5 Live Action '80s Shows that Deserve a Reboot
How many times have we seen an '80s show reboot that was underwhelming at best? Knight Rider, The A-Team, Super Mario Brothers (that movie was more based on the show than anything)...the list goes on and on. However, once in a blue moon something like 21 Jump Street, V, or Thundercats comes along and makes you crave more. These five '80s shows are good enough they should (or most likely will) get a reboot before too long, so let's hope they're done right
5. The Greatest American Hero (1981-1983)
Reboot should be: Cartoon
In the age of superheroes in media, it'd be a nice change of pace to bring some comedic relief to it all. Maybe don't bring back The Greatest American Hero as a live action series this time. A quirky school teacher with an alien suit and superpowers he doesn't understand just screams children's cartoon! Of course, when you move it to that zone you get the kid audience that will keep the shows ratings high so the show doesn't exist on fanboy hate-watching alone and perhaps boost dvd sales of this underrated show.
4. Alien Nation (1988)
Reboot should be: TV Series written by Damon Lindelof
Alien Nation is a show about the acclimation of an alien species to life on earth. To sum up the tone of the show, it's pretty much District 9 except the aliens are similar to humans. Primarily, it follows Alien (or "newcomer" as they call them) cop Sam Francisco and his human partner Matthew Sykes as they battle the uprising "newcomer" underworld developing on Earth. If you watch the pilot (or just skip around to random segments), you'll see why I think Damon Lindelof needs to write this series. The series is very suspense heavy and with the mystery of the effects of prolonged exposure between two species it could certainly lead to some interesting side stories.
3. Pee Wee's Playhouse 1986-1990
Reboot Should Be: A Film
Currently a new Pee Wee film is stuck in development hell, but it sounds awesome. Last I heard, Judd Apatow was developing the script alongside Paul Reubens for a more adult-themed take on the show. While that's all well and good, I don't think that's entirely necessary to make a good Pee Wee film in this day and age. You watch an episode of Pee Wee's Playhouse now and it still feels timeless, like you are caught in some alternate dimension that's really awesome. Paul Reubens has proven time and time again that his character can survive the ages, and I think this upcoming film would be a terrific way to send off the character we've loved for a couple decades.
2. Max Headroom 1987-1988
Reboot Should Be: A Film directed by James McTeigue
I was completely unaware of Max Headroom until just recently. This show is awesome! 20 minutes into the future, switching off your television is illegal, everyone has one, and it is the only way to consume media. The story starts when a TV reporter at the top rated Channel 2,3 Edison Carter, finds out blipverts (advertisements that shoot three ads into your mind in several seconds) are killing viewers of the television station. The station then plots to kill him and believes they did, leaving him clinically brain dead in a coma. Unfortunately for them, Edison's mind is transferred into a computer generated personality called "Max Headroom." From then on, Max and his rogue TV pirate controllers battle various networks and report the real news to this brave new world.
It's already on my must-watch list and I think it would make an incredible movie for James McTeigue to handle. Why? The whole series has a bit of a V For Vendetta sort of feel, and it seems like some parts of the movie were inspired by the show.
1. AirWolf 1984-1986
Reboot Should Be: A Movie
Only thing you need to know? Airwolf is badass military helicopter armed to the teeth with high grade weapons and capable of traveling at the speed of sound. Screw the other '80s action shows, we are talking high tech battle helicopters and high flying action sequences that by today's standards are still pretty legit for a television show. It starts when the initial test of Airwolf goes awry when the pilot is out to keep the weapon for himself and goes rogue. We then meet Stringfellow Hawk (badass name), who is a renegade pilot (also badass) who will stop at nothing to find his brother. Because it's the '80s, a secret intelligence agency agrees to help him ONLY IF HE PILOTS A BADASS HELICOPTER AND GOES ON MISSIONS FOR THEM. Seriously, what was it with the 80's and the government being "we need you, but you need us." Did I mention he has a nemesis named Redwolf? C'mon, that's completely badass. Either way, do this as a movie, maybe make it a dystopian future with battle helicopters as the only form of combat. Here's the twist: make it cheeseball, but keep the action incredible the whole way through. Instant badass classic.
Any live action shows you want to see remade?