5 Shows NBC Should Revive Before Bringing Back The Office
With a revival of The Officereportedly in the works at NBC—just a little more than four years after ..
With a revival of The Officereportedly in the works at NBC—just a little more than four years after the show signed off in the first place—many denizens of the Internet are currently delivering bemused stares directly into the camera. Both sides of the equation are understandable: NBC knows its old popular properties come with built-in audiences—just look at the astounding success of Will & Grace—but lots of viewers themselves say they’d like a little more time before their favorite old shows come back. Especially shows that ran for nearly 10 years and saw significant declines in their later seasons. But NBC has plenty of other shows in its arsenal—many of which might make for a more promising comeback than The Office, if done well. Why not choose one of those?
No, we’re not suggesting that NBC bring back Seinfeld or Friends. The former already had a go at a reunion via Curb Your Enthusiasm, while the latter possibility has been shot down way too many times for us to even suggest it. Luckily, that still leaves plenty of appealing options, such as:
Smash
Look, I know this one’s probably never going to happen. But remote odds be damned! This musical dramedy, about two aspiring Broadway stars played by Megan Hilty and Katharine McPhee, had it all: intrigue, sexy musical numbers, and Debra Messing. (And for the record, Messing once told me during a phone interview that she’d be in if the show hypothetically were to be revived.) Sure, the second and final season was a bit of a train wreck, but every chaotic moment was still a pure delight. Bring! It! Back!
Freaks and Geeks
Judd Apatowmight not be interested in bringing the show back—and his reasoning, that at this point TV has pretty much wrung the high-school outcast well dry, is valid. But that doesn’t mean a onetime reunion special wouldn’t be a blast. Who wouldn’t want to watch a reunion of these particular misfits, a cast that featured such future stars as James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, Linda Cardellini, and Busy Philipps?
Up All Night
What if Liz Lemon had kids midway through the run of 30 Rock, instead of right at the end? That was, essentially, the premise of Up All Night, a sitcom pitched in the wake of 30 Rock’s success by Saturday Night Live alum Emily Spivey, and starring Christina Applegate and Will Arnett as perma-exhausted parents of a toddler. The show struggled to figure out just exactly what it wanted to be, particularly when squeezing Maya Rudolph’s TV guru character, Ava, into the real-ish world it had created—but a talented cast and painfully relatable setup deserved better than the single full season the series got, followed by an aborted attempt at an ill-advised reboot. What better way to make amends than to bring back the original creators and give it a reboot that actually works?
About a Boy
This series, based on the same novel from which the Hugh Grant film drew its inspiration, was one of NBC’s most tragically under-watched recent sitcoms. Although it managed to secure a second season, it was subsequently canceled due to poor ratings. Still, David Walton was utterly charming as the bachelor-turned-father figure Will, and Minnie Driver was also, as always, a riot. Give them another chance!
30 Rock
While it’s likely not possible—or even advisable—for this comedy to come back full-time, it’s hard to deny the potential of, say, a series of annual live episodes—featuring Jack Donaghy, Liz Lemon, and the whole crew. We’ve heard worse ideas—many of them on 30 Rock itself. Pocket microwaves, anyone?
Get Vanity Fair’s HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Full ScreenPhotos:Gift Guide: 12 Ways to Dress Like Your Favorite TV Character
Cookie Lyon, Empire
The head matriarch on the hit Fox series isn’t just a killer in the music industry—she’s a killer in the fashion world as well. The silk printed Gucci two-piece she wore in Season 4 is for those who are feeling equally bold in the sartorial department.Photo: Courtesy of Gucci.
Anna Ziev, The Mindy Project
Anna might be a little awkward, but the girl has style, as seen on the show’s penultimate episode episode—and now, that style can be yours, courtesy of Karen Millen). Perfect for the Christmas party you’ve got coming up in a state where it doesn’t actually show.Photo: Courtesy of Karen Millen.
Rainbow Johnson, Black-ish
When you have a colorful name, it’s good to dress the part, too. Rainbow Johnson, played by the equally stylish Tracee Ellis Ross, is an anesthesiologist in scrubs by day, and a funky dresser by night, as evidenced by the gorgeous multicolored Marni sweater she wears in Season 4, Episode 4.Photo: Courtesy of Marni.
Lorraine Finster, Will & Grace
We recommend against wearing this dress to a funeral, as Minnie Driver’s Lorraine Finster did to Rosario’s. But we can think of plenty of other uses for this shiny getup, yours from Neiman Marcus.Photo: Courtesy of Neiman Marcus.
Karen Walker, Will & Grace
Plop your hair in an updo, grab a martini, and put on this two-piece look to channel your inner Karen Walker. The ribbed Theory sweater and cropped plaid pants are perfect for luxe lounging this winter.Photo: Courtesy of Theory.
Rachel Zane, Suits
Rachel (played by potential future royal Meghan Markle) has pretty much mastered the look of the off-duty legal expert in the juicy USA drama. Make like her and pick up this cozy cashmere cardigan by Gabriela Hearst and feel your holiday stress melt away.Photo: Courtesy of Black Frame.
Portia Scott-Griffith, Great News
If your dream as a middle-schooler was to dress like Nicole Richie, you’re in luck: her Great News character Portia’s delightful furry vest is on sale! Snag it for $636 at STYLEBOP.Photo: Courtesy of Zadig & Voltaire.PreviousNext
Cookie Lyon, Empire
The head matriarch on the hit Fox series isn’t just a killer in the music industry—she’s a killer in the fashion world as well. The silk printed Gucci two-piece she wore in Season 4 is for those who are feeling equally bold in the sartorial department.Courtesy of Gucci.
Anna Ziev, The Mindy Project
Anna might be a little awkward, but the girl has style, as seen on the show’s penultimate episode episode—and now, that style can be yours, courtesy of Karen Millen). Perfect for the Christmas party you’ve got coming up in a state where it doesn’t actually show.Courtesy of Karen Millen.
Rainbow Johnson, Black-ish
When you have a colorful name, it’s good to dress the part, too. Rainbow Johnson, played by the equally stylish Tracee Ellis Ross, is an anesthesiologist in scrubs by day, and a funky dresser by night, as evidenced by the gorgeous multicolored Marni sweater she wears in Season 4, Episode 4.Courtesy of Marni.
Lorraine Finster, Will & Grace
We recommend against wearing this dress to a funeral, as Minnie Driver’s Lorraine Finster did to Rosario’s. But we can think of plenty of other uses for this shiny getup, yours from Neiman Marcus.Courtesy of Neiman Marcus.
Laurel Castillo, How to Get Away with Murder
When you’re constantly dancing with danger, you have to dress the part. Hence Laurel’s perfect black 3.1 Phillip Lim bomber jacket, which has chic but subtle details.Courtesy of Philip Lim.
Olivia Pope, Scandal
Every once in a while, Olivia Pope (played flawlessly by Kerry Washington, of course) breaks away from her monochromatic wardrobe to give us a touch of color. This elegant paisley Erdem dress is a classy number to throw on while you’re busy solving the world’s problems.Courtesy of Erdem.
Madeline Mackenzie, Big Little Lies
If you’re trying to channel your inner Reese Witherspoon, this is the gown for you. It’s in (somewhat) short supply, so hurry up and snag one before they’re all gone.Courtesy of Roland Mouret.
Cheryl Blossom, Riverdale
Cheryl might have worn these poolside) on the CW drama, but we think these would go great with a winter coat as well. Cop for $390 from Neiman Marcus.Courtesy of Miu Miu.
Gail Klosterman, Last Man on Earth
If you dug Gail’s extravagant jumpsuit in this week’s episode of the Fox comedy, be bold and try to rock that look yourself. Nothing says “too cool for this holiday gala” like a skirted jumpsuit. Yours for $725 from Halston).Courtesy of Halston Heritage.
Karen Walker, Will & Grace
Plop your hair in an updo, grab a martini, and put on this two-piece look to channel your inner Karen Walker. The ribbed Theory sweater and cropped plaid pants are perfect for luxe lounging this winter.Courtesy of Theory.
Rachel Zane, Suits
Rachel (played by potential future royal Meghan Markle) has pretty much mastered the look of the off-duty legal expert in the juicy USA drama. Make like her and pick up this cozy cashmere cardigan by Gabriela Hearst and feel your holiday stress melt away.Courtesy of Black Frame.
Portia Scott-Griffith, Great News
If your dream as a middle-schooler was to dress like Nicole Richie, you’re in luck: her Great News character Portia’s delightful furry vest is on sale! Snag it for $636 at STYLEBOP.Courtesy of Zadig & Voltaire.
Laura BradleyLaura Bradley is a Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com. She was formerly an editorial assistant at Slate and lives in Brooklyn.
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