Leapin’ lizards! I always figured a remake of V, the classic sci-fi miniseries that aired on NBC in the mid-’80s, was inevitable. But I always imagined it would be original producer Kenneth Johnson, who’s been developing a TV sequel for at least five years (his novel V: The Second Generation, was published in February), who would get this saucer off the ground. As it turns out, he’s not involved in this project, but I’m cautiously optimistic because, according to Variety, the showrunner on the ABC update is Scott Peters, of The 4400, Burn Notice, and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles fame. Like the original (whose stars included Jane Badler, pictured), this one will be a cautionary allegory, only instead of metaphorically addressing the Holocaust and fascism, it’ll go 21st Century and address the War on Terror. Naturally, there will be a videogame as well.
Let your fellow PopWatchers know below if you think the new V looks like a good idea, or an interplanetary catastrophe waiting to happen.
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I am looking forward to it. The original miniseries was very good (isn’t that right Dean D. and Roland E.?), the Final Battle, not so much (that ending – ugh) and I watched but don’t remember the short-lived series.
Loved the mini-series. If they are bringing V back, then they need to do the same upgrade that Battlestar Galactica went through. If BSG can survive the campy-ness of the 70’s/80’s to become one of the best dramas on TV, then with the writing creator/writers and actors V can too.
NOOOO!!! I demand a stop to those people who are trying to erase the greatness of the 80s originals (movies, music, TV, & miniseries). I’ve had enough!
I loved V an insane amount when I was a kid. I mean I was nuts about that show. I have mixed feelings about a remake. While I didn’t particularly enjoy creator Kenneth Johnson’s V The Second Generation novel, I did like the premise of having the story take place 20 years after the original with a mix of new and old characters. I’m not sure how I feel about a complete remake with totally new characters.
I’m of two minds – on one hand, I LOVED V as a kid at a level that was wholly unreasonable and I would LOVE to see it again – like Battlestar Galactica style… but on the other hand, it was the cheesy, hokey-ness of it all that gave it it’s charm. Not sure how well that would translate in a modern TV show. Plus… the Nazi allegory was what MADE the show. They can’t change that!
The only thing I remember about V: the Lizard Baby. The creepiest, strangest creature ever seen on TV. There’s no way they can top the Lizard Baby.
I don’t know. Hasn’t metaphorically addressing 9/11 and the war on terror already been done by Battlestar Galactica? Despite that show’s flaws it’s addressed 9/11 and it’s aftermath in a raw and clever way.
It would not make sense given that the mini-series was styled for the late 70’s early eighties. I was not sure if I was watching V or Buck Rogers? By todays standards, the feel would not be the same. Then again, the new writer for the Knight Rider revival made the show not as kitch as the first one, so who knows? All I remember was watching one of the aliens eat a mouse. That freaked me out.
I have been waiting 5 years for new movie V: The Second Generation. The original idea was to bring back some of the original cast members, Marc Singer, Faye Grant, Jane Badler. I have seen the two mini-series and the tv series when it originally aired. I was always glued to the tv when it was time for “V” to come on. I could not miss it. I can’t remember if the characters got killed, but I would like Marc Singer, Faye Grant, Jane Badler, Robert Englund, Michael Ironside and even David Packer to return. It is science-fiction, they could return.
¨V¨was absolutely incredible, and IMHO there are many ways to update it for today. No telling whether they will do it right, but if they do, it can be phenomenal again. Unlike most of the retread concepts around right now (The Partridge Family? Really?), ¨V¨ really could work a second time. I will tune in to see.
If done right, like BSG, then it can not fail. But that is a big IF…
It won’t be the same without Tyler, and he won’t be there unless they’re willing to wait until Michael Ironside finishes Jazzman.
Sweet chocolate Christmas. What are they going to remake next – “The Man from Atlantis”? Sheesh.
I will definitely tune into this since I loved V as a kid. An updated version is welcome.
LeapDayBaby wrote: “What are they going to remake next – ‘The Man from Atlantis’?”
OMG, that would be awesome!
This might be good. Besides, if ‘Independence Day’ can steal the huge-saucers-over-cities visual that was V’s signature special effect, I’m sure the new producers can steal it right back.
Yes!!! This is what I was waiting for. I don’t care what the new concept of the show is, as long as their flesh continues to peel and reveal the alien lizard skin and red eyes beneath the flesh surface. LOL!
I hope they do a good job with this. This was one of the best mini-series of the 80’s. I was in high school and LOVED the two mini-series and then the television show. I hope they bring back some of the actors from the original, especially the diabolical Diana played by Jane Badler.
Well, why not, but seriously, why not just remake every single thing ever made? I suggest starting with “Manimal”, “Riptide”, and “Small Wonder”.
Jane Badler is one awesome drag icon.
I still feel ripped off that they cancelled the TV series! I loved it the whole thing…so much we played our own version of V as kids. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Oh, Gawd, now I am going to have nightmares about that lizard-baby for a week. Thanks, Gary! BTW, what (if anything) has Marc “The Beastmaster” Singer done in the last 20 years??
Gary? It wasn’t a hamster that Diana ate in the original, it was a guinea pig. They’re significantly larger than hamster.
I remember 5 things from the V miniseries:
1> The huge spaceships
2> The icky birth of Elizardbeth, the mutant human/visitor child.
3>Robert “Freddy Kruger” England was the “good” visitor.
4> the scapegoating of the scientists because they could “out” the visitors, so to speak.
5> Diana unhinging her jaw to eat that dang guinea pig.
I loved V. My only hope is it is as good as the reboot of BSG.
The original was more Regan-era Contra propaganda than any kind of comment on faciscm. They even started the first episode with some dopey dedication to ‘freedom fighters’
I loved V. I just hope they don’t completely change the whole show and bastardize it like that abomination Battlestar Galactica.
I enjoyed the original “V” mini-series that premiered on NBC in 1983. A year later, “V: THE FINAL BATTLE” fell very short for me. So revamping a concept that dried up over twenty years ago is meaningless and a waste of time. In other words, it’s exactly what I’d expect today’s Hollywood execs to do!
This is amazing – I can’t wait! When the original was on, I was pretty new to this continent and a friend nicknamed me Willie, after Englund’s “good” lizard, who was supposed to go to Russia, but came to the US instead, with subsequent language issues. And I scared the crap out of my sister when watching a particular scene – we still talk about it today.
Can. Not. Wait!
I have been waiting to find out when they would be doing this. I’mm all in!!!
I loved “V” when I was a kid – but I’m not sure about this new one…