Can TV's Cult Classics Succeed Decades Later?

Jan. 11, 2008 — -- The days of neon leg warmers and hair scrunchies may be long gone, but the hit television shows from the 1980s may not be, as some of the top programs from the era continue to show up on this generation's plasma TVs.

So far, NBC has been the only network to relaunch cult classics, first with "Bionic Woman" (the new version dropped the originals "The" from the title) and then followed suit with "American Gladiators." The network is planning to air a new version of "Knight Rider" later this year, too.

With the writers strike still on and the networks having difficulty producing new and popular programming, TV insiders told ABCNEWS.com that reinventing the cult classics and appealing to viewers' sense of nostalgia, may be just what the industry needs.

"Broadcast network television is having the hardest time right now launching new TV," said Ben Grossman, the Los Angeles bureau chief for industry publication Broadcasting & Cable. "It might be smart to launch something with a built-in audience."

"If you can get people who know [the show] and remember it fondly and can get new people to watch, you've got a hit," added Grossman.

"Bionic Woman's" ratings weren't that impressive, and while ratings from "American Gladiators" were significantly better — it was the highest-rated launch of any show this season so far — it's still too early to predict its success, said Grossman.

No, it's not David Hasselhoff and the killer Trans-Am. Actor Justin Bruening and his customized Mustang update "Knight Rider" for its 2008 TV comeback.

"If you're remaking 'Bionic Woman' or 'American Gladiators' you know that at least a certain percentage of people are going to show up and watch out of curiosity and nostalgia," James Hibberd, a senior editor at TVWeek, told ABCNEWS.com.

"This is why reality concepts from overseas are so popular, because you have at least some idea that they work," noted Hibberd. "If you're starting something from scratch you have to market the idea in a way that introduces the concept and so then you're rolling the dice because you have no template for success."

TV classics like "Bionic Woman" are being remade in the hopes of attracting nostalgic fans and newcomers.

"Instead of embracing change and innovation the networks and their producers are holding onto drama [and] comedy show concepts and formats that made them big players 40 to 50 years ago," said Lewis.

Whether redoing programming from previous decades will become a larger trend will depend largely on how successfully the first attempts are, according to TV insiders.

If shows such as "American Gladiators" continue to pull in good ratings, other networks will be eager to jump on the bandwagon of a new business strategy — much like what happened during the reality TV craze.

"If somebody does find a little bit of success then everyone in television will run to copy what works. Look at 'American Idol' and its rip-offs," said Broadcasting & Cable's Grossman.