“The Simple Life” may have been nothing more than a reality variation of “Green Acres,” and “The Apprentice” and its imitators not so far removed from the late ’50s drama “The Millionaire.”
A reality version of “The Beverly Hillbillies” has been stalled in its attempt to get on TV (though CBS execs hint it may be produced in secret, similar to the current UPN reality show “Amish in the City”).
But a couple of cable networks are moving full speed ahead on reality TV remakes of classic shows.
“In Search of the Partridge Family,” which makes its debut Sunday on VH1, attempts to reassemble a new version of the TV show cast that produced hits such as “I Think I Love You” as well as teen idol David Cassidy.
Elsewhere, eight castaways have been selected for “The Real Gilligan’s Isle” for TBS, to be broadcast in November. Mike Fleiss, creator of “The Bachelor,” is working on the project with Sherwood and Lloyd Schwartz, the original creators of “Gilligan’s Island.”
Each role from the original will be recast by real people, “a skipper, a first mate, a millionaire couple, a movie star, a professor and a Kansas farm girl,” says Mark Lazarus, president of Turner Entertainment Group. “And, you guessed it, there will be no phone, no lights, no motor car, not a single luxury,” he says, quoting the original theme song.
Lazarus says more than 10,000 people applied during the two-month search. “We think this is something that’s got broad appeal. It’s well-known. It’s got a lot of pre-sold demand.”
A familiarity with the original shows is what gives the reality remakes a boost, says Brian Grade, president of entertainment for MTV and VH1, which will look to recast four members of the Partridge family to sing and eventually perform in actual scenes from the original sitcom, “thanks to the magic of green-screen technology.”
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale (cdipasquale@tribune.com) and Curt Wagner (cwwagner@tribune.com)
