Would Green Acres work today? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

PhoenixAcres · 12-23-2016, 07:13 PM

With all the talk about reboots, remakes, etc. these days I got to thinking about how a Green Acres remake would look. I know the obvious answer is "no, it would not work" but if everything was done carefully and deliberately I can picture someone pulling it off.

I imagine a successful revival, if possible, would have to be a direct continuation of the original series, following the same style and rhythm, with all the old characters and their mannerisms. The key element is to be as faithful to the original as possible (in tone and humor), and then develop new stories in that environment. Imagine if the show never stopped making new episodes in 1971, or if a stash of unused scripts was discovered and adapted into a new show - that's how the revival should look.

Obviously new actors would have to be cast in the roles, and that alone would likely turn off many fans of the original show. Maybe if some relatively unknown actors were cast in the parts it would work. A cameo by Tom Lester would be great as well.

It would likely have to take place in the present day though. The Douglases would have an HDTV, computer, etc. That being said, since Hooterville being so behind-the-times is part of the humor, they could probably get away with keeping several of the older props, like Mr. Haney's truck and Mr. Drucker's 1920s-era telephone. To preserve the telephone-on-a-pole gag, they could make the point that no cell towers were ever built in Hooterville, hence no cell phones.

One thing I know for sure is that a typical Hollywood reboot of Green Acres would go down in flames, at least for me. I'm not going to watch a Green Acres filled with raunchy humor and sexual innuendo and general garbage. The person in charge of a successful revival would have to be a true fan of the original show and not give in to putting Hollywood trash into it.

But would a modern audience like it without that kind of humor? Is the quirky, surrealistic humor of the show enough to keep new viewers interested? I'm not exactly sure, but I do think (again, as a faithful continuation) the show would gather a following with fans of the original.

I'm not saying a reboot would be a good idea, but IF a reboot came to fruition IMO this would be the way to go.

PhoenixAcres · 12-23-2016, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Brady's Hair

One big problem is that audiences generally don't have any idea what's funny anymore. They hope some critic will tell them what's going to be "groundbreaking" so they can talk about it later instead of finding something that they'll actually laugh at.

I agree. If people would just watch sitcoms for their original purpose (to make you laugh) instead of looking for profound social messages or whatnot, they'd realize just how brilliant shows like Green Acres are.

gopyle · 06-20-2018, 10:52 PM

Can't be done. What made it great was a combination of casting, writing, directing, and editing and that could not be duplicated nowadays.

tlc38tlc38 · 06-20-2018, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixAcres

I agree. If people would just watch sitcoms for their original purpose (to make you laugh) instead of looking for profound social messages or whatnot, they'd realize just how brilliant shows like Green Acres are.

Bingo!

I have my own moral compass. I don't need a sitcom to turn to for guidance.

Green Acres is pure brilliance.

CanICallYouDad · 07-06-2018, 08:40 PM

Yes it would. What would not happen is it's creation and writing.

stevea · 07-07-2018, 10:29 AM

I think you could find actors to play Oliver and Lisa, but where would you come up with the likes of Pat Buttram? Finding someone who could do Mr. Kimball might even be hard...Alvy Moore was a character actor, but he had that one down.

KRW · 05-17-2019, 01:34 AM

They kinda did do a soft reboot with a modern take on it with the show Bless This Mess on ABC.

Chocolate Moose · 05-17-2019, 09:39 AM

I don't think so. Humor is much more sophisticated now

PhoenixAcres · 05-17-2019, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRW

They kinda did do a soft reboot with a modern take on it with the show Bless This Mess on ABC.

Yeah when I saw the commercial on TV the first thing I thought of was Green Acres. The trailer really turned me off though. I think the only similarity is in the premise and not necessarily the humor.

12-23-2016, 07:13 PM	#1
PhoenixAcres Member Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 26, 2016 Location: United States Posts: 6,824	Would Green Acres work today? With all the talk about reboots, remakes, etc. these days I got to thinking about how a Green Acres remake would look. I know the obvious answer is "no, it would not work" but if everything was done carefully and deliberately I can picture someone pulling it off. I imagine a successful revival, if possible, would have to be a direct continuation of the original series, following the same style and rhythm, with all the old characters and their mannerisms. The key element is to be as faithful to the original as possible (in tone and humor), and then develop new stories in that environment. Imagine if the show never stopped making new episodes in 1971, or if a stash of unused scripts was discovered and adapted into a new show - that's how the revival should look. Obviously new actors would have to be cast in the roles, and that alone would likely turn off many fans of the original show. Maybe if some relatively unknown actors were cast in the parts it would work. A cameo by Tom Lester would be great as well. It would likely have to take place in the present day though. The Douglases would have an HDTV, computer, etc. That being said, since Hooterville being so behind-the-times is part of the humor, they could probably get away with keeping several of the older props, like Mr. Haney's truck and Mr. Drucker's 1920s-era telephone. To preserve the telephone-on-a-pole gag, they could make the point that no cell towers were ever built in Hooterville, hence no cell phones. One thing I know for sure is that a typical Hollywood reboot of Green Acres would go down in flames, at least for me. I'm not going to watch a Green Acres filled with raunchy humor and sexual innuendo and general garbage. The person in charge of a successful revival would have to be a true fan of the original show and not give in to putting Hollywood trash into it. But would a modern audience like it without that kind of humor? Is the quirky, surrealistic humor of the show enough to keep new viewers interested? I'm not exactly sure, but I do think (again, as a faithful continuation) the show would gather a following with fans of the original. I'm not saying a reboot would be a good idea, but IF a reboot came to fruition IMO this would be the way to go.

07-06-2018, 08:40 PM	#5
CanICallYouDad Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 12, 2013 Location: Meeechigan Posts: 233	Yes it would. What would not happen is it's creation and writing.
	__________________ We got 4 channels. 2, 4, 7 and 9. Loved turning that dial as fast as I could.

05-17-2019, 09:39 AM	#8
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,898	I don't think so. Humor is much more sophisticated now
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

06-20-2018, 10:52 PM	#3
gopyle Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 22, 2011 Posts: 235	Can't be done. What made it great was a combination of casting, writing, directing, and editing and that could not be duplicated nowadays.

07-07-2018, 10:29 AM	#6
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,655	I think you could find actors to play Oliver and Lisa, but where would you come up with the likes of Pat Buttram? Finding someone who could do Mr. Kimball might even be hard...Alvy Moore was a character actor, but he had that one down.

05-17-2019, 01:34 AM	#7
KRW One Bad Mother Funker Forum Regular Join Date: May 23, 2017 Location: The Funk Dojo Posts: 899	They kinda did do a soft reboot with a modern take on it with the show Bless This Mess on ABC.