6 Awesome TV Shows That Totally Need Rebooting

Digging out all those shows from the past so they can kick the 21st century's ass.

By Mickey Galie /

Reboots, remakes, and re-imaginings have never been exclusive to films. Television has often drawn from that well, taking an old concept and rehashing it to draw in a new crowd while appealing to fans of the original. Sometimes it€™s wildly successful and sometimes it falls flat on its face. Like with film remakes, audiences often question why a network would take a beloved show and ruin it by re-imagining it to what they consider 'hip' €”or, rather, 'marketable.' Audiences are still baffled as to why someone thought Stuart Townsend could fill Darren McGavin€™s shoes as Kolchak in the revived Night Stalker series that was canceled after six episodes. A reboot of Charlie€™s Angels suffered a similar fate with a critical and ratings failure so bad people forget they even attempted a reboot in the first place. Then there are shows like Battlestar Galactica that prove that 'reboot' isn€™t always synonymous with 'garbage.' With a look and tone that reflected how far special effects and storytelling have come, many regard the re-imagined Galactica as superior to its 1978 predecessor. Sometimes a remake works, and works very well. No one can predict when or why an audience will respond to a reboot with open arms. In some cases a show is fondly remembered for its ambition but ultimately canceled due to its limitations. In other cases, an idea is timeless and can act as a mirror to current events regardless of its previous incarnations. They just need a fresh perspective here and there. Here are some television shows that could really go for a 21st century-flavoured shot in the arm.