(Photo: CarlaVanWagoner / Shutterstock.com.)
Last month, we reported news out of Comic-Con that the retooled MacGyver TV show reboot on CBS wants to bring on the original Angus MacGyver — Richard Dean Anderson — in some fashion. The new series stars Lucas Till in the title role. The cast also includes George Eads, Sandrine Holt, Justin Hires, and Tristan Mays.
Reporting from the TCA summer presser for CBS, The Wrap writes showrunner Peter Lenkov said the new production has been talking to Anderson’s reps, adding, “We hope he says yes.” Lenkov executive produces with Craig O’Neill, James Wan, Henry Winkler, Lee Zlotoff, and Michael Clear. Last month though, in response to the Comic-Con based stories, Anderson sounded decidedly unwilling to have anything to do with the new MacGyver.
Check out the pair of notes Anderson sent to RDAnderson.com site runner Kate Ritter, which she posted on July 24th and 25th.
“NOTE FROM RICK”
MACGYVER REBOOT
July 24, 2016Last October it was announced that CBS Television Studios was preparing to reboot MacGyver as a series for television.
The production has undergone a number of changes and revisions, and last week at Comic-Con in San Diego, the producers and cast introduced the new series and mentioned that they had “reached out” to Richard Dean Anderson. Since then, there has been much speculation about whether Richard would be involved in the project in some way.
Richard offered his perspective first in a brief text, notable mostly for his completely unexplained use of a “disco” icon as his signature.
July 24, 2016
Wylie is just arriving, so this is a teaser:
Huge overhaul of personnel at the new MacGyver: producers, writers, actors, etc. The promo people for CBS/MacGyver called my agent to see if I would be interetsted in helping to promote their show.
I’ll email you tomorrow-ish… my girl is here!
randerson
“NOTE FROM RICK” Richard followed up his earlier text with an email in which he explained why he would not be appearing in the new MacGyver reboot.
MACGYVER REBOOT
July 25, 2016July 25, 2016
So many people have responded to the attempted “reboot” of the MacGyver franchise, and a lot of people have asked me if I’m going to be in the new show, or am I going to produce it, or, yada.
And all I can say is, I’m not considering being a part of a project that has overlooked the insanely LOYAL FANS of the original character and has proceeded without considering how and why they all became and STAYED loyal fans…
Yes, I was asked, but no, I won’t be involved in the MacGyver reboot. I have tried to recognize that there really is a balance to be found here. Hence, my loyalty to my fans.
Anderson, Rick
(Anderson’s words bolded above, for emphasis.)
Sure, things can and do change. Perhaps CBS can build a trap out of a paperclip, kitchen twine, bubble gum, duct tape, and some cold hard cash, to snare the original recipe Mac. MacGyver premieres Friday, September 23, 2016 on CBS.
What do you think? Are you a fan of the old MacGyver TV show? If Anderson takes a role in the reboot, would it make you more likely to watch?
I am a huge Original MacGyver fan and really didn’t expect to even like the new one but have found that I do….I would LOVE to see Richard Dean Anderson appear on the show !!!!!
Yes I would absolutely love it. Maybe MR. ANDERSON could play a role as his dad
The reboot is a hackneyed cliche of every other show with Special agents. This show imitates every show, EXCEPT the original MacGyver. What was CBS thinking!? The show is predictable and boring. The original MacGyver would not be so flamboyant and slick. I am a loyal MacGyver fan who was willing to give this a try. The writers got this wrong and should end this series immediately.
As someone who grew up on the original series and one of the insanely loyal fans that RDA spoke of… I will never have anything to do with this reboot.
That was the worst episode ever! I could not even get into it. My house is more secure then the Phoenix Foundation.
As a huge fan of the original 1985-1992 show (which got me hooked on Swiss Army Knives), I was very skeptical of the reboot. I have to admit I was not a fan of the first few episodes; seemed more like MacGyver meets Chuck, with George Eads taking the Adam Baldwin part. However, once I stopped comparing the old with the new, the series sort of grew on me. The Nikki thing didn’t make a whole lot of sense, but I thought it was a good move to remove Sandrine Holt, who just did not seem to mesh well with… Read more »
I loved the original MacGyver, and at first I wasn’t too sure about the reboot. After a few unsteady episodes, I think the new MacGyver hit its stride about episode 8 with the introduction of Murdock. I really enjoy the series now. It isn’t disloyal for fans to like both MacGyvers, or for RDA to visit on the current series – though he’d surely guest as MacGyver’s grandfather (whom Mac keeps referencing), not as his father. Maybe the true basis of RDA’s refusal to guest on the show may have to do with his appearance. He’s put on quite a… Read more »
I love old MacGyver on Netflix. Don’t like the show at all.
As a big fan of the original MacGyver i wasn’t sure if i could be as loyal to the new production or not. But after watching each new episode as well as the originals i download from CBS primetime i have became a fan of the new show. As we grow in life we change mentally and physically as we age and i believe we should make the best of what we are dealt. For me: in my unusual circumstances throughout my life i have always escaped into my favorite television shows such as the original McGyver, and just being… Read more »
As a huge fan of the original. I stand by Mr. Anderson. They should trash this new one and start over with Richard Dean Anderson. He is MacGyver.
I am the same age as Richard Dean Anderson and I loved the show. I feel like I am watching a little kid on the new show, so it is some what boring. I am watching reruns of the old one and am very happy.
I’m a huge fan of the original MacGyver and really wanted the new version to be good, but it misses the mark in so many ways. Justin Hires’ character is SO unnecessary and annoying. Making Mac part of a team is also a bad idea; it makes him ineffective and kind of boring. Jack Dalton wasn’t in EVERY episode, nor should he be, and the new Thornton is stiff and pretty unlikeable. Please get rid of the team. Let new Mac solve his own problems and expand his character. Let us get to know him without the constant annoying banter… Read more »
I like the new MacGyver but took awhile to adjust. The new Angus is too young… I agree it should have been his son. Its still a good show tho… and yes, let the Nikki thing go… please. I dont like her and cant tell whats going on. Its sickening to see him obsess like a sick puppy… Anyway, i still like it but please get Richard Dean involved and the old wtiters….
I like the people well enough but the new MacGyver falls flat. He’s got too much ready help available. Not enough true chin thought scratching moments. We don’t get the good feeling of peril that injured he’ll think and work his way through. We watch out of loyalty to our original MacGyver. Often with the new playing in the background we’ll discuss the old MacGyver eps and those solutions. RDA involved in the development mix might get them on the right track. The show is mostly missing the MacGyver feel. The new Mac is surely brilliant but he misses the… Read more »
I personally was and still am a HUGE fan of the original. I had fond memories watching the original with my mom. I guess the idea of one man “fixing” himself, inventing gadgets and helping others out of situations was original and refreshing. I thought the few first episodes of the reboot was a disaster but I started to grow fond of it and its lead. But, when the show begins to focus on “Mac” searcbing for a female, i believe it kills the weekly storyline the writers are obviously struggling to work and develop with the other characters. Focus… Read more »
I tried to give the MacGyver reboot a chance but it is so unlike the original that it saddens me to watch it. Sometimes its best to leave originals alone. I prefer Richard Dean Anderson’s character and even if he did guest star it just wouldn’t be right. I love watching the reruns! Thanks for the memories RDA!
i personally believe that if they got rid of bozer and made the boss pete instead of patty and hopefully had RDA as pete the show may become awesome . at first i nick picked everything that was way different from the orginial like jack was the goofy best friend that would drag mac into his plans that would go horribaly wrong and mac would have to fix them by the seat of his pants. im getting used to the new jack but i think that has more to do with his sex appeal hes hot not RDA hot but… Read more »
I like this show i know some others hate it and i was skeptical on how it was going to be considering the classic which i have seen it took a little while to get where it was going but it has now been a great show after a couple episodes now its great. the only thing is the music credit opening i don’t like but aside from that everything else is great, it would be awesome if Richard dean Anderson reconsidered and played a cameo i also think having Bruce McGill as a cameo would be awesome.