27 Reboots Ruling 2018 — Should We Give Them The Boot?

In the words of Mariah Carey, "why are you so obsessed with me?"

That's the billion-dollar question audiences are asking TV networks who are so blatantly obsessed with reboots. Every year delivers its fair share, but it seems like 2018's goal is to test the audience's threshold for past successes.

We're not even halfway through the year, and we've exceeded the number of potential revivals that can be counted on both hands. No doubt we should probably blame it on the acclaim NBC received for bringing back beloved and previously statement-making hit Will & Grace. 

There's definitely an allure to revivals and reboots — there's a nostalgia factor about catching up with old friends and revisiting stories that bring you back to "better times."

Old characters can address the new political climate, technological advances and even challenge their ways of thinking. There are, of course, audiences who aren't as fond of reboots, claiming that networks are of running out of ideas; scratching an itch to cash in on former glories.

Regardless of one's personal preference, we can all agree on one thing: some shows have the potential to be reboot gold, some peaked in high school, and a select few were so solid, they could never be replicated again.

Here's a list of 2018 shows and movies getting a second shot at life — which ones do you think should get the boot and which ones seem promising?

1. Charmed (The CW)

I'm coming at you hot with one of the most controversial reboots of 2018! Fans are up in arms about the reboot of Charmed, specifically saying goodbye to the beloved Halliwell sisters. Let me remind you, though, that the very definition of 'reboot' is to start from scratch, foregoing storylines and recreating characters, which is exactly what The CW dramedy from Jane the Virgin creator-showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman is doing.

The network describes it as a "fierce, funny, feminist reboot of the original series, which centers on three sisters in a college town who discover they are witches. Between vanquishing supernatural demons, tearing down the patriarchy, and maintaining familial bonds, a witch’s work is never done.” Melonie Diaz has been cast as the first of three sisters, while Ser'Darius Blain will play Galvin, one of the sisters' boyfriends.

TV Fanatic verdict: Let the magic do its work. This has the potential of becoming a modern, witchy hit.

2. Magnum P.I. (CBS)

Reboot loving CBS is hoping to give 80's Tom Selleck starring drama Magnum P.I a facelift. The iconic role of private investigator Thomas Magnum will be played by Suicide Squad actor Jay Hernandez. Hernandez's character is a decorated ex-Navy SEAL who returns from Afghanistan and uses his military training to become a P.I.

While he's no Selleck and has some pretty big shoes to fill, he did spend some time squaring up with Olivia Pope on Scandal so at least we know he has the backbone. Hey, maybe Selleck can guest-star or something? The comforting part comes with series runner Peter Leknov, who is well-versed in the reboot world having both Hawaii Five-O and MacGayver upgrades under his belt.

TV Fanatic Verdict: Seems promising enough.

3. Roswell (The CW)

The CW seems to think that making 90s show's hip-again is their saving grace. This new version of Roswell is set to follow the Roswell High books from Melinda Matz. The series focuses on the daughter of undocumented immigrants reluctantly returning to her hometown of Roswell, New Mexico, where she learns her teenage crush-turned-police officer is an alien (not the illegal immigrant kind). She protects his secret, but when it becomes apparent that there are more like him, the "fear and hatred threaten to expose him." So far, Grey's Anatomy star Jeanine Mason has been cast as the lead character.

TV Fanatic Verdict: Supernatural dramas thrive on The CW! 'Nuff said.

4. Party of Five (Freeform)

Party of Five ended 16-years-ago, so it's basically overdue for a reboot at this point. Freeform has already given a pilot order for the series, which hails from original creators Chris Keyser and Amy Lippman. While the original followed five siblings who relied on each other following their parent's tragic death, the new version is focusing more on immigration, following the Buendias siblings who are left to fend for themselves when their parents are unexpectedly deported to Mexico. There couldn't have been a more timely moment to tackle deportation.

TV Fanatic Verdict: Definitely has an audience.

5. Cagney & Lacey (CBS)

Cagney & Lacey is a reboot of the iconic 80s police drama, which ran for several seasons on CBS. It won two best drama Emmys, along with many other awards, so it's no surprise that the network wants more of its girl-power magic. Bridget Carpenter will helm the new reincarnation, which follows two female police detectives and their friends keeping the streets of LA safe. No word yet on who would star in the iconic roles, but rumor has it, CBS wants one of the leads to be a woman of color.

TV Fanatic Verdict: Female-leads alone can't save this drama.

6. The Greatest American Hero (ABC)

ABC is really diving into diversity and gender-equality with a gender-reversal switch planned for 80s cult classic The Greatest American Hero. With New Girl coming to an end, the network has tapped actress Hannah Simone as the leading lady of the single-camera comedy. Not only is Simone a woman, she's also Indian-American. The hero title formerly belonged to actor William Kat.

Written by Fresh off the Boat duo, Rachna Fruchbom and Nahnatchka Khan, the series centers on Meera, "a 30-year-old woman who loves tequila and karaoke and has spent her life searching and failing to find meaning, much to the chagrin of her traditional Indian-American family." One inexplicable event changes Meera's life forever and equips her with a super suit to protect the planet.

TV Fanatic Verdict: An Indian-American superhero? We're here for it!

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This post appear first on 27 Reboots Ruling 2018 — Should We Give Them The Boot? by Lizzy Buczak