“Roots” Remake In Wake Of “12 Years”
Does anybody believe that the History Channel isn’t going to dumb down “Roots” in its remake? The network has garnered big ratings for “The Bible” so “Roots” (above) will probably grab some eyeballs, but it won’t be anything near the popularity that the series had in 1977, when there were only three major networks. Also: does anyone think it’s an accident that the decision for the remake is happening in the wake of the success of movies like “12 Years a Slave (below)” and “The Butler”? Meanwhile, Frank Rich draws the connection between these films and “Roots,” doubting that their effect can do much to ease the pernicious vestiges of racism in today’s world.
