I need a castle, preferably someplace in Eastern Europe. Nice living quarters, natch. Central air is a must. But it absolutely needs a spiffy Frankensteinian electric rig in the attic — because I want to bring stuff back to life. (And I’d love it if said castle were in black and white. I’m a purist, what can I say?)
Specifically, I want to bring some long-dead TV shows back from the dead. But the electric mojo will only work on programs that were taken before their time, snuffed just as they were revealing their true potential. In a world where there’s no TCA press tour because there aren’t really gonna be any new shows, reaching into the abyss and yanking back some gems is a perfectly valid dream.
And, since it’s my dream, here are the shows I want back:
• Firefly (pictured) Easy call, I know. And given the fan machine behind Joss Whedon’s sci-fi Western, this one has had more life than most dead shows: a feature film, multiple comic series, essay collections, etc. But, still. To see where Capt. Mal Reynolds (Nathan Fillion, who I’ve got a wee bit of a man-crush on) and his motley crew would’ve gone…ah, that’s the stuff that geek dreams are made of.
• Profit A blue-black satire of corporate greed starring Adrian Pasdar (Heroes) as a sociopath raised—literally—by television who kills his way up the corporate ladder? Thank you, sir, may I have another? No? Bastards.
• Nowhere Man The criminally underused Bruce Greenwood (who was never better than as JFK in Thirteen Days) plays a photojournalist who snapped a war-zone picture that sends his life into a downward spiral into identity erasure. Like The Fugitive, it was about an innocent man — or so we’re led to believe — on the run, trying to get his life back. Would’ve loved to have seen where he ran to.
What about you? Which late, lamented TV shows would you want back from beyond?
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I’d say Freaks and Geeks, but the cast is too old to play those characters now. If I could go back in time, have them make a couple more seasons, then come back here so I could have them on DVD, that would be fine.
Can I be the first to add Arrested Development to the list! By far one of the best shows ever!
Wonderfalls, Fox never gave it a chance
I second the call to bring back Firefly. I would also like to see an update on the X-Files. I don’t care anymore whether it’s focussed on agent Mulder and Scully or Reyes and Doggett. Just bring it back in TV form. I eagerly await the second movie.
I would also like to see an update of Thief and Over There.
I’m going old school with Manimal, about the guy who can transform into any animal he wants. With the advances in special effects this show would look awesome!
Cupid
Firefly
Arrested Development
Veronica Mars
This one is easy.
1. Sports Night
2. VH1’s Pop-Up Video
Firefly, absolutely.
Also Arrested Development
and Freaks and Geeks, although they’d have to recast ALL the roles… maybe just a “where are they now” very special episode of Freak and Geeks…
Firefly, absolutely.
Also Arrested Development
and Freaks and Geeks, although they’d have to recast ALL the roles… maybe just a “where are they now” very special episode of Freak and Geeks…
I would say:
1) Sports Night with Felicity Huffman and Peter Krause
2) Undeclared
3) Get Real with Anne Hathaway. It was on FOX for only one season
Don’t laugh, but Designing Women. I grew up watching that show, and Julia Sugarbaker was so my role model…still is.
“And THAT. Was the NIGHT. The LIGHTS. Went OUT. In GEORGIA.”
If we can’t bring this show back, can we at least put it out on DVD?
Eerie, Indiana
My So-Called Life
Freaks and Geeks
Veronica Mars
Arrested Development
Arrested Development, Undeclared, Freaks and Geeks, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, Sports Night, The Nine, Invasion, The Comeback (that one’s for Slezak)…
Definitely second “Andy Richter Controls the Universe” and “The Nine.”
Wings
Boy Meets World
Airwolf/Wiseguy (for my mom’s sake)
music videos on MTV & VH1
Third Watch
– I could do this all day –
John Doe (with Dominic Purcell of Prison Break)
Sports Night (before it’s time)
The Nine (really, what happened in the bank???)
Reunion (who did it?!?)
Arrested Development (let’s hope the movie rumors are real)
Sports Night….what a great show….everybody went on to greater things,except the second lead – whose name escapes me…but he was a cutie.
Once and Again. I really wanted to see that new family come together.
I second Wonderfalls. And, Keen Eddie, another show Fox gave up on too soon.
1. Firefly
2. Roar (with Heath Ledger)
3. Birds of Prey
Gilmore Girls. With a do-over on the last season.
Boomtown. Man, I loved that show.
FARSCAPE!!!!
Firefly
Greg the Bunny…it had potential
The Swan, Paradise Hotel, and Celebrity Duets. Just kidding. I would like Once and Again to come back though.
Firefly
Arrested Development
Veronica Mars
Invasion
Angel
Never watched Freaks & Geeks, but with all the talent that’s come out of that show I wish I had.
Wonderfalls! That was the most criminally neglected show by fox this side of Firefly! Firefly, too. Also, I was one of the few that loved HBO’s glacially paced Carnivale – and what a payoff in that series finale. And I would have loved one more season of Rome – I am still sad I never got to see the Battle Royal between Livia and Atia.
Grosse Pointe was ahead of its time and on the wrong network – witty and razor sharp, I think it would be a great addition to the HBO/Showtime line-up, where it could really let loose.
I’d also love to see a retooled Birds of Prey. The series ended on a high note, and with the right direction, could have been as big of a hit as Smallville.
freaks and geeks. arrested development. own them both on dvd and they NEVER get old.
the class (cancelled after one season, but could have been the new friends, sienfield, etc)
buffy!
Cupid
Northern Exposure
Wonderfalls
Angel
Buffy
Firefly