Revivals I Want, and Why They Won't Happen

I've toyed with writing some version of this post ever since the revival trend really got under way with the return of "The X-files." However, a wishlist of cancelled shows seemed to be just asking for trouble. Most of the time, revivals aren't a good idea, because the shows in question left the airwaves for a reason. However, as time has worn on, and we've seen more of these revivals come and go, it's clear that the networks have certain ideas of what should be revived and what shouldn't.

So now, I'm going to tentatively discuss a few of the shows I'd like to see rise from the dead, and why this is unlikely to happen based on the revivals that have happened so far.

"The Middleman" - Let's start with an easy one. This 2008 ABC Family geek comedy was near and dear to my heart from the moment it premiered. It ran for twelve episodes and published its finale in comic book form. However, there is no conceivable reason why ABC or anyone else would want to revive this. The show has a its fans, but they're a small number, and have remained a small number in the decade since the show went off the air. There are a lot of shows in the same vein like "Alphas" and "Pushing Daisies," that were gone too soon and I want to see get second chances. However, the networks have made it clear that revivals are not about second chances. They're about bringing back established hits, especially nostalgic sitcoms with their original stars. "The Middleman" can't even offer that much. Of its two leads, one is starring in a Mike Schur sitcom for NBC next year, and the other quit acting some time ago to be a biologist. Yes, really.

"Angel" - I'd love to see a return to the Whedonverse, and both "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel" were successful enough in their day to tempt network executives, unlike poor "Firefly" and "Dollhouse." They've also done quite well in comics format, with the "Buffy" series still ongoing, currently in the middle of Season Twelve. I suspect that a revival of "Buffy" might be viable if enough of the talent can come together - most of the core cast seems to be between major projects at the moment. "Angel," however, is another story. There's no getting away from the fact that David Boreanaz is nearly fifty, and two decades older than he was when he first started playing the immortal vampire character. It's far more likely that the whole "Buffy" universe will see a reboot eventually, like Fox has been gunning for since at least 2010.

"Thundercats" - Specifically, I want to see a continuation of the 2011 revival that Cartoon Network produced with Studio 4°C. It had a serialized story, fantastic production values, and fun takes on the original characters. Despite all signs pointing to the show having a lot of story left to tell, it never came back for a second season, and the creators eventually told fans what their plans were for the rest of the series. Now Cartoon Network has decided to go in another direction entirely, and has ordered "Thundercats Roar!" Patterned after the massively successful "Teen Titans Go!" the new series will be aimed at a much younger audience, be a comedy series rather than an action series, and utilizes a, um, perhaps too familiar art style that has caused something of a ruckus in the Twitterverse among animation enthusiasts.

"Friends" - Okay, so if '90s sitcoms are the main target of revivals, how about one of NBC's most successful ones? "Seinfeld" already kind of had a reunion/revival on "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and "Will & Grace" is doing great. The trouble with "Friends" lies with logistics. Either everybody comes back or there's no reason to do it. And I find it doubtful that NBC is going to be able to wrangle all six lead actors back on to the same set soon. NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt doesn't think it's possible. None of the actors will definitively say no to a revival, but it's clear that nobody has much enthusiasm for the idea either. Maybe in another five to ten years after a few of their careers have cooled, we can revisit this.

---