The return of the classic TV programme

Has anyone noticed the sudden rise of the classic TV remake on television?

Recently TV is full of classic television programmes that either I loved as a child, have missed considerably or I recall being huge when I was a child but was too young to watch or understand. Television programmes that reached cult status in their hey day now find themselves resurrected in a new form, to fill the void of original and exciting new ideas that TV and film producers seem to be experiencing. Some modern attempts have been more successful than others. TV shows such as The Prisoner, Doctor Who, Sherlock Holmes, The Fugitive, Beverly Hills 90210, Battlestar Galactica, V, Knight Rider, to name but a few, have all been revised and televised.

Take the classic TV programme Hawaii Five-0 for instance. An American cop show that was a huge hit when I was a child growing up in Australia. According to IMDb,  the original and absolute classic TV series, Hawaii Five-0, ran from 1968 to 1980. I remember watching it when very young, and every time the theme tune began, I would get up and dance to it, pretending to row in a Hawaiian canoe and catch a wave on a pretend surfboard, while the classic theme tune played in the background. It was so influential when we were growing up that when my sister and I went on our first holiday together without the parents, it was to the golden sands of Hawaii we headed, because it was our idea of the perfect tropical, laid back holiday destination, thanks in part to the role the TV show played. Once there we couldn't help crying "Book 'em Danno!" - three words made immortal by Hawaii Five-0 - whenever we felt it appropriate. Always followed by peals of laughter. Tourists!

In fact this TV programme was so massively popular that the theme tune is still recognisable today, even by those who have never seen the show; some of the most recent generation don't even realise its a theme tune for a television series. If you, like me, have fond memories of the series and  the soundtrack, the theme tune is available now for download from places such as Amazon and iTunes. I couldn't resist and downloaded it as a ringtone for my iPhone. You can even get memorabilia and the DVDs to watch over and over again on Amazon and ebay.


Now this classic television programme has been re-made into a new, hip TV series, replete with laid back surfers, big waves, golden beaches, Steve McGarrett (Alex O'Laughlin) and Danny 'Danno' Williams (Scott Caan). The main difference that immediately springs to mind is that some of the roles are now played by women - a positive change. Particularly the Governor and Kono.

I watched the pilot with some trepidation - remakes are often poor imitations of the original (for example, The Prisoner and Bionic Woman), but this one brought back all the old excitement I felt as a child. They kept true to the original classic theme tune (though according to IMDb it was almost changed until the makers saw the light), and in a fit of giggles, I found myself doing the same childhood dance with the mock rowing, surfing and hip wiggles, much to my husband's amusement.

It was good to see Grace Park taking on a prominent role as Kono, originally played by Zulu. I am not sure what Five-0 purists would think to that however. Interestingly, Grace also played a role in another TV re-make, Battlestar Galactica, and here too she also played a role that was originally filled by a man.
The Hawaii Five-0 remake has been a hit with many who originally watched the classic television programme, and it warms the heart to think that there may be a whole new generation of people that will love it as I loved the original.

The cult Hawaii Five-0 lasted twelve years. That is a long, distinguished TV career. Will the re-make, originally intended to be a sequel rather than a re-make, do the same?

Have you seen the classic programme? Perhaps you have seen the modern remake? If you haven't had a chance yet, it is shown on Sky One on Sundays at 9pm in the UK and you can watch trailers on the CBS website or IMDb, and of course, YouTube, like the one I have shared with you here. I would love to hear what you think on the whole topic of re-making classic television programmes - successful or not?