11 TV Shows Based on Movies You (Probably) Forgot About
The movie-turned-TV-show adaptation isn't exactly a fresh Hollywood concept, and new, albeit recycled, examples of the trend keep popping up on our screens every single season. But they can't all be "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Friday Night Lights." Here are 11 short-lived TV shows based on films you may have totally forgot existed.
'Dirty Dancing' (1988)
You can't put Baby in the corner, but you can cancel her TV adaptation after just 11 episodes... CBS tried to The Office" -- starred alongside Patrick Cassidy, and "Ghostbusters" director Paul Feig played Norman Bryant.
'Dangerous Minds' (1996-1997)
Yes, there was a short-lived TV series based on the inner-city teaching drama, and Annie Potts starred in the role originated by Michelle Pfeiffer. And yes, Coolio did do the theme song.
'Ferris Bueller' (1990-1991)
NBC adapted John Hughes's beloved high school comedy back in 1990, but the network couldn't save Ferris after a 13-episode run. Fortunately, one of the shows stars -- Jennifer Aniston, playing the Jeannie role originated by Jennifer Grey -- went on to star in "Friends" just a few years later. We're thinking she's pretty pleased "Bueller" didn't make it.
'Parenthood' (1990)
We all know a "Parenthood" adaptation premiered in 2010 and lasted for 6 seasons, but that wasn't the first time the Ron Howard film got the TV treatment. In 1990 NBC gave it a first whirl and despite a cast featuring David Arquette, Ed Begley Jr., Thora Birch, and some guy called Leonardo DiCaprio, it didn't make it past episode 12.
'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles' (2008-2009)
People love all things "Terminator," but not enough to keep Fox's Sarah Connor-centric revival kicking. Kudos to them for casting future Cersei Lannister Lena Headey in it, though.
'My Big Fat Greek Life' (2003)
The natural step after having one of the biggest indie sleeper hits of all time is to go ahead and make a sitcom, right? Not always. Nia Vardalos (with the help of Tom Hanks's production company) took her Greek life to TV in 2003, but the series only lasted 7 episodes. It's OK, though. "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2" hit theaters in 2016, even though it took 13 years to get off the ground.
'The Net' (1998)
3 years after Sandra Bullock's computer programming thriller hit theaters, USA decided they should try the story out as a series. The show wasn't exactly a memorable one, aside from the fact that current A-listers Jeremy Renner and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson made appearances before they hit it big.
'Uncle Buck' (1990-1991)
The 1990 TV season was a big one for movie adaptations, and the hilarious John Candy flick "Uncle Buck" was not immune to the trend, even though it only lasted one season. 25 years later and we're still trying to make this thing work -- ABC's "Uncle Buck" reboot starring Mike Epps was picked up last year. Of course it was.
'Serpico' (1976-1977)
NBC attempted to make an entire show out of the iconic Al Pacino NYC whistleblowing cop drama back in 1976. Unfortunately Al didn't sign on for the project (he was probably too busy making movies like "Dog Day Afternoon") and the show found its way to the forgotten reboot graveyard.
'Working Girl' (1990)
Make no mistake about it -- "Working Girl" is a fantastic film, so we're not surprised NBC found it absolutely necessary to bring it to television. They cast Sandra Bullock in the Tess McGill role originated by Melanie Griffith and used Carly Simon's "Let the River Run" as the theme song, so at least they did two things right... But those choices weren't enough -- they didn't even bother airing all the episodes.
'The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles' (1992-1993)
In the early '90s, our elementary school selves could have not been more thrilled to watch Indiana Jones's teenage self in action week after week. But we we weren't in charge of the programming block at ABC. Impressive guest stars and Harrison Ford himself just couldn't keep this ambitious George Lucas move alive. But they were just trying to make history fun!
