Unable to Come Up with a New Idea of Its Own, NBC Steals Someone Else's

NBC, the network without an apparent original thought it its tiny little brain, is joining forces with actor-turned-producer Charlize Theron to bring us a modern take on “The Hatfields and McCoys.”

Well, that was fast. Less than two weeks after the History Channel decided to actually dabble in some history with their “Hatfields & McCoys” mini-series — the highest rated scripted program in the history of basic cable — NBC comes along and pillages the rotting corpses. According to Deadline:

The project, which has a significant penalty attached to it, reignites the centuries-old family feud in a contemporary urban setting. The Hatfields have risen to incredible wealth and power, while the McCoys are working-class.

Bravo! Bravo, NBC. You have shamelessly taken a hot idea — the Hatfields and McCoys — and combined it with a hot trend, updating classic stories in modern settings (see “Sherlock,” “Elementary”). What’s next? LastTexansFan has some ideas: “Game of Kings and Dragons! Breaking Terrible! And don’t forget, Angry Men!” While Daniel Carlson has another: “America’s Idol.” Any other suggestions? “Two and a Half Big Bangs”? “Don’t Trust the B— in Apt. 24,” “Sherlock Holmes” set in the future? Or how about “19 Kids and Counting Backwards,” a series about a Quiverfull family that kills off one of its own every time they kiss someone out of wedlock.

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