Tv on film

In the last few years, audiences have been treated to (read: tortured by) an outrageous number of films based on television shows. And although it’s nothing new (“The Brady Bunch” movie), the lack of creativity in Hollywood has force-fed us such cinematic masterpieces as “Starsky and Hutch,” “The Dukes of Hazzard” and “Æon Flux” at an accelerated rate.

Nevertheless, the major success of the “Sex and the City” movie has us here at WEEKEND thinking that maybe a TV show-to-film conversion can work, but under a few conditions.

Cinematic criteria

The TV-film hybrid must be adapted from a show that has ended within the past five years. This keeps the fan base excited and prevent the  outing from relying on nostalgia. (Even if  “Get Smart” was entertaining, we’ve seen enough from our parents’ generation).

Second, it must be based on a show that was actually good, like “Sex and the City.” And finally, the adaptation must stay within the confines of the show’s original premise.

With these standards in mind, here are TV shows that deserve time on the silver screen.

Don’t stop believin’

Obviously, one of the  best shows in the history of TV deserves time in theaters. “The Sopranos” revolutionized television during its eight years on HBO in so many ways and captured the cold-blooded hearts of millions.

Tony Soprano’s family problems were completely relatable, even if all those therapy sessions were intermixed with a few murders.

The series’ ending – the widely buzzed-about fade-to-black – has left the door wide open for a film.

American audiences don’t like or really understand the open-ended conclusion, so it’s up to creator David Chase to whip up an epic screenplay that sends Tony out in a more celebrated fashion. A “Sopranos” film is certainly the most wanted TV-to-film adaptation.

Steve Holt!

For the most part, films based on sitcoms would be unmitigated disasters. They have trouble keeping the laughs alive for 22 minutes, let alone for 90.

Then again, “Arrested Development” isn’t most sitcoms. It’s the best comedy program of all time.

And ever since its unceremonious cancellation by those sorry saps over at FOX  in 2006, rumors of a feature film have slithered their way onto the interwebs.

And seriously, it’s time. Although a lot of the show’s cast have seen their careers rise meteorically since its axe, it shouldn’t be hard to get everyone together again.

In fact, in various interviews recently, cast members said the film is in the works, so we wonder what’s the hold up. We need to know what happened to Lucille after Annyong turned her in for deporting his grandfather and how Michael and George Michael are doing in Cabo.  

Dude, where’s the island?

Sure, “Lost” isn’t over yet (not until 2010), but of all the shows on the air now, it’s easily the one that most deserves to be watched on an IMAX screen. Shot on location in Hawaii, it’s the most beautifully shot program ever, and the tremendous writing staff has transformed the show from a buzzworthy mystery into a deep labyrinth of ideas with a cult-like following.

“Lost” appearing on film should be approached differently, because a stand-alone after-the-fact movie wouldn’t work. Instead, ABC should throw wads of cash at the cast and crew and allow the series finale to be released in theaters. The idea has been kicked around before, so obviously somebody high up finds it appealing.

In most cases, TV shows should not be adapted into movies. No one wants to see a two-hour “Entourage” or “Ugly Betty” in theaters. Nevertheless, the aforementioned cases are the exception to the rule, and die-hard fans can only hope these shows reach cineplexes soon.