"Bewitched" Reboot with Interracial Family set at ABC - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 08-23-2018, 04:05 PM

"Bewitched" Reboot with Interracial Family From Kenya Barris & Yamara Taylor Set wt ABC with Big Commitment Via ABC Studios, Sony TV & Davis Entertainment
by Nellie Andreeva
August 83, 2018

Just before he recently departed ABC Studios to embark on a rich overall deal at Netflix, "black-ish" creator Kenya Barris sold one last high-profile project to ABC: "Bewitched", a single camera, interracial blended family comedy based on the popular 1960s sitcom of the same name.

It took a little while for all the deals to close, but the network has given a pilot production commitment to the new take on the classic supernatural sitcom, from Barris and "black-ish" writer/co-producer Yamara Taylor.

The project hails from ABC Studios; Sony Pictures TV, which has the rights to the title; and Sony-based Davis Entertainment (The Blacklist).

In "Bewitched", written by Barris and Taylor, Samantha, a hardworking black single mom who happens to be a witch, marries Darren, a white mortal who happens to be a bit of a slacker. They struggle to navigate their differences as she discovers that even when a black girl is literally magic, she’s still not as powerful as a decently tall white man with a full head of hair in America.

Barris is executive producing via his Khalabo Ink Society banner alongside Taylor and Davis Entertainment’s John Davis and John Fox.

ABC, which aired the original "Bewitched" from 1964-1972, had been very interested in a reboot as the concept represents a twist on a family sitcom, which has been the network’s signature brand of comedy.

In 2014, ABC heavily pursued a "Bewitched" sequel, one of two previous attempts by Sony Pictures TV to revive the comedy series over the past decade. Beside the 2014 project, which in a bidding situation landed a pilot production commitment at NBC but did not go to series, another reboot was in development at CBS during the 2011-2012 season.

Barris sold "Bewitched" to ABC shortly before his overall deal at ABC Studios officially terminated August 15, a little over a year into its original four-year term.

The next day, Netflix announced an overall deal with the prolific comedy writer-producer, said to be for three years with an option for another two.

https://deadline.com/2018/08/bewitch...nt-1202447276/

Chocolate Moose · 08-23-2018, 04:24 PM

I hope they get good actors to carry this. It sounds kind of bad.

Crusinforabrusin · 08-23-2018, 04:53 PM

Any reboot of an old show like "Bewitched" is usually bad. Can't replicate the old version.

Babalu · 08-23-2018, 05:37 PM

All shows suck now. They just politically correct suck.

MA · 08-24-2018, 07:12 AM

The reboots just won't stop.

tlc38tlc38 · 08-24-2018, 07:58 AM

When you have to try to be PC, it's not going to work.

This is doomed.

Elizabeth Montgomery as Sam is legendary!

TMC · 08-25-2018, 12:41 AM

ABC's plans for Bewitched is proof why reboots are a good idea
The classic 1960s sitcom is archaic by today's standards, but the reboot is using its dated premise and rebooting it to make it relevant in a modern context. As Brett White explains, the reboot is "actually worth getting excited about, really excited about, especially if you grew up enjoying the original series. I’d even say that this new take from Black-ish creator and mega-producer Kenya Barris and Black-ish writer/co-producer Yamara Taylor proves how necessary revisiting these old ideas can be. Yeah, all we know about the reboot is the quick series pitch included in the initial reports, but that brief summary proves that Barris and Taylor are actually taking an old idea, confronting the problem at the core of it’s mid-century premise, and spinning it for the 21st century. That is what all reboots should do, and very few actually do!"

Madge1957 · 08-25-2018, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babalu

All shows suck now. They just politically correct suck.

Amen to this!

RetroGuy2000 · 08-25-2018, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Samantha, a hardworking black single mom who happens to be a witch, marries Darren, a white mortal who happens to be a bit of a slacker. They struggle to navigate their differences as she discovers that even when a black girl is literally magic, she’s still not as powerful as a decently tall white man with a full head of hair in America.

This sounds like an absolute trainwreck!

tlc38tlc38 · 08-25-2018, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

ABC's plans for Bewitched is proof why reboots are a good idea
The classic 1960s sitcom is archaic by today's standards, but the reboot is using its dated premise and rebooting it to make it relevant in a modern context. As Brett White explains, the reboot is "actually worth getting excited about, really excited about, especially if you grew up enjoying the original series. I’d even say that this new take from Black-ish creator and mega-producer Kenya Barris and Black-ish writer/co-producer Yamara Taylor proves how necessary revisiting these old ideas can be. Yeah, all we know about the reboot is the quick series pitch included in the initial reports, but that brief summary proves that Barris and Taylor are actually taking an old idea, confronting the problem at the core of it’s mid-century premise, and spinning it for the 21st century. That is what all reboots should do, and very few actually do!"

That basically just means it'll be highly PC as they try to push their agenda.

Also, just knowing people from "Blackish" are involved makes this instantly horrible. That show is terrible.

Mr. Television · 08-25-2018, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

That basically just means it'll be highly PC as they try to push their agenda.

Also, just knowing people from "Blackish" are involved makes this instantly horrible. That show is terrible.

Totally agree.

Leave the classics alone.

tcr1701 · 08-25-2018, 05:59 PM

Yet another show I won't be watching. What an absolutely preposterous reboot. Hollywood is determined to ruin every successful franchise. I don't know if it's on purpose or there is just no creativity left.

tlc38tlc38 · 08-25-2018, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcr1701

Yet another show I won't be watching. What an absolutely preposterous reboot. Hollywood is determined to ruin every successful franchise. I don't know if it's on purpose or there is just no creativity left.

Both.

Impressions · 08-26-2018, 12:12 AM

The original show was fine but this reboot has an agenda, so apparently it's "better."

stevea · 08-26-2018, 12:24 PM

I agree with all the original comments above. Just another show to not watch.

Would we ever dare to show a woman who is a slacker and a smart guy? Shriek! Egad!!

08-23-2018, 04:05 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,153	"Bewitched" Reboot with Interracial Family set at ABC *"Bewitched" Reboot with Interracial Family From Kenya Barris & Yamara Taylor Set wt ABC with Big Commitment Via ABC Studios, Sony TV & Davis Entertainment* by Nellie Andreeva August 83, 2018 Just before he recently departed ABC Studios to embark on a rich overall deal at Netflix, "black-ish" creator Kenya Barris sold one last high-profile project to ABC: "Bewitched", a single camera, interracial blended family comedy based on the popular 1960s sitcom of the same name. It took a little while for all the deals to close, but the network has given a pilot production commitment to the new take on the classic supernatural sitcom, from Barris and "black-ish" writer/co-producer Yamara Taylor. The project hails from ABC Studios; Sony Pictures TV, which has the rights to the title; and Sony-based Davis Entertainment (The Blacklist). In "Bewitched", written by Barris and Taylor, Samantha, a hardworking black single mom who happens to be a witch, marries Darren, a white mortal who happens to be a bit of a slacker. They struggle to navigate their differences as she discovers that even when a black girl is literally magic, she’s still not as powerful as a decently tall white man with a full head of hair in America. Barris is executive producing via his Khalabo Ink Society banner alongside Taylor and Davis Entertainment’s John Davis and John Fox. ABC, which aired the original "Bewitched" from 1964-1972, had been very interested in a reboot as the concept represents a twist on a family sitcom, which has been the network’s signature brand of comedy. In 2014, ABC heavily pursued a "Bewitched" sequel, one of two previous attempts by Sony Pictures TV to revive the comedy series over the past decade. Beside the 2014 project, which in a bidding situation landed a pilot production commitment at NBC but did not go to series, another reboot was in development at CBS during the 2011-2012 season. Barris sold "Bewitched" to ABC shortly before his overall deal at ABC Studios officially terminated August 15, a little over a year into its original four-year term. The next day, Netflix announced an overall deal with the prolific comedy writer-producer, said to be for three years with an option for another two. https://deadline.com/2018/08/bewitch...nt-1202447276/

08-23-2018, 04:24 PM	#2
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,900	I hope they get good actors to carry this. It sounds kind of bad.
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

08-23-2018, 05:37 PM	#4
Babalu Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 22, 2014 Posts: 4,779	All shows suck now. They just politically correct suck.
	__________________ . I just nailed Mrs. Trumbull

08-24-2018, 07:12 AM	#5
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127,643	The reboots just won't stop.
	__________________ ~-Mikaela-~

08-24-2018, 07:58 AM	#6
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,259	When you have to try to be PC, it's not going to work. This is doomed. Elizabeth Montgomery as Sam is legendary!
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

08-23-2018, 04:53 PM	#3
Crusinforabrusin It's time to move on, Goodbye Senior Member Join Date: Dec 27, 2015 Posts: 2,056	Any reboot of an old show like "Bewitched" is usually bad. Can't replicate the old version.

08-25-2018, 12:41 AM	#7
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,610	ABC's plans for Bewitched is proof why reboots are a good idea The classic 1960s sitcom is archaic by today's standards, but the reboot is using its dated premise and rebooting it to make it relevant in a modern context. As Brett White explains, the reboot is "actually worth getting excited about, really excited about, especially if you grew up enjoying the original series. I’d even say that this new take from Black-ish creator and mega-producer Kenya Barris and Black-ish writer/co-producer Yamara Taylor proves how necessary revisiting these old ideas can be. Yeah, all we know about the reboot is the quick series pitch included in the initial reports, but that brief summary proves that Barris and Taylor are actually taking an old idea, confronting the problem at the core of it’s mid-century premise, and spinning it for the 21st century. That is what all reboots should do, and very few actually do!"

08-25-2018, 05:59 PM	#12
tcr1701 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 22, 2012 Posts: 461	Yet another show I won't be watching. What an absolutely preposterous reboot. Hollywood is determined to ruin every successful franchise. I don't know if it's on purpose or there is just no creativity left.

08-26-2018, 12:12 AM	#14
Impressions She died the way she lived Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 08, 2002 Posts: 4,640	The original show was fine but this reboot has an agenda, so apparently it's "better."

08-26-2018, 12:24 PM	#15
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,824	I agree with all the original comments above. Just another show to not watch. Would we ever dare to show a woman who is a slacker and a smart guy? Shriek! Egad!!