7 TV Reboots That Totally Missed The Point Of The Originals

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Rebooting a classic TV show is a gamble. It’s a chance to introduce a beloved series to a new generation with updated stories and perspectives. However, it also risks ruining what made the original show special by losing sight of its core appeal. Sadly, many reboots fall into this trap, failing to capture the spirit of the original and ultimately disappointing fans.

Many TV reboots fail to capture what viewers loved about the original shows. This list highlights seven examples – from comedies that became overly dramatic, to alternate-universe stories that tried too hard to be shocking, and sci-fi updates that didn’t offer anything new – that completely missed the mark.

7) Bel-Air

Premiering in 2022, Bel-Air offered a fresh and dramatic take on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, quickly establishing itself as very different from the original sitcom. The basic story remained the same – Will Smith’s character leaves West Philadelphia after getting into trouble and moves in with his wealthy relatives in Bel-Air – but almost everything else was changed. Unfortunately, this proved to be a key issue with the series.

Although a dramatic take on the premise of The Fresh Prince isn’t a bad idea, Bel-Air failed to capture what made the original series so special: its warmth and emotional core. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cleverly used comedy to address important social issues, and the contrast between humor and serious topics was key to its success. Bel-Air, however, took itself too seriously, which ultimately hindered its ability to be a successful reboot.

6) MacGyver

The original 1980s action series, MacGyver, was famous for its main character’s incredible resourcefulness. Richard Dean Anderson played MacGyver, a man who could fix almost anything using only a Swiss Army knife and whatever else was at hand. He was so good at this that the word “macgyver” entered our language – it now means to solve complex problems with simple tools and clever thinking. Essentially, being MacGyver meant doing a ‘macgyver’ – finding creative solutions with limited resources.

However, the 2016 reboot starring Lucas Till didn’t quite capture the same magic. Because technology had advanced so much since the original series in the 1980s, the new MacGyver’s inventions felt less impressive and creative. Essentially, the reboot didn’t adapt to the times and, as a result, missed what made the original show special.

5) Murphy Brown

The original Murphy Brown, which premiered in 1988, was groundbreaking for its time. The show centered on Murphy, an investigative journalist, as she resumed her career at the newsmagazine FYI after completing rehab. While the series touched on political issues, it primarily focused on the lives of working professionals – especially Murphy – as she navigated sexism, motherhood, and broader societal challenges. The show wasn’t afraid to address major issues and controversies, but always through the lens of its characters.

The show returned in 2018, but it wasn’t quite the same as before—more of a revival than a fresh start. While the world had changed since the original series ended in 1998, the biggest difference was a shift in focus. The revival relied less on compelling characters and spent too much time on political points that didn’t feel natural, unlike the original series.

4) Velma

Whether or not ‘Velma’ is a true reboot is debatable, as it presents an alternate origin story for the Mystery Inc. gang. However, since it is a different take on their beginnings, we’re including it as one. The animated series premiered in 2023 but received largely negative feedback from both critics and viewers, and with good reason: ‘Velma’ significantly departs from the traditional ‘Scooby-Doo’ formula.

The show Velma, which centers on the human members of Mystery Inc., completely left out Scooby-Doo. It also drastically changed the personalities of the familiar characters – Shaggy, for instance, is known by his real name – and aimed for a much darker, more mature tone. A big part of what makes Scooby-Doo enjoyable is its lighthearted, silly nature, and Velma failed to capture that fun spirit.

3) Heroes Reborn

To be honest, the original Heroes lost its way after its first season, so it wasn’t surprising when the reboot, Heroes Reborn, also failed to connect with audiences. Heroes Reborn premiered in 2015 and was intended to recapture the spirit of the original’s first season – where ordinary people discovered they had superpowers. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite succeed in doing so.

The original Heroes series succeeded because viewers genuinely cared about the characters and their struggles. Heroes Reborn, however, failed to create that same emotional connection. It spent more time introducing new characters with powers and focusing on a global crisis, leaving the audience feeling detached. Without that emotional heart, Heroes Reborn just didn’t resonate with viewers.

2) The Twilight Zone

The original The Twilight Zone is a landmark achievement in science fiction television. It stood out for its time by using imaginative sci-fi stories to explore important social and cultural issues, and its impact is still felt today.

The 2019 reboot of The Twilight Zone, developed by Simon Kinberg, Jordan Peele, and Marco Ramirez, didn’t quite capture the magic of the original. While it followed the same format – exploring different topics with surprising, sci-fi endings – it felt unoriginal. What was once groundbreaking now feels commonplace, largely because shows like Black Mirror had already been doing similar things with a modern twist. The new series didn’t evolve enough; it stuck too closely to the original and, as a result, lost what made The Twilight Zone special.

1) Charmed

The 2018 reboot of Charmed wasn’t necessarily a bad show, but it struggled because it tried too hard to be something it wasn’t. Had it been presented as a new young adult fantasy series about witches, it likely would have succeeded. Instead, the reboot focused heavily on a feminist message, and in doing so, lost what made the original Charmed so beloved: a genuine and naturally developed bond between sisters.

The original Charmed wasn’t created as a specifically feminist show; it was primarily about three sisters learning they were incredibly powerful witches and navigating their lives and their bond with each other. The strength of their sisterhood was central to the series. The reboot lost this focus, which is a major reason why it didn’t resonate with fans of the original.

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2026-01-06 03:13