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Kojak Reboot: Nostalgia Didn't Save Ving Rhames' Show
28 Sep
Summary
- USA Network's 2005 Kojak reboot failed to gain traction.
- Ving Rhames starred as Lt. Theo Kojak in the limited series.
- Rhames avoided the original show due to his upbringing.
In March 2005, USA Network attempted to revive the beloved '70s crime drama "Kojak," but the nostalgia factor proved insufficient for success. Ving Rhames, a Golden Globe winner, took on the iconic role of NYPD Lieutenant Theo Kojak, originally made famous by Telly Savalas. The reimagined series aired as a nine-episode limited run, updating Kojak's crime-fighting adventures to modern-day Manhattan.
This iteration featured Chazz Palminteri as Captain Frank McNeil and Michael Kelly as Detective Bobby Crocker. While the reboot retained signature elements like Kojak's bald head, fedora, and penchant for lollipops, the character's backstory and personality were significantly altered. Notably, his famous catchphrase, "Who loves ya, baby?" was omitted.
Rhames explained in a 2005 interview that he did not watch the original "Kojak" during his childhood. Growing up in Harlem, he experienced a reality that closely resembled the crime-filled narratives of the show. He stated that the neighborhood itself offered a version of the drama, making a television depiction unnecessary and perhaps too uncomfortably familiar.
