I read the Hula Hoop and the Yo Yo are making a comeback. Thanks to dollar stores, I do not know if they ever really left. Still, they are on the horizon as a couple of the new in fads. Apparently the 21st Century is on its way to earning the label as The Age of Revival. Much of the current marketing is centered on the "what's old is new again" theme.
The theme isn't just for consumer products.
Recycled people is the hottest commodity going right now. Sports tops the list with people like Morten Anderson coming out of retirement to kick his way into the record books. After a year out of football, he has comeback to become the new NFL all time scoring leader. Roger Clemens seems to retire and unretire seasonally. It would seem a wave of $25 million for a quarter of season of work does the trick. Newt Gingrich after stepping out the political limelight due to questionable actions is gaining support to re-enter the political arena as a presidential hopeful. One would surmise that after the Clinton antics in office we have the fallout of the "Hey, I could do that" effect.
Recycled Entertainment
The movie industry is not just churning out remakes but pounding out sequels to 20 year old action movie franchises with the main stars over 60. Sly Stallone and the latest Rocky movie proving old icons can find success. Not to mention giving his brother Frank another shot at both acting and singing careers. I fear though for Frank, if you blink, you will miss him altogether in the movie. It rather reflects the impact of both his acting and singing past. Harrison Ford reports he is up for another installment of Indiana Jones or at the age of 64 maybe we should refer to it as Indiana Groans.
Television not to be left behind is recycling former headline stars like Howie Mandel, Bob Saget and famous for being famous LaToya Jackson. Miss Jackson's newest exposure might prove brother Michael is really not her in drag. TV has also decided to once again beckon movie stars for weekly series programming like Timothy Hutton, James Woods and Ray Liotta. Tim's show was kidnapped by the ratings. Ray did not come close to succeeding. I never guessed James would succeed, but he did.
The comic book industry gets pumped with adrenaline as both TV and the movie industries turn to them as just they had before. Spiderman launched the infusion followed by the X-Men. Batman and Superman returned the small screen and big screen as well. What people do not realize is for years comic book people have been jumping over to the live action genre. Gerry Conway known for killing off Spidey's girlfriend in the comics has been writing for TV and movies. His credit include such shows as Law and Order and Diagnosis Murder along with movies as Conan the Destroyer starring a guy named Arnold Schwarzenegger. Now, comic book writers like Kevin Smith, Brian Singer, and Joss Whedon are Hollywood power players. The medias feed off each other recycling and interweaving creative talents and fictional characters like never before.
Broadway theatres are the mecca of recycling. Miss Saigon has been revived. 42nd Street has been born again. The industry thrives of the rebirth of old product. It might be said they are the gurus of recycling entertainment.
Talk about the music world were recycling is also king. The Rolling Stones are one of the few top groups from the 20th Century not to have another final last tour or reunion. They simply just never stop touring at all. At present the band The Who reigns in the let's do it one last time again category. My fear is if Alzheimer's hits Peter Townshend and Roger Daltrey the band will reform as The Who, What, Where and When.
The automobile industry brings back its own stars.
Ford and Chevrolet brought back classic muscle cars with the Mustang Shelby Cobra and the Camaro. The most is an interesting subplot in resurrection of these concept cars. Gas prices are at historical highs and these vehicles are not fuel efficient. When considering a purchase of one of these revived classics one might want to factor in the gas payments. Would that make it a car loan or a second mortgage in your future?
It would seem the reaching into the past to create the new will become the backbone of the 21st Century economy. Historians will look back at our present and say we epitomized "no matter how much things change, they remain the same." I hope they notice we not only just do it again, but we do it better.
