Following the confirmation of theBuffy the Vampire Slayerreboot, I am considering which otherTV showsI want to see make a comeback. Several ofthe best TV shows of all timereturn to screens after being off the air for years, although some revivals are better than others. There are many titles that viewers are still desperately begging for, which proves how much demand there is for these respective TV shows.
At the same time, there areTV shows that should never be rebooted.These TV shows need to make a comeback for various reasons, whether that’s because they end on a cliffhanger or low point, or because they are so loved that audiences are keen to tune in for new episodes.
Modern Family
Cast
Modern Family is a comedy series that follows the unconventional Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker family as they redefine what makes a family in their modern age. Broken into sub-families, the three diverse groups shake up the nuclear formula with empty nesters, adopted children, gender neutrality, and more as they attempt to navigate the various pitfalls and comedic misadventures of their dysfunctional but warm-hearted family dynamic.
Like any sitcom, there are some amazing and less-than-great moments inModern Family, but the fact it is so varied is what makes the show so endearing.Modern Family’s best and funniest episodesstand out because of the depiction of present-day family dynamics and hilarious slice-of-life subplots. The show wraps up with thePritchett/Tucker/Dunphy family moving onto new stages of their respective lives, but it’s now time forModern Familyto revisit their stories.
Why Was Modern Family Canceled After Season 11?
After over a decade of success, the iconic ABC sitcom Modern Family came to an end with season 11 but it was for a good reason.
I need to know more about the charactersafterModern Family’s ending: Cam and Mitchell’s new life with Lily and Rex, Phil and Claire with no kids under their roof, Joe as a teenager, and Haley’s later life as a mother to her twins. Does Luke finish college? What does Manny do with his life? Is Alex still in Switzerland, and is she still with Arvin? All of these questions and more require answers, and I really hopeModern Familywill make a comeback at some point.
Ugly Betty
ABC’s Ugly Betty is the American adaptation of Fernando Gaitan’s world-famous Colombian soap opera Yo Soy Betty, La Fea. Starring America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, the comedy series follows a young woman who lands a job as an editor assistant at Mode, a fashion magazine. Despite her poor sense of fashion, Betty’s can-do attitude and work ethic allows her to thrive in the industry.
America Ferrera’s career is bigger than ever right now, and following her success inBarbieandSuperstorein recent years, now is a good time for the actress to reprise her breakthrough character: Betty Suarez inUgly Betty. Nowadays, anUgly Bettyrevivalwould make more sense than ever. Fashion is always a hot topic, so that isn’t an issue, but there’s alsonothing like a good underdog story.Ugly Bettyfinishes with the titular character taking a new job in London, where she bumps into Daniel and goes out to dinner with him.
The cast is still hoping for a reboot or movie, and have been since Ugly Betty’s season 4 cancelation in 2010, and I know myself and many other viewers feel the same.
There are loads of ways anUgly Bettycomeback can work. Whether it focuses on Betty either in London or making a return to the States, Wilhelmina still being a tyrant at Mode, or Marc being in charge, I want to see it. The cast is still hoping for a reboot or movie, and have been sinceUgly Betty’s season 4 cancelation in 2010, and I know myself and many other viewers feel the same.
30 Rock
Tina Fey’s absurdist comedy series follows Liz Lemon, the head writer of a fictional live sketch comedy show operating out of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, which is where the show derives its name. Loosely based on Fey’s experiences as a writer on Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock ran for seven seasons with a supporting cast that included Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, and Jack McBrayer.
I love anything that is written by or stars Tina Fey, and I personally consider30 Rockto be one of the best sitcoms of all time. The dry humor layered through the stories of those who work on The Girlie Show is astounding, and it’s so easy to invest in the various wacky characters.I want to see more of Liz Lemon as a mother, Kenneth making his way up the NBC career ladder, and Jenna in general.
Although Alec Baldwin’s acting career is rather quiet, I’d still love to see him come back as Jack Donaghy. Jack’s rapport with his mother is one of my favorite things about30 Rock, and I think it would be great to see him and Libby have a similar dynamic in the present day. ConsideringTina Fey and Tracy Morgan are reunitingfor a new NBC show, I hope that it may spark a30 Rockrevival.
Good Girls
Good Girls is a comedy-drama television series that premiered in 2018. The show follows the lives of three suburban mothers, Beth, Ruby, and Annie, who are struggling to make ends meet. They decide to take matters into their own hands by robbing a grocery store, leading to a series of unexpected consequences and a journey of self-discovery.
I am still surprised thatGood Girls’star-studded castcouldn’t save the show from cancelation. The comedy crime drama focuses on a group of suburban mothers-turned criminals, and I continue to be annoyed aboutGood Girlsending on a cliffhanger in season 4. Honestly,Good Girls’ finale is a bit of a disappointment, and I hope that a revival could clear up some confusion. Does Ruby actually go to Nevada?Beth becomes the new kingpin inGood Girls, but how long does it last before she is caught and her political affiliations disappear?
Most importantly, I need an update on Annie. She takes the fall for Beth and goes to prison, but is she ever redeemed? While I think it’s unlikelyGood Girlswould come back for a multi-season run in the future, there’s a chance it could still return for one final installment. Even if it’s just to offer audiences some closure, I really hopeGood Girlswill make a reappearance on audiences’ screens.
American Vandal
American Vandal is a satirical true crime series created by Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda. Released in 2017, the show follows aspiring documentarian Peter Maldonado as he investigates a high school prank involving obscene graffiti. The series humorously deconstructs the genre’s conventions while exploring themes of adolescence and social dynamics within a high school setting.
I am gutted thatAmerican Vandalstill isn’t coming back for season 3, as I think the first two installments are brilliant. I love that even thoughAmerican Vandalis a mockumentary and very comedy-focused, it also takes the respective investigations in each season seriously, too. DespiteNetflix cancelingAmerican Vandalseason 3, I remain hopeful that it will eventually come back.The reviews were solid, and many are still discovering the show today, too.
10 Best TV Shows Canceled Before Their Time
Some TV shows never got the time they deserved, being unceremoniously canceled far too soon, ending on infuriating cliffhangers & the promise of more.
Becauseeach installment focuses on a new crimeand a fresh set of suspects, it’s relatively easy forAmerican Vandalto return. While I want to see Tyler Alvarez and Griffin Gluck reprise their roles as Peter and Sam, respectively, the show can still come back even without the main pair. I want to see more of this thrilling crime documentary with ridiculous and comical undertones, and while it seems unlikely, I continue to be optimistic.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is the first spinoff series in the Bridgerton franchise from Netflix. The limited series was created by Shonda Rhimes and focuses on a 17-year-old Queen Charlotte as she rises to power and marries King George. India Ria Amarteifio plays the young Queen Charlotte, who was originally played by Golda Rosheuvel in Bridgerton.
Like many, I am frustrated with Shonda Rhimes’ lack of confirmation aboutQueen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Storyseason 2. While I wouldn’t completely rule out theBridgertonprequel series returning, at this time, it seems relatively unlikely. I thinkQueen Charlotteexpands upon theBridgertonuniverse beautifully. King George isn’t the most prominent figure inBridgerton, but the prequel provides lots of important context and details about his marriage to Queen Charlotte years before the beginning of the parent show.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Storyseason 1 works well as a standalone, butthere is more of the titular character’s story to share in a possible season 2.Bridgertonestablishes that Charlotte and George have 15 childrenacross a 21-year time span, two of whom die in childhood. Although it’s a dark topic, it’s one that a potentialQueen Charlotteseason 2 could delve further into, especially as Charlotte only announces her second pregnancy in the last episode of season 1.
Gilmore Girls
In the fictional town of Star’s Hollow, single mother Lorelai Gilmore raises her high-achieving teenage daughter Rory. Mother and daughter rely on each other throughout their own life changes, romantic entanglements, and friendships.
I know I’m not the only person who is desperate forGilmore Girlsto come back. Atthe end ofGilmore Girls: A Year in the Life,Rory tells Lorelai that she is pregnant, and she finds herself essentially in the same position as her mother upon her own conception. This huge moment, as well as several other brilliant events throughoutAYITL, provides plenty of content for aGilmore Girlscomeback to cover.What is Rory like as a mother?Does Logan return, and assuming he is the father, does he know?
Lorelai and Luke’s relationship inGilmore Girlsis another thing viewers like myself are keen to get an update on. I often wonder if the pair will ever revisit their discussion about having more children, especially after they decide against it at Paris’ clinic. Even if they don’t, I still want to see more of them together, living a simple and happy life as a married couple. Stars Hollow is a cosy place, and I miss new episodes that take me back there.
Monk
Starring Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk, Monk follows the titular detective, a private investigator with OCD who helps solve crimes with the San Francisco Police. On the side, he also investigates the death of his wife, who was killed by a car bomb. Bitty Schram, Traylor Howard, Ted Levine, and Jason Gray-Stanford also star.
Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk is one of my favorite TV characters of all time. I frequently rewatchMonk’s best episodes, and while the movieMr. Monk and the Last Caseis fantastic, it doesn’t quite scratch the itch that a proper revival of the original TV show can.Monkis lighthearted and there’s plenty of content to sink your teeth into, but there’s always room for more. One thing that always stands out to me aboutMonkis howit portrays the Sherlock Holmes-esque character differently to other titles.
20 Best Monk Episodes, Ranked
Monk had numerous beloved and brilliant episodes over its 8 seasons. Many received critical acclaim and even earned the show several accolades.
Adrian Monk is the smartest person in the room, granted, but his phobias and afflictions with mental health provide an obstacle for him that other characters of this archetype simply don’t have.Monkis an incredible detective TV show with lots of laughs along the way, and it’s easy to binge. I’d love to see the demand for aMr. Monk and the Last Casesequelto turn into a full-blown revival of the show instead, though.
House
House is a medical mystery drama in which the villain is typically a difficult-to-diagnose medical malady. It follows Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie), a world-renowned disabled diagnostician with a notorious substance abuse issue. With his team of world-class doctors, House has built a reputation as one of the most brilliant doctors in the world - an especially impressive feat when taking into account that he rarely actually sees his patients.
Houseis an astounding2000s TV show ready for a revival. There is a lot of discussion at the moment about Hugh Laurie returning as the titular genius doctor, and while there is yet to be an official confirmation, it seems possible thatHousecould eventually make a comeback.InHouse’s finale, Gregory House fakes his own deathand leaves behind his old life. But where does he go, and what happens to him next? It’s important we know about House’s fate; However, he isn’t the only character audiences need an update on.
The finale implies that a revival isn’t impossible, and I hope the recent conversation surrounding it accumulates to something.
One ofChase’s best moments inHouseis when he takes over as Head of Diagnostics, which he is very much deserving of. Like many, I want to know how Chase handles this role, or whether he is still in the job.House’s story of the week format, interwoven with deeply personal subplots, makes the show brilliantly rewatchable time and time again.The finale implies that a revival isn’t impossible, and I hope the recent conversation surrounding it accumulates to something.
Parks and Recreation
Parks and Recreation is a television series that premiered in 2009, focusing on Leslie Knope, a mid-level bureaucrat in Pawnee, Indiana. She encounters various challenges from bureaucrats and citizens while striving to beautify the town through her role in the Parks and Recreation Department.
Ann Perkins actressRashida Jones is still talking aboutParks and Recreation’srevival, and has been continuously bringing it up in recent months.Parks and Recreation’s ending is one of my favorite sitcom finales ever, and while I think it’s well written, it doesn’t stop me from wanting a continuation of the show. In the current political climate, I think it will be a little difficult forParks and Recreationto get a lot of jokes approved, but it doesn’t mean the writers shouldn’t try, either.
I am enthusiastic about seeing Leslie or Ben as President, something theParks and Recreationfinale leaves vague. Even though the last episode wraps things up tightly by using flash forwards,I still want to catch up with them in the present day. The show can easily add new details while following the original events that the finale establishes, and if anything, this could be an easy way forParks and Recreationcreator Greg Danielsto structure a revival around.
