Watching a sitcom from a few years ago can be a really comforting way to spend time, but facing cliffhangers and unresolved storylines can be very disappointing.It could be one that was a childhood staple or a gem hidden for years that has only recently come into viewers' lives. Anything set in the days when smartphones weren’t a part of people’s everyday lives tends to hit that nostalgic part of our brains.
Recent years have seen this thirst for nostalgia bring back manybeloved TV shows.Mad About Youcame back for a season in 2019,Frasierhad his most recent and final outing, andHow I Met Your Fathertried to reboot a once-beloved show. For some shows, the ship may have sailed, as the sands of time had seen the passing of some of its biggest stars, making a reboot all but impossible. But, in the spirit of wishful thinking, seeing some of theseclassic sitcomsreturn would be the most welcome surprise.
Dharma & Greg
Cast
Dharma & Greg is a sitcom that aired from 1997 to 2002, focusing on the lives of Dharma Finkelstein, a free-spirited yoga instructor, and Greg Montgomery, a conservative lawyer. The series explores the humorous challenges and cultural clashes they face as a mismatched couple navigating marriage and their contrasting family backgrounds. Jenna Elfman and Thomas Gibson star in the titular roles, bringing to life their quirky yet endearing relationship.
The premise of this quirky comedy was very much of the time, but there is so much scope to apply it to current times.A tale of two very different personalities, Dharma is a free spirit who was raised by “hippy” parents who embraced mysticism and spirituality, while Greg comes from a much more conservative background. The initial run was very successful, especially at the start, and saw the two navigate their marriage as well as their clashing families.
When the novelty of that “opposites attract” trope started to wear off, the ratings took a dip, and the show was canceled in its fifth season.It never got much of a finale, with some loose ends still hanging in the air. But there is definitely a way of bringingDharma & Greginto the 2020s. It would be interesting to see if the couple had children, and if so, how they chose to raise them. A reboot could also smooth over all the instances of cultural insensitivity and take it a little bit more seriously.
Caroline in the City
Caroline in the City is a situation comedy that aired on NBC, starring Lea Thompson as Manhattan cartoonist Caroline Duffy. The series premiered on June 13, 2025, as part of NBC’s “Must See TV” Thursday night lineup and ran for 97 episodes across four seasons.
Another show that ended rather abruptly due to cancelation,Caroline in the Cityfinished on acliffhanger that has been unresolvedfor decades.In its heyday, the show averaged 15 million viewers and saw Lea Thompson’s star shine brightly. The dynamic between the cast was great, and the premise of the show was really unique for the time. The mix of live-action mirrored in Caroline’s cartoon strip provided some lovely visuals that made the show a delight to watch.
With the show existing in the same universe asFrasier, and by extensionCheersandWings, there is more potential to incorporate characters from those shows in a way that could bring some closure to multiple storylines.
Also, with the advances in technology, it would be curious to see what artistic medium Caroline was in, and how it could work with the look of the show the way her comic did back in the day. And,viewers would finally find out who she ended up with.
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is a television series that follows a father telling his children about his past. Released in 2005, it explores his experiences and adventures with four close friends, leading up to meeting their mother, as depicted through a series of flashbacks.
Potentially a victim of its own success,How I Met Your Motherended up running for 9 seasons, giving it time to make a few crucial mistakes.Many viewers were unimpressed by the finale, which performed a full-on character assassination of Ted and Robin, making the finale feel wrong. Though there was a spin-off of sorts, it did not delve too deeply into the lives of the original MaClaren’s crew.
With the year 2030 nearing rapidly, it would be interesting to see the show explore the events of the finale in more detail. One of the biggest gripes about the finale was that it felt too rushed and abrupt, so if the show were to come back, that could be rectified with actors having naturally aged into the period as opposed to some of the very questionable prosthetics. It would also allow for more time jump gags and references to the multiple in-jokes.
Sister, Sister
Sister, Sister is a comedy television series about identical twin sisters Tia Landry and Tamera Campbell, who reunite after being separated at birth and adopted by different families. The series stars Tia and Tamera Mowry and explores their lives as they navigate high school and family dynamics, living under the same roof with their adoptive parents.
There have been quite a few reboots of shows that were aimed at younger audiences, and seeing as the millennial viewer tends to be the most hungry for nostalgia, it would be great to see the famous twins reunite on the small screen.Seeing asGirl Meets WorldandFuller Housewere able to neatly combine the stories related to the legacy characters with an all-new cast,Sister, Sistercould aim for the same.
Even if every single person wasn’t brought back, there was enough chemistry within the family dynamic that could be explored decades later.Getting a peek into the lives of each twin, including where they ended up in their careers, and whether they chose to start families has a lot of potential. While the initial run ended on them choosing to go to college together, it would be great to see where life took them, and if their bond is a strong all these years later.
Spaced
Spaced is a British television sitcom that follows Daisy Steiner and Tim Bisley as they navigate life in London. Both aspiring individuals, they pretend to be a couple to secure a flat, leading to interactions with a peculiar landlady and an eccentric artist, offering a grounded look at their everyday experiences.
From the brilliant minds of Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes, comes this off-beat comedy that graced the screens for a very British 14-episode run.Like many UK shows,Spacedhad a successful two-season run before the creators and actors moved on to newer projects. But, the legacy it has left, had viewers wanting more. With so many great supporting characters, it would be interesting to see where life has seen them go.
A reboot of this cult classic show could be a great way of showing generational differences, especially about pop culture and technology.The initial run was set on the cusp of a new millennium, so seeing how different everything would be nowadays could be ripe for exploration.Seeing how successful many of the actors in the show had become, a reboot or even a short reunion could allow for a victory lap of sorts, seeing as for many, this show was their start.
Cybill
Cybill is a sitcom centered on Cybill Sheridan, a twice-divorced single mother and struggling actress in her 40s. Created by Chuck Lorre, the series portrays her comedic challenges balancing family, friendships, and a faltering acting career while navigating the ups and downs of Hollywood life.
The eponymous sitcom saw Cybill Shepherd return to the TV screen in style. With a very forward-thinking message of feminism, and female empowerment, the cast of characters featured some very strong and intriguing women. The titular, Cybill, shares similarities with the actor that plays her, as she too is part of the Hollywood machine, trying to stay relevant in a youth-obsessed industry. The show was abruptly canceled in its fourth year, leaving many arcs unfinished.
A reboot could work really well, as not only would it provide answers to questions that have been lingering for years, but it could be a very poignant social commentary on aging in the 2020s.Christine Baranski was a standout in the original run of the series and seeing her reunite with Shepherd could bring about some important conversations.There is also scope for some biting satirical commentary, and witty banter to be had.
The Inbetweeners
The Inbetweeners is a British teen comedy series that follows the lives and misadventures of four suburban high school friends—Will, Simon, Jay, and Neil—as they navigate the challenges of adolescence, social awkwardness, and the quest for popularity.
Thiscult British sitcomwas given an American makeover in 2012,but it failed to capture the awkward magic and toe-curling cringe factor of the original show. While the four leads and some of the popular supporting characters were featured in the two feature films that came out afterward, they have not been seen since the last cinematic installment in 2014. While the original run saw the blundering coming-of-age story of a group of teens, a reboot could see if they managed to finally grow up.
When Will, Jay, Neil, and Simon are all together, they create a type of uncomfortable magic that is impossible to look away from.The crude and vulgar humor embraced the awkwardness of being a hormonal teenager, and their awful behavior was a commentary on the effects of a “boys will be boys” mentality. It would be great to address some of their vile actions in a self-deprecating and humorous way, and see how they exist in the 2020s.
33rd Rock From the Sun
Released In 1996
A lovable alien delegation made its way to Earth nearly three decades ago and saw them learn about the planet on the cusp of a new decade, century, and millennium.It was the right time to explore humanity, and the cast created sci-fi sitcom magic for the six seasons it ran for. Seeing the extraterrestrials return to see how things have changed could bring about a lot more entertainment to the long-lasting audience they’ve left behind.
Many of the actors have carved out illustrious careers, so seeing them back together would be a nostalgic dream,and seeing them react to the differences in technology, attitudes, and the state of the world they left behind could make for great television. Though the show ended in a satisfying, if bittersweet, way there are still possibilities of revisiting the premise with an imaginative vision. Whether they go to a new town, with a whole new cast of characters or go back to Rutherford, a visit from outer space is long overdue.
Seinfeld
Seinfeld is a television sitcom that follows stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his three eccentric friends, George, Elaine, and Kramer, as they navigate everyday life in New York City during the 1990s. Premiering in 1989, the series humorously explores the mundane and often trivial aspects of social interactions.
One of the most influential shows of all time,Seinfeldhas seen a resurgence in popularity due to streaming and is primed for a comeback.Unlike some shows that had a clear message and specific themes, this show that was famously “about nothing” could be brought back in so many different ways.Seinfeld’s endingseemed perfect for the deeply imperfect characters, seeing them bickering as usual, so seeing what their dynamics are like after nearly 30 years would be fun to watch.
Seeing as Julia Louis-Dreyfus has seen so much awards success, her role of Elaine could be expanded, giving her a little bit more to do and say within the dysfunctional group.The original finale saw many recurring characters appear in hilarious cameos, so that is something that should be utilized if a reboot was to happen.
The Office
The Office is a British mockumentary sitcom that aired from 2001 to 2003, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. It chronicles the daily lives of the employees at Wernham Hogg, a fictional paper company in Slough. Ricky Gervais stars as the bumbling and often inappropriate office manager, David Brent, whose antics provide a humorous yet poignant look at office culture and interpersonal relationships.
The American version of this groundbreaking British staple has been such a smash hit, there are no doubt many viewers who might not even be aware of the existence of Ricky Gervais' seminal sitcom.There are only 14 episodes of the originalThe Office,with two seasons comprising six episodes each, and two Christmas specials that served to tie up any loose ends. Each episode is as close to a televisual masterpiece as can be, and the two specials show just how powerful the storytelling was.
A reboot would be tricky, but if done right, could be a triumph.Though David Brent has been heard from a few times since after the show ended, including in his own film as well as a meta cameo in the US version, not much is known about the rest of the Wernham Hogg team. It would be wonderful to find out if Tim and Dawn made it as a couple, and if Gareth still has the same ridiculous haircut.
