‘Life Goes On’ Reboot: ’90s Series — the First to Feature a Major Character With Down Syndrome — Is Making a Comeback
Reboots are all the rage these days, and fans are ecstatic about the fact that shows like The Conners, Fuller House, and 90210 have been brought back to entertain us just as they did all those years ago. It is great to revisit the shows that we all knew and loved so much, and see what our favorite TV families are up to now. Life Goes On, one of the most notable series from the ’90s is the latest to join the reboot mania, and it sounds absolutely great.
Original cast member Kellie Martin is all set to star in and produce the revival, and it won’t be long before the new show is shopped around to networks and streaming services. Let’s take a minute to talk a bit about Life Goes On, and how the first show to feature a major character with Down Syndrome is making a huge comeback.
The original ‘Life Goes On’
Life Goes On featured a Midwestern family as they deal with typical everyday issues, all while coming together and supporting each other through all of life’s unpredictable ups and downs. According to IMDb, the show first premiered in September 1989, and ran for 83 episodes.
As for the premise of the original series? It told the story of the Thatcher family and starred Patti LuPone, Bill Smitrovich, and Monique Lanier as the original Paige Thatcher. Most of the show focused on the youngest family member, socially awkward Becca, and son Corky, who, despite having Down Syndrome, attended a regular high school, and strived to have as normal of a life as possible. During the show’s run, several situations were featured as main storylines, including the repercussions of drunk driving, as well as the difficulties of living with HIV.
Everything we knew about the reboot
The original series lasted for four seasons, and now fans are excited to learn that a reboot is in the works. Today can report that the once-loved show will be making a return to the small-screen, with actor Martin posting on social media that “Some really exciting news that @ichadlowe and I had to keep quiet until now. A #LifeGoesOn reboot is in the works that will be written by the brilliant @kech99.”
So, what do we know so far? Well, there is no premiere date or channel, but it is being said that the show will follow a now-grown-up Becca, who has, not surprisingly, become a doctor. She returns to her hometown and reconnects with her family, and according to Martin herself, “I feel like it would be really interesting to see where Corky is today. He still is amazing, and I think it would be really interesting to see what his needs are and how he navigates his life today.”
The series was the first to feature a major character with Down Syndrome
Every show is unique in some way, and Life Goes On is no exception. Tigerstrypes reports that the show impacted the lives of many people who watched, The series was the first to feature a major character who had Down Syndrome, and it showed how people with disabilities are truly able to live just as normal and typical a life as anyone else. The characters touched the lives of so many fans, and Chris Burke, the actor who portrayed Corky, became a star in his own right. It is fondly remembered as a wholesome family show that drove home the point of acceptance for everyone, no matter who they are or what issues they may be having. We hope that the reboot is everything that we are anticipating, and fans can’t wait to see what the Thatcher family is up to all these years later.
