Does Anybody Agree With Me That 'WKRP in Cincinnati' Could NEVER Be Remade??

[OH Nuts!]

While the radio format is NOW fast becoming passé, a remake of a radio format could still work, because of the time era the show is based on. Do I think a remake could work? Possibly. But remakes, 99.9999% of the time are never as good as the original.

When shows hit it big, no one ever really knew it would happen; many thought All In The Family would fall on it’s face. But it didn’t. And while the (sort of) remake of AITF with Archie Bunker’s Place was a good show, it still paled in comparison.

The same with The New WKRP. It was a good show, but just didn’t have that special something the original had.

My general thought: the HARDER you try to manufacture the MAGIC that happened spontaneously, the WORSE the show tends to do.

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

When shows hit it big, no one ever really knew it would happen; many thought All In The Family would fall on it’s face. But it didn’t. And while the (sort of) remake of AITF with Archie Bunker’s Place was a good show, it still paled in comparison.

Archie Bunker's Place wasn't a remake, it was a continuation of All In The Family.

[OH Nuts!]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Archie Bunker's Place wasn't a remake, it was a continuation of All In The Family.

Well, it’s been described as a spin-off continuation, so In my mind I perceived it as a remake. New profession for Archie, MANY new characters, loss of KEY character Edith. But I do see your point, and will try to be more precise in the future. Not to get too far off track, but just curious: do you think All In The Family seasons labeled as such, were better than those of Archie Bunker’s Place?

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

Well, it’s been described as a spin-off continuation, so In my mind I perceived it as a remake. New profession for Archie, MANY new characters, loss of KEY character Edith. But I do see your point, and will try to be more precise in the future. Not to get too far off track, but just curious: do you think All In The Family seasons labeled as such, were better than those of Archie Bunker’s Place?

It really wasn't a new profession: Archie bought the bar a couple of seasons earlier and was already entrenched in it. There were some new characters, but a few carried over from All In The Family as well.

The reason the name was changed was because Jean Stapleton no longer wanted to play Edith. (She only appeared in five season one episodes of Archie Bunker's Place).

The final season of AITF, season 9, was a transitional one to ABP, as Gloria and Mike were gone, The character of Stephanie was brought in and the show alternated between scenes at home and scenes at the bar.

I would say that season was better than any of the ABP ones because Edith was still a big part of the show and there were some good moments between her and Archie. But it wasn't the same without Mike and Gloria.

[cbikle]

Newsradio had a similar dynamic and feel.

I wouldn't be surprised if WKRP was a big inspiration to the show.