Childhood shows can leave impressions on student lives due to their plots, characters and nostalgia. However, sometimes there are a mix of opinions on whether or not a reboot should even be made after an iconic first show.
For several years, reboot shows have continuously been released for popular childhood shows including: “Raven’s Home“, “iCarly,” “Fuller House,” “Zoey 102” and most recently “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.”
Sophomore Karson Wright said watching the reboot of “iCarly” was a special moment for her and her little brother because they first binge-watched the original show together.
“Every single night we would watch the reboot until I left to come back to Pepperdine, and it was a really bonding experience,” Wright said.
“iCarly”
The “iCarly” reboot debuted in June 2021 on Paramount+ with Miranda Cosgrove’s character, Carly Shay, living with a roommate after graduating college and navigating her adult life.
Wright said when watching the reboot, she noticed various pros and cons when considering the target audience.
“It’s not necessarily focused for children anymore,” Wright said. “It’s definitely more of an adult show.”
Wright said the reboot differed from the first show because of its newer content.
“It was very evident when there were some adult jokes and then my brother was like, ‘What does that mean?'” Wright said.
Wright said she enjoyed the reboot, but addressed the complications when one focuses on who the show is intended for.
“I think it’s a good concept; it just becomes a little tricky when there’s a different target audience,” Wright said.
Wright said she admired that the reboot kept important aspects of the original, such as keeping some of the main characters.
Wright said the show was really good, but the reboot did not address the problems surrounding the show itself with Jennette McCurdy’s book discussing her experience on “iCarly.”
“She talked a lot about how ‘iCarly’ was abusive to her as an actor,” Wright said. “So, I don’t think they addressed the problems surrounding that.”
Wright said she is in favor of reboot shows because they can revive the original and bring new additions.
“I think it can be a good way so you don’t keep rewatching the show over and over again,” Wright said. “It definitely brings in some new ideas, fresh episodes.”
“Fuller House”
Junior Abby Ballhagen said she watched “Fuller House” because she always turned on “Full House” as a kid.
“Fuller House” came out in 2016 on Netflix, following D.J. Fuller as she raises her three sons alongside her sister, Stephanie, and her best friend, Kimmy, in her childhood home.
Ballhagen said she appreciated that the reboot kept the same characters as the first show, like D.J. and Stephanie.
“I like that they kept the same personalities they had before,” Ballhagen said. “Even the parents seemed very accurate to how they were.”
Ballhagen said she admired the characters growing up and becoming adults in the reboot, like Danny becoming a grandpa.
Ballhagen said one thing she did not like about the reboot was how it did not have the same kind of childhood and growing up story as the original, which made it harder for her to connect with the new characters in the reboot.
Ballhagen described herself as anti-reboot because it can be difficult to make a second show better than the first.
“I feel like it’s very difficult to replicate a show so its still authentic,” Ballhagen said. “I don’t think I’ve seen a lot of reboots that have really been as great as the original.”
“Zoey 102”
Junior Harmony Houston said she watched the “Zoey 101” reboot: “Zoey 102.” She said she enjoyed the show, but it was very different than the first as far as crucial elements.
In 2023, “Zoey 102” premiered on Paramount+ following lead character Zoey Brooks and the Pacific Coast Academy alumni as they reunite for a friend’s wedding.
“I think it could have been better because they shut down PCA completely,” Houston said. “So, I think it wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be.”
Houston said she feels positively about reboots because their executions could be successful.
“I think I like reboots, but I think they can also do them a specific way where it’s engaging with the people who watched it when they were younger,” Houston said.
Houston said she was fond of the romantic relationships that continued.
“I feel like the characters were still in the same position with love interests and who they were as characters, still in the future,” Houston said.
“High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”
Sophomore Sophia Lee said she watched some of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” because she has always been a fan of the original Disney Channel movies.
“I love the ‘High School Musical’ movies,” Lee said. “It was exciting to watch the series.”
Lee said she enjoyed the show because it brought new ideas.
“It was a creative take on the original movies, so it was interesting in a way,” Lee said. “The songs are pretty good from Joshua Bassett and Olivia Rodrigo.”
Lee said the only thing she did not like about the show was that the plot was predictable.
“It kind of got redundant after awhile,” Lee said. “It’s just classic Disney rom-com TV shows, so it’s just like ‘oh they’re gonna get together.'”
Lee said she is pro-reboot because it gives original shows a way to expand creatively.
“I think it’s cool to have a creative take on original things,” Lee said.
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Contact Viviana Diaz via email: viviana.diaz@pepperdine.edu
