TV

They May Have Found a Way to Bring Back ‘Drake and Josh’

It’s just gonna take some time to realize.
Drake And Josh
By  · Published on March 18th, 2019

If you grew up watching Nickelodeon in the mid-2000s, you’re undoubtedly familiar with the popular teen sitcom Drake and Josh, starring Drake Bell and Josh Peck as the titular stepbrothers with clashing personalities. The show followed the pair as they tried to make their way through high school and life, only to find themselves experiencing many hilarious mishaps along the way. Miranda Cosgrove also starred as their evil younger sister, Megan, whose sadistic torment was often responsible for the pair’s troubles. It was amazing.

Drake and Josh ran for four seasons between 2004 and 2007. Two TV movies were also released, with 2008’s Merry Christmas, Drake and Josh the last we ever saw of the lovable siblings together. Since then, the cast has grown up and moved on to different things, but they’ve never been quite able to shake the sitcom that made them stars. That’s because it was a difficult show to say goodbye to. Growing up watching Drake and Josh was akin to falling in love for the first time. However, we could be reintroduced to the brothers in the near future.

According to People, a Drake and Josh revival starring the show’s original stars is currently in the works. Bell broke the good news while attending the iHeartRadio Music Awards recently, revealing that he and Peck are currently in talks with several networks about making it happen. He told the magazine:

“We’re working on something. I’m excited. I think we have a great idea… [The show] is going to be way more creative, way cooler than just you know the college years or something like that. We knew that if we were ever going to come back, it’s got to be something cool. I’m excited to see what the fans think.”

Color me curious. My affinity for the original series has me interested anyway, but it sounds like everyone involved is aware that a revival needs to appeal to a mature audience in order to work. Drake and Josh’s original base are now adults after all. Our sense of humor and life experiences are much different than they were back then. This revival can’t be kid stuff.

Plus, Bell, Peck, and their characters are also in their early thirties, which means they’re (probably) no longer experiencing adolescent woes. The new incarnation should still focus on giving them misadventures but make them more adult-orientated. Maybe a storyline where the brothers have drifted apart and Josh doesn’t invite Drake to his wedding could be fun. You know… adult stuff.

That seems to be the direction they have in mind. Bell’s comments suggest that they don’t want the revival to be like Saved by the Bell: The College Years. That could have been an interesting idea 10 years ago, but we’ve seen shows like that before. Sitcoms are a dime a dozen, and a contemporary continuation of a once popular series for teens is going to be tricky. But everyone involved seems to understand this. The fact this is even an idea is interesting, and I look forward to seeing the direction the show takes, should it actually happen.

I do love the idea of catching up with these characters in the present day. My inner teenager would appreciate the closure and adult me might relate to the grown-up version of these characters. Other fans probably feel the same way since Drake and Josh didn’t have a memorable send-off (the episodes were aired out of date and the TV movies were just fine).

Hopefully, the revival gives this saga a new lease of life. Cobra Kai is proof that revivals of teen fare can cater to nostalgia while providing something fresh and mature for modern viewers. Drake and Josh might not be as popular as The Karate Kid, but for four years it captured the hearts of millions in its own way. Let’s bring these rascals back for another hurrah.

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Kieran is a Contributor to the website you're currently reading. He also loves the movie Varsity Blues.