NBC to Redo 'The Rockford Files' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 07-29-2009, 11:03 PM

NBC, Universal Media Studios and Steve Carell's Carousel Television have tapped "House" creator-exec producer David Shore to shepherd a redo of the classic 1974-80 gumshoe drama that starred James Garner and put Stephen J. Cannell on the map as a writer-producer.

Garner's Emmy-winning portrayal of the ex-con private eye who lived in a trailer in Malibu (and usually worked as hard to get his clients to pay up as he did on solving cases) turned Jim Rockford into one of the most indelible characters of the smallscreen. Shore said as a fan of the show himself, he's well aware of how high the bar is set for the remake.

"It's one of the shows that made me want to become a writer," Shore said. "I had no interest in adapting any old stuff, but this was the one exception."

Shore's just starting to think about an approach to bring "The Rockford Files" into the present day, but he intends to stick with the basic foundation of a private eye in L.A. just trying to make a living.

"What makes 'Rockford' timeless is that he's vulnerable, he's flawed. He's used to hustling and getting hustled," Shore said. "Sometimes he's a hero and sometimes he runs away."

The idea for a "Rockford" revival came from Carousel, which inquired about the rights to the Universal TV property after Carousel cut a production pact with Universal Media Studios in January. Laura Lancaster, NBC/UMS' exec veep of drama, knew that Shore was a big "Rockford" buff, and the match was easily made.

"The minute I heard this I said, 'Let's get it on for midseason' ... but we're going to take our time and get it right," said Angela Bromstad, prexy of primetime entertainment for NBC Entertainment and UMS. "We know that David has the right sensibility as a writer to take on this kind of big character."

The original "Rockford" was co-created by Cannell and Roy Huggins, a prolific and influential TV scribe who created "Maverick," the offbeat Western that made Garner a star in the late '50s, and "The Fugitive," among other shows.

"Rockford," which earned the Emmy for drama series in 1978, was a training ground for a number of future biz heavyweights, including scribes David Chase, Juanita Bartlett, Chas. Floyd Johnson and thesps Dennis Dugan and Tom Selleck. Show's strong supporting cast included Noah Beery Jr., Stuart Margolin, Joe Santos and Gretchen Corbett.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...goryid=14&cs=1

Marvo301 · 07-29-2009, 11:20 PM

To me James Garner is the one and only Jim Rockford. And lets face it remakes are never as good as the original so I wish they would leave this TV classic alone.

Mr. Television · 07-29-2009, 11:25 PM

NBC can not come up with an original idea of their own. The Bionic Woman, Knight Rider and now The Rockford Files. I can't wait for B.J. and the Bear. lol

catlover79 · 07-29-2009, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

NBC can not come up with an original idea of their own. The Bionic Woman, Knight Rider and now The Rockford Files. I can't wait for B.J. and the Bear. lol

They never learn!! They'd be better off airing reruns of the original show!!

Marvo301 · 07-29-2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

They never learn!! They'd be better off airing reruns of the original show!!

Now that I would watch!

catlover79 · 07-29-2009, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Now that I would watch!

Me too!! Plus, James Garner is familiar to many of today's young women due to his role in The Notebook - I think some of them would enjoy him in his younger days. Besides, NO ONE can do that theme song better!! So there.

Marvo301 · 07-29-2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Me too!! Plus, James Garner is familiar to many of today's young women due to his role in The Notebook - I think some of them would enjoy him in his younger days. Besides, NO ONE can do that theme song better!! So there.

Not to mention that many people know James Garner from his role on "
Eight Simple Rules"!

catlover79 · 07-29-2009, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Not to mention that many people know James Garner from his role on "
Eight Simple Rules"!

That's true - I'd forgotten he was on that show.

Jude The Obscure · 07-30-2009, 12:14 AM

NBC--give the remakes of old hit shows a rest......

remake shows that didn't work the first time, cuz people won't remember them from the first go round

Stuff like Richie Brockelman, Private Eye (a forgotten Rockford spinoff) or Me and the Chimp

Schmoopie · 07-30-2009, 01:12 AM

I think the title of this thread is wrong. It should say "NBC to RUIN 'The Rockford Files'"!!!

I LOVED that show; especially the theme song! Awesome!! That would be really cool if they showed the classics!

Andrea

catlover79 · 07-30-2009, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I think the title of this thread is wrong. It should say "NBC to RUIN 'The Rockford Files'"!!!

I LOVED that show; especially the theme song! Awesome!! That would be really cool if they showed the classics!

Andrea

Yeah - they can just rerun their schedules from the mid-80s and they'd get better ratings!!

Dr. Thong · 07-30-2009, 09:21 AM

ANSWERING MACHINE MESSAGE: Hi, this is Jim Rockford. Leave your name and number after the beep. I'm trying to stop NBC from remaking my show.

TJL · 07-30-2009, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

NBC can not come up with an original idea of their own. The Bionic Woman, Knight Rider and now The Rockford Files. I can't wait for B.J. and the Bear. lol

You're right. Didn't NBC just fire thier programming cheif because the best thing he could come up with was inferior remakes?

The only way they can make a new Rockford Files work is if they find a really good leading man to play the part. Don't give me some snarky prettyboy who thinks a five o'clock shadow and bedhead is character development.

MickeyMac · 07-30-2009, 11:12 AM

Everyone has already said what I wanted to say, so the only thing I can add is that the people over at NBC are idiots.

catlover79 · 07-30-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

Everyone has already said what I wanted to say, so the only thing I can add is that the people over at NBC are idiots.

07-29-2009, 11:03 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	NBC to Redo 'The Rockford Files' NBC, Universal Media Studios and Steve Carell's Carousel Television have tapped "House" creator-exec producer David Shore to shepherd a redo of the classic 1974-80 gumshoe drama that starred James Garner and put Stephen J. Cannell on the map as a writer-producer. Garner's Emmy-winning portrayal of the ex-con private eye who lived in a trailer in Malibu (and usually worked as hard to get his clients to pay up as he did on solving cases) turned Jim Rockford into one of the most indelible characters of the smallscreen. Shore said as a fan of the show himself, he's well aware of how high the bar is set for the remake. "It's one of the shows that made me want to become a writer," Shore said. "I had no interest in adapting any old stuff, but this was the one exception." Shore's just starting to think about an approach to bring "The Rockford Files" into the present day, but he intends to stick with the basic foundation of a private eye in L.A. just trying to make a living. "What makes 'Rockford' timeless is that he's vulnerable, he's flawed. He's used to hustling and getting hustled," Shore said. "Sometimes he's a hero and sometimes he runs away." The idea for a "Rockford" revival came from Carousel, which inquired about the rights to the Universal TV property after Carousel cut a production pact with Universal Media Studios in January. Laura Lancaster, NBC/UMS' exec veep of drama, knew that Shore was a big "Rockford" buff, and the match was easily made. "The minute I heard this I said, 'Let's get it on for midseason' ... but we're going to take our time and get it right," said Angela Bromstad, prexy of primetime entertainment for NBC Entertainment and UMS. "We know that David has the right sensibility as a writer to take on this kind of big character." The original "Rockford" was co-created by Cannell and Roy Huggins, a prolific and influential TV scribe who created "Maverick," the offbeat Western that made Garner a star in the late '50s, and "The Fugitive," among other shows. "Rockford," which earned the Emmy for drama series in 1978, was a training ground for a number of future biz heavyweights, including scribes David Chase, Juanita Bartlett, Chas. Floyd Johnson and thesps Dennis Dugan and Tom Selleck. Show's strong supporting cast included Noah Beery Jr., Stuart Margolin, Joe Santos and Gretchen Corbett. http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...goryid=14&cs=1
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07-29-2009, 11:20 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	To me James Garner is the one and only Jim Rockford. And lets face it remakes are never as good as the original so I wish they would leave this TV classic alone.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

07-29-2009, 11:25 PM	#3
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,127	NBC can not come up with an original idea of their own. The Bionic Woman, Knight Rider and now The Rockford Files. I can't wait for B.J. and the Bear. lol
	__________________ Sonny

07-30-2009, 01:12 AM	#10
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I think the title of this thread is wrong. It should say "NBC to RUIN 'The Rockford Files'"!!! I LOVED that show; especially the theme song! Awesome!! That would be really cool if they showed the classics! Andrea
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

07-30-2009, 09:21 AM	#12
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	ANSWERING MACHINE MESSAGE: Hi, this is Jim Rockford. Leave your name and number after the beep. I'm trying to stop NBC from remaking my show.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

07-30-2009, 12:14 AM	#9
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,519	NBC--give the remakes of old hit shows a rest...... remake shows that didn't work the first time, cuz people won't remember them from the first go round Stuff like Richie Brockelman, Private Eye (a forgotten Rockford spinoff) or Me and the Chimp

07-30-2009, 11:12 AM	#14
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	Everyone has already said what I wanted to say, so the only thing I can add is that the people over at NBC are idiots.