As we wait for Kelsey Grammer and the Frasier team to get their shit together, the ‘90s sitcom revival rolls on. Following in the footsteps of Roseanne and Will & Grace, NBC’s Mad About You is returning later this year as a limited series to air on Charter Communications’ Spectrum Originals, whatever the hell that is. Variety reports that Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt will reprise their roles as fussy New York couple Paul Buchman and Jamie Stemple.
It’s an interesting decision, especially since the sitcom’s 1999 finale jumped forward in time by more than two decades to explore the evolution of Paul and Jamie’s relationship, as well as the impact it had on their daughter, Mabel, who was then played by Janeane Garofalo. Considering it’s been 20 years since that finale, it’s likely the revival will pick up where it left off, though we’re going to go out on a limb by guessing Garofalo won’t be returning.
Rescue Me creator Peter Tolan, who recently oversaw the The Jim Gaffigan Show, will serve as showrunner, and Hunt will direct the first episode.
“We are so excited to finally be doing this and thrilled to have Peter Tolan as our fearless captain,” said Reiser and Hunt in a statement. “We promise you the same funny and heartwarming show—as soon as we can remember what’s funny about being older.” Folks.
However it turns out, we’re hoping Lisa Kudrow returns as Friends’ Ursula Buffay—twin sister of Phoebe—who, all told, appeared in 24 episodes of the series. We won’t, however, hold our breath for Hank Azaria’s dog walker, what with the good boy Murray having trotted to heaven in the finale. Oops, now we’re sad.