The Rockford Files was one of my favorite shows as a kid. When I got my first car I even looked around for one just like his. So this news that NBC is doing a remake of the show has me both excited and scared. Why try to redo one of the classic private eye shows of all-time?Maybe because it is one of the classic private eye shows of all-time. House creator David Shore is writing a new, updated version of the show, and if there's one thing that makes me feel better about it is the fact that Shore hates updating shows like this but made an exception because it's one of his favorite shows, too.
It actually makes sense for these times, since a lot of shows on right now, from Burn Notice to Monk owe something to Rockford. It's just a dicey prospect to remake something.
See, I don't think it was the premise of the show (or any of these shows that get remade) that was so great, it was the execution and the cast and the time in TV history that the show aired and how we remember it. But we need a private eye show on TV right now (a real private eye show), so this could be cool. Now go find another James Garner.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-30-2009 @ 1:59PM
Michael Parnell said...
NBC has completely given up on television. Just like "Knight Rider" they're tugging on the nostalgic heartstrings of millions of Americans who adored this show, and will likely deliver something that does nothing to deliver on that nostalgia. Then, in 13 episodes, it'll be canceled, leaving old fans feeling used and cheated.
Here's a first clue as to whether I'm right. The theme song to the new Rockford Files will be some heavy metal/techno version of the synthesizer classic at first, then will collapse into something entirely unrecognizable... a true metaphor for ever show NBC has tried to "redo" in the last 3 years.
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7-30-2009 @ 2:05PM
0megapart!cle said...
NBC has made a lot of flops in the last couple of years. But people seem to forget the absolute crap that get produced by the other broadcast networks that gets renewed again and again. For every Knight Rider on NBC, there is a "Castle", "CSI: New York", "CSI: Miami", "Shark", "Lie to Me", "NCIS", "NCIS: Los Angeles", etc.
7-30-2009 @ 2:17PM
jffm said...
They brought back "Doctor Who" successfully and the new "Prisoner" looks very promising, two shows I would have bet good money against getting really good revivals. So, "The Rockford Files"?
I don't say "never" anymore, but I will say, "good luck". You'll need it.
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7-30-2009 @ 2:25PM
M W Cooper said...
The same network that gave up on "My Name is Earl" but tired to shove the new "Knight Rider" and "Bionic Woman" down our throats is giving us a new "Rockford Files"? To be fair, not every show can be "The Great American Road Trip" or "Get me out of here; I'm a Celebrity"
Bring back Earl!
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7-30-2009 @ 2:25PM
Arclight said...
It will probably fail, but at least it isn't another reality crap fest like DWTS, or AGT.
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7-30-2009 @ 3:38PM
charleswheeler said...
Rockford reruns are still a joy to behold. (Thank you RTV) It's one of those shows that should be digitally cleaned up and hi-def-ed, not remade.
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8-25-2009 @ 7:50AM
Tracey said...
I remember my parents watching Rockford Files when it was out (a little before my time) but I watch it on RTV, and am now hooked on it.
I couldn't imagine anyone doing the role of Rockford like James Garner, but I love the suggestion of "Rockford's Son" It is a classic that in my opinion couldn't be remade, but a spinoff could definately work!
7-30-2009 @ 4:03PM
Scott said...
90% of the appeal of "The Rockford Files" is in James Garner's performance. Take him out of it and you have pretty much just another private eye show. I can't imagine they could find someone to give their remake the same character and personality. And that's what made it "The Rockford Files" and not "Private Eye Show #732".
Oh, and the other 10%? .5% the theme song, 9.5% the writing. Both of which, I'm betting, will be vastly inferior in the remake.
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7-30-2009 @ 4:43PM
CParis said...
What was "The Rockford Files" other than a showcase vehicle for James Garner? It would be like trying to remake "The Jeffersons" or "Maude". The lead actor was the character - otherwise there was no reason to tune in.
7-30-2009 @ 4:09PM
Mike Doran said...
If David Shore wants to do a low-key private eye show, fine - but don't call it Rockford. Let him roll his own.
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7-30-2009 @ 5:07PM
Pingles said...
I agree. Make a Rockford-esque PI show. We could use one on TV.
But remaking Rockford is just lazy TV.
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7-30-2009 @ 11:46PM
nick said...
In addition to Rockford, I think they're also contemplating bring back Hawaii 5-0
Keyword here is a 'reboot' of each series.
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7-31-2009 @ 1:08PM
RobertBelafonte said...
If I remember correctly, wasn't Shore going to spin off that private detective in House? Maybe he just really wants to make a private detective show.
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8-01-2009 @ 12:39AM
Jeff Harris said...
You know what NBC really needs to do?
Don't make a new Rockford Files series. Instead, they should bring back the NBC Mystery Movie "wheel show" after football season ends. Instead of separate shows, they should have a different detective franchise every week, just like they did with Columbo, Quincy, and McMillan and Wife. NBC doesn't do stuff like that anymore, but the brand could easily revive The Rockford Files, Columbo, McCloud, and any of those properties owned by NBC Universal as well as develop new ones. Hell, I wouldn't mind if they put 90-minute episodes of Monk up there after that show ends.
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8-03-2009 @ 10:43AM
wulfn1 said...
hmm... Wasn't Rockford's father a retired PI? in the original? Garner's been in a television role recently (my teenage daughter) Why not instead of making it a remake, make it Rockford's son , with Garner doing a three minute bit in each show, or more , however much he can handle of it. I think that might actually fly.
As for actors who could produce his laid back, messy, who cares style .. I don't know but I've seen a few out there who remind me of Garner in their style.(guy who plays sheriff on eureka has his style and on screen presence... but I like eureka too much to think of losing him to do this) Heck, Earl could do it if they could get him to seem more intelligent...
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