brought back from the dead. Now younger and stronger, Tremble will have to choose between his old temptations and his new sense of purpose — dealing with threats beyond the FBI's capabilities. All the while navigating the complicated relationship with his "creators": an antisocial Internet billionaire and his bio-engineer twin sister.
Chances of success: These types of shows are hot but how many more can we take? I get a sense the lead will not look nearly as loony and stiff as the Frankenstein we know and love.
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