NBC revealed a lot about its upcoming streaming service today. Notably, its name: Peacock. I don’t know about you but I was so relieved that they didn’t choose something like NBC+, since that seems to be all the rage lately. Peacock is a name I can get behind.
NBC also disclosed even more about the service, due in April 2020. Apparently it will have over 15,000 hours of entertainment to enjoy, including Battlestar Galactica and Saved by the Bell reboots, a Punky Brewster revival and new shows featuring Ed Helms, Alec Baldwin and Jimmy Fallon. Peacock will have a lot going for it, that’s for sure.
But the thing that most people are talking about is a possible reboot of The Office. Nothing was officially announced but NBC’s Bonnie Hammer said “It is my hope and goal that we do an Office reboot.”
And that’s really all you need to know, isn’t it? If NBC is even suggesting that it could happen, it’ll happen. It might be awhile before we hear anything official but I would bet all my money on an Office reboot appearing on Peacock within the next couple years.
But how will it look? Who will return? Surely not some of the bigger names on the call sheet. Will anyone return? Will it be a brand new cast? Will it be a brand new location too? Will any of the creative team return? There are so many questions but people should be certain that NBC will put a lot of effort into this show and fans should expect something that’s hopefully a faithful revival of the beloved show. The series has only gotten more popular after its conclusion and has seemingly enveloped a brand new legion of young fans. There’s a chance that a reboot would be even more successful than the initial run of the show. Netflix, syndication and countless memes have turned The Office into a cultural staple, especially for young viewers. These people would come back in droves to an Office reboot and NBC knows that. It’s rare that a show has such a strong afterlife but The Office is still adding new fans to this day. Just imagine what that means for a reboot.
Hammer said they are currently having conversations about the revival which means they’re talking to someone about running the thing. My hope is that they bring back some of the original cast and creators for the proposed reboot. Obviously many of them have gone onto great success but there are many who would probably return in some capacity. I also hope that the reboot focuses on what made the show special originally: it was a series that was about the relatable feeling of being stuck with the weirdos you work with. It started as a show full of uncomfortable situations and awkward characters. It ended up becoming too wholesome and sweet for my liking and I would hope the reboot returns to its original cringeworthy nature. I’m not watching the show to see these people LIKE being at work! Gosh, who wants to see that?