Fresh ideas are rare on TV. Successful fresh ideas (think “Breaking Bad” or “Mad Men”) are even rarer. So it’s understandable when recycling or revamping existing brand names from TV, film, comic books and even theater is tempting.
Here are a few recent announcements networks have made. Some may never see the light of day, but they provide a window into the minds of executives desperate to create the next “Game of Thrones” or “The Walking Dead,” two current hit shows adapted from other mediums.
“Archie” comics
Premise: "Riverdale," a drama based on the characters from the "Archie" comics, has landed at Fox with a script deal. According to Deadline.com, "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 facade."
Chances of success: Greg Berlanti, who has executive produced "Dawson's Creek" and "Arrow," has a solid track record, so it certainly has as good a shot as anybody.
“Bewitched”
Premise: People.com broke the news that NBC is planning to create a pilot based on the original beloved sitcom "Bewitched," starring Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha, 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 20-something who, just like the women in her family, uses magic to get through life. But it can't conjure up love!
Chances of success: If this idea sounds familiar, maybe it's because ABC had a short-lived show about Samantha's daughter, "Tabitha," in the late '70s.
“Phantom of the Opera”
Premise: ABC has brought in "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry to shoot a pilot based on Gaston Leroux's gothic novel but set in the modern-day music business. It will not be a musical with folks breaking out into song. Rather, it will have music embedded into it like ABC's "Nashville."
Chances of success: Never count out Cherry, given his distinctively saucy, cheeky style.
“Hitch”
Premise: Fox is considering a TV version of the 2005 hit comedy "Hitch," according to ew.com. The half-hour series is being described as "a workplace comedy that explores dating and sexual politics." Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith will executive produce. Will Smith starred in the film as a dating consultant who tried to help Kevin James' 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.
“Frankenstein”
Premise: Deadline.com says Howard Gordon of "Homeland" and "24" fame will executive produce what is being called a "grounded" sci-fi project for Fox. The website says the new drama will "take inspiration from the basic Mary Shelley mythology of a man brought back to life by scientists playing god." This version will center on Adam Tremble, a morally corrupt FBI agent who is given a second chance at life when he is brought back from the dead. He also will have to navigate the complicated relationship with his "creators": an anti-social Internet billionaire and his bio-engineered twin sister.
Chances of success: These types of shows are hot, but how many more can we take?
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