We have, by my evaluations, been in somewhat of a golden age of television recently. Even as the business model evolves due to the rise of internet streaming and DVRs changing when we watch shows and whether we see commercials at all, advertising still supports some terrific shows on network and basic cable, and the premium channels (HBO and Showtime) continue to churn out thoughtful dramas and outrageous comedy. As I think about it more and more though, this era may be coming to an end, as some terrific shows have been underwatched to the point of nearly being cancelled (Community and Parks and Rec), or have run their planned course or run out of new material and will be ending soon (Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and 30 Rock).
As we have seen in Hollywood, the easiest solution to creating a hit movie or tv show is to take an established brand and squeeze every last dollar out of it until it is a shell of what it once was (see: Transformers or Pirates of the Caribbean). This may be becoming the trend in tv as well, as networks are beginning to reboot shows from the past like Dallas and the upcoming remake of The Munsters. Sometimes it can be hard to think of ways to reboot a show, so naturally I’m here to pitch some shows that not only would be good for the fall pilot season, but one or two for the summer schedule as well. Rather than lazily rehash plot of the original, I also propose simply only stealing the brand name and developing an entirely new show from it. Below are just a few ideas:
