Ah reboots, the bread and butter of petty drama. Earlier this year, fans found out one of their cult favourites – Charmed – would be rebooted on CW. At first, fans were admittedly excited until the details started to surface. The main criticism? No Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano, Rose McGowan, or Shannen Doherty.
Then, the trailer arrived and all hell broke loose.
In short, the extended trailer – which was pretty much a pilot episode – was torn to shreds. Cast your eyes to any of the reboot’s official social media accounts and your phone will begin to tremble from the rioting fans.
Take the Youtube comments on the trailer for example:
“This looks so cheap and low budget. The original has Shannen and Alyssa. If you wanna reboot, at least cast more famous actors. The special effects look so bad!!!!!”
And:
“We asked for a next generation… with Wyatt, Chris, and Melinda.. Or with Phoebe and Coop’s 3 girls. Even if Piper, Phoebe, and Paige weren’t a part of it. Literally, no one asked for this.”
The video currently has more dislikes than likes.
With the reboot copping so much hate, it was only a matter of time before one of the stars from the new series spoke out.
Sarah Jeffery, who plays youngest sister Madison Pruitt had this to say via her twitter:
“I fully understand how dear the OG Charmed is to many. For very, very good reason. We are so beyond grateful to have the opportunity to bring this reboot to life and bring current, timely themes to the forefront of a show that stars not one, not two, but THREE WOC!!! We regard the foundation that was laid with great respect.
But when my character is challenged, when there is futile yet harmful noise about how we are either incapable or doomed, I will vociferously defend myself and my sisters. The original Charmed will always stay very much intact and will always be widely respected. I invite you to come on this journey with us to discover more stories within the universe. I also respect your declination. But please, let’s show up for one another in favorable ways and be kind with our opinions.
I know our show will have a positive effect on so many women, youth, and anyone who is receptive to being on the right side of history.
Thank you,
Sarah”
Well, there you go.
This comes as original star Combs, went and started a twitter war with the reboot’s director, Brad Silberling. Again, in short – Combs is pissed and threw hot tea at the reboot especially because it’s being promoted as a “fierce, funny reboot” as if the original wasn’t.
Combs, who played Piper Halliwell, has always expressed interest in being involved in a reboot – as have her co-stars of the original show. Silberling claims a reboot has only happened now because they’ve finally found a buyer prepared to finance the show. Combs said this was both “inaccurate and untrue“.
And then she told Siberling to go “suck it”.
Then, when Yahoo appeared to misquote her criticisms, Combs posted the original message between her and a Huffington Post journalist:
“I appreciate the jobs and opportunities the Charmed reboot has created. But I will never understand what is fierce, funny or feminist in creating a show that basically says the original actresses are too old to do a job they did 12 years ago. I hope the new show is far better than the marketing so the true legacy does remain. Reboots fair better when they honor the original as opposed to taking shots at the original.
Reboots also do better when they listen to a still passionate fan base which is what it’s all about, isn’t it? That’s why we do reboots. The fans are why we all get to do what we do. So we wish them well and hope for success.”
OOOOFT.
Here’s the reboot’s trailer if you feel like being a Petty Betty:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loWpbevW9xg
