Did you hear?
NBC is considering an “Office” revival without star Steve Carell.
Apparently the network forgot that it already aired a Carell-free “Office” for the beloved show’s final two seasons. Fans wish they could forget that.
Given that series finale in 2013, how would NBC get everyone else back in Scranton? Do you really want to see Pam divorced from Jim and back at the reception desk? Please, no.
But it is easy to understand why NBC is so tempted to dip into the revival well. Its resurrection of “Will & Grace” has proven to be a hit for the network.
Fox’s “The X-Files” returns for another new season next week. ABC has “Roseanne” on tap for next spring. (Spoiler: Dan’s alive!)
While it’s hard to muster enthusiasm for punching the time clock for “The Office,” there are several other series that would seem ready for their next chapters. Since networks are ready to spend, let’s encourage them in a good way.
Consider:
FX’s “The Shield” (2002-2008) spotlighted rogue detective Vic Mackey (Emmy winner and Lowell native Michael Chiklis) and ended with one of the most satisfying and fitting finales — with Vic effectively neutralized, chained to a desk job. But c’mon, you can’t keep Vic Mackey down — and off the streets. What mischief and malice would he be up to today?
NBC was actually moving forward with a reboot of “Xena: Warrior Princess” (1995-2001) as late as last summer but then backed out. Given the success of “Wonder Woman” at the box office and the rise of the #metoo movement, the time would never seem more ideal for this heroine’s return.
“Rome” (2005-2007) is another series whose return has been talked about for years. HBO executives have admitted they cancelled this series prematurely, more because of an inability to manage the budget and schedule of a truly international production (which they subsequently did perfectly for “Game of Thrones”). Stars Kevin McKidd and Ray Stevenson, among others, have stated their desires to pick up their togas again, and there’s just so much story and history left on the table. Creator Bruno Heller reportedly has a follow-up script ready. With HBO now needing a successor to “Game of Thrones,” the premium cable network should look at its own past — and the world’s past — for the next great narrative.
The reality series “The Mole” (2001-2004, 2008) launched Anderson Cooper to fame and was an entertaining exercise in paranoia as one contestant among every season’s group set out to sabotage the team’s missions. Failure to guess the identity of the mole could lead to elimination. I still miss this show. We could use some smart TV.
A series that was a cut above crime procedurals, “Cold Case” (2003-2010) featured a group of Philadelphia detectives investigating murders unsolved sometimes for decades and featured moving flashbacks and the original music of the day, including Ray Charles, the Doors and Bruce Springsteen. “Cold Case” is also one of the few TV series that has never been released to DVD, allegedly because of the onerous issue of music rights involved. I think we would all feel safer knowing Detective Lilly Rush — and star Kathryn Morris — was back on the job.
