20 Reboots and Revivals of TV Shows: Then vs. Now
![20 Reboots and Revivals of TV Shows: Then vs. Now](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/5/9/4/864594_320x180.jpg)
TV shows have a certain lifespan. They reach their peak and then begin to decline. That is the cycle of life – until Netflix comes along to resurrect them, like when the ’90s tried to resurrect swing music. Indeed, reboots and revivals have been the name of the game for a while now, with every single show that had some success in the past being brought back to satisfy The Algorithm, or even worse, The Attention Span of Zoomers. That’s how you end with a CGI-ridden reboot of Fleabag.
Whatever, the point is that revivals and reboots are a genre in itself. We’ve discussed this topic a lot here at Cracked: the revival’s basically flawed concept, its greatest mistakes and casualties, its misguided and depressing future projects (really, leave Quantum Leap alone, cowards), and the projects they truly better not touch because we might as well burn the planet, but some things are sacred. Well, then, here we discuss a bunch of reboots and revivals, then and now. Also, Netflix suits, listen up: Ally McBeal reboot, only we can do it and you know it, call us.
The X-Files
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1993-2002 The X-Files By the time the original run ended, the show had been declining for a while. The second movie sucked, and the revival was even worse. Its first season (the tenth) at least ended with the alien invasion we had been waiting for - except it was all just a vision. 2016-2018 CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/1/5/864615.jpg)
V
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1983 V If V was to become a true sci-fi classic, it was going to be after the initial miniseries. But then the inferior continuation arrived, and the whole concept was done. The revival initially received good reviews, but then fizzled out. 2009 CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/1/6/864616.jpg)
Twin Peaks
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1990-1991 Twin Peaks Predictably, David Lynch's foray into TV changed it forever. Then, in 2017, Lynch gave us something indescribable, not a direct continuatio, but a highly experimental, erm, show? Movie? 2017 CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/1/4/864614.jpg)
The Twilight Zone
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1959-1964 The Twilight Zone No revival has ever gotten to the iconic, groundbreaking, just legendary heights of Rod Serling's original. Jordan Peele developed and hosted the latest one, and it was... fine? We associate Peele with awesome horror, but this wasn't it. 2019-2020 CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/0/6/864606.jpg)
Sex and the City
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1998-2004 Sex and the City Sex and the City was smart, groundbreaking, and way too white and straight even for the '90s. And Just Like That... took the path of chastising itself for not being woke enough, which made its concept of older white women learning about diversity just cringe. And Just Like That... 2021 CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/1/3/864613.jpg)
Roseanne
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now WALL H ACES 1988-1997 Roseanne Roseanne was a beloved sitcom, for some reason. The revival started off strong, until Roseanne Barr engaged in actual, real-life racism-so the show killed her off and morphed into The Conners. 2018 CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/0/9/864609.jpg)
Roots
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1977 Roots Roots was a powerful, respectful miniseries that helped millions understand the history of slavery in the U.S. (and won a bunch of awards). The remake was very well received, had an impressive cast, and made some needed changes for historical accuracy's sake. 2016 CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/1/1/864611.jpg)
Murphy Brown
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1988-1998 Murphy Brown For a hot moment in the '90s, Murphy Brown was the political comedy. The show was highly critical of politics, but at its best, also self-critical. The 2018 revival never went beyond, can you believe Trump is dumb and orange? It didn't stand a chance. 2018 CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/0/3/864603.jpg)
Veronica Mars
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 2004-2007 2019 Veronica Mars Veronica Mars was a fascinating and surprisingly non-condescending teen-noir. The 2014 movie was pure fan service, but 2019's fourth season was one of the best revivals ever, moving forward while also exploring Veronica's inability to move forward. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/0/8/864608.jpg)
Mad About You
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1992-1999 Mad About You The original was witty, sweet, and the two leads carried it with grace. The revival, however, was a waste. It ignored the original show's ending, and while the grace was still there, it wasn't witty enough and its sweetness was just too little, too late. 2019 CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/0/4/864604.jpg)
Kung Fu
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1972-1975 Kung Fu The original had many things going for it (starting with David friggin' Carradine), but the whitewashing was always tricky. The current revival has the CW's trademark cheesiness, but at least it shows some respect for actual Chinese culture and performers. 2022 CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/0/2/864602.jpg)
Full House
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1987-1995 Full House The original show was kind of bland, but generally beloved for its sweetness and earnestness. The revival continued the blandness, only now trying raunchy humor, and no, it didn't work. Well, at least Bob Saget was cool. Fuller House 2016-2020 CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/0/0/864600.jpg)
DuckTales
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1987-1990 DuckTales The new team had big shoes to fill-and fill them they did. The revival continues to have wacky adventuring, while also having much more depth than the original. The intro has nothing on the original, though, but at least they kept the iconic theme song. 2017-2021 CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/0/7/864607.jpg)
Dexter
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then VS. Now 2006-2013 Dexter Dexter was a highly respected character study, until it became a meandering showcase of villains of the week, and had one of the worst endings ever. The revival was celebrated as a return to form, until Dexter was killed by his own son. Seriously, how do you have two awful endings? Dexter: New Blood 2021-2022 CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/1/0/864610.jpg)
Boy Meets World/Girl Meets World
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1993-2000 Boy Meets World The original show was a beloved coming-of-age story. While not as impactful, the spin-off was well received for maintaining the style, updating the problems and lessons, and including including Cory Matthews as the wisdom-imparting teacher. Girl Meets World 2014-2017 CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/0/5/864605.jpg)
Saved by the Bell
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1989-1993 Saved by the Bell Yes, Zack Morris was a dick, but seeing him be a dick was so much fun. The movies and spin-offs were lame, but the revival smartly made fun of the classic show, while also telling new, compelling stories. - 2020-2021 CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/1/2/864612.jpg)
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1990-1996 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air The original was hilarious and smart, so when the drama hit, it hit hard. Bel-Air is just grittiness for its own sake, a tonally monotonous, self-serious affair. Bel-Air 2022 CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/6/0/1/864601.jpg)
Arrested Development
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 2003-2006 AUSTERO -BLUTH COMPANY 2013-2015 Arrested Development Arrested Development was ahead of its time, anticipating the internet's absurdist, post-post-post- ironic humor. The Netflix-produced Season 4 was also fun, even if not at the same level. Then Season 5 came along, and it became clear that the show was over. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/5/9/8/864598.jpg)
Animaniacs
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 1993-1998 2020 Animaniacs Animaniacs had all the absurdity, wordplay, and meta jokes our child brains needed to grow strong and deranged. The revival was well received for trying to capture the zaniness, but in a post-BoJack Horseman, post-Rick and Morty world, it struggles. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/5/9/9/864599.jpg)
24
![TV Reboots and Revivals Then vs. Now 2001-2010 24 24 began strong, won awards, dwindled near the end, got a TV movie, the whole deal. 24: Legacy, on the other hand, did nothing new or interesting. Kiefer Sutherland and most of the cast were gone, and it only lasted one season. 24: Legacy 2017 CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/5/9/7/864597.jpg)