Are Reboots the Key to

Preservation?
Archive of the Unreal
By: Jemon Golfin
DIG 6424
 Introduction
What is the purpose of reboots?
Are they just cash grabs?

Or failed attempt at reviving dead shows/characters or continue completed stories,

just to ruin them for the original audience who fell in love with them?

Well, what if reboots actually had a purpose. They are the key to the preservation
of digital video media (TV shows). This presentation will give examples of popular
shows with reboots, compare them, and explain why the reboots are important to
the original show’s legacy.
Part 1: The Story Continues
Full House vs. Fuller House
Full House vs. Fuller House (Openings)

Notice how the same song (with different cover

artist) was used for both openings to establish
familiarity and a sense of continuation.
 Full House (1987 - 1995)
● 8 seasons
● 192 episodes
● 3 best friends (Jessy, Danny,
Joey) live together raising 3
young girls (D.J, Stephanie, and
Michelle) throughout wacky and
relatable life adventures
● Ratings: 14.74
● “Everywhere You Look” - Jessie
Frederick
 Fuller House (2016 - 2020)
● 5 seasons
● 75 episodes
● Netflix exclusive
● D.J. and Stephanie return to live
in their Dad’s house many years
later and raise D.J’s 3 sons
(Jackson, Max, Tommy)
● Ratings: ???
● “Everywhere You Look” - Carly
Rae Jepsen
Boy Meets World vs. Girl Meets World
Boy Meets World vs. Girl Meets World (Openings)

Notice similarities in the details of the

openings, both using a globe and both
featuring a paper airplane. This is done to
establish familiarity.
 Boy Meets World (1993 - 2000)
● 7 seasons
● 158 episodes
● Explores the life and interactions
of a confident curious kid named
Cory and his family/friends.
● Ratings: 10.0 (average)
 Girl Meets World
● 3 seasons
● 72 episodes
● Focuses on the interactions and
experiences of Riley (Cory &
Topanga’s daughter) and her
friends.
● Ratings: 2.24 (average)
 Part 2: Childhood Ruined

(Shows with reboots that are so different artistically or creatively that it is

deemed by original show viewers as a show made for babies or ruined
what made the original show great)
Total Drama vs. Total DramaRama
Total Drama vs. Total DramaRama (Openings)

Notice how the opening for Total DramaRama is severely short,

which is an indication of a change in audience and attention
span for the reboot.
 Total Drama (2007 - 2014)
● 5 seasons
● 119 episodes
● Animated parody of Survivor
● One of the most popular shows
on Cartoon Network
● Ratings: ???
 Total DramaRama (2018 - 2022)
● 3 seasons
● 152 episodes
● Characters of Total Drama as
LITERAL babies
● Ratings: 0.36 (average)
Teen Titans vs. Teen Titans GO
Teen Titans vs. Teen Titans GO (Openings)

Notice how short intros has become and how much more
bright colors are used in the Teen Titans GO opening to
indicate a more light-weight and humorous showing.
 Teen Titans (2003 - 2006)
● 5 seasons
● 65 episodes
● Based on DC hero group Teen
Titans and their journey to
discover themselves, face their
fears and demons, build
relationships, and become true
heroes. (Serious)
● Continuous story across a
season
● Ratings: ???
 Teen Titans GO (2013 - ???)
● 8 seasons
● 390 episodes (plus movies and
specials)
● Based on DC superhero group
Teen Titans and follows their wacky
adventures. (Not serious)
● Episodic stories
● Ratings: 2.24
● “Night Begins to Shine” best
multi-episode storyline
● Has OUTLAST and
OUTPERFORMED the original
show!
Part 3: Reboots are the Key
1. Birth of New Creations
● New generation gets to experience the world of pre-established characters
● New popularity for characters
● Allows for endless use of an established concept (with little effort)
2. Access to a New Audience
● Watching the continuation of a story drives new viewers to watch the original
show where the story started
● Drive for reruns of older shows
● Regained or newly established for the importance or creativity of the original
● Preserves the legacy of the original show and keeps it relevant
3. Best When 2 Worlds Collide
● Both the original viewers and the
reboot viewers can benefit from
collaborations that combine the
best qualities of both time
periods
● Self humor and commentary

“You ruined my childhood”

featured in the official
crosswover
Thank you!