Is TV in a reboot renaissance? Or are we just out of ideas?
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The TV shows we grew up with will always have a place in our hearts. At least that鈥檚 what TV executives are banking on.
Nostalgia is the name of the game for several TV networks including Disney Channel, Fox, NBC, and most recently Nickelodeon, who have all announced they will be bringing back old favorites.
鈥淲e are looking at our library to bring back ideas, shows that were loved, in a fresh new way,鈥 Russell Hicks, president of content and development at Nickelodeon, told . Though he declined to name any titles, possibilities include 90鈥檚 cartoons 鈥淩ugrats,鈥 and 鈥淗ey Arnold!鈥
Following the announcement, fans on social media and began eagerly posting their own suggestions for Nickelodeon reboots including 鈥淩ocko鈥檚 Modern Life鈥 and 鈥淭he Angry Beavers.鈥 However, several commenters were wary of tarnishing the original shows' legacies. Many commented that they were excited at the prospect of old shows returning, but only if the show鈥檚 original actors and writers returned as well.
Nickelodeon is likely making the move based on success seen from other networks. Last year, Disney Channel began airing "Girl Meets World," the sequel to the ABC's TGIF classic "Boy Meets World." Over five million viewers tuned in to watch the premiere, making it the top series launch of 2014 among major youth demographics, reported . The show has become a fan-favorite show on the network with a 7.2 out of 10 rating on , compared to 聽6 out of 10 ratings for Disney channel original shows 鈥淛essie鈥 and 鈥淎ustin & Ally鈥 that have been running since 2011.
Fox also revealed a six-episode "聽series that will launch in January 2016 and NBC was considering "", the ABC sitcom starring Craig T. Nelson, before deciding not to bring it back. A sequel series to the hit "Full House" may soon be appearing on Netflix as well, although has yet to confirm the pickup.
So why the move towards nostalgia?
鈥淭here鈥檚 so much product, it鈥檚 hard [for something new] to stand out,鈥 suggests. 鈥淪omebody sees a new series now and it鈥檚, 鈥楽o what?鈥 There鈥檚 ten a day.鈥 With limited advertising budgets and an unlimited amount of competition, TV producers hope shows that already have a solid fan base, like old 1990s cartoons, will be an easy way to generate revenue.
鈥淵ou announce something like Full House or Coach, and boom 鈥 instant interest,鈥 a vet says. 鈥淧eople are buffeted with so much content flying at them ... anything you can do to get them to say, 鈥業鈥檒l check that out鈥 鈥 that鈥檚 huge these days.鈥
Though nostalgia is a consideration for a network to bring back an old show, it certainly isn鈥檛 the deciding factor. Reruns and spin-offs must have a reason for being reborn, and must be well written for the show to actually generate any real success.
Jason Bailey, writer for laments: 鈥淧op culture is now just a BuzzFeed 鈥淗ey, remember the 鈥90s?鈥 listicle.鈥 But perhaps this will be just enough to bring sorely wanted viewership back to TV networks. From there, it will be up to producers to ensure that the revivals live up to the originals, or better yet, surpass them.