Following the confirmation of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, I am considering which other TV shows I want to see make a comeback. Several of the best TV shows of all time return to screens after being off the air for years, although some revivals are better than others. There are many titles that viewers are still desperately begging for, which proves how much demand there is for these respective TV shows.
At the same time, there are TV shows that should never be rebooted. These TV shows need to make a comeback for various reasons, whether that’s because they end on a cliffhanger or low point, or because they are so loved that audiences are keen to tune in for new episodes.
10
Modern Family (2009-2020)
11 Seasons
Like any sitcom, there are some amazing and less-than-great moments in Modern Family, but the fact it is so varied is what makes the show so endearing. Modern Family’s best and funniest episodes stand out because of the depiction of present-day family dynamics and hilarious slice-of-life subplots. The show wraps up with the Pritchett/Tucker/Dunphy family moving onto new stages of their respective lives, but it’s now time for Modern Family to revisit their stories.
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I need to know more about the characters after Modern Family’s ending: Cam and Mitchell’s new life with Lily and Rex, Phil and Claire with no kids under their roof, Joe as a teenager, and Haley’s later life as a mother to her twins. Does Luke finish college? What does Manny do with his life? Is Alex still in Switzerland, and is she still with Arvin? All of these questions and more require answers, and I really hope Modern Family will make a comeback at some point.
9
Ugly Betty (2006-2010)
4 Seasons
America Ferrera’s career is bigger than ever right now, and following her success in Barbie and Superstore in recent years, now is a good time for the actress to reprise her breakthrough character: Betty Suarez in Ugly Betty. Nowadays, an Ugly Betty revival would make more sense than ever. Fashion is always a hot topic, so that isn’t an issue, but there’s also nothing like a good underdog story. Ugly Betty finishes with the titular character taking a new job in London, where she bumps into Daniel and goes out to dinner with him.
The cast is still hoping for a reboot or movie, and have been since Ugly Betty’s season 4 cancelation in 2010, and I know myself and many other viewers feel the same.
There are loads of ways an Ugly Betty comeback can work. Whether it focuses on Betty either in London or making a return to the States, Wilhelmina still being a tyrant at Mode, or Marc being in charge, I want to see it. The cast is still hoping for a reboot or movie, and have been since Ugly Betty’s season 4 cancelation in 2010, and I know myself and many other viewers feel the same.
8
30 Rock (2006-2013)
7 Seasons
I love anything that is written by or stars Tina Fey, and I personally consider 30 Rock to be one of the best sitcoms of all time. The dry humor layered through the stories of those who work on The Girlie Show is astounding, and it’s so easy to invest in the various wacky characters. I want to see more of Liz Lemon as a mother, Kenneth making his way up the NBC career ladder, and Jenna in general.
Although Alec Baldwin’s acting career is rather quiet, I’d still love to see him come back as Jack Donaghy. Jack’s rapport with his mother is one of my favorite things about 30 Rock, and I think it would be great to see him and Libby have a similar dynamic in the present day. Considering Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan are reuniting for a new NBC show, I hope that it may spark a 30 Rock revival.
7
Good Girls (2018-2021)
4 Seasons
I am still surprised that Good Girls’ star-studded cast couldn’t save the show from cancelation. The comedy crime drama focuses on a group of suburban mothers-turned criminals, and I continue to be annoyed about Good Girls ending on a cliffhanger in season 4. Honestly, Good Girls’ finale is a bit of a disappointment, and I hope that a revival could clear up some confusion. Does Ruby actually go to Nevada? Beth becomes the new kingpin in Good Girls, but how long does it last before she is caught and her political affiliations disappear?
Most importantly, I need an update on Annie. She takes the fall for Beth and goes to prison, but is she ever redeemed? While I think it’s unlikely Good Girls would come back for a multi-season run in the future, there’s a chance it could still return for one final installment. Even if it’s just to offer audiences some closure, I really hope Good Girls will make a reappearance on audiences’ screens.
6
American Vandal (2017-2018)
2 Seasons
I am gutted that American Vandal still isn’t coming back for season 3, as I think the first two installments are brilliant. I love that even though American Vandal is a mockumentary and very comedy-focused, it also takes the respective investigations in each season seriously, too. Despite Netflix canceling American Vandal season 3, I remain hopeful that it will eventually come back. The reviews were solid, and many are still discovering the show today, too.
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Because each installment focuses on a new crime and a fresh set of suspects, it’s relatively easy for American Vandal to return. While I want to see Tyler Alvarez and Griffin Gluck reprise their roles as Peter and Sam, respectively, the show can still come back even without the main pair. I want to see more of this thrilling crime documentary with ridiculous and comical undertones, and while it seems unlikely, I continue to be optimistic.
5
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023)
1 Season
Like many, I am frustrated with Shonda Rhimes’ lack of confirmation about Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story season 2. While I wouldn’t completely rule out the Bridgerton prequel series returning, at this time, it seems relatively unlikely. I think Queen Charlotte expands upon the Bridgerton universe beautifully. King George isn’t the most prominent figure in Bridgerton, but the prequel provides lots of important context and details about his marriage to Queen Charlotte years before the beginning of the parent show.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story season 1 works well as a standalone, but there is more of the titular character’s story to share in a possible season 2. Bridgerton establishes that Charlotte and George have 15 children across a 21-year time span, two of whom die in childhood. Although it’s a dark topic, it’s one that a potential Queen Charlotte season 2 could delve further into, especially as Charlotte only announces her second pregnancy in the last episode of season 1.
4
Gilmore Girls/A Year In The Life (2001-2007, 2016)
8 Seasons
I know I’m not the only person who is desperate for Gilmore Girls to come back. At the end of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, Rory tells Lorelai that she is pregnant, and she finds herself essentially in the same position as her mother upon her own conception. This huge moment, as well as several other brilliant events throughout AYITL, provides plenty of content for a Gilmore Girls comeback to cover. What is Rory like as a mother? Does Logan return, and assuming he is the father, does he know?
Lorelai and Luke’s relationship in Gilmore Girls is another thing viewers like myself are keen to get an update on. I often wonder if the pair will ever revisit their discussion about having more children, especially after they decide against it at Paris’ clinic. Even if they don’t, I still want to see more of them together, living a simple and happy life as a married couple. Stars Hollow is a cosy place, and I miss new episodes that take me back there.
3
Monk (2002-2009, & 1 Movie, 2023)
8 Seasons
Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk is one of my favorite TV characters of all time. I frequently rewatch Monk’s best episodes, and while the movie Mr. Monk and the Last Case is fantastic, it doesn’t quite scratch the itch that a proper revival of the original TV show can. Monk is lighthearted and there’s plenty of content to sink your teeth into, but there’s always room for more. One thing that always stands out to me about Monk is how it portrays the Sherlock Holmes-esque character differently to other titles.
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Monk had numerous beloved and brilliant episodes over its 8 seasons. Many received critical acclaim and even earned the show several accolades.
Adrian Monk is the smartest person in the room, granted, but his phobias and afflictions with mental health provide an obstacle for him that other characters of this archetype simply don’t have. Monk is an incredible detective TV show with lots of laughs along the way, and it’s easy to binge. I’d love to see the demand for a Mr. Monk and the Last Case sequel to turn into a full-blown revival of the show instead, though.
2
House (2004-2012)
8 Seasons
House is an astounding 2000s TV show ready for a revival. There is a lot of discussion at the moment about Hugh Laurie returning as the titular genius doctor, and while there is yet to be an official confirmation, it seems possible that House could eventually make a comeback. In House’s finale, Gregory House fakes his own death and leaves behind his old life. But where does he go, and what happens to him next? It’s important we know about House’s fate; However, he isn’t the only character audiences need an update on.
The finale implies that a revival isn’t impossible, and I hope the recent conversation surrounding it accumulates to something.
One of Chase’s best moments in House is when he takes over as Head of Diagnostics, which he is very much deserving of. Like many, I want to know how Chase handles this role, or whether he is still in the job. House’s story of the week format, interwoven with deeply personal subplots, makes the show brilliantly rewatchable time and time again. The finale implies that a revival isn’t impossible, and I hope the recent conversation surrounding it accumulates to something.
1
Parks And Recreation (2009-2015)
7 Seasons
Ann Perkins actress Rashida Jones is still talking about Parks and Recreation’s revival, and has been continuously bringing it up in recent months. Parks and Recreation’s ending is one of my favorite sitcom finales ever, and while I think it’s well written, it doesn’t stop me from wanting a continuation of the show. In the current political climate, I think it will be a little difficult for Parks and Recreation to get a lot of jokes approved, but it doesn’t mean the writers shouldn’t try, either.
I am enthusiastic about seeing Leslie or Ben as President, something the Parks and Recreation finale leaves vague. Even though the last episode wraps things up tightly by using flash forwards, I still want to catch up with them in the present day. The show can easily add new details while following the original events that the finale establishes, and if anything, this could be an easy way for Parks and Recreation creator Greg Daniels to structure a revival around.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
