Photo: Bikas Das/AP
The new year brought good news to longtime fans of Archie Andrews and his friends: The CW hasordered the pilot forRiverdale, a live-action show that will offer a “gritty” take on the long-running comics series. Gritty or not, it’s a good fit; after all, if any network can get teenage longing right, it’s the CW, which has already found success adapting other comics into shows such as Arrow, The Flash andiZombie.
Since news of the pilot order hit in January, there’s beenArchienews trickling online. New Zealand actor K.J. Apawas cast as Archie, and 90210 vetLuke Perrywas picked to play Archie’s dad. And yes, that latter bit should make you feel a little old, but hey – at least the CW is keeping up its tradition of making sure everyone on its shows is as beautiful as possible, parents included. In fact, Madchen Amick (Twin Peaks) andMarisol Nichols(24) were cast as the mothers of Betty and Veronica, respectively.Cole Sprousehas been cast as Jughead, and various up-and-comers will be playing Betty, Veronica and Josie (yes, of the Pussycats fame).
Archie(1964)
The Archie Show(1968)
And yes, that isthatSabrina who turns Archie into the frog – the same characterMelissa Joan Hartwould eventually play and one that most people might not think had any pop culture connection to “Sugar, Sugar.” Sabrina would get her own series in 1970.
The Archie Situation Comedy Musical Variety Show(1978)
The New Archies(1987)
Junior high-aged versions of Archie and friends appeared in this short-lived Saturday morning cartoon adaptation. We won’t mention it again.
Archie: To Riverdale and Back Again(1990)
Sabrina the Teenage Witch(1996)
Archie’s Weird Mysteries(1999)
Oddly, it was both a show that was educational in nature and also had Archie and friends chasing down paranormal phenomenon, likeX-Fileslite. It’s perhaps most notable today thatBook of MormonandGirlsactor Andrew Rannells provided the voice of Archie.
Honorable mentions
One more subtleArchiereference that we’ve always liked. In the movieHeathers,Winona Ryderplays Veronica Sawyer, who ditches her best friend (Renee Estevez) in order to hang with the cool girls. The friend’s name? Betty Finn. It’s Betty and Veronica – plus Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. Neat, right? Go tell your friends.
source: people.com
