TV Shows That Need A Reboot

Published on August 18, 2015. Updated September 30, 2019

Some shows are so amazing, fans never want them to end, whereas other shows got cancelled before they could find their stride, and then there are those that viewers want to experience again with the original cast of characters. The following is a list of shows that desperately need to be rebooted, because viewers didn’t get enough the first time around.

13. Friends

Eleven years ago, Rachel got off her flight to Paris to make it work (again) with Ross; Phoebe was a newlywed; Joey was…well, still Joey; and Monic and Chandler moved to the boroughs of New York to raise their new twins. Fans are still waiting for a movie or reboot of this insanely popular show about a group friends trying to make it in love and life in New York City. While there have been many attempts to capture the chemistry of these six friends, (How I Met Your Mother and Happy Endings), nothing has come close and this show is sorely missed.

12. Sex and the City

Yes, there were the movies, but they just weren’t the same. What are single girls to watch when they are 30-something and suffering from their latest breakup? True, there is HBO’s Girls, which is pretty much a prequel to Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte’s New York adventures, but they can’t replicate the class of those four stunning ladies.

11. Freaks and Geeks

It was cancelled after one season and James Franco fans still can’t figure out why. The series starred Seth Rogen, James Franco, Linda Cardellini, Jason Segel, and Busy Philipps. Most high school TV shows feature actors that have clearly graduated a decade ago and even the ‘poor’ kids come to school sporting a never before seen outfit that is the height of teen fashion. This gem portrayed teens wearing jeans and t-shirts who weren’t trying to win a Miss America pageant every episode.

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10. Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Enough with the drama filled vampire pre-teen sitcoms. Where is the ass kicking sophomore who takes down demons, rescues her friends, and spends more time staking bloodsuckers instead of pining over them? TV needs a heroine who fights epic battles, not more wimps waiting to be rescued.

9. Pushing Up Daisies

This adorable show featured baker Ned (Lee Pace) who has the ability to bring people back to life. The catch: if he does not return them to their state of death, someone else dies. Unfortunately, after two short seasons, this show hit ABC’s chopping block, even though it had 57 award nominations.

Source: Popsugar

8. Home Improvement

Full House is getting a spinoff on Netflix, why not do the same for the hunky guys of home improvement? The show could star Jonathan Taylor Thomas as he struggles to follow in his father’s footsteps and deal with the challenges of raising a family while starring in his own HGTV home renovations show.

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7. Breaker High

What YTV watching kid would not want to see a reboot of this high school show on the seas? From 1997 to 1998, the nerd Tamira (Rachel Wilson), the prom queen Ashley (Terri), the jock Alex (Kyle Alisharan), the sporty girl Cassidy (Wendi Kenya), and dork Sean (Ryan Gosling) ruled the waves as they studied and traveled around the world.

6. The Wire

After five amazing seasons, fans said goodbye to HBO’s The Wire. The crime drama set in Baltimore, centered around law enforcement and the drug trade, smuggling, corruption in the government, schools and the media. While it was a huge hit with fans, it never ranked well in the ratings or awards, but 60 episodes was just not enough.

Nicole Rivelli / © HBO / Courtesy: Everett Collection

5. Fresh Prince of Bel Air

Will Smith is of course too busy making truckloads of money on the big screen to consider returning to television, but wouldn’t that be awesome? Instead, Carleton could play the uptight doctor who has a rowdy son and preppy nephew (for a twist) who comes to stay with them (maybe played by Will’s kid?).

Photo by Moviestore Collection/REX

4. Family Matters

How amazing would it be to see the cast of Family Matters as adults in the 2000s? Kids raised in the ‘90s remember mimicking Steve Urkel’s “Did I do that?” We’d like to see it!

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3. Saved by the Bell

They made Saved by the Bell: The College Years, Hawaii Style, and even Wedding in Las Vegas, but now it is time for a Saved by the Bell 2015! The original ‘90s sitcom only ran for four seasons from 1989 to 1993, but fans can never forget handsome Zack Morris and his gang of cool friends as they navigated the world of high school.

Source: NBC

2. Facts of Life

An oldie but a goodie, this show followed Tootie (Kim Fields), Blair (Lisa Whelchel), Natalie (Mindy Cohn), and Jo (Nancy McKeon) as they grew into young women living in a boarding school. While also hilarious, this show tackled controversial issues such as interracial marriage, disabilities, racism, and teen parenthood. Girls today still need a show to teach them the facts of life.

1. Gilmore Girls

Young girls watched Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory (Alexis Bledel) as they talked about boys, watched old movies, ate ridiculous amounts of junk food, and consumed enough coffee to kill a normal person. Yes, it ran for seven seasons, but it was not enough and a reboot is needed!