This Week's News of Reboots, Spin-offs and Sequels Oh My!

What a week it has been for television news. 

This week we've learned that a reboot, a spinoff, and a sequel to some of television's best series are in the works. 

Little House on The Prairie Reboot

It was reported by EW and Deadline that Paramount Television Studios, Anonymous Content, and Friendly Family Production are in the works to reboot the classic TV series Little House on the Prairie. 

While I'm thrilled with the news, it's about time that this series gets a chance at a reboot. It's good to see a show that's been gone and in syndication for so long to get a chance to breathe fresh life. I love the original series that ran for nine seasons plus four TV movies; as it was one of my mother's favorite shows to watch as a kid. 

Whether it's going to be on Paramount+, Paramount Network, NBC, or even Peacock Streaming Service (this week they announced that all nine seasons of the series will be streaming), I'll tune in. 

Superstore Spinoff 

A few weeks ago we were all bummed out with the news that Superstore will end its run this year. Come to Thursday with the news that there's a development of a spinoff with a Bo and Cheyenne series. 

Now at first after I read it I was like, "wait, what?" It didn't really click for me as I thought maybe a Cheyenne and Mateo spinoff would have been better. But after a few days of thinking about it, it sounded better but I don't have any confidence in this getting a pickup. 

It just reminds me of when The Office was going to have a spinoff, The Farm with Dwight and his family, but that didn't get the go-ahead pickup. That's pretty much the one example that's floating around my head that has me on a 50/50 shot that this spinoff could get the green light. 

The Return to Night Court

Who would have thought that a classic 80's sitcom could get a reboot let alone a sequel to a series? This week WB and NBC are in developing a sequel to the 80's classic comedy with John Larroquette set to return as his character Dan Fielding with Abby Stone, daughter of Judge Harry T. Stone (portrayed by the late Harry Anderson), to take over for his father's seat. 

All I have to say is that it's about damn time. I was so thrilled about the news and that the one thing that I hope it will address is that Abby Stone is also the daughter of Christine Sullivan (played by Markie Post). The series was supposed to end with Harry and Christine getting married but both WB and NBC messed up with a renewal for Season 9 that ended up getting canceled and holding off a series finale. 

We did get a reunion with Anderson, Post, and Charlie Robinson making their appearance in 30 Rock's episode, The One with the Cast of Night Court; which gave us the ending that both Kenneth had always wanted thanks to Tracy Jordan.

Are you excited for one of these shows looking into rebooting, spinoff or sequel? Leave a comment below!

This Is Us Returns January 5 Promo

 

During Sunday's Football Night in America, the latest promo for This Is Us aired with not only when the show returns (Jan. 5th) but also we see Randall and Beth learning about Randal's birth mother. 

Here's the promo:

What do you think of the promo? Leave a comment below!

This is Us Returns Tuesday, January 5th at 9/8c on NBC.

One Chicago: Chicago Med "Do You Know The Way Home"; Chicago Fire "Smash Therapy"; Chicago PD "Tender Age" Episode Preview

 Here's a preview of the next episode in the One Chicago series. 

Chicago Med "Do You Know The Way Home"

Dr. Charles and April team up to take on a mysterious patient in the ED. Dr. Halstead is forced to make a life-or-death decision for one of his trial patients. Dr. Marcel is confronted by his past when a former acquaintance is brought into the ED.

Sneak Peek: You can see a sneak peek clip here. 

Photos:

Promo:

Chicago Fire "Smash Therapy"

A mishap on the aerial ladder in the midst of a fire rescue leaves Mouch shaken and questioning his abilities. Kidd looks for support from Severide while Casey and Brett discuss their future.

Sneak Peek: You can see a sneak peek clip here. 

Photos:

Promo:

Chicago PD "Tender Age"

Ruzek and Burgess discover a child walking alone in the middle of the street and when they take her home, they discover her entire family has been murdered. Upton is approached with a job offer from the FBI.

Photos:

Promo:

I'm so excited to get this season really going in the new year to see where April and Ethan are going as it looks like he's pulling her off from taking care of COVID patients. I thought Lanik left Med? Upton has been getting packages from the FBI as they want her to join their team. Oh boy, Jay! You know what you got to do! And most of all how will Brett and Casey handle their relationship after knowing how each other feels about one another. And with the footage and shots, it looks like we could figure out how Casey got those scratches on his face. 

How do you feel about the next episode? What are you most looking forward to as the shows come back in the new year? Leave a comment below!

Chicago Med, Fire, and PD will return Wednesday, January 6th beginning at 8/7c on NBC.

Superstore to End with Season 6

Well, it looks like Cloud 9 will be out of business.

On Thursday, NBC has announced that Superstore will conclude at the end of its current sixth season. The final 11 episodes will begin airing Thursday, Jan. 14th in a new time slot at 8:30/7:30c, where it now follow the Ted Danson led comedy, Mr. Mayor. 

"We're grateful to universal Television and NBC for letting us make 113 episodes of a show we're so proud of, and for giving us the chance to work with such an incredibly talented group of actors, writers, and crew," said executive producers Justin Spitzer, Gabe Miller and Jonathan Green in a statement. "We're thankful most of all to the viewers who've stuck with us for the past six years (or discovered us somewhere along the way). We'll do our best to go out strong and give you the satisfying ending you deserve."

NBCUniversal scripted content president Lisa Katz said in a statement, "Superstore has always been a signature NBC series that has never failed to make us laugh while also thoughtfully examing important issues people care deeply about. This has been an amazing group of writers, producers, actors, and crew to work with and we are both incredibly grateful for all their contributions. This show will forever hold its place among the top workplace comedies for which we have cherished history."

The end-date announcement comes just weeks after original series star America Ferrera exited the series. In her farewell speech to the cast, the actress indicated that she was open to the idea of reprising her role as Amy before the series' eventful conclusion.

Well, this is one way to kick off the holiday season, I guess. Wow! I'm a bit shocked to have read the news that Superstore would be ending after this season. I would have thought they give the series maybe another year or so. But maybe the writings were on the wall with America leaving and the new time slot change that it's time for the show to end. 

I understand that you must be upset and mad, but here's a bright side to things, the show has lasted six seasons. Not a lot of comedies last six seasons and gives a proper ending.

I think that the best to end the series is to bring back Amy and give her and Jonah a final send-off: or maybe have Amy come back because she misses being around her Cloud 9 family. Whatever it is, I'm sure they're gonna give us one hell of an ending. 

What are your thoughts about the news of Superstore? Leave a comment below!

Superstore returns Thursday, Jan. 14th on NBC, also catch up with episodes on Peacock Streaming Service.

 

Station 19 "We Are Family" Episode Preview

 Here's a preview of this Thursday's episode of Station 19 titled, "We Are Family."

"We Are Family"

The future of Sullivan's career hangs in the balance as his disciplinary hearing gets underway, and Ben, Dr. Richard Webber, Emmett Dixon, and former Fire Chief Dixon are called to testify. Meanwhile, the crew investigates an electrical fire at a neglected apartment building that serves as the home and performance space for some of Seattle's most prominent drag queens. 

Photos:

Promo:

What are your thoughts going into this week's episode? Could this be the end of Sullivan's career? Leave a comment below!

You can catch Station 19 Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.

Mr. Mayor Teaser

On Tuesday, NBC has released the first teaser for the new comedy series, Mr. Mayor. 

Created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, this Ted Danson starring comedy is about how a wealthy businessman runs for Mayor of Los Angeles for all the wrong reasons. But once he wins he must figure out what he stands for all while gaining the respect for his staff, and connect with his daughter, all while controlling the coyote population.   

Here's the teaser: 

The teaser looks fun. The scenes with Danson and Holly Hunter looks exciting. The series had me at "from Tina Fey and Robert Carlock" but now it's my most anticipated new series to watch in the new year. I can not wait!! 

What did you think of the teaser to Mr. Mayor? Leave a comment below!

Mr. Mayor premiere Thursday, Jan. 7th at 8/7c on NBC.

Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special Reflection

 

It was the year's fall event seven years ago today. Here's my reflection on Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary special. 

It is one of those events that you must remember. Call it the Endgame before Endgame, with the hype of this cultural event in 2013. The Doctor Who 50th Anniversary special was one that I won't forget.

Now, let me go back. I admit I had never been a fan of Doctor Who until 2011. Thanks to the internet, I heard the news about the show around 2008 and heard of David Tennant leaving the show. But it was after listening to this podcast, Talking TV with Ryan and Ryan, and hearing them talk about Doctor Who so much that I decided to check it out. 

I went through the five series (of the revival) with Matt Smith at the helm. I was hooked on the show, and while tuning in to watch The Doctor and Amy Pond Going on Adventures, I've returned to the show's other seasons and checked them out. 

I caught the Doctor Who fever, and that's where I got my brother hooked on it after telling him so much about the show (one too many times, he would say). 

So now, back to the 50th Anniversary special. I still remember it; it was on a Saturday, and my brother bought himself a fez hat. It was so funny. So, just as we were preparing to watch it, I knew our adrenaline was rising with high expectations. 

As the show began, I was like that's the original title, and it starts just as the first episode began. We loved every minute, from UNIT picking up the TARDIS and seeing Matt hanging on while flying around London to the event. Everyone was excited to see (including my brother) the meeting between Smith and Tennant's Doctors. 

Even seeing all 13 Doctors helping save their home planet was terrific. 

We thought the special was fantastic, and while it was hilarious, it had some excellent good moments when we saw both Doctors (including the War Doctor) talk about why they left and come up with a solution to help their home planet from the Daleks. 

Of course, we couldn't stop talking about it afterward and even rewatched it. And it leads to one of the saddest Christmas specials of the revival when we say goodbye to Matt Smith. 

Watching that notable was unique because it brought my brother and me together and allowed us to be our nerdy selves. That wouldn't happen again until we saw Avengers Endgame in 2019. 

Since 2011, I've been a fan of the series. Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi are my favorites (so far), while Jenna Coleman is my favorite of the Doctor's companions. I did get to watch the eleventh series premiere event with Jodie Whittaker taking over as the new Doctor, but I still need to catch up (which will be something that I should have done this summer but will do this holiday season). 

I want to reflect on what this seventh anniversary of the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary special meant to me. What did you think of the special? 

Leave a comment below!