Hollywood is notorious for turning to past successful media franchises and fan bases and rebooting the content, often with fickle results. While there is no denying that some of these TV reboots have proven to be a triumphant and lucrative endeavor (Hawaii Five-O, Queer Eye, and The Conners, to name a few), more often than not the reboots have been scorned by both devoted fans and critics (looking at you, That ‘80s Show and Charlie’s Angels).
It can be quite the tall order for producers, actors and writers to replicate the magic that these long-established programs offered, with the legacy of some of television’s most critically-acclaimed shows, personalities and performers impossible to match. There are many beloved small screen hits that simply should never be rebooted and potentially tarnished; these are some classic TV shows we hope won’t get rebooted and ruined.
All in the Family
Sony Pictures Television
Few television characters have left such a lasting and enduring impact on pop culture like the “lovable bigot” himself Archie Bunker in the groundbreaking ’70s sitcom All in the Family, a comedy that was not afraid to push the boundaries and tackle heavy and then-taboo topics like racism, infidelity, abortion, and homosexuality.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential shows of all time, the series chronicled the working class Bunker family as they survived and thrived in a Queens neighborhood, with the patriarch frequently driven crazy by his sweet and ditzy wife Edith and headstrong daughter and son-in-law. While All in the Family received a Live in Front of A Studio Audience special in 2019, that is the extent to which the hallowed program should ever be looked at for a reboot.
The Golden Girls
Buena Vista Television
Audiences all across the world couldn’t help but fall in love with the sensational leading ladies in the beloved ’80s hit The Golden Girls, following the engrossing lives of the unique and fiery female characters Blanche, Dorothy, Rose and Sophia in sunny Miami.
The lauded series features exceptional performances by its ensemble cast starring Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, Betty White and Estelle Getty and was acclaimed throughout its impressive seven season run, nabbing numerous accolades including Golden Globes and Emmys (with each lead actress winning one for their respective performance). It would be downright criminal to even attempt to recapture the magic between the fearsome foursome and the pizazz they brought to the screen.
Living Single
Fox
Setting the stage for the ’90s phenomenon Friends to follow in its trailblazing footsteps, the celebrated sitcom Living Single centers on six Brooklyn best friends as they experience both personal and professional highs and lows while looking for love in the city. Headlined by powerful personalities like Queen Latifah, Kim Coles, and Kim Fields, the series was a ratings smash hit and went on to become one of the most popular African-American sitcoms of its era, and was frequently compared and contrasted to Friends during its tenure. The camaraderie and chemistry between the cast and its impact on the landscape of television have cemented its status as a hallowed sitcom triumph.
The Sopranos
Warner Bros. Television
The revolutionary HBO crime drama series The Sopranos was a small screen phenomenon that famously followed notorious New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano as he struggles to fulfill his family obligations while running his dangerous criminal enterprise, resulting in the mafia boss seeking therapy to cope.
The late and great James Gandolfini delivered the performance of a lifetime as the deeply conflicted Soprano, winning three Primetime Emmys and a Golden Globe for his riveting portrayal; he rightfully landed on Entertainment Weekly’s list of Greatest TV Icons of All Time, ranking number 42. The profound effect The Sopranos had on television truly cannot be measured, which is why it remains one of the best shows of all time.
Happy Days
CBS Television Distribution
Hollywood heavy hitter Garry Marshall created the cherished feel good classic Happy Days, introducing the masses to unforgettable characters like tough guy greaser Fonzie and the dynamic Cunningham clan in 1950s Wisconsin suburbia. The show continued to grow in popularity and prominence over its whopping eleven seasons and went on to spawn successful spin-offs like Mork & Mindy and Laverne & Shirley, and helped make Henry Winkler a major entertainment sensation. The dynamics between the Cunningham family and lovable misfit Fonzie truly propels the program, and it would be impossible for another actor to don his iconic leather jacket and attempt to replicate his appeal and legacy.
Cheers
CBS Television Distribution
Fondly known as the place “Where Everybody Knows Your Name,” the hallowed sitcom Cheers takes place in the titular Boston bar and revolves around proprietor Sam Malone (Ted Danson) as he interacts with the colorful and quirky patrons who frequent his establishment. Despite initially almost being canceled after its debut season, the show took the world by storm and was ratings gold, continuously earning a top-ten rating for eight of its sensational seasons.
Cheers was critically praised throughout the entirety of its 11 seasons and also helped spawn the entertaining spin-off Frasier; the series finale of the enduring program attracted a massive 93 million viewers, which in 1993 accounted for nearly 40% of the United States’ population.
Friends
Undeniably one of the most iconic and buzzed about TV shows ever created, Friends captivated viewers with its hilarious and charming characters Rachel, Monica, Joey, Phoebe, Chandler and Ross as they attempted to find love and success in Manhattan while experiencing uproarious misadventures. The juggernaut ’90s sitcom was truly lightning in a bottle and was the recipient of an unprecedented amount of popularity over the course of its decade long run, making its dazzling stars like Jennifer Aniston and Matthew Perry household names.
Loyal fans tuned in to see if notorious will-they-won’t-they couple Ross and Rachel would wind up together, and wept tears of joy as Monica and Chandler walked down the aisle. There will likely never be a show that achieves as intense and enduring adoration as Friends did, and its legacy should be left alone (give or take a brief reunion special).
MAS*H
20th Television
Serving as a spin-off series/adaptation from the feature film of the same name, the epic ’70s masterpiece MAS*H follows Alan Alda’s surgeon Benjamin “Hawkeye” Pierce as he and his fellow Army hospital staff members seek out comfort and humor as they save lives during the Korean War.
The critically-lauded dramedy beautifully blended laughter and tragedy in its storytelling and went on to become one of the highest rated programs in United States television history. Its epic series finale remains the most watched television finale and single episode of a scripted series, attracting a massive audience of 105 million viewers. Any potential reboot simply couldn’t hold a candle to the compelling performances and riveting storylines included in the beloved show.
Family Matters
ABC
Jaleel White’s suspenders-loving, perpetually nerdy pest Steve Urkel was a sensational breakthrough character on the amusing ’90s sitcom Family Matters, which centers on the Winslow household in Chicago as parents Carl and Harriette raise their three children and are eventually worn down and affectionate towards their nosy neighbor.
After initially being introduced as simply a one-time character, White’s scene stealing performance swiftly established him as a series regular who went on to become the face of the fan-favorite show. Finding someone capable of embodying Urkel’s oddball charm and charisma would be quite the task for creators, which is why Family Matters is yet another program that best remains untouched.
