Why I'm Not A Fan Of '90s TV Show Revivals
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Why I'm Not A Fan Of '90s TV Show Revivals

Maybe '90s cheesiness should stay in the '90s

103
Why I'm Not A Fan Of '90s TV Show Revivals
Piotr Siedlecki

You'd have to be living under a rock to not have noticed that the '90s are making a return in full force. "Full House," "The X-Files,' and "Will & Grace," are just a few examples of successful revivals recently released. In fact, the "Will & Grace" reboot was nominated for a Golden Globe this year and "Fuller House" is currently on its third season. It doesn't seem like the trend will end anytime soon with a revival of "Sister Sister" in the works and "Roseanne" airing later this year. It'd be foolish to doubt the commercial success of nostalgia-based television viewing but are these throwbacks to 20+ years ago actually good?

I understand the appeal of old favorites returning to TV. Although I was born in the late '90s, I grew up watching reruns of many of the shows that are returning. Just hearing their iconic theme songs reminds me of summers in elementary school spent absorbing the complete weekday ABC Family line-up. I like to think that when these shows return in any capacity, they'll catapult me back to simpler times in my life for half an hour. I imagine that this is how everyone feels, no matter how old they were when they watched them.

Despite the excitement that takes over when I hear of another revival, I have yet to watch one that I truly enjoyed. "Fuller House" included the beloved cheesiness of the original series but the cheesiness was much more cringe-worthy in 2016 than in 1990. "The X-Files" is my absolute favorite show but its return in 2016 showed that the show's specific brand of amazing creepiness and conspiracy is hard to recapture. If these shows are going for quality, they're not consistently succeeding. But I don't think quality is their goal.

The goal of this revival era is escapism. The '90s weren't perfect for anyone but the years between now and then make the '90s seem like a haven to many people. People choose to remember the good moments of that decade, like laughing in front of the TV, instead of the tense political climate or world tragedies. The '90s represent innocence, especially for those that were very young. They did not care who the president was or how the economy was faring. The real drama of the day was whether Steve Urkel would ever realize that he did, indeed, "do that."

There's a line at the end of one of The X-Files' most recent revival episodes. Mulder and Scully are sitting on a couch and Scully is holding a spoonful of Goop-o ABC, a Jell-o knockoff that she hasn't eaten since childhood but used to love. She goes to take a bite, then pauses. She turns to Mulder and says, "I want to remember how it all was," then sets the spoon down, allowing the sickly sweet taste of Goop-o ABC to live on in her memory as the greatest gelatin she's ever had.

That scene really stuck with me. Haven't we all watched a show that was perfect to us as children then re-watched it as an adult and counted its many faults? Revivals make those faults even more glaring. At least when I watch the original series, I can pretend that I'm seven years old again. That's all I really want.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

54318
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

34950
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957260
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

182975
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments