# Recast An Old Sitcom (Any Character) With A 'Modern' Actor - Reuse of Character or Actor Allowed **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 28, 2015, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205 "2015-03-28T14:45:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/21 "2015-03-30T06:59:29Z")
**The Monkees** Harry Styles as Davy Steve Zahn as Micky Justin Timberlake as Michael Derek Trucks as Peter ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/22 "2015-03-30T14:13:20Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#): > > Update the concept by making it set in space . A three hour tour? ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/23 "2015-03-30T15:20:34Z")
**Petticoat Junction:** [ul] [li]Uncle Joe: Gene Hackman[/li][li]Kate: Elaine Stritch[/li][li]Sam Drucker: John Malkovich[/li][li]Betty Jo: Christina Rene Hendricks[/li][li]Billie Jo: Jessica Alba[/li][li]Bobbie Jo: Sasha Grey[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/24 "2015-03-30T19:56:35Z")
**Green Acres:** [ul] [li]Oliver Wendell Douglas: Al Pacino [/li][li] Lisa Douglas: Sofía Vergara [/li][li] Eb Dawson: Jim Carrey [/li][li] Mr. Haney: John Lovitz [/li][li] Sam Drucker: James Carville [/li][li] Hank Kimball: Gary Busey [/li][li] Fred Ziffel: Sam Elliott [/li][li] Arnold Ziffel: Patton Oswald [/li][li] Ralph Monroe: Sandra Bernhard [/li][li] Alf Monroe: Kevin Spacey[/li][li] Uncle Joe: Karl Malden[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2015, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/25 "2015-03-30T23:11:48Z")
> [@Jalola298](#): > > **For Bewitched, I’d use** > Alison Janney - Endora Oh. My. Freaking. God. That’s perfect. That’s perfecter than perfect. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/26 "2015-03-31T00:05:37Z")
> [@Jalola298](#): > > **For Bewitched, I’d use** > Alison Janney - Endora > [@jayjay](#): > > Oh. My. Freaking. God. > > That’s perfect. That’s perfecter than perfect. Really? Better than Holland Taylor? or even [Susan Sullivan](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0838360/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t4)? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/27 "2015-03-31T00:38:31Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > Really? Better than Holland Taylor? or even [Susan Sullivan](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0838360/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t4)? It’s an edge-out, but yes, I think better than those two. I’ve really gotten to like Janney since “Mom” and her part in the “9 to 5” musical. I never watched “West Wing”, but I haven’t seen a miss since I started paying attention. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/28 "2015-03-31T01:24:46Z")
_ **Flipper** _ [ul] [li]Porter Ricks: Stephen Colbert[/li][li] Sandy Ricks: Marcus Scribner[/li][li] Bud Ricks: Atticus Shaffer[/li][li] …and, starring [Michael Phelps, as _Flipper_!](http://s1148.photobucket.com/user/docdanz1/media/Flipper1_zpsy9mcgbfz.jpg.html)[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/29 "2015-03-31T01:41:30Z")
Justin Bieber as Alex P Keaton D&R ---
**Author:** ![Jalola298](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Jalola298](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jalola298)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/30 "2015-03-31T01:45:11Z")
> [@Tibby or Not Tibby](#): > > **Petticoat Junction:** > [ul] > [li]Uncle Joe: Gene Hackman[/li][li]Kate: Elaine Stritch[/li][/ul] Unfortunately Elaine Strich died last July 17. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/31 "2015-03-31T01:51:22Z")
But, she had enough energy in her to play from the grave and still out-sass anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/32 "2015-03-31T01:55:08Z")
> [@Jalola298](#): > > Unfortunately Elaine Strich died last July 17. :smack: > [@Tibby or Not Tibby](#): > > But, she had enough energy in her to play from the grave and still out-sass anyone else. I saw her in Showboat on Broadway about 25 years ago, and I would have to agree. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/33 "2015-03-31T02:02:29Z")
Yes, she was a pistol all right. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/34 "2015-03-31T02:28:21Z")
**[Me and the Chimp](http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/data/1840/0ScreenHunter_235_Feb_22_15_36.jpg):** [ul] [li]Mike Reynolds: Ty Burrell[/li][li]Liz Reynolds: Melissa Rauch[/li][li]Kitty Reynolds: Eden Sher[/li][li]Scott Reynolds: Nelson Aquino de la Rosa (RIP) [/li][li]The Chimp: Danny DeVito[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Obeseus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbce88/32.png) [@Obeseus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Obeseus)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/35 "2015-03-31T02:41:36Z")
It’s ‘Darrin Stephens’ and how could you not have Jim Carrey? Amy Adams, mentioned above, would be a great Samantha, but so would Nicole Kidman. Jerry Stiller as Abner Kravitz. ---
**Author:** ![tripthicket](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripthicket/32/297_2.png) [@tripthicket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tripthicket)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/36 "2015-03-31T03:15:17Z")
As a matter of fact, Nicole Kidman _did_ play Samantha in the _Bewitched_ movie from 2005. Will Ferrell played Darrin; take that as a warning or an incentive, whichever applies. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/37 "2015-03-31T23:03:00Z")
Christine Baranski as Endora. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2015, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/38 "2015-03-31T23:26:38Z")
The Cosby Show: Cliff Huxtable: Cuba Gooding Jr. Claire Huxtable: Joy Bryant Denise Huxtable: Amandla Stenberg (Rue from the Hunger Games) Theo Huxtable: I dunno. Vanessa Huxtable: Willow Smith Rudy Huxtable: I dunno. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/39 "2015-04-04T01:26:13Z")
OK. _Bewitched_: Beyonce as Samantha Jaleel White as Darren S. Epatha Merkerson as “Larry” (new first name TBA) Tate Fran Lebowitz as Louise Tate (new last name TBA, but you get the idea)\* Ellen DeGeneres as Gladys Kravitz Arye Gross as Abner Kravitz Phylicia Rashad as Mrs. “Frank, I have a sick headache” Stephens Cedric Yarbrough as Dr. Bombay Alan Rickman as Maurice (Samantha’s father) Paris Barclay as Uncle Arthur Maggie Smith as Aunt Clara And as Endora… **RuPaul** \*In this version, there’ll be a reverse of the schtick of Larry always bringing clients over to the Stephens to be entertained at the last minute, with lesbian “Larry” worried that Darren is taking advantage of his wife, while Darren keeps assuring her that it’s no trouble for Samantha to “whip something up at the last minute.” This will produce some friction because “Larry” will think of Darren as some kind of backwards douche, and will always be telling Samantha if she needs help, she’s there for her. In fact, in general, Darren won’t be so opposed to magic as in the original, as long as he knows that his personal accomplishments are his accomplishments, and most of the friction will come from the rest of the family not “getting” that part of the deal. And then, of course, the usual trying to hide things from the nosy neighbors, who will employ all matter of technological stealth with less than competence, and Aunt Clara’s magic hiccups that no one can fix but her, and she can’t remember what she did, just like in the original show. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205/40 "2015-04-04T03:00:35Z")
In that version, Beyoncé wouldn’t need to play the dual roles, Solange could play Serina [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recast-an-old-sitcom-any-character-with-a-modern-actor-reuse-of-character-or-actor-allowed/716205.md?page=3)