Television holds a special place in the hearts of anyone born before this century. Streaming services have the same place for those born after. These two things come together perfectly when a service reboots a TV classic to show us a reimagined version of the program so many once loved. Some of the best are listed below with details on where to find them.
Saved By The Bell
First conceived as a vehicle for Hailey Mills as Our Miss Bliss, the original “Saved By The Bell” aired from 1989 to 1993. It quickly became an iconic teen sitcom of its time. It followed the comedic and sometimes dramatic adventures of a group of high school friends at Bayside High. The show was celebrated for its light-hearted portrayal of teen life and its quirky characters.
The reboot, launched in 2020 on Peacock, offers a modern twist on the original, bringing back some of the beloved characters as adults and introducing a new generation of Bayside High students. In a pretty stellar use of old and new names alike, the show attempts to maintain the original’s charm while addressing more contemporary issues. Celebrated for blending nostalgia with new stories that resonate with both old fans and new viewers, the new new Class is definitely worth a view.
Stream Saved By The Bell on Peacock
Punky Brewster
Every time we turned around, we saw the girl who turned our world around. Standing there, “Punky Brewster” pulled on the heartstrings of a generation. Originally aired in the mid-80s and followed the story of a bright and cheerful young girl named Punky, who is abandoned by her parents and then adopted by a grumpy, old photographer, the show was known for tackling various social issues through its lighthearted yet poignant narrative. That episode about the Challenger explosion is etched in the brains of so many Gen Xers today.
The reboot, which premiered on Peacock in 2021, sees Soleil Moon Frye reprising her role as Punky, now a single mother of three searching for a way to bring balance back into her life. The series revisits Punky’s world with the same warmth and humor, focusing on themes of family, friendship, and resilience, appealing to both fans of the original and new audiences.
Stream Punky Brewster on Peacock
Fuller House
How rude! “Full House” was a staple of American television from 1987 to 1995, depicting the life of Danny Tanner, a widowed father raising three daughters with the help of his brother-in-law, Jesse, and his best friend, Joey. With iconic names like Bob Saget, John Stamos, Dave Coulier, and Candice Cameron, the show was beloved for its wholesome content, humor, and lessons on love and family.
“Fuller House,” its sequel series, launched on Netflix in 2016 and concluded in 2020. It followed D.J. Tanner-Fuller, now a widow herself, as she raises her three sons with the help of her sister Stephanie and best friend Kimmy. The reboot managed to capture the original show’s essence while updating the story for a new generation, focusing on the grown-up Tanner family and their expanding circle.
Stream Fuller House on Netflix
(The Fresh Prince of) Bel Air
Few could have seen the reboot of Fresh Prince coming, Long before the name was shortened, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” which starred Will Smith as a street-smart teen from Philadelphia sent to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle in their Bel Air mansion. Mimicking the goofy imagery of Smith’s music videos at the time, the original was known for its humor, heartfelt moments, and occasional exploration of serious themes.
Launched on Peacock in 2022, “Bel Air” takes a deeper, more dramatic look at the conflicts and cultural clashes that the original sitcom touched upon. Gone are the rare cab he smelled later and in were the more serious and contemporary perspective on the challenges faced by the protagonist, now played by Jabari Banks. The story takes on a more serious tone while maintaining the essence of the story that captivated audiences in the ’90s.
Gossip Girl
It might not seem as long ago, but the original “Gossip Girl,” aired back in 2007 until its finale in 2012. This program was always celebrated for its stinging style and avant-garde presentation, as it followed the lives of privileged teenagers on New York’s Upper East Side, with an anonymous blogger revealing their secrets. It was known for its style, scandal, and the intriguing dynamics among its characters.
The rebooted version of launched on HBO Max in 2021, and introduces a new generation of New York private school teens under the watchful eye of Gossip Girl, who has adapted to the age of social media. While it retains the essence of the original, the reboot reflects the diversity and complexity of modern society, exploring contemporary issues with a fresh cast of characters.
And Just Like That… (Sex and the City)
It’s a new day for the women of the City, “And Just Like That” takes you into their new lives. This sequel to the iconic show “Sex and the City,” which originally aired from 1998 to 2004, can be polarizing for some. The original series followed the lives of four women, Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha, as they navigated friendship, romance, and career in New York City, becoming a defining show for its frank discussion of women’s issues and sexuality.
The sequel premiered on HBO Max in 2021, focuses on the lives of Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte as they navigate the journey from the complicated reality of life in their 30s to the even more complicated reality of life in their 50s. While Samantha’s character, played by Kim Cattrall, did not originally return for the sequel, the show continues to explore themes of friendship, love, and aging, aiming to resonate with both long-time fans and new viewers. Both celebrated and denigrated for being “woke”, “And Just Like That” definitely offers fans something to talk about.