“Everybody Wants Somethin’” … They Have Seen Before: Part 1 in Exploring Reboot TV

In my first posting, I briefly touched on the idea of nostalgia using the example that my generation so craves television of their childhood that we will watch hours of old commercials on YouTube. In addition to re-watching, we see the strong effects of nostalgia in another form: Rebooting. While even the most diehard of TV fans, like myself, will occasionally roll their eyes at yet another reboot announcement, we have all looked forward to some of our favorite shows being brought back to our screens. While these reboots are neither inherently good nor bad, I will provide a framework that can be used to debate their success and quality.  

In this discussion surrounding recycled television content, I consider two major factors. If leveraged correctly, these factors allow us to speak consistently about successful and unsuccessful content.

As already alluded to, the first factor I consider is nostalgia. More importantly, it is the idea of nostalgia through shared experience. Shared experiences are vital when we consider an array of human creations and conflicts. We see the negative effects of our dwindling shared experience in many of our larger societal conflicts, as the increased fragmentation results from our inability to understand one another’s past. We also see the positive effects of shared experience in our creations, as art speaks to us through its universality. These larger notions of nostalgia have a specific role in the success of rebooted content.

The ability to build off a generation’s shared experience is powerful. I recall spending the precious minutes before the bell rang in high school talking about my favorite shows with my peers. As I and the rest of my generation grew into adulthood, this power transformed. Finding a friend as an adult could be as simple as bonding with the person who can ponder on the philosophical implications of Lizzie McGuire on our psyche. The friends I made in college, as well as my most recent friendship made at 26, all took off immediately because of our shared entertainment experiences. It begins as a shallow conversation about the little things you have in common, and it quickly evolves to a deeper understanding of what formed us. So, when you set out to make a re-boot, you already have the strength of an entire generation’s shared experience in your pocket, and that cannot be taken lightly.

The second aspect I consider is a bit more convoluted. Anything created is of/by/for someone(s). Every reboot has its own answers to these questions, but they must find what is right for their reboot in order to succeed. Otherwise, they can only go against strongly established brand values and commit the ultimate sin: hurt their closest fans. Sure, every show wants to attract new viewers, but never, ever, at the expense of your loyal fanbase.

First, these reboots, in their simplest form, exist of their previous source material. Additionally, the best reboots are by those that best understand the heart of the source material (not necessarily the original creators). As a non-television example of handling source material, take Star Wars. We don’t solely need George Lucas anymore to create great Star Wars content (and this essay will not debate exactly when that last happened). Now, the best Star Wars content lies in the hands of Jon Favreau, and I don’t think I have to write another blog to prove that.

Finally, and most importantly, these programs must clearly decide who they will be for. This factor is most clearly seen when we consider both who the original program was for and who the reboot will be for, as that absolutely makes or breaks the quality and clarity of the show. I will argue there are several examples of shows, some of which that have yet to get off the ground, whose success lies in their handling of who the show is for.

In subsequent postings, I will apply these factors to specific reboots, categorized under how they shifted, or didn’t shift, who their show was for, such as Lizzie McGuire, Raven’s Home, Gilmore Girls, Fuller House and the Degrassi franchise.

... Stay tuned!