Another TV show getting remade...guess which one!

[UnderdogDJLSW]

NBC rewinds 'Rockford' - Entertainment News, TV News, Media - Variety

Well, I guess if they can re-cast Shatner they can re-cast Garner, too. But I gotta say I thought this show worked because of the star and the fact that in the 70's there were no cell phones or small digital cameras, etc. My thought - blah.

[The Toyroom]

Garner IS Rockford....he made the character. Plus I agree with you about the 70s aspect...Jim having his little printing press in the backseat of his car for phoney business cards doesn't seem the same in this day and age of digital printing and photo manipulation.

[Airdave817]

Why do I have the feeling that this is The Bionic Woman all over again? I stopped watching television because of the summer re-run season, I really have no incentive to start up again in the fall...

If I wanted or needed a Rockford fix, I'll just rent or buy the box set...

Some things just can't be remade better than the original...

[JPkempo]

I hope it isn't a remake but a continuation. It’s better if the new show had his son or nephew or something of that nature. James could do a cameo although at 81 he may be retired and not want to.

[toys2cool]

somethings should just be left alone

[palitoy]

I have trouble with character driven pieces being remade.

When they announced Kolchak getting a remake, I tried to picture another actor that could be a Carl Kolchak, what did we get? Stuart Townsend, Mr Personality. It was like nobody got the charm of the original was Darren McGavin.

[Mikey]

I don't it's just an actor's charm or personality thing ...

I also think it's a modern writing, modern directing, modern producing, modern filming, modern pacing etc kind of thing.

Most shows arent written to be character driven like in the past ... Today's shows are very mechanical in nature -- any series of Law and Order is a perfect example of what i'm saying......... A few exceptions to the rules are House, Monk and Boston Legal ...

[ctc]

>I have trouble with character driven pieces being remade.

I do too. Partly 'cos any character driven show.... like Rockford.... is usually pretty plot and concept thin.... it's the CHARACTER that's the focus after all.... and when they get remade the character is usually rewritten into the CURRENT template. Coupled with the generic plot and concept you end up with a really generic show of whatever genre the original was.

>When they announced Kolchak getting a remake,

Yeah, like that!

>Today's shows are very mechanical in nature

That, and nobody seems able to write characters! They get one note.... usually "GRRR! I'm ANGRY!!!".... and it never goes past that. Except when the plot requires the character to have an estranged wife or long lost sibling.... then they get weepy for an epidsode. Or they decide to whip a love interest on them for no apparent reason.

>any series of Law and Order is a perfect example of what i'm saying

That's a great example 'cos the Law and Order shows are meant to be PLOT driven. The characters are cyphers, which is why a lot of time isn't spent on them. I didn't like CSI (any of 'em) 'cos they were TRYING for this, but added a lot of character bits; which for me detracted from the story. And yeah, a lot of shows do this. (The new Kolchak another good example) where they've got characters who aren't really characters.... more like placeholders.... but they insist on trying to go somewhere with them.

I can't see a new Rockford being any good. Part of the uniqueness of the original was that Jim was a schmo. A hard working, well meaning schmo; but he was still on the low end of hero-ness. I can see the new interpretation turning him into either a standard supercop, or a comedic bumbler (depending on wether or not Will Smith or Ferrel gets the role) and not the sort of in-between he used to be.

Don C.

[Riffster]

What's the hold up on Baretta? Gilligans Island screams remake. not counting the reality show. Simone and Simon, jake and the Fatman, wait i know someone else can play Columbo.
so we've had Munsters,Addams Family, Brady Bunch, I Spy, Dukes of Hazzard, Bewitched, A-team is being made, Knight Rider, BSG, Get Smart, Wild Wild West. I'm sure i'm missing others but only a few have been watchable. Hollywood sucks and this is why i like to watch classic shows.

[AAAAA]

I can't see anyone else as a ex con worngfuly convicted

[m0ohiaat]

This is great. I loved watching Rockford. It's about time they remade it with a younger person who can really act.

[fallensaviour]

I hope it isn't a remake but a continuation. It’s better if the new show had his son or nephew or something of that nature. James could do a cameo although at 81 he may be retired and not want to.

My thoughts exactly it is more acceptable in my mind to have a son or heck even a grandson take over!!!
Is it really that hard Hollywood!!!

When they do a reboot like this it's like saying all the other stuff never really happened!?!?!?!?
Spock can't save this one.

[thunderbolt]

This is great. I loved watching Rockford. It's about time they remade it with a younger person who can really act.

[EMCE Hammer]

I want the Hardy Boys.

[UnderdogDJLSW]

Well, Hollywood has re-made shows from the 60s and shows from the 70s. Next look for the new versions of Family Ties, Full House and Perfect Strangers. lol