'Squid Game' proves why endless Hollywood remakes are bad for TV fans – and for business

The buzziest TV show around right now is not one with superheroes, Jedi knights or a title fans can recognize from the '80s or '90s. It's Netflix's "Squid Game," and it's a total original. 

In the past decade or so, Hollywood studios and TV networks have tripped over themselves to adapt existing intellectual property into new movies and shows. The goal: seemingly to remake, reboot or revive any title that audiences might recognize. Combine that with the rise of new streaming services – all fighting for eyeballs and subscribers by marketing familiar characters to potential customers – and audiences are drowning in remakes.

It's the phenomenon that leads to a new "Star Wars" trilogy, and on a much smaller scale, CW remaking USA Network's rather modestly rated 2000s series "The 4400." It's why a "Sex and the City" sequel is coming back on HBO Max, why "CSI: Vegas" is on CBS, why  "Law & Order" will soon return to NBC and why "iCarly" resurfaced as an adult on Paramount+.