Remakes, Reboots and Revivals

In the ever-evolving world of TV, one trend has been increasingly popular in recent years: the resurrection of classic shows through reboots, revivals and remakes. This year alone, popular shows like "Frasier," "That '70s Show," "Night Court" and "Scooby Doo" will all get reboots. Movie series like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson are also becoming TV shows.

Senior Isra Badar explained that nostalgia plays a big role in the types of movies and TV shows she watches today. "I find myself going back to Harry Potter all the time when I want to watch a comfort movie," she said. "I think a lot of people are similar in that they want to watch something that makes them happy and takes them back."

Senior Dylan Eickhoff felt the same way. "I loved Star Wars as a kid and watching all the spin-off shows that they have made is super nostalgic," he said.

While nostalgia sells, it isn't always successful in the long term. A lot of reboots are canceled quickly after their premiere. "I love 'Gilmore Girls,' but 'Gilmore Girls: A Day in the Life' was extremely disappointing," said Badar. "The jokes and the dialogue made me realize a lot of flaws that I hadn't noticed before."

Many teens have expressed the same feeling. Revivals offer the chance to take a popular story and modernize it, but oftentimes, they stick too close to the original story and it comes off outdated and boring.

Senior Ally Horn has the opposite opinion. "'Ducktales' has the same characters, but is modernized, which I don't like because I feel like the original series was already great," she said. She preferred a continuation of the original story. "I don't see why you would have a revival of a show if you just want to completely change it," she said. "At that point, just make a whole new show." While she felt strongly about keeping a similar storyline, those types of reboots often do the worst. "Gossip Girl" was a huge flop because viewers found it to be too similar to the original.

It seems that the shows with the most luck are spin-offs. "The best show I have seen recently was the 'Game of Thrones' spin-off, 'House of the Dragon,'" said Eickhoff. "The show is set up very differently from 'Game of Thrones,' but it has the same world and a similar amount of action."

TV watchers are itching for shows that are familiar, but also innovative and exciting. Spin-offs are the best way to use a completely new plot with new characters, while also having that familiar aspect. "'Cobra Kai' was fantastic," said Horn. "The characters are so unique and there are a lot of different genres mixed into the show. I especially liked that the show included members of the original cast, but took the story in its own direction."

Although reboots have gotten some horrible reviews, they continue to be created. The most anticipated reboots include "Big Brother," "Jeopardy" and "Scooby Doo." Whether they lead to creative revival or stale repetition, one thing is certain: TV reboots will continue to shape viewing habits for years to come."I know they are bad, but I will always watch these reboots," said Badar. "Who knows? Maybe one day they will get it right."

Story by Molly McCurdy