Five People Who Need to Be Back on Television Right Now

Face it: The future has arrived and in the entertainment world, it looks a lot like the past -- sans the happy take-away vibe. In one corner: TV's Charlie's Angels. (Note to Drew Barrymore: Love you, but next time, pull in better writers.) In another: the Footloose reboot, which, critically, didn't hear for the boy.

True, for decades, what's old becomes new again. But does it really have to? Is Hollywood so lacking in creativity that is has to reinvent every cool hit of the last 30 years? Apparently. Fortunately, CBS' Hawaii Five-0 is worthy of our attention, but it's a rare bird compared to The Bionic Woman and Knight Riders that came before it. I don't mind reboots, but at least, be inventive enough to make the updated versions captivating for 21st century viewing.

So, before Starsky & Hutch, Magnum P.I. and Fantasy Island are greenlit -- although... done right, a latter-day, more mature Fantasy Island could be a kick and yes, if you're a Hollywood exec who's reading this, I'd be happy to come aboard -- maybe it's best to take a look at a small posse of former TV personalities who really should be back on television:

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Comments

[Tallulah Morehead]

09:01 PM on 10/28/2011

Ye Gods, do we disagree. Tyne Daily is always welcome, the rest, no, two of them people I'm content never to have heard of before this column. And especially not Kim Coles. If I never set eyes,and worse, ears, on her agian, I'll be just fine. Badly chosen list.

My list would start with Barry Humphries, and proceed to Bob Newhart.

[greggied]

04:37 PM on 10/27/2011

Sorry, I don't care if I ever see any of them again.

[sisterdebmac]

01:22 PM on 10/26/2011

Tyne Daly, yes. The others, whatev,

[Frank Margiotta]

12:03 PM on 10/26/2011

all good except dave chapell he is not worth a show

[3fingerbrown]

06:48 AM on 10/26/2011

Since the Joe Franklin Show has gone off the air, we've had a collapse of the economy, endless wars, and several devastating natural disasters. Coincidence? Perhaps. Bu just to be on the safe side, bring back Joe!

[InedaName]

08:02 PM on 10/25/2011

Five People Who Need to Be Back on Television Right Now:

1.) Dave Chappelle

2.) Dave Chappelle

3.) Dave Chappelle

4.) Dave Chappelle

5.) Phil Donahue

[Greg Archer]

06:23 PM on 11/03/2011

Yes. Most definitely Dave and Phil. Thanks ....

[Sethj8888]

04:24 PM on 10/25/2011

Arsenio canceled his show after Letterman gota a show. IIRC, he believed that there wasn't enough for three talk shows on TV (!) How quaint.

But Arsenio back on a talk show? Don't think it would work.

1) The show was very high energy. Pure Hollywood, like a party every night. The problem was, it was hard to keep that energy level up five nights a week, especially if you're going through a stretch of nothing but C-list guests. (Eddie Murphy couldn't come on EVERY week)

2) The scenery has changed. Everybody and his mother has a talk show now. Also people take elements of his show (Ellen does the group dancing, Wendy Williams appeals to urban types, Chelsea Handler gets saucy, etc etc) so really he wouldn't be that unique anymore.

And could he get ratings in this day and age? Probably not. Archer says late night has "broadened" but really it's more like splintered. (George Lopez and Monique will attest to that) So I don't see where he's going to get the audience he needs to stay on the air.

[Apanel]

03:28 PM on 10/27/2011

Plus, he really wasn't funny and was a lousy interviewer even back then. Unless he's been honing some skills in the meantime, I don't think TV misses him much.

[Greg Archer]

06:24 PM on 11/03/2011

very good points---about the scenarios having changed. thanks for your candid insights.

[BlackJAC]

02:28 PM on 10/25/2011

Tyne did do an episode of Burn Notice as a Dade County clerk that Sharon Gless' character has to befriend and then betray.

And ABC did try a new version of Fantasy Island with Malcolm McDowell as a black-suited Mr. Rourke ten years ago.

[LMPE]

02:14 PM on 10/25/2011

I don't even know most of the modern shows

[ktano0]

12:44 PM on 10/25/2011

Agree with about everything stated. However I think Arsenio was a terrible interviewer.

Tyne Daly is amazing.

[peckerberto]

12:32 AM on 10/25/2011

Tyne Daly's star will never dim.

[ocinemod]

10:23 PM on 10/24/2011

Bobby Rivers does have it all. One of the best TV interviewers ever (move over Jack Paar and Johhny Carson) he has that touch that somehow keeps things light and intensely interesting. The tube could certainly use a bit more of all that.

[Terence Towles Canote]

09:13 PM on 10/24/2011

I have to agree. Bobby Rivers needs another show. He is one of those rarities these days--a charming and intelligent man who knows what he is talking about.