by Tiffany Baum

Created on: October 12, 2010

Absolutely not!  I am still trying to figure out why Hollywood thinks it can outdo the original programs.  And, my gripe is not only them redoing V, but Knight Rider, Dukes of Hazzard, Hawaii Five-O, all of the great programming that we had we were kids. 

It may be because, back when these shows were on TV there was only five channels that we had on our television sets. All of the three major networks, ABC, NBC, and CBS.  Less competition back in those days. Now, we can get a satellite with over 250 channels and nine times out of ten there is nothing on worth watching.  In another words, as far as the programming goes, it's quantity over quality. 

The older programs like V, also still have active fan bases.  And these active fan bases have festivals to celebrate those old shows.  Knight Rider has the Knight Rider Festival and Dukes of Hazzard had Dukesfest.  Just to name a few.

The problem with trying to bring these old shows back is that somewhere along the lines they miss the point in why those shows were successful in the first place.  Knight Rider 2008 had a Mustang for Kitt.  If your like me, there is only one Kitt and that Kitt was a Trans Am.  Or with Dukes of Hazzard, they didn't replace the car with a Toyota, but with that one it had to do more with casting and chemistry. 

Technology is also another reason on why these remakes don't make the grade.  Back, of course, when these shows were first being make they had to make these things look more futuristic with their technology at the time.  Now, we have the technology and the graphics and in return it makes the futuristic stuff look cheap. 

And, last but not least, the casting.  The casting is based on how they are able to act, instead of the chemistry between the actors.  Not long ago on You Tube, I found videos on Dragon Con 2008.  And on one of their panels they had John Schneider and Catherine Bach on one of them.  And, both of them was talking how they ended getting their part in that show.  Of course, they audition for their parts, but what ended up being the selling point of them getting their jobs, was the chemistry that the actors had together. 

In the end, I wish they would let the old TV shows, like V, stay in the past.  Because every time they try to do a remake, they always miss their mark.  And it is not only with the casting, but other little elements that made that show a success at the time.  The original program is still the best hands down.

Learn more about this author, Tiffany Baum.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.