Watching a sitcom from a few years ago can be a really comforting way to spend time, but facing cliffhangers and unresolved storylines can be very disappointing. It could be one that was a childhood staple or a gem hidden for years that has only recently come into viewers' lives. Anything set in the days when smartphones weren't a part of people's everyday lives tends to hit that nostalgic part of our brains.
Recent years have seen this thirst for nostalgia bring back many classic sitcoms return would be the most welcome surprise.
10 Dharma & Greg
Released In 1997
Dharma & Greg is a sitcom that aired from 1997 to 2002, focusing on the lives of Dharma Finkelstein, a free-spirited yoga instructor, and Greg Montgomery, a conservative lawyer. The series explores the humorous challenges and cultural clashes they face as a mismatched couple navigating marriage and their contrasting family backgrounds. Jenna Elfman and Thomas Gibson star in the titular roles, bringing to life their quirky yet endearing relationship.
- Main Genre
- Sitcom
- Creator(s)
- Chuck Lorre, Dottie Dartland Zicklin
The premise of this quirky comedy was very much of the time, but there is so much scope to apply it to current times. A tale of two very different personalities, Dharma is a free spirit who was raised by "hippy" parents who embraced mysticism and spirituality, while Greg comes from a much more conservative background. The initial run was very successful, especially at the start, and saw the two navigate their marriage as well as their clashing families.
When the novelty of that "opposites attract" trope started to wear off, the ratings took a dip, and the show was canceled in its fifth season. It never got much of a finale, with some loose ends still hanging in the air. But there is definitely a way of bringing Dharma & Greg into the 2020s. It would be interesting to see if the couple had children, and if so, how they chose to raise them. A reboot could also smooth over all the instances of cultural insensitivity and take it a little bit more seriously.
9 Caroline in the City
Released In 1995
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Caroline in the City
- Release Date
- 1995 - 1999-00-00
- Network
- NBC
- Directors
- James Burrows, Ted Wass, Will Mackenzie, Tom Cherones, Gordon Hunt, Michael Zinberg, Shelley Jensen, Howard Deutch, Andrew Tsao, Arlene Sanford, Rod Daniel, Marco Pennette, Michael Lembeck
- Writers
- Bill Prady, Jack Kenny, Brian Hargrove, Bill Masters, Donald Todd, Gary Murphy, Nancy Steen, Neil Thompson, Tom Burkhard, Wil Calhoun, Tom Leopold, Mark Wilding, Dottie Dartland Zicklin, Cathy Lan, Rob Lotterstein
Caroline in the City is a situation comedy that aired on NBC, starring Lea Thompson as Manhattan cartoonist Caroline Duffy. The series premiered on September 21, 1995, as part of NBC's "Must See TV" Thursday night lineup and ran for 97 episodes across four seasons.
- Main Genre
- Comedy
- Producers
- Oliver Goldstick
- Seasons
- 4
Another show that ended rather abruptly due to cancelation, Caroline in the City finished on a cliffhanger that has been unresolved for decades. In its heyday, the show averaged 15 million viewers and saw Lea Thompson's star shine brightly. The dynamic between the cast was great, and the premise of the show was really unique for the time. The mix of live-action mirrored in Caroline's cartoon strip provided some lovely visuals that made the show a delight to watch.
With the show existing in the same universe as Frasier, and by extension Cheers and Wings, there is more potential to incorporate characters from those shows in a way that could bring some closure to multiple storylines.
Caroline In The City: Ranking Each Of The Main Characters Based On Likability
Caroline in the City, originally on NBC and now streaming on CBS All Access, starred Lea Thompson. Just how likable were her character and costars?
Also, with the advances in technology, it would be curious to see what artistic medium Caroline was in, and how it could work with the look of the show the way her comic did back in the day. And, viewers would finally find out who she ended up with.
8 How I Met Your Mother
Released In 2005
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How I Met Your Mother
- Release Date
- 2005 - 2014-00-00
- Network
- CBS
- Showrunner
- Craig Thomas
Cast
Ted Mosby
Barney Stinson
WHERE TO WATCH
How I Met Your Mother is a television series that follows a father telling his children about his past. Released in 2005, it explores his experiences and adventures with four close friends, leading up to meeting their mother, as depicted through a series of flashbacks.
- Directors
- Michael J. Shea
- Main Genre
- Comedy
- Creator(s)
- Craig Thomas, Carter Bays
Potentially a victim of its own success, How I Met Your Mother ended up running for 9 seasons, giving it time to make a few crucial mistakes. Many viewers were unimpressed by the finale, which performed a full-on character assassination of Ted and Robin, making the finale feel wrong. Though there was a spin-off of sorts, it did not delve too deeply into the lives of the original MaClaren's crew.
How I Met Your Mother's Ending Controversy Was Impossible To Avoid
How I Met Your Mother's finale stirred controversy among its viewers, but the very nature of the show proved that it was, unfortunately, inevitable.
With the year 2030 nearing rapidly, it would be interesting to see the show explore the events of the finale in more detail. One of the biggest gripes about the finale was that it felt too rushed and abrupt, so if the show were to come back, that could be rectified with actors having naturally aged into the period as opposed to some of the very questionable prosthetics. It would also allow for more time jump gags and references to the multiple in-jokes.
7 Sister, Sister
Released In 1994
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Sister, Sister
- Release Date
- 1994 - 1999-00-00
Cast
Tia Mowry-
Tamera Mowry-Housley
WHERE TO WATCH
Sister, Sister is a comedy television series about identical twin sisters Tia Landry and Tamera Campbell, who reunite after being separated at birth and adopted by different families. The series stars Tia and Tamera Mowry and explores their lives as they navigate high school and family dynamics, living under the same roof with their adoptive parents.
- Main Genre
- Comedy
There have been quite a few reboots of shows that were aimed at younger audiences, and seeing as the millennial viewer tends to be the most hungry for nostalgia, it would be great to see the famous twins reunite on the small screen. Seeing as Girl Meets World and Fuller House were able to neatly combine the stories related to the legacy characters with an all-new cast, Sister, Sister could aim for the same.
Even if every single person wasn't brought back, there was enough chemistry within the family dynamic that could be explored decades later. Getting a peek into the lives of each twin, including where they ended up in their careers, and whether they chose to start families has a lot of potential. While the initial run ended on them choosing to go to college together, it would be great to see where life took them, and if their bond is a strong all these years later.
6 Spaced
Released In 1999
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Spaced
- Release Date
- 1999 - 2001-00-00
- Network
- Channel 4
- Directors
- Edgar Wright
- Writers
- Jessica Hynes
Cast
Daisy Steiner
Jessica HynesTim Bisley-
Julia DeakinMike Watt
Nick FrostBrian Topp
Spaced is a British television sitcom that follows Daisy Steiner and Tim Bisley as they navigate life in London. Both aspiring individuals, they pretend to be a couple to secure a flat, leading to interactions with a peculiar landlady and an eccentric artist, offering a grounded look at their everyday experiences.
From the brilliant minds of Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes, comes this off-beat comedy that graced the screens for a very British 14-episode run. Like many UK shows, Spaced had a successful two-season run before the creators and actors moved on to newer projects. But, the legacy it has left, had viewers wanting more. With so many great ing characters, it would be interesting to see where life has seen them go.
A reboot of this cult classic show could be a great way of showing generational differences, especially about pop culture and technology. The initial run was set on the cusp of a new millennium, so seeing how different everything would be nowadays could be ripe for exploration. Seeing how successful many of the actors in the show had become, a reboot or even a short reunion could allow for a victory lap of sorts, seeing as for many, this show was their start.
5 Cybill
Released In1995
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Cybill
- Release Date
- 1995 - 1998-00-00
Cast
Cybill ShepherdCybill Sheridan
Maryann Thorpe
Alicia WittZoey Woodbine-
Alan RosenbergIra Woodbine
WHERE TO WATCH
Cybill is a sitcom centered on Cybill Sheridan, a twice-divorced single mother and struggling actress in her 40s. Created by Chuck Lorre, the series portrays her comedic challenges balancing family, friendships, and a faltering acting career while navigating the ups and downs of Hollywood life.
- Main Genre
- Comedy
- Seasons
- 4
The eponymous sitcom saw Cybill Shepherd return to the TV screen in style. With a very forward-thinking message of feminism, and female empowerment, the cast of characters featured some very strong and intriguing women. The titular, Cybill, shares similarities with the actor that plays her, as she too is part of the Hollywood machine, trying to stay relevant in a youth-obsessed industry. The show was abruptly canceled in its fourth year, leaving many arcs unfinished.
A reboot could work really well, as not only would it provide answers to questions that have been lingering for years, but it could be a very poignant social commentary on aging in the 2020s. Christine Baranski was a standout in the original run of the series and seeing her reunite with Shepherd could bring about some important conversations. There is also scope for some biting satirical commentary, and witty banter to be had.
4 The Inbetweeners
Released In 2008
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The Inbetweeners
- Release Date
- 2008 - 2010-00-00
- Network
- MTV
Cast
-
Henry Lloyd-HughesMark Donovan
-
John SeawardJohn Webster
-
Belinda Stewart-WilsonPolly MacKenzie
James BuckleyJay Cartwright
WHERE TO WATCH
The Inbetweeners is a British teen comedy series that follows the lives and misadventures of four suburban high school friends—Will, Simon, Jay, and Neil—as they navigate the challenges of adolescence, social awkwardness, and the quest for popularity.
- Main Genre
- Comedy
This cult British sitcom was given an American makeover in 2012, but it failed to capture the awkward magic and toe-curling cringe factor of the original show. While the four leads and some of the popular ing characters were featured in the two feature films that came out afterward, they have not been seen since the last cinematic installment in 2014. While the original run saw the blundering coming-of-age story of a group of teens, a reboot could see if they managed to finally grow up.
When Will, Jay, Neil, and Simon are all together, they create a type of uncomfortable magic that is impossible to look away from. The crude and vulgar humor embraced the awkwardness of being a hormonal teenager, and their awful behavior was a commentary on the effects of a "boys will be boys" mentality. It would be great to address some of their vile actions in a self-deprecating and humorous way, and see how they exist in the 2020s.
3 3rd Rock From the Sun
Released In 1996
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3rd Rock From the Sun is a sitcom about a group of extraterrestrials on an undercover mission to study human behavior on Earth. Posing as a human family, the Solomons grapple with the complexities of human life, led by their high commander Dick Solomon, played by John Lithgow. The series explores their comedic adventures and misunderstandings as they attempt to navigate and comprehend the intricacies of human society.
- Creator(s)
- Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner
- Seasons
- 6
A lovable alien delegation made its way to Earth nearly three decades ago and saw them learn about the planet on the cusp of a new decade, century, and millennium. It was the right time to explore humanity, and the cast created sci-fi sitcom magic for the six seasons it ran for. Seeing the extraterrestrials return to see how things have changed could bring about a lot more entertainment to the long-lasting audience they've left behind.
Many of the actors have carved out illustrious careers, so seeing them back together would be a nostalgic dream, and seeing them react to the differences in technology, attitudes, and the state of the world they left behind could make for great television. Though the show ended in a satisfying, if bittersweet, way there are still possibilities of revisiting the premise with an imaginative vision. Whether they go to a new town, with a whole new cast of characters or go back to Rutherford, a visit from outer space is long overdue.
2 Seinfeld
Released In 1989
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Seinfeld
- Release Date
- 1989 - 1998-00-00
- Network
- NBC
- Showrunner
- Larry David
WHERE TO WATCH
Seinfeld stars Jerry Seinfeld as a stand-up comedian whose life in New York City is made even more chaotic by his quirky group of friends who him in wrestling with life's most perplexing yet often trivial questions. Often described as "a show about nothing," Seinfeld mines the humor in life's mundane situations like waiting in line, searching for a lost item, or the trials and tribulations of dating. Co-starring is Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Jerry's ex-girlfriend and current platonic pal, Elaine Benes; Jason Alexander as George Costanza, Jerry's neurotic hard-luck best friend; and Michael Richards as Jerry's eccentric neighbor, Kramer.
- Writers
- Larry David
- Story By
- Jerry Seinfeld
One of the most influential shows of all time, Seinfeld has seen a resurgence in popularity due to streaming and is primed for a comeback. Unlike some shows that had a clear message and specific themes, this show that was famously "about nothing" could be brought back in so many different ways. Seinfeld's ending seemed perfect for the deeply imperfect characters, seeing them bickering as usual, so seeing what their dynamics are like after nearly 30 years would be fun to watch.
Seeing as Julia Louis-Dreyfus has seen so much awards success, her role of Elaine could be expanded, giving her a little bit more to do and say within the dysfunctional group. The original finale saw many recurring characters appear in hilarious cameos, so that is something that should be utilized if a reboot was to happen.
1 The Office
Released In 2001
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The Office is a British mockumentary sitcom that aired from 2001 to 2003, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. It chronicles the daily lives of the employees at Wernham Hogg, a fictional paper company in Slough. Ricky Gervais stars as the bumbling and often inappropriate office manager, David Brent, whose antics provide a humorous yet poignant look at office culture and interpersonal relationships.
- Creator(s)
- Stephen Merchant
The American version of this groundbreaking British staple has been such a smash hit, there are no doubt many viewers who might not even be aware of the existence of Ricky Gervais' seminal sitcom. There are only 14 episodes of the original The Office, with two seasons comprising six episodes each, and two Christmas specials that served to tie up any loose ends. Each episode is as close to a televisual masterpiece as can be, and the two specials show just how powerful the storytelling was.
The Office Reboot: Cast, Story & Everything We Know
The Office is returning in an all-new reboot, and there are already a ton of exciting updates about the beloved comedy's long-awaited return.
A reboot would be tricky, but if done right, could be a triumph. Though David Brent has been heard from a few times since after the show ended, including in his own film as well as a meta cameo in the US version, not much is known about the rest of the Wernham Hogg team. It would be wonderful to find out if Tim and Dawn made it as a couple, and if Gareth still has the same ridiculous haircut.
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