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EXCLUSIVE: NBC’s reboot of The Rockford Files is not going forward, at least not for the current development season. The decision was made after writer David Shore couldn’t write a new script because he unexpectedly had to devote his entire attention to his Fox series House. The veteran Fox medical drama had planned an ambitious multi-episode arc featuring Dr. House on the road, which was a brainchild of executive producer Katie Jacobs. But when the arc was scrapped in advanced stages, Shore had to jump in and help re-break stories for a significant portion of the season, which also recently grew larger with an order for one additional episode by Fox. With Shore not being able to focus on Rockford Files, the project has been shelved. It is possible for the idea to be revisited next season if new NBC programming chief Bob Greenblatt is interested. The Rockford Files remake originated last development season at Universal Media Studios and Steve Carell’s studio-based Carousel. (UMS also produces House, which probably made things easier.) The reboot, written and executive produced by Shore, was picked up to pilot but didn’t make the cut for a series order in May. It was subsequently put in re-development, with Peter Berg and Sarah Aubrey’s Film 44 joining in the summer as a co-production entity.
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Smart move – will save them millions in losses. Rockford was James Garner – period. No different than Hawaii 5-0. Has nothing to do with the original so who’s kidding who?
Thank God. Hopefully that’ll be the end of that. Unless you want to digitize Jim Garner and make a show around that.
Hmm, I wonder why the New Orleans House arc fell apart; would have been very entertaining. I wonder what they’ll replace it with; the show is not as creatively strong this year. But win-win, I suppose; Rockford Files sounded dreadful.
I call bullshit…
Suddenly HOUSE needs its SHOWRUNNER back? If I’m on that staff, I’m wondering why we suddenly suck so bad?
C’mon, the guy couldn’t crack the pilot because frankly, it’s just a bad idea. Shore is super talented, I’d rather here his voice in something original than a reboot.
The ratings on House are down double digits. It’s an all hands on deck situation.
Completely agree the reboot is a terrible idea though.
I always said it was a mistake to try toremake something so closely connected and dependent on the charisma and style of a single actor (James Garner) without that actor, because the audience will judge it harshly regardless of the quality. The irony is that a PI show sold as from the ‘creator of House MD’ with an original lead character played by a charismatic actor might have actually caught on.
Maybe the new management at NBC will dump the old management’s love of disastrous remakes.
“The irony is that a PI show sold as from the ‘creator of House MD’ with an original lead character played by a charismatic actor might have actually caught on.”
That’s exactly what I’d be interested in. Right now, “Psych” on USA Network is a great show that’s put a new twist on the PI genre while retaining classic elements of the old PI shows: PI(Shawn), PI’s buddy(Gus), PI’s Dad(Henry), PI’s love interest(Juliet), straitlaced detective to make PI’s job more difficult(Lassiter), and strict but fair head of detectives who may or may not listen to PI(Chief).
I don’t think I could bear to watch a “Rockford Files” remake. Make it original.
I was really looking forward to the “road trip” arc on House. That show has gotten stale as hell. It hasn’t been entertaining to me since they killed what’s her name… “Cut-throat Bitch”? “Amber”? She was the best part of the show for a while.
I would have liked to see what Peter Berg and Sarah did with it. The Shore version felt like someone went into the basement pulled up a discarded 1977 script, blew off the dust, and submitted it. Really Rockford in 2010 didn’t have a cell phone and still used an answering machine with tape? Really? huh.
If they involved James Garner in a recurring role (perhaps to fill the shoes of Noah Beery, Jr.), I would have considered watching the show.
I am hoping they have the courage to let it go.
Please don’t end up turning this beloved franchise into a feature length suckfest like what happened to Starsky & Hutch.
Thank you for coming to your senses!!!!
Now only we can stop this BS Ghostbusters 3
Does this clear the decks for the “Hello, Larry!” reboot? Fingers crossed…
Hahahahahaha that was a good one. I’m still laughing.
Good news for NBC in a lot of ways. I’m for one glad this didn’t go through. Phew!<
Agreed – when will the nets learn – you don’t remake classic shows – all it does is alienate the original core audience and the title itself means NOTHING to the younger audience. If you want to do a PI series with an offbeat lead, go ahead – but don’t call it the Rockford Files!!
While Jim Garner was the perfect choice as Rockford, let’s not forget the reason that show worked was because of the great storytelling of its creator, the late Stephen Cannell. That said, without a doubt the re-boot will never work unless it’s a spin off of some kind. Bring Garner back as an uncle or something, have him transfer the mantle/agency to someone. Otherwise, whoever gets picked to be the “new Rockford” will never be able to get out of JGs shadow.
If NBC just picks up “Terriers” it’ll have its “Rockford Files” for the 21st Century.
Why can’t Garner star in it? Just continue it as if nothing has changed except 30 years have gone by since he retired. He went back and did Maverick for TV 20 years after the original Maverick ended. This is why networks are stupid. They think everything has to be “reimagined or rebooted” just hire Garner to reprise his most famous character. Unless James Garner died but I think he’s still alive and well am I right?
I knew I was right from imdb Garner did all of these Rockford follow-ups he’s 82 now but still in perfect health let him come back again for another series of telepics he’d be great at his age.
1999 The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds… It Leads (TV movie)
1997 The Rockford Files: Shoot-Out at the Golden Pagoda (TV movie)
1996 The Rockford Files: Punishment and Crime (TV movie)
1996 The Rockford Files: Friends and Foul Play (TV movie)
1996 The Rockford Files: Godfather Knows Best (TV movie)
1996 The Rockford Files: If the Frame Fits… (TV movie)
1995 The Rockford Files: A Blessing in Disguise (TV movie)
1994 The Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A. (TV movie)
THANK GOD!! Maybe now David Shore can concentrate even more on making a better [H]OUSE. Let’s get Huddy over with and move on!!
Doubtful at 82 that Garner needs/wants to work that hard. I’m sure he’s enjoying the fruits of his labor on the golf course. Plus, at 82, it would be hard to insure him without a ton of exclusions. You can’t put a square peg in a round hole. Most PI shows are derivative to begin with so just call it something else. Who gives a shit about the title anyway? Either it will be good and enjoy a nice run or it will suck and be cancelled after 3 airings.
James Garner didn’t get anything from this series. Very sad because it was a damned fine series. Friday nights you couldn’t get me out the house…..I was spending an hour with Jimbo, Rocky and Angle…..man but Angle could wind me up…those were the days.
No way with a remake work. He WAS Jim Rockford!!
Cheers
Richie Brockleman, Private Eye
Lance White, Private Eye
I’ll make like Rip Torn and drink to that!
They already had a Rockford for the modern audience…it was called “Terriers”. It was a great show with great actors and a great plot…AND NOBODY WATCHED!
The thought of even suggesting a Rockfordford Files series reboot is the most ridiculous idea I’ve heard EVER. No way is this going to work, even if Garner plays the father. Again the most ridiculous idea EVER.
Like so many others here, James Garner was Rockford. It was created FOR him, and based on his mannerisms. There is no way they should tinker with that. I was horrified when I first heard the news and time has done nothing to change that feeling.
By all means make a new show about a PI, and good luck to you. But if you want to show The Rockford Files, then show the re-runs. Otherwise, move on. Just dont ask legions of folk who loved the original to accept some pale imitation.
I don’t see the need for a remake of Rockford Files especially at a time when almost all the dramas on TV are cop or lawyer shows. And especially because James Garner owned the role.
But if NBC is that determined, they should take a good look at the last 3 seasons of House before they give the job to David Shore. First couple of seasons were great but the show has been recycling characters as well as plots like crazy. The new team is nothing but combinations of the old one. The show has been pretty much creatively dead since season 4. Not the best place to look for someone to revitalize a great old show.
The problem is James Garner is not in perfect health. He had a stroke in may of 2008.
I personally don’t want to see a sickly old man. I’d rather remember him the way he was.