For a while there, despite the formulaic designs & structures they all ascribe to, television seemed to emerge as the new realm of ‘creative’ filmed entertainment. While most films playing in the local multiplexes were –& are still –sequels, prequels, reboots & continuums, the television explosion became a real thing.
The changing model which streaming & cable evolved into garnered much praise for being different from their theatrical counterpart, which has always been the case, but now for different reasons. Undoubtedly, film & TV are different arenas that present opportunities for different styles, content & certainly different approaches. Television, however, in recent years has opened up broader stories that are at least marginally more reflective of our current world & with the benefit of episodic time, allow for organic character development to occur.
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But alas, in the last year or so, the reboot syndrome has begun to seep into the world of broadcast & streaming too. Movies from the past are being revived & reformatted into series at an increasing rate. From classics like Lethal Weapon, Fargo & Training Day to one-offs like The Mist, Taken, The Transporter & Snowpiercer. & now suddenly, the do-over model seems to have kicked up a notch with TV shows now being brought back to life, some as limited series, & others still with the original cast picking up where they left off. Not to mention the recreation of successful shows from abroad repackaged for the ‘American’ audience (The Office, House of Cards) all collectively pandering to the original fan bases while trying to gain a foothold with a newer, younger generation. While the idea of a pre-built audience is appealing from a business perspective, revisiting former favs isn’t always that enticing to a viewer. Did you see the X-Files’ return season? Or Twin Peaks?? Ouch.
But then you have the brilliance of those writers & execs brave enough to take something old & absolutely turn it on its head. Reimaginings, in my estimation, are bridging the elusive gap between the reboot & the new. & some of those have completely hit the mark with old viewers, readers & generation next at the same time. Riverdale, the reinvention of Archie comics & Anne (of Green Gables fame) have both established outstanding recreations of beloved classics of print & the visual medium into new renditions that fall in line with the times perfectly.
It sure seems a truism that this is the golden era of television. With a whopping 455 shows in production last year, there’s so much great content to choose from that it makes up for the lackluster reboots that nostalgia seems to have decision-makers thinking is the key to success. Fortunately, the bar is high with all the current competition. So the crappiest stuff barely gets a chance anymore. Beg to differ? Look no further than Downward Dog…
Now if only we could get the studios back to supporting some innovative content then we could possibly get worthwhile movie date nights back!