Vol. 1, No. 3: Why Reboots Fail and 90s Nostalgia Still Rules
Nostalgia sells, but do we really need reboots? From TV shows to snacks, this issue breaks down why the originals hit different - and why the '90s just won’t quit.
Reboots. They’re everywhere, aren’t they? Some streaming service digs up a show from your childhood and says, “Hey, remember this?” I remember. And honestly, I liked it better the first time.
But this issue isn’t just about reboots. It’s about grunge, snacks, and why the 90s still cling to pop culture like the smell of CK One on a thrift store jacket. So grab your Walkman and a pair of Doc Martens - we’re diving in.
Why Reboots Are Lame: Nostalgia Deserves Better
Have you ever watched a reboot and wondered, “Who asked for this?” That’s exactly how I felt about Fuller House. The original had its corny charm, sure, but the reboot? It felt like someone took the corniness, turned it up to 11, and forgot what made the show work in the first place. And don’t even get me started on The Matrix Resurrections. It spent so much time reminding us how great the original trilogy was, it forgot to be great itself.
Then there’s Saved by the Bell. The original thrived in its time - big hair, neon windbreakers, and a world where saying “psych” was peak comedy. The reboot tried to bring it into the modern era, but it was like slapping a Snapchat filter on a Polaroid. Sure, it’s colorful, but it misses the point.
That’s not to say all reboots are bad. Battlestar Galactica proved that, with enough care and thought, you can reimagine a classic in a way that feels fresh. But most of the time? They’re cash grabs. They tap into our memories but offer nothing new. And maybe that’s what bothers me the most. Nostalgia is powerful. It deserves better.
Grunge Fashion: When Flannel Was a Statement
When I think about grunge, I think about flannel shirts, combat boots, and a kind of quiet rebellion. It wasn’t just a look; it was a mindset. The polished, neon-coated vibes of the 80s didn’t speak to us, so we turned to something messy, something real.
I remember layering flannel over a band tee, grabbing a pair of scuffed-up Docs, and feeling like I’d cracked the code of effortless cool. The whole point was to look like you’d just rolled out of bed and grabbed whatever was on the floor. Somehow, it worked.
Now, grunge is back - but it’s different. Designer flannel? Chic combat boots? Kurt Cobain would’ve rolled his eyes. But maybe that’s the cycle of fashion. We take what was real, sanitize it for mass appeal, and sell it back as nostalgia. The question is, does it still mean the same thing?
Retro Snacks: A Love Letter to Discontinued Treats
Let’s talk about Dunkaroos. Those little cookies and sugary frosting weren’t just a snack - they were a status symbol. If you had Dunkaroos in your lunchbox, you were instantly cool. And what about 3D Doritos? Sure, they were impractical and kind of weird, but that was the point. They didn’t need to make sense; they just needed to taste good.
The snacks of the 90s weren’t trying to be healthy or sophisticated. They were bright, sugary, and unapologetically fun. And when they disappeared, it felt like we lost a little piece of our childhood. Sure, Dunkaroos are back now, and Crystal Pepsi pops up every so often, but it’s not the same. It’s like finding an old mixtape - close enough to the real thing to remind you of what you lost, but not quite there.
Why the 90s Will Never Die
You know what’s funny? Every decade has its nostalgia moment, but the 90s? They just won’t quit. Maybe it’s because they were the last analog decade. CDs felt futuristic, Blockbuster was a Friday night ritual, and AIM away messages were the height of self-expression. We were connected, but not too connected. It was a balance we didn’t realize we’d miss.
Pop culture didn’t hurt, either. Friends, The X-Files, Clueless, Nirvana - they all hit at the perfect time. Fresh, raw, and real in a way that feels hard to replicate. Even now, people wear Doc Martens and blast Smashing Pumpkins like it’s 1995. The 90s weren’t just a decade - they were a vibe.
So maybe the 90s haven’t really gone anywhere. They’ve just evolved, slipping into our playlists, wardrobes, and Netflix queues. And honestly? I’m okay with that. Who says a vibe ever has to die?
What’s your take on reboots? Do they do justice to your favorite shows or just remind you how great the originals were? Let’s hear it in the comments.
