Week of Aug. 15: Hawaii Five-O Times 2?

No kidding: CBS is thinking of doing a new version of the classic series "Hawaii Five-O":

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3id0839a35f93f4784baf0ead3bc3ea388

In television history, roughly 60 years plus of programming, there has been only one television series that has been fully successful with successors: Star Trek. That's probably because the original series creator, Gene Roddenberry, was also behind the creation of "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Sadly, "Hawaii Five-O"'s creator, Leonard Freeman, died in 1974, halfway through the show's run.

The idea for the new show would seem to follow conventional wisdom - too conventional, I think. Freeman's series broke taboos in many ways, including location filming, diversity of the cast and interracial relationships. I believe it was also among the first dramas, if not the first, to use the word "rape" in a plotline. The DVDs have been selling extremely well, which may be one reason for the interest in a new version of the show.

If they're going to make a "Five-O" for the 21st century, I have a suggestion: Instead of Chris McGarrett, the son (which brings back bad memories for Five-O fans who know the "V For Vashon" episodes), how about Christine McGarrett, the daughter? Steve McGarrett had a reputation as a chauvinist; what better way to put a modern twist on the series than to make the Five-O head a woman?

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New DVDs this week include Season 1 of "Dave's World," a show loosely based on the life of syndicated columnist Dave Barry that starred the very funny and underrated Harry Anderson. "Dave's World" was funny until real life intervened, and Barry divorced his first wife, Beth, who was portrayed in the series by DeLane Matthews.
Speaking of Harry Anderson, there has to be a way to get the rest of "Night Court" after the first season available, either on DVD or online. I believe Sony has the rights to the series, and only the first 13 episodes, with Karen Austin and Paula Kelly, were ever released. None of the episodes with Markie Post et. al, when the show truly became a hit. The show was always funny, though.

Also new on DVD: Season 4 of "That Girl."

See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!