Ah, Groundhog Day – it’s not just an indication of winter weeks to come, it’s also a fun Bill Murray movie about a guy repeating the same day over and over again.

Ah, Groundhog Day – it’s not just an indication of winter weeks to come, it’s also a fun Bill Murray movie about a guy repeating the same day over and over again. (No, that’s not a misprint. I’m just messing with your head.)

And this Feb. 2, it looks like networks are relishing the opportunity to repeat themselves with a slew of remakes.

Aside from the ones currently on the air – like Melrose Place, 90210 and V – there are plenty of other old TV shows being redeveloped as new TV series. 

Is it representative of a crisis in originality? Perhaps. Let’s not forget that aside from remakes, TV seems to be enamoured with spinoffs nowadays, too (see: the CSI, Law & Order and NCIS franchises).

Or, maybe networks are just banking on a proven formula and audiences’ curiosity factor.

Whatever the case, let’s just hope this time around they’ve learned from the NBC debacle that was Knight Rider and Bionic Woman a few years ago. The former debuted to a paltry 7.3 million viewers, while the latter premièred to 13.6 million – and neither made it past Season 1.

To that end, here are 10 remakes of shows that are making their way to a TV screen near you. Which are you most excited for?

1. Parenthood
Based on the 1989 film of the same name, this will hit NBC Tuesday, March 2, at 10 p.m. ET. After lead Maura Tierney pulled out of the project due to breast cancer treatments, Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls) took her place. Peter Krause (Dirty Sexy Money) also stars.
 
2. Prime Suspect
Also from NBC, Prime Suspect will revisit the British police drama, which originally aired from 1991 to 2006 and starred Helen Mirren. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Peacock is pursuing Julianne Moore for a role – is it Mirren’s?

3. Three’s Company
Last September, Variety reported that How I Met Your Mother executive producer Greg Malins was teaming up with Arianna Huffington to create a modern take on the ‘70s slapstick series. Apparently the new threesome – two guys and a girl – are all newly elected members of Congress.

4. Charlie’s Angels
Also digging up visions of polyester and platforms is the Charlie’s Angels remake announced by ABC in November. At the time, Variety said the network was close to ordering a pilot, but no word on any progress yet. Drew Barrymore, Josh Friedman and original series producer Leonard Goldberg will executive-produce.

5. Teen Wolf
Could werewolves be the logical evolution from the vampire craze making our hearts a-flutter? The new MTV version stars Tyler Posey in the titular role made famous by Michael J. Fox in the 1985 film. Criminal Minds creator Jeff Davis wrote the pilot, which also stars Tyler Hoechlin, Crystal Reed and Dylan O'Brien.

6. The Rockford Files
House creator David Shore is developing a new version of the ‘70s drama which starred James Garner as James Rockford, and his super-cool gold Pontiac Firebird Esprit. “It’s one of the shows that made me want to become a writer,” Shore told Variety, noting that he wants to modernize it, but stick with the basic formula.

7. Fantasy Island
Adding a little reality to the mix (or as close as you can get on TV), Survivor creator Mark Burnett and Sony Pictures Television are revamping the exotic ‘70s drama. In it, 12 contestants work at an island resort, catering to guests’ every whim. The contestants who can’t deliver on a fantasy get the axe.
 
8. Hawaii Five-O
Fans of the short-lived Alex O’Loughlin series Moonlight and Three Rivers should be mooning over the news that he’s in talks with CBS to headline the freshly-greenlit remake of Hawaii Five-O, EW.com said a few weeks ago. The original series starred Jack Lord, ran from 1968 to 1980, and had a cool theme song.

9. St. Elmo’s Fire
Here’s a twist – a movie being made into a TV series. Last August, The Hollywood Reporter said ABC was set to pick up a remake of the Brat Pack-tastic 1985 movie. The hour-long dramatic comedy will be exec-produced by Topher Grace (That ‘70s Show), Joel Schumacher, Dan Bucatinsky and Jamie Tarses.

10. Dallas
Giddy up! The TNT project landed a writer, Cynthia Cidre (Cane), in December, but the U.S. cable network and Warner Horizon are mum on the show’s plot. It was supposed to follow J.R. and Sue Ellen's son, John Ross, and Bobby and Pam's adopted son, Christopher. But last we heard, the companies were waiting to see Cidre’s vision for the show before committing.

Thoughts? melissa@tvguide.ca


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RETRO BITS AND PIECES
A matter of Principal: Remember last May, when Dallas star Victoria Principal allegedly pulled a gun on her maid during a spat about how long she took to walk Principal’s dog? And remember the maid claiming it was because little Mei-Ling wouldn’t poop? Soon after, Principal countersued the maid, Maribel Banegas, claiming she pulled the gun out of fear, and now the case of the constipated dog seems to have come to an end.

Banegas, issued a formal letter of apology to Principal and the two have reached a confidential settlement, says TMZ.com. Banegas’ letter reads, "I can now understand why you felt that I was threatening to you, which, in turn, led you to defend yourself." She also apologizes for "any unintentional injury to your little dog, Mei-ling."



 

Whether a show invaded TV in the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s or ‘80s, Melissa will likely think it’s hep, groovy, dyn-o-mite or totally awesome. Her ever-expanding classic TV on DVD collection includes Three’s Company, Beverly Hills, 90210 and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She has a soft spot for anything retro – heck, she even married an ex Elvis tribute artist.
Though her fave current series are quirky ones, like Flight of the Conchords, Mad Men, 30 Rock, Reaper, How I Met Your Mother and The Late Late Show, Melissa is on a quest to rediscover forgotten shows and classics of TV screens past. Her RetroChick mission is simple: to dish retro news, tease your brain with trivia, indulge in nostalgia and catch up with past icons. The question is, can you dig it?