TV Odds: Netflix Remakes, Reboots, and Revivals

So many quality TV shows get cancelled before their time. It wasn’t too long ago that getting the axe from a network meant fans would never see their favorite characters again. The insanely popular Family Guy was the exception that proved the rule.

But times have changed thanks, in large part, to Netflix. The online streaming giant has revived quite a few cancelled shows recently, albeit with mixed results: Arrested Development fell short of expectations; Fuller House was even worse; yet the recent Gilmore Girls reboot was well-received and has stoked the flames of the revival rumors for other classics.

It’s sort of ironic, but with Netflix producing more and more “original” programming, we can be sure to see more remakes, revivals, and reboots in the future.

With so much cancelled fodder to choose from, which show will Netflix bring back from the dead next? Here are my top picks and the odds!

Odds to be revived by Netflix

Freaks and Geeks: 4/1

Judd Apatow has done a lot of good work. For my money, nothing comes close to his 1999 show Freaks and Geeks. In just one season, the show garnered a cult following and launched the careers of James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Jason Segel.

After 18 years, another full season out of the blue seems pretty unlikely. But a movie or a mini-series is definitely an option. If Netflix could do it with the 2001 flop Wet Hot American Summer — a movie that manages to be equal parts terrible and hilarious — then they can do it with Freaks and Geeks.

Community: 17/3

Six seasons and a movie! That was a long-running mantra of the NBC sitcom. Well, there’s been six seasons… so where’s the movie?

There’s been talk of a movie since 2014 but nothing has ever come of it. Maybe it’s time for Netflix to take the reins and make it happen. It may be hard to get the cast back together, though. Donald Glover, Gillian Jacobs, Alison Brie, and Joel McHale are all pretty busy these days, which is no surprise given how funny they were in Community.

Veronica Mars: 17/3

What’s not to love about a crime-solving high-schooler?

Combine petty high-school drama with gruesome murders and you’ve got Veronica Mars. The show was a hit back in the 2000s, but unfortunately a weak third season led to its cancellation. Why not remake the third season? Or pick up where it left off? Besides, it’s been awhile since we’ve heard from Kristen Bell.

Daria: 7/1

If you grew up in the 90s, then Daria holds a special place in your heart. It was intelligent and subversive, and it was MTV at its best. These days, MTV is a cesspool of reality shows and Degrassi reruns, so it’s up to Netflix to bring back the beloved animated series. Netflix has had a lot of success with their own animated shows, so it makes sense to give Daria a shot.

Jon Stewart: 9/1

I hope Netflix isn’t too discouraged by the trainwreck that has been Chelsea, their foray into the late-night scene with Chelsea Handler. Jon Stewart may have left The Daily Show, but it’s only a matter of time until he gets back into television and an uncensored show on Netflix would be perfect. His former correspondents — Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Samantha Bee — all have shows of their own, but nothing tastes quite like the original. (I’ll admit that I’m fudging the definition of “reboot” a bit here, since The Daily Show is still on the air with Trevor Noah.)