Thirtysomething sequel series in the works from the original creators (Zwick and Herskovitz)
09-25-19 | 12:45 PM
#1
Thread Starter
DVD Talk God
Thirtysomething sequel series in the works from the original creators (Zwick and Herskovitz)
https://deadline.com/2019/09/thirtys...bc-1202744054/
I was only 14 and in Junior High when the original show aired, so I was never interested in it. Now that I'm an adult, I do like this genre and would be interested.
But, I am familiar with all the actors like Peter Horton, Ken Olin, Patricia Wettig, Mel Harris and such and liked some of the things they've done. I know Ken Olin and Peter Horton aren't really actors anymore and mostly direct. Olin is a director and EP on This is Us and Horton is an EP/director on New Amsterdam. The original series is not available to watch anywhere.
Unless you're in your 50s or 60s, I'm sure most here were too young when the original show aired.
EXCLUSIVE: Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick’s beloved 1987 drama series thirtysomething is making a comeback. I have learned that the duo is pitching a new incarnation of the show, which is garnering interest from multiple networks, including ABC, which aired the original series.
Written by thirtysomething creators Herskovitz and Zwick and to be directed by Zwick, I hear the followup series revolves around the children of the characters in the original show, which are now 30-something themselves. I hear the intention is for original cast members to reprise their roles but no one is set yet and there have been no formal talks.
The project hails from MGM TV, the studio behind the original series, which ran on ABC for four seasons.
Thirtysomething was a seminal series that captured the angst of the baby boomer generation and its struggles with real-life issues such as career, relationships, marriage, having kids and parenting. It centered around Michael Steadman (Ken Olin), his stay-at-home wife Hope Murdoch (Mel Harris) and their baby Janie. Melanie Mayron, Timothy Busfield, Patricia Wettig, Peter Horton and Polly Draper also starred in the series, which won 13 Primetime Emmy Awards, out of 41 nominations, and two Golden Globe Awards over the course of its four-season run.
In addition to Janie, the kids on the original show also included Janie’s younger brother Leo, and Nancy (Wettig) and Elliot’s (Busfield) children Ethan and Brittany. There was also the mystery surrounding the prediction that Melissa (Mayron) would have a child that was never resolved on the 1980s series.
During a thirtysomething reunion at the 2018 ATX TV festival, Herskovitz and Zwick recalled how, in a TV era dominated by medical, cop and legal franchises, they created a simple show about the relationships between baby boomers in Philadelphia.
“It wasn’t written like a TV show,” Draper said at the event. “It was different from what I had seen before. This bridged the gap [between film and TV] and changed the whole course of TV history.”
The series pushed boundaries with episodes that were a “meditation upon a theme” and tackled struggles of everyday people — financial woes, losing businesses, terminal illness, deaths of friends — and how it affected their relationships. The show was also groundbreaking in that it was one of the first primetime series to show two gay men in bed together, further paving the way for representation on the small screen.
Because of thirtysomething‘s history on ABC, it is not surprising that the network is pursuing the followup series, which is still being pitched to other outlets and is expected to secure a big commitment. ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke has listed thirtysomething among her favorite series and, when talking about her development goals, she has said that she would like to put on the air a show in the vein of thirtysomething.
Written by thirtysomething creators Herskovitz and Zwick and to be directed by Zwick, I hear the followup series revolves around the children of the characters in the original show, which are now 30-something themselves. I hear the intention is for original cast members to reprise their roles but no one is set yet and there have been no formal talks.
The project hails from MGM TV, the studio behind the original series, which ran on ABC for four seasons.
Thirtysomething was a seminal series that captured the angst of the baby boomer generation and its struggles with real-life issues such as career, relationships, marriage, having kids and parenting. It centered around Michael Steadman (Ken Olin), his stay-at-home wife Hope Murdoch (Mel Harris) and their baby Janie. Melanie Mayron, Timothy Busfield, Patricia Wettig, Peter Horton and Polly Draper also starred in the series, which won 13 Primetime Emmy Awards, out of 41 nominations, and two Golden Globe Awards over the course of its four-season run.
In addition to Janie, the kids on the original show also included Janie’s younger brother Leo, and Nancy (Wettig) and Elliot’s (Busfield) children Ethan and Brittany. There was also the mystery surrounding the prediction that Melissa (Mayron) would have a child that was never resolved on the 1980s series.
During a thirtysomething reunion at the 2018 ATX TV festival, Herskovitz and Zwick recalled how, in a TV era dominated by medical, cop and legal franchises, they created a simple show about the relationships between baby boomers in Philadelphia.
“It wasn’t written like a TV show,” Draper said at the event. “It was different from what I had seen before. This bridged the gap [between film and TV] and changed the whole course of TV history.”
The series pushed boundaries with episodes that were a “meditation upon a theme” and tackled struggles of everyday people — financial woes, losing businesses, terminal illness, deaths of friends — and how it affected their relationships. The show was also groundbreaking in that it was one of the first primetime series to show two gay men in bed together, further paving the way for representation on the small screen.
Because of thirtysomething‘s history on ABC, it is not surprising that the network is pursuing the followup series, which is still being pitched to other outlets and is expected to secure a big commitment. ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke has listed thirtysomething among her favorite series and, when talking about her development goals, she has said that she would like to put on the air a show in the vein of thirtysomething.
I was only 14 and in Junior High when the original show aired, so I was never interested in it. Now that I'm an adult, I do like this genre and would be interested.
But, I am familiar with all the actors like Peter Horton, Ken Olin, Patricia Wettig, Mel Harris and such and liked some of the things they've done. I know Ken Olin and Peter Horton aren't really actors anymore and mostly direct. Olin is a director and EP on This is Us and Horton is an EP/director on New Amsterdam. The original series is not available to watch anywhere.
Unless you're in your 50s or 60s, I'm sure most here were too young when the original show aired.
09-25-19 | 01:54 PM
#2
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Thirtysomething sequel series in the works from the original creators (Zwick and Herskovitz)
Shit, this was a show about old people when it was first on, now it will be a show about young whippersnappers. Damn life is flying by.
09-25-19 | 02:20 PM
#3
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Thirtysomething sequel series in the works from the original creators (Zwick and Herskovitz)
Just what we need, a remake of This Is Us which was a reboot of Thirtysomething.
09-25-19 | 03:26 PM
#4
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Thirtysomething sequel series in the works from the original creators (Zwick and Herskovitz)
I was in my early 20s when the original series aired, but still enjoyed it. Herskovitz and Zwick also produced and/or wrote a few other shows I really enjoyed (Family, My So Called Life, Relativity). I didn't see Once and Again, although it was pretty popular..
I'd give this a shot.
I'd give this a shot.
09-26-19 | 11:11 AM
#6
Senior Member
Re: Thirtysomething sequel series in the works from the original creators (Zwick and Herskovitz)
I was too young to be interested in this when it first aired but I found the DVDs in the local library and binged it one summer.
It hasn't aged well. Aside from the 80s hairstyles and clothing, the characters themselves are people you want to slap across the face for being so narcissistic and annoying. True there are some universal themes that carry over into everyone at this point in their lives: the couple dealing with infidelity, the couple trying balance raising kids while keeping romance alive, the couple who splits up.
These are all things that happen to 30somethings today but people seem to handle it in a more sophisticated way these days.
I wouldn't mind seeing a new cast go through these storylines but I don't think returning to these same character (now in their 60's?) has much to offer. I hope they use a completely new cast that is unrelated to the original series.
It hasn't aged well. Aside from the 80s hairstyles and clothing, the characters themselves are people you want to slap across the face for being so narcissistic and annoying. True there are some universal themes that carry over into everyone at this point in their lives: the couple dealing with infidelity, the couple trying balance raising kids while keeping romance alive, the couple who splits up.
These are all things that happen to 30somethings today but people seem to handle it in a more sophisticated way these days.
I wouldn't mind seeing a new cast go through these storylines but I don't think returning to these same character (now in their 60's?) has much to offer. I hope they use a completely new cast that is unrelated to the original series.
09-26-19 | 11:16 AM
#7
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Thirtysomething sequel series in the works from the original creators (Zwick and Herskovitz)
All these years I thought Thirtysomething had Hugh Laurie as it's star ....turns out that was Fortysomething
01-08-20 | 01:16 PM
#8
Thread Starter
DVD Talk God
Re: Thirtysomething sequel series in the works from the original creators (Zwick and Herskovitz)
https://deadline.com/2020/01/thirtys...ck-1202824579/
Pilot officially ordered by ABC
At the top of ABC’s TCA executive session, the network’s entertainment president — and a huge thirtysomething fan — confirmed that ABC has closed a deal for a new installment of the iconic series from Herskovitz and Zwick with the original cast set to return. The list includes Ken Olin (Michael Steadman), Mel Harris (Hope Murdoch), Timothy Busfield (Elliot Weston) and Patty Wettig (Nancy Weston), reprising their roles. The series hails from MGM Television, the studio behind the original series, which ran on ABC for four seasons. It will co-produce with ABC Studios.
Pilot officially ordered by ABC
At the top of ABC’s TCA executive session, the network’s entertainment president — and a huge thirtysomething fan — confirmed that ABC has closed a deal for a new installment of the iconic series from Herskovitz and Zwick with the original cast set to return. The list includes Ken Olin (Michael Steadman), Mel Harris (Hope Murdoch), Timothy Busfield (Elliot Weston) and Patty Wettig (Nancy Weston), reprising their roles. The series hails from MGM Television, the studio behind the original series, which ran on ABC for four seasons. It will co-produce with ABC Studios.
01-08-20 | 07:28 PM
#9
Senior Member
Re: Thirtysomething sequel series in the works from the original creators (Zwick and Herskovitz)
I was too young to watch this when originally broadcast but caught up with it when I found the series DVDs. While I can see how this show was probably cutting edge at the time, nowadays it seemed derivative of the many other shows that have been inspired by it. The storylines were tedious and felt like they spun their wheels telling them across the season. Shows like This is Us and Million Little Things move things along much more quickly these days.
I don't really see the benefit of tying the new version of the show to the old characters. Frankly I was happy to be done with them by the time I got to Season 4. Returning to them, even if its only through their kids who are the new 30somethings just seems like unnecessary baggage. Does anyone really care where Timothy Busfield and Patricia Wettig's characters ended up? They were insufferable!
I think they need to just start fresh with a cast totally unrelated to the original show.
01-08-20 | 08:06 PM
#10
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Thirtysomething sequel series in the works from the original creators (Zwick and Herskovitz)
I was 4 when this first aired. I'm interested in watching the original series, but it's only available on disc right now. I hope Hulu is able to pick up the original series so I can watch some of it before the revival starts. Northern Exposure was supposed to be revived too, but there hasn't been much information about it since it was announced back in Nov. 2018.
01-08-20 | 08:12 PM
#11
Thread Starter
DVD Talk God
Re: Thirtysomething sequel series in the works from the original creators (Zwick and Herskovitz)
If this does get picked up, I'm sure Hulu would be able to get the rights to the original show.
01-08-20 | 09:56 PM
#12
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Thirtysomething sequel series in the works from the original creators (Zwick and Herskovitz)
It's going to be thirtysomething for the millennial generation -- it will follow the original cast of thirtysomething, and their thirty year-old children who are still living with them.
02-11-20 | 11:24 AM
#13
Re: Thirtysomething sequel series in the works from the original creators (Zwick and Herskovitz)
EXCLUSIVE: Odette Annable is set to lead the ensemble cast of the ABC pilot thirtysomething(else), a sequel to Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick’s beloved 1987-91 drama series, playing grown-up Janey Steadman.
Written by Herskovitz and Zwick and to be directed by Zwick, thirtysomething(else) will follow an ensemble of new faces playing the grown-up children of the original cast, the new generation of thirtysomethings. They are being joined by returning original cast members Ken Olin (Michael Steadman), Mel Harris (Hope Murdoch), Timothy Busfield (Elliot Weston) and Patty Wettig (Nancy Weston), reprising their characters in supporting roles.
Annable’s Janey Steadman is the striking spinoff of Hope and Michael. With piercing eyes and unruly dark hair, Janey is a passionate, some might say driven person, possessed of what her boyfriend, Brad, calls a very big engine in a very small car.
Annable joins recently cast Chris Wood, who will play Janey’s younger brother, Leo Steadman. The two previously co-starred together on Supergirl.
Written by Herskovitz and Zwick and to be directed by Zwick, thirtysomething(else) will follow an ensemble of new faces playing the grown-up children of the original cast, the new generation of thirtysomethings. They are being joined by returning original cast members Ken Olin (Michael Steadman), Mel Harris (Hope Murdoch), Timothy Busfield (Elliot Weston) and Patty Wettig (Nancy Weston), reprising their characters in supporting roles.
Annable’s Janey Steadman is the striking spinoff of Hope and Michael. With piercing eyes and unruly dark hair, Janey is a passionate, some might say driven person, possessed of what her boyfriend, Brad, calls a very big engine in a very small car.
Annable joins recently cast Chris Wood, who will play Janey’s younger brother, Leo Steadman. The two previously co-starred together on Supergirl.
Not surprising considering the Brothers & Sisters connections.
