The ’90s are back in retro TV reboots from prestige directors
Maybe it’s because everything looks better through rose-colored glasses or without the omnipresent presence of artificial intelligence and social media. Either way, some of today’s greatest directors are channeling the days when frenzy meant content, before art had content – back when all audiences needed was to run in slow motion on a beach.
Whatever the reason, the ’90s are back, aided by a more objective prestige than the era of VHS tapes and disposable cameras might initially conjure.
News broke Monday that Ryan Coogler, the writer of the critically and commercially acclaimed “Sinners,” shortlisted for the best director Oscar at next month’s ceremony, will reboot “The X-Files” for Hulu, with BAFTA nominee Danielle Deadwyler starring.
Chris Carter, creator of the Emmy Award-winning original series starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, two FBI agents investigating the paranormal, said in 2023 that Coogler planned to “remount ‘The X Files’ with a diverse cast.”
The Disney-owned streamer will also host the “sequel” to “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” directed by Oscar-winning “Nomadland” filmmaker Chloe Zhao, who is also nominated for this year’s Oscars for directing “Hamnet.” Sarah Michelle Gellar will reprise the lead role in what she said is “not a sequel” and “not a reboot.”
Streamers aren’t the only ones diving into the deep end of ’90s intellectual property.
Variety reported this month that Fox was rebooting “Baywatch.” This one remains a bit of a headache, though, given the 2017 film adaptation’s 18 percent critical approval rating. On Thursday, the network held a casting call that attracted 2,000 contestants ready to save this sunny day.
But will the revitalization of these properties simply utilize the names blessed – or loaded – with built-in fan bases, or will they hark back to the era when they first made waves?
The pendulum has swung in multiple ways since the days of Pamela Anderson running to the rescue in a red one-piece. In recent years, the “Baywatch” alum, 58, has spoken at length about the journey she took to reclaim her identity in the face of her oversexualized image at the turn of the century.
“And Just Like That…” — the oft-derided but widely-watched spinoff of “Sex and the City” — has made a concerted effort to update its plot and characters for today’s sensibilities, with varying degrees of success.
While critics would likely say that “The
Could this then be the reason for the success of “The Pitt”? HBO’s Emmy-winning hit can’t legally call itself an “ER” spinoff, even though it comes as close as possible — right down to sharing a star in Noah Wyle, who initially hoped to reprise his role as Dr. John Carter in a direct sequel.
One striking similarity that no one can deny between the two medical sensations is their week-to-week impact.
Instead of dropping multiple episodes at once to facilitate a binge, “The Pitt” living on HBO means fans are waiting for updates from week to week.
While most streaming shows — and, in fact, most prestige shows — contain 5 to 10 episodes per season, with first seasons spaced 1 to 4 years apart, the first two seasons of “The Pitt” contain 15 episodes each and will premiere in January 2025 and 2026. Much like traditional television, the third season is already scheduled to premiere early next year, like clockwork.
Are these returns to form, both in terms of content and viewing, simply channeling older sensibilities? Or are they proof that today’s viewer wants something, anything, to hold on to a more familiar and comfortable moment?
