In defense of TV’s revival craze

The Washington Post

“There has been a surge in revivals, but that is because there has been a surge in every kind of scripted television programming,” says Daniel W. Drezner, pointing to the record 487 scripted shows on television last year, a small portion of which were reboots and revivals. “With this kind of growth,” he adds, “it is not surprising to see a secular increase in all kinds of shows: adaptations from comic books, adaptations from comic strips, dramedies, gritty sci-fi, zombies, doctor dramas, maudlin dramas that don’t like Crock-Pots, brilliant and inventive comedies that defy definition and yes, revivals.” He adds: “I get why critics don’t like this — they have to review all this stuff. But from the consumer’s perspective, it is a mistake to think that a Will & Grace comeback will somehow prevent another Atlanta from emerging. There isn’t a scarcity problem for television in 2018. And for all the laments about the lack of creativity, let me suggest that one of the most original hour of television last year came from a reboot of Twin Peaks.” ALSO: Viewers say stop the reboot insanity!