‘Lethal Weapon,’ ‘MacGyver’ remakes the latest in ‘new’ network TV ideas

For everyone out there who have groaned over the lack of new ideas on network television, we have a feeling that you are not going to be particularly thrilled about some of the news that we have for you now.

Let’s start with what is a feature film adaptation. According to a new report from Deadline, Fox has a put pilot commitment for a version of the original “Lethal Weapon” film originally starring Danny Glover and Mel Gibson. We imagine that all new actors will be cast, but the show will capture the action and intensity of the original (but in a way that clears network standards and practices). Here is the question that we have for you: Why? Was there really that much of a demand for this? Also, remember that Fox is already thinking about making new versions of “Fatal Attraction” and “Urban Cowboy” on the TV front, and they’ve also got a continuation of “Prison Break” on slate.

Now, let’s turn to CBS and their hope to bring back “MacGyver,” which is something that we already feel there was a spiritual successor for in “Burn Notice.” R. Scott Gemmill of “NCIS: Los Angeles” is writing the script, and James Wan and Henry Winkler (who executive-produced the original) will both be on board as EPs. CBS is a network that can do remakes very well, given that they have the following to make procedural shows like this work. Remember, they’ve had “Hawaii Five-0” on the air now for over half a decade.