2008 Woodie Awards
Juicy
Spin-offs, Remakes Take The Air
Sara Grant
Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: Focus
When a show is a hit, Hollywood milks it for everything it's worth. Spin-off shows are a popular choice, but the remake has taken its place in Hollywood as one of the most loved and most hated tactics.
The common formula is to take a show that was a hit in the past, add some new faces that are hot in the industry and repackage it as the next big thing, whether it is still on the small screen or is turned into a blockbuster hit.
It's hard to tell if television show remakes are used to expose new generations to old favorites or if we're just running out of good movie ideas, but no matter what the reason, they are definitely a hot commodity in upcoming television seasons and movie releases.
In the past, recreations of Charlie's Angels, Bewitched, The Brady Bunch, Dukes of Hazzard and Miami Vice, among others, got a range of mixed reviews, proving that the remake is a hit-or-miss game.
One remake that is getting great reviews is the "Get Smart" movie, to be released on June 20. The movie is following the formula to a t, recreating the satirical secret-agent sitcom that was popular in the 1960s with Steve Carell, who is now at the top of his career.
Rumors have been surrounding the creation of several new television shows that will attempt to create a following as dedicated as the originals. The first show to get a facelift is "Star Trek," with a new 2009 movie that will explore the early adventures of the popular original show's characters.
Chris Pine, best known for his role beside Lindsay Lohan in "Just My Luck," signed on to portray Captain Kirk, and television actor Zachary Quinto, who has made appearances on "Heroes" and "24," will play Mr. Spock.
The show surrounded by the most buzz is the reincarnation of "Beverly Hills 90210," the 1990's hit that aired for 10 years that followed the lives of the rich and popular children living in the most famous zip code in history.
The CW network is developing the series that will be written by Rob Thomas, the brains behind other popular CW hits like "Veronica Mars." There will be many ties to the original series including the popular Peach Pit diner, the same West Beverly Hills High and a possible role played by original cast member Jennie Garth.
The common formula is to take a show that was a hit in the past, add some new faces that are hot in the industry and repackage it as the next big thing, whether it is still on the small screen or is turned into a blockbuster hit.
It's hard to tell if television show remakes are used to expose new generations to old favorites or if we're just running out of good movie ideas, but no matter what the reason, they are definitely a hot commodity in upcoming television seasons and movie releases.
In the past, recreations of Charlie's Angels, Bewitched, The Brady Bunch, Dukes of Hazzard and Miami Vice, among others, got a range of mixed reviews, proving that the remake is a hit-or-miss game.
One remake that is getting great reviews is the "Get Smart" movie, to be released on June 20. The movie is following the formula to a t, recreating the satirical secret-agent sitcom that was popular in the 1960s with Steve Carell, who is now at the top of his career.
Rumors have been surrounding the creation of several new television shows that will attempt to create a following as dedicated as the originals. The first show to get a facelift is "Star Trek," with a new 2009 movie that will explore the early adventures of the popular original show's characters.
Chris Pine, best known for his role beside Lindsay Lohan in "Just My Luck," signed on to portray Captain Kirk, and television actor Zachary Quinto, who has made appearances on "Heroes" and "24," will play Mr. Spock.
The show surrounded by the most buzz is the reincarnation of "Beverly Hills 90210," the 1990's hit that aired for 10 years that followed the lives of the rich and popular children living in the most famous zip code in history.
The CW network is developing the series that will be written by Rob Thomas, the brains behind other popular CW hits like "Veronica Mars." There will be many ties to the original series including the popular Peach Pit diner, the same West Beverly Hills High and a possible role played by original cast member Jennie Garth.
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