Did we need a TV movie remake of Alex Haley's "Roots", and do you plan to watch The History Channel's version?

The link doesn’t work for me.

I don’t think we need a remake. However, I guess when there is a remake it reaches an audience who might not watch “old” shows and movies. Is it a mini-series like last time? Same amount of hours?

The link still works for me, @stanleybmanly.

Roots @JLeslie
“In the United States, Roots is airing in four installments of approximately two hours each, airing nightly from May 30 to June 2, 2016, simulcast on History, A&E, and Lifetime.”

I first heard of the remake on – yup you guessed it – NPR.

Link works for me.

I’m probably not going to watch it but one advantage of a remake is it will be shot in a clearer format than the original, which is probably somewhat grainy now when viewed on modern TV’s.

First, Snoop’s logic is bullshit. We shouldn’t make movies that depict enslaved blacks because movies just rehash the history of blacks. That makes no sense. One would think that is a reason in favor of it.

Second, to the question “did we need”? Probably not. But you could say that about 90% of what shows up on TV, particularly commercial TV, This is no worse, no better, not really different from any of a thousand other remakes.

I saw the original, way back when, and I read a lot of history, so I doubt I will watch this one. But my tastes shouldn’t govern everyone else’s.

I wanted to comment about Snoop. I understand his point. Knowing your people were tortured, enslaved, and oppressed weighs on the soul. I would go as far to say it can increase paranoia, and decrease self esteem.

I have said before I don’t think young children should watch anything like this, especially not black children. Older teenagers and adults it’s ok, or even good, because from knowing our history we hope not to repeat it.

I always say as a Jew I don’t want to see a lot of holocaust movies. It’s too upsetting. I am them. I identify with those who were killed, and raped, and practically starved, experimented on, and burned alive. I believe it happened. I grew up hearing stories. It’s the other people who need to see it.

I gave up on The History Channel a long time ago. I was willing to give them another chance with Vikings, but since that quickly went from being an attempt at historicity to Skandinavian Sons of Anarchy (completely with riveted glossy black leather jackets), I’m done.

I love the original version and re-watched it some months ago during the winter. Nobody can replace the stellar cast back in the day. I was about 17–18 when Roots premeired on network television, it was awesome! I don’t watch TV now but I’m happy with the classic original version.

I think that the original was so well done and had such a stellar cast that it would be extremely difficult to top it so I most likely won’t watch it.

@Buttonstc exactly! Don’t fix/re-make what ain’t broke. haha

I never heard of it, but if History Channel shows it, that is not a favorable recommendation. It shows such garbage as “Ancient Aliens”, so anything it shows is dubious.