Siara's Thoughts on Reboots
- Siara Carpenter
- Oct 5, 2023
- 2 min read
If you've read through any of the things I've written on this website, you know that I'm an avid fan of television; movies not so much. This week, it was announced that the iCarly reboot was not going to be renewed, just as the writer's strike ends. While I personally watched a few episodes of the show, I couldn't get through to the end, partially because of time, and partially because I liked the wat iCarly ended. iCarly ran from 2007-2012. It had 5 seasons and ran from start to finish. While most shows seem to get 10 episodes then get canceled nowadays, it begs the question of why we should even bring completed shows back from the dead just to cancel them.
A similar situation happened with Full House and Fuller House. While Full House came out before I was born, I have seen practically every episode...because it used to come on after iCarly (and subsequently Victorious). I was elated when I found out Fuller House was happening, but upon watching the first few episodes and seeing actors I hadn't seen in a while taking on characters from 20 years prior, I simply couldn't do it. While there are canonical errors that happen where certain characters get personality changes as they get older, I also know that they're disturbing a story that could have been left untouched.
iCarly ending on a cliffhanger where Carly's mom was possibly going to be revealed (when she hadn't in the original series and the second series was supposed to show who she was) poorly wraps up an already finished series. Simply put, reboots do not mesh with how we consume media today. Today's media doesn't come on cable, it doesn't go week by week, there isn't a Halloween and a Christmas episode, it just is. Most media won't get a second season (especially in a timely manner) and even fewer things actually get completed. I know I can't even watch shows that aren't completed anymore because I'll get attached to a character whose story doesn't end. Modern media consumption caused by the death of cable tv and rise of streaming services have effectively killed reboots. This is due to the difference in environment of the reboot, as well as the lack of longevity in these shows.
Loved reading this piece on reboots. Personally, the overarching amount of reboots showcases a demand for nostalgia post-pandemic but also a lack of creativity and rush for capital gain from major studios. Are these reboots serving a greater purpose? I’m interested in your take on how these reboots affect the overall audience’s outlook on the originals.
I completely agree with your opinions on reboot and the trend of reviving completed shows is on point! Its always such a letdown when a show you love gets a reboot that doesn't live up to the original at all and ruins the joy you once had for the story. The comparison with Full House and Fuller House resonates, especially when it comes to disturbing a story that could have been left untouched. It's a clear reflection of how the landscape of TV consumption has evolved, some for the better and some for the worse. Sometimes I love it and sometimes I hate it.
It's funny–the only reboot I've watched and thoroughly enjoyed was the Gossip Girl reboot. I think most reboots try to capture the same essence that the original show had and that's the beginning of their downfall. I full went into watching this reboot without watching the original and was extremely invested–even though I found it to have pretty bad writing. Shows that had an amazing original series like That's So Raven and iCarly aren't necessarily guaranteed a successful reboot and I think that's very telling about Hollywood's perception of its base.
I completely resonate with your frustration and dissatisfaction with reboots. I loved the show 'Sex and the City' and was initially thrilled when HBO announced that it would continue the story with the release of 'And Just Like That.' Among the countless complaints I have with the show, one of the main characters (who was irreplaceable in fans' eyes) refused to do the reboot... so it already started off on a bad note. Though I watched the reboot (probably because I had no other show I was interested in at the time), I detached it from the original story line and, honestly, wish it never happened. The original show wrapped itself up in a pretty bow, and HBO had to…