Melissa Joan Hart Rebooting Her Best Character?
Melissa Joan Hart crushes hopes and dreams by saying she has no interest in revamping Sabrina, The Teenage Witch.
Melissa Joan Hart is a name that you may recognize if you are in your thirties, as she became the crush of many young boys during your childhood as Clarissa Darling in the Nickelodeon series Clarissa Explains it All. The Hallmark Christmas movie actress became more well-known for her series following that one, when she played the teenager discovering she has powers of witchcraft, in Sabrina the Teenage Witch. While fans have been calling for a revival of the Joan Hart version, the actress told Entertainment News that she doesn’t think a revival would work.
In an appearance on the red carpet for Christmas Con, the actress was asked about the possibility of returning to the role and responded that she didn’t believe it could work. She thinks people are nostalgic for what they have, and she eludes to other examples of how it didn’t work, like Will & Grace, Saved by the Bell, and Gilmore Girls: A Day in the Life. When asked how she would like to see it, Melissa Joan Hart responded that she didn’t want to do what fans suggested, that she and Harvey have a baby with powers, but instead, a more unique approach would be best.
Since her time as a wand-wielding teen, she made the jump from the sitcoms to the small movie scene when she became one of the headliners for the Hallmark Channel. She joined actresses like Danica McKeller, Cameron Candace Bure, and Lacy Chabert as the main headliners for Hallmark’s Christmas movie slate. She starred in the holiday films Holiday in Handcuffs, The Santa Con, and A Very Merry Toy Store.
Melissa Joan Hart also had another sitcom that ran from 2010 to 2015, where she co-starred alongside fellow 90s child star Joey Lawrence, Melissa & Joey. After his time on the 90s teen drama Blossom, Lawrence took on the role of a male nanny hired by Hart to help her take care of her niece and nephew while she focused on her political career. The series ran for 104 episodes over five seasons and revitalized both of the lead actor’s careers.
Melissa Joan Hart’s movie career isn’t limited to only Hallmark, as she also starred in a 90s teen dramedy called Drive Me Crazy. The film starred future Entourage star, Adrian Grenier, and followed two former friends who became estranged by high school until they got dumped before the big dance; in an effort to make their exes jealous, they stage a fake relationship that inevitably becomes real. The movie also featured one of Britney Spear’s most famous songs from the turn of the century, “You Drive Me Crazy,” which also starred Melissa Joan Hart in the music video.
There may not be a ton of hope for a revival of the original series starring the Hallmark star, but that doesn’t mean fans are out of luck with the teenage witch. A Netflix reboot ran for four seasons starring Mad Men actor Kiernan Shipka. Although it takes a much darker tone than the original, it definitely can quench your thirst for the teenager dealing with everyday life, and the occasional witch drama.
