Whatever happened to predictability...
Reports are flying out of Hollywood that Full House, the iconic show from the late 80's/early 90's is set to shoot a 13-episode reboot starring Candace Cameron Bure (D.J. Tanner) and Andrea Barber (Kimmie Gibbler). Is this an April Fool's Day hoax arriving a day late? Don't bet on it. In today's entertainment world of trying to make what was popular once popular again, it's a good bet Netflix is truly making this happen.
We have been ushered into a new era. One led by the great Jimmy Fallon. He who has brought together casts from Saved By the Bell and other favorite shows he grew up with. I'm not saying he is to blame but he can certainly be seen as the leader of the "Nostalgia Generation". These are 28-40 year-old people that are attempting to recreate and recapture their lost youth. People that want to continue and bring back the movies/t.v. shows they grew up on. They are the nostalgiaists. (I know it looks funny. How about Nostalgia-ists. Easier?)
Now, I don't necessarily have a problem with Jimmy Fallon and his reunions. In fact, I have previously written on how I have enjoyed these sketches/shows. An eight minute sketch is fine. It provides that nostalgic euphoria that can be associated with seeing these casts/story lines back together. At some point, though, it is time to move on and continue to work on creating new shows and movies.
Over the last few years, we have seen on television the return of Beverly Hills 90210, Girl Meets World, and The Odd Couple to name a few. In the works are new episodes of Coach, The X-Files, and Twin Peaks. Now, you can argue that Girl Meets World is on the Disney Channel and aimed at younger viewers. This is true. And it is great that many parents who grew up with Boy Meets World probably watch this show along with their children. No problem. The thing is, there is nothing wrong with simply showing the children the original show and letting them appreciate that. And yes, it's definitely okay to let them watch both shows.
Twin Peaks is a show that was very popular upon its first viewing over twenty years ago. It lasted roughly two seasons. Now, there was a lot of studio intervention during it's run, contributing to its early demise. A cult following has remained dedicated to this show and I do understand why the creators would want to take another crack at it. Creatively, it hadn't run its course so there is valid reason for its return. I'm not saying it's necessarily the right choice, but the fan base is there validate at least a limited run.
Turning our attention back to Full House, though, what can we possibly learn that we don't already know. I can already imagine a 13-episode run filled with cameos, flashbacks, and canned laughter. With a boon plethora of creatively excellent shows airing on television (and on streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu), why go back to a well that was dry during the last seasons of its original run? Surely Jeff Franklin and the other producers of Full House (producers that dominated television in the late 80's/early 90's) can come up with an original idea for a sitcom and still have these actors involved.
Don't get me wrong, I watch reruns of Full House. I am not above being a Nostalgiaist. It takes me back to a simpler time when the life's problems could be solved within thirty minutes. Not once have I ever wondered what this fictional family was up to now. Of course, many viewers probably have. In that case, I say let them use their imagination and create their own world. Let viewers think for themselves.
Who knows? Maybe viewers want to see Donna Jo Tanner and find out what she's doing these days. Maybe she married Steve. Maybe her and Kimmie are married to each other; raising three kids of their own in San Francisco. Uncle Jesse still runs the Smash Club and his two boys are bouncers at the club. Stephanie has married Teddy and Michelle lives at home with Danny because he wasn't able to ever let his youngest daughter go. Joey is still chasing that dream of being a comedian and is currently appearing on America's Got Talent in between gigs in Reno. Becky is still the host of "Wake Up, San Francisco". And...
Wait a minute. Did I just write the pilot episode? Are they looking for writers? I think I'd make a perfect addition to the writing team, seeing as how I know way more than any person not directly involved with the show should know about Full House. Perhaps I'll start sending tweets to John Stamos and he can make this happen.
Until then, I have to get to work on spec scripts for reboots of Family Matters, Perfect Strangers, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Step by Step. I'm sure Patrick Duffy needs the work since the reboot of Dallas got cancelled.
Welcome to the Nostalgia generation, folks. Buckle up. It's going to be a long ride.
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