TV execs can’t stop trying to revive old shows

As the buzzy Will & Grace revival gains speed, network executives are seeing more dollar signs in former hit series. But does that really mean they should all be rebooted?

TV executives are really riding the whole nostalgia wave. First, there were the reimagined old shows made over for a contemporary audience: Hawaii Five-O, Lethal Weapon, 24:Legacy, etc. And now we’re moving full speed ahead toward a TV line-up made exclusively of rebooted fan favorite shows actually starring original cast members and continuing the original story. Or at least, that’s the line-up execs like NBC’s Bob Greenblatt want to see. The shows’ creators, on the other hand, aren’t onboard…yet.

Deadline reported earlier this week that aside from the upcoming Will & Grace and Roseanne reboots, Greenblatt, NBC’s Entertainment chair, has his eye on bringing back The Office, The West Wing, 30 Rock, and ER. None of those revivals are actually in the works, and their respective show runners apparently have yet to sign off on the dream projects.

As Greenblatt told Deadline at the TV Critics Association press tour:

"“We often talk about The Office, I’ve talked to Greg [Daniels] four times over the past few years. It’s always, ‘maybe some day but not now. There is certainly an open invitation but we don’t have anything happening right now. If he wants to do it, I would do it.”"

I, for one, am hoping he doesn’t want to do it. Same goes for 30 Rock, ER, and definitely The West Wing. These are all beloved, critically-acclaimed series that were great just the way they were. Moreover, these series had set story arcs that went from beginning to end. Expanding on them now may get ratings, but it also cheapens the shows’ legacies. In the case of Will & Grace, creators have already announced the new chapter will completely disregard the plot points that happened in the show’s finale more than 10 years ago—taking the whole legacy-cheapening thing to a whole new level.

The reboot trend creates a sort of vicious cycle. Fans (like me) hear about the reboot plans, roll their eyes at the thinly-veiled money grab, but then can’t help themselves from seeing how their favorite characters are doing and tune in anyway. Which, of course, only results in the execs greenlighting more reboots.

As a devoted Full House fan, I couldn’t get through more than two episodes of the Fuller House reboot. It wasn’t the sweet, funny show I remembered from childhood (and constant syndication as an adult). It was actors and actresses trying painfully hard to recapture to glory of the original and, inevitably, falling short. Mine was a common reaction to the series, but it didn’t stop Netflix from renewing it or from fans watching (or hate-watching). The Will & Grace revival, too, has already been renewed for a second season before anyone has even seen it.

Next: This is Us is getting its Emmy costume nod revoked

If Greenblatt and his team are able to get the go-ahead on any of their dream projects, good for them. I’d like to think I won’t watch out of protest. But, the truth is, as the reboot machine grinds on, I may not be able to help it. Which is just what they’re hoping will happen.