Dexter experienced near-universal praise from critics and viewers for most of its run, other than the sixth and eighth seasons. The sixth season isn't nearly as bad as its reputation but the eighth season is a massive departure on several levels, which is why fans celebrated when it was revealed Dexter would be returning for ten more episodes. Showtime also announced lead Michael C. Hall and showrunner Clyde Phillips would be returning, with Phillips even confirming the goal is to give Dexter a proper finale and sendoff.
Revivals don't always re-capture what originally makes shows special (looking at you, Arrested Development) but they at least give creators and fans another shot at recreating what they loved and capturing what they lost. There are several shows that need to come back but there are a few that especially deserve the opportunity to live again.
Hannibal (2013-2015)
Bryan Fuller creates characters audiences can empathize with and thrusts them into incredibly engaging stories. It's a shame so many of his creations get canceled. Hannibal is perhaps the best example of a series that shouldn't have been canceled and desperately needs to return. Based on characters from Thomas Harris' novels, perhaps most well known for The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal follows Mads Mikkelson in the lead role as Dr. Hannibal Lecter while he tries to balance both his professional life and his lifestyle as a deranged cannibal and serial killer. Hugh Dancy portrays Will Graham, who is a special FBI investigator tasked with solving crimes and apprehending serial killers. Dr. Hannibal Lecter and Will Graham's relationship creates an interesting foundation that serves to support a unique visual aesthetic, enthralling story beats, and some incredibly delicious looking entrees even if they do sometimes feature an uh, human element.
The first three seasons are largely original material from Fuller and crew with inspiration and characters from Harris' novels but Fuller had plans for six seasons in total. Hannibal didn't pull in the numbers NBC was seeking though and was canceled, despite being popular with critics and having a dedicated fanbase. This cancelation brought the series to an abrupt end when things were perhaps the most interesting and experimental, which is really saying something considering the risks and heights the show experienced during its run.
Fuller smartly wrapped the series up with a loose ending with both main characters left to an ambiguous fate, which is enough of an ending for now while also allowing for more if it's ever possible. Fans have expressed demand for a continuation and most of the main actors have voiced their support for continuing the series if ever given the opportunity. The Hannibal universe is rich in content with plenty more to explore with the characters and the journey. It would likely be a streaming success and could go on for several more seasons. There were originally talks with Amazon since they hold the streaming rights to the existing seasons but they were interested in a production timeline that didn't line up with Fuller's time and vision. Hopefully, NBC throws some cash at Amazon to take back the streaming rights and brings Fuller back to continue the series on Peacock. It would be a great way to bring viewers to NBCUniversal's streaming service which is in dire need of good exclusive content. It would certainly be more exciting than MacGruber, a Saved by the Bell reboot, and Kate McKinnon's Carole Baskin series that absolutely no one asked for. Fuller recently discussed it and has made it clear it's still possible.
That '70s Show (1998-2006)
That '70s Show had a successful run most of the time it was on the air. It had a beloved cast of characters that showcased the American experience of the time, or at least what was possible for network TV, and it also addressed a lot of issues, including the recession, drugs, sex, and the political climate. The show may have been a goofy sitcom but it had a lot of heart and it used its characters to communicate to the audience as they worked through issues and conflicts.
There were a lot of memorable characters, including the secondary and background characters, but they all centered around Eric Forman. Eric was an awkward and scrawny high school student that didn't really fit into any particular clique but he had a cool group of friends. His girlfriend Donna Pinciotti was athletic and confident and together they both serve as the beating heart of the show, carrying the audience along for all of their turbulence and growth. Their friends cover a wide spectrum of cliques and character types, including the preppy popular kid, the stoner conspiracy theorist, goofy class clown, and a foreign exchange student new to the town. The situations they would often find themselves in would typically feature some kind of lesson for Eric or his friends while also wrapped in a humorous element, often at the expense of one or more of the kids. Eric's parents were hardworking blue-collar workers that the writers used to show the problems families experienced at the time, typically from economic and political angles which help serve as a foundation for the show and allows the warm moments to hit harder. Even with all of these characters though, Eric was usually the lens that almost everything was viewed through though, and served as a vehicle for the audience.
Despite the big cast and almost endless situations that could be explored, he was the glue that connected all of the characters. He was an essential character even if he wasn't the most interesting so when Topher Grace decided to move on to other opportunities and Eric was transitioned out of the show, it was weird. It didn't really work and the last two seasons suffered greatly from it. He is in the second to last season but the writing has to focus on his exit and try to not only make sense of it but to also justify it. It was a great show in its genre for most of its run but a new season with most of the cast (let's just have Danny Masterson's character in jail or something) that takes the place of the last two seasons could give it the proper sendoff that both the show and audiences deserve. People still dig the style of the '70s too so it's never too late to go back to Point Place to hang out in Forman's smoky basement.
Jon Benjamin Has a Van (2011-2011)
This show is a national treasure that never should have been canceled. It doesn't have a traditional plot and the issue with its ending is that simply that it never should have ended. This must be fixed and the time is now. It was incredibly ahead of its time with its structure, writing, and joke structure and focus. Starring H. Jon Benjamin of Bob's Burgers and Archer fame, it's a live-action comedy series where Jon Benjamin traveled around with a totally real news crew that delivered stupid news no one needed to people that didn't want it. It also featured ridiculous scripted segments that ranged from a deep investigative report on the town of Little Little Italy, which is located in the back area of a restaurant in Little Italy (yes, the people of Little Little Italy are only a few inches tall) to a game show called Cash Stall, which is where Jon Benjamin asks people in the next stall trivia questions and they win money if they're able to correctly answer before they uh, go to the bathroom.
The amount of talent in this show alone could make a comeback difficult since they've almost all gone on to bigger things but maybe they would make time. It feels like a lot of passion went into this show. The special guest appearances included Patton Oswalt, David Cross, Bob Odenkirk, Nathan Fielder, Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, and Matt Walsh. It was a show packed with intelligent and funny people and it showed. Comedy Central didn't renew it beyond its first season, but this would likely be really successful on a streaming service in today's world. Shows like I Think You Should Leave and Documentary Now! have shown that audiences are ready for humor wrapped equally in stupid, smart, and outlandish elements. ViacomCBS own Comedy Central and CBS All Access, which needs more content if it's going to compete with major streaming services so hopefully, they come to their senses and assemble one of America's most important news teams.
A lot needs to line up for revivals and reboots to come together in a way that makes the original audience happy. It isn't an easy feat to achieve. The actors and writers need to be available and everyone needs to not only be able to capture the right vibe but they also need to know or remember what made the original run so great. Revivals often experience mixed reception, like Arrested Development or Twin Peaks, but sometimes that's good enough.
Hopefully, Dexter's return is a cut above the last season to not only give fans the quality they came to expect from the show but also the closure everyone was seeking with a character they spent so much time with. Most fans will probably be happy as long as it's got Michael C. Hall killing someone and doesn't end in a lumberyard.
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