Rockford Files Reboot Abandoned: Have TV Remakes Ever Worked?
Ever since NBC announced the Rockford Files remake, you wanted to snap, "Stop trying to make The Rockford Files happen, NBC. It's not going to happen." And now it isn't: Deadline reports that the Dermot Mulroney-toplined reboot is kaput. Even USA, a better fit for such a quirky procedural, passed on Rockford. Conventional wisdom suggests we live in a sad generation of entertainment awash with remakes, but you'd think at least one retread would've been good (or successful) enough to warrant this mimeographed mania. Truth is, the idea of a working remake may be the most contrived of all.
A list of successful TV revamps is brief, but a biggun' tops it: Battlestar Galactica. Both the '70-'80s and millennial editions are singular experiences, and the update's characters (and gut-wrenching character twists, oh) prove its producers didn't forfeit ambition for adherence. It also helps that Syfy aired it and didn't expect a mainstream audience to subscribe to an offbeat revival. Current remakes that have made it more than a season (90210 and V -- as of today) are both sterile, vaguely humorless versions of their original, with a character or two who sticks. That'd be Jessica Stroup and Morena Baccarin, respectively.
On the other hand, while certain TV-to-movie franchises have worked as remakes, movies are just an afternoon -- TV shows are a commitment. Nothing about Knight Rider, Bionic Woman, Get Smart starring Andy Dick, the WB's The Twilight Zone starring Forest Whitaker (for real), the sure-goner Melrose Place, or -- as ABC recently planned -- Charlie's Angels, is worth glimpsing past a first episode, if all we're sure we can count on is an HD picture with mechanical execution.
Moral: If you're going to do a remake, pitch to a niche. If not, you're shooting yourself in your synthetic -- nay, bionic -- foot.
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One successful reboot is BBC's "Doctor Who." It works because it revamps the original (with subtle rewrites of the legend to make The Doctor a tragic figure) while also acting as part of the original's continuum (referencing the actors who played the Doctor since 1963, and reviving classic villains such as the Daleks, Cybermen and Sontarans). It's a tricky balancing act, but the Beeb does it with style and verve.
The Twilight Zone hosted by Forest Whitaker (not starring) was on UPN not the WB. Since CBS owns the title "Twilight Zone" it would have to appear on a CBS-owned network.
"Even USA, a better fit for such a quirky procedural, passed on Rockford."
USA already has a successful show about a crime-solving detective who has a "rocky" relationship with his Dad.
It's called "Pysch".
Remakes never work. It's fine for a feature movie. You pay your money and sit down in air conditioning for two hours and reminise about a favorite childhood show now on the big screen. You get up and walk away and that's it, but to have a weekly series doesn't fly. I loved the mini-series "v" as a teenager and was excited to watch the new ABC version. I expected to love it as I loved the original, and I was sadly disappointed. Nothing could recapture our favorite memories and I don't know why the networks keep trying. I wouldn't shed one tear if "v" was cancelled tomorrow. CBS keeps trying over and over to bring back Hawaii-Five 0. Now they have cast Alex O'Loughlin as the lead of McGarrett. He is in his early 30's while the original character was in his late 40's. They changed two male characters to two female characters. They are keeping all the character's names, but changing them around to fit today. It's not going to work. The Rockford Files is a perfect example. NBC knew when to cut their losses and run before they embarassed themselves. Would someone please tell CBS to cut their losses before they embarass themselves like they did last year with Three Rivers. Remakes don't work. Never have and never will. Thank you.
I am really happy to read this,I will never be interested in watching a remake and see my childhood memories be butchered.Thanks to NBC for saving us the pain. Hope the rest of the networks to do the same and stop with the stupid remakes already!No true fan will watch more than 20 minutes of a TV remake.
I love Psych and am looking forward to its return. I love the new USA show White Collar.
Hah. Rockford should've gone with Flanigan. It would have been a lot less lackluster with the Flan.
Um.. Re: successful reboot of BBC's "Doctor Who."
It wasn't technically a reboot or retelling, it is a continuation of the original series, even including the failed 1996 TV Movie that saw the eighth incarnation of the Dr. The news series saw the 9th dr and now the 11th, and you are right so far the producers have done a wonderful job continuing the legacy started in 1963.
About -Rockford thank god they killed it!
Trying to get the magic back again could never happen. It has been tried. As an avid Rockford Fan, I am very glad that the remake attempt has failed. How could any group of writers or producers ever get it right the second time? Answer: None could. The Rockford Files series was great for sure.
I think you only have to look to the "Movies of the week" series of Rockford Files in the '90's to see how difficult it was to get it right the second time even with a good portion of the original cast. Justr let it remain the classic it is.
Bill S.
I'm glad it's not going to happen.
There's only one Rockford and only one James Garner.