"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" had all the makings of a hit, even without Arnold.
But after just two shortened seasons, Fox pulled the plug on the blockbuster franchise's move to TV. Ratings had fallen to a series low by May, and it seemed the show was doomed to be unfavorably -- and maybe unfairly -- compared to its iconic source material.
This year, the networks are trying something more subtle. More movie reboots are on the way, but rather than plucking from mega properties, the networks have chosen less obvious films to help launch, but not overshadow, new series. In the fall, NBC will bring a drama version of the 1989 Steve Martin family movie "Parenthood" (a prior, short-lived comedic attempt aired in 1990), while ABC has slated a "Desperate Housewives" spin on "The Witches of Eastwick," simply titled "Eastwick."
ABC Family on Tuesday will premiere the half-hour series "10 Things I Hate About You," based on the 1999 teen comedy of the same name.
Though the films themselves may no longer be at the forefront of pop culture, each spinoff feels more like a homegrown project than a marketing ploy; "Parenthood" continues NBC's tradition of extra-large-ensemble dramas ("The West Wing," "ER" and "Heroes"), "Eastwick" adds another female-centric soap opera to ABC's stable ("Grey's Anatomy," "Brothers & Sisters"), and "10 Things" has the comedic edge of ABC Family's hit "Greek" (not coincidentally, "Greek" writer-producer Carter Covington works on both shows).
Time and distance between iterations offer advantages too. When the WB slowly grew "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" into a cult hit in 1997, few made comparisons -- or even remembered -- the 1992 movie that preceded it.
Name recognition, even if it summons a dim memory, is important, said Angela Bromstad, president of prime-time entertainment for NBC and Universal Media Studios. "When you're in such a crowded space, anything that resonates is good," she said. "To be honest, I haven't watched the original 'Parenthood' in some time. It's sitting at my desk at home -- I was planning on taking it on vacation to watch again."
That means no angry fanboys burning down NBC if the Steve Martin role is miscast. Jason Katims, who is executive producer of the series, said he likes "the fact that even if most people know the film, they won't be demanding the series be a certain thing. Hopefully, they'll be more open."
