My name’s ... Sunday?

The graveyard of Classic TV Shows That Refused to Be Reborn is near capacity. There you can find these headstones:

* “Ponderosa,” child of “Bonanza”: born September 2001, died May 2002.

* “The Bradys,” child of “The Brady Bunch: born February 1990, died March 1990.

* “Fantasy Island,” child of “Fantasy Island”: born September 1998, died January 1999

* “Love Boat: The Next Wave,” child of “Love Boat”: born April 1998, died May 1999

* “The New Odd Couple,” child of “The Odd Couple”: born October 1982, died June 1983

Even so, producers and network executives cautiously whistle past this boot hill, ever hopeful that lightning can strike twice -- and maybe even more. Just this season, several producers have ignored the body count and ventured into this treacherous territory.

Dick Wolf, the veteran producer who created the hit “Law & Order” franchise for NBC, is the latest producer to face the risks with his updated version of “Dragnet,” the classic cop drama that premiered last Sunday to solid ratings. He has expressed some anxiety about the project, saying only half-kiddingly, “It’s terrifying. I mean, how would you like to go down in history as the guy who screwed up ‘Dragnet’?” But the gamble -- at least judging by its debut ratings -- seems to have paid off.

Other results for the revived shows this season have been mixed. The talent-variety series “Star Search” is making a splash on CBS, while an updated “The Twilight Zone” is struggling on UPN. NBC’s revamp of its 1980s cop drama “Hunter” scored big ratings as a TV movie, but the WB’s new version of the 1960s sitcom “Family Affair” was yanked due to low ratings.

Still, the “everything old is new again” wave continues. On the horizon is another “Hunter” movie and five new episodes of “Hunter,” complete with original stars Fred Dryer and Stepfanie Kramer. The WB is considering a revised, sexier “The Lone Ranger,” along with updates of “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father,” the British “Upstairs, Downstairs,” and “Young MacGyver.” UPN is bringing back the 1980s drama “Hotel” that starred James Brolin and Connie Sellecca. ABC Family is putting together a new version of the disco-dance staple “Dance Fever.” CBS this month will show a TV movie reuniting “Batman” stars Adam West and Burt Ward in an adventure in which they recall their TV superhero days.

Third-place ABC is hoping that “Dragnet” will be its first new dramatic hit this season, after striking out with the other dramas it has introduced since September. NBC is banking on “Hunter” to revitalize its poorly received Saturday night lineup. “The Twilight Zone” is UPN’s companion piece to the ailing “Enterprise.”

But high hopes aside, there’s no denying the jinx that goes with trying to raise the ghost of classic shows. It’s enough to conjure up the ominous tones of the “Dragnet” theme (“DUM-da-dum-dum”).

Risky business

The reception of resurrected shows “has always been a mixed bag,” said Earle Marsh, co-author of “The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows.” “It’s an extra risk when there’s a show that people associate with their youth. Certain formulas can become dated. Sometimes people will tune in, particularly when there’s a cast member from the original show that’s involved. If that person hasn’t aged well, it can pretty much be a disaster.”

Some viewers were taken aback by Peter Graves’ older appearance when he starred in the 1988 revamp of “Mission: Impossible,” the espionage series he starred in during the late 1960s and early 1970s. And although Gene Barry still had considerable flair when he appeared in the 1990s version of his 1960s “Burke’s Law,” his character’s suaveness had obviously aged.

But producers and network executives still feel updated series are worth the risk. The name recognition of familiar series may be enough for audiences to at least check out a revival, and initial viewership may be enough to give the new spin on a classic show an advantage. Older fans will want to see the new version, while younger viewers may be attracted by the fresher elements.

“These franchises can easily be reinvented,” said UPN Entertainment President Dawn Ostroff. “There’s the built-in name recognition that brings in the curious. People will tune in to see what the new version is about, and bringing in viewers to sample a series is very important. Then you have to deliver to those sampling.”

Ostroff is hoping that “The Twilight Zone” will get a boost this month with a sequel and a remake of two classic episodes. In the segment “It’s Still a Good Life,” Billy Mumy reprises his role as Anthony Freemont, who had the mental power to make people vanish. The original episode, “It’s a Good Life,” premiered in 1959.

In the new episode, Anthony is the father of a 6-year-old daughter (played by Mumy’s real-life daughter, Liliana Mumy), who begins to exhibit the same awful ability as her father.

And in “Monsters on Maple Street,” an updated version of “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street,” Andrew McCarthy stars as a middle-class man who watches his neighborhood descend into chaos.

“It’s hard to build new franchises, so capitalizing on classic shows and then delivering on that can be very important,” Ostroff said.

NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker is confident that the network’s series sequel to “Hunter” can overcome the revival jinx.

“Most of these updates have the title and the theme song, and not much else,” Zucker said. “The audience doesn’t see the performers they had grown attached to. But with ‘Hunter,’ we’ve got our original cast back. It’s 10 years later, and they look better than before.”

“Hunter,” which ran for six seasons, starred Dryer as hard-nosed Det. Rick Hunter. Kramer played his partner, Det. Dee Dee McCall.

Said Dryer: “We’ll be watched by people who love us, and people who never saw us. But I have always thought that ‘Hunter’ would just get better with time. And I think we’re much better. It’s like equipping a ’55 Chevy with a modern engine.”

A different challenge

Wolf is concerned more with retooling “Dragnet” for a new era rather than with worrying about the inherent risks of revival. Though “Law & Order” and its spinoff series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” are among NBC’s most popular shows, it’s clear he wants a success outside the franchise.

“On a personal level, I would like to be known as more than just a one-trick pony,” said Wolf, whose producing credits include “Miami Vice” and “New York Undercover.” “I will be concerned about how audiences respond until after the second airing. But I think we’ve done this right. We certainly feel a sense of responsibility to the legacy of this show.”

“Dragnet” holds a special place in Wolf’s heart. He recalls it was the first prime-time series his parents ever let him watch as a child.

“The night ‘Dragnet’ premiered, I was 6 years old, and my parents let me stay up and watch it,” said Wolf, who grew up in the New York apartment where his parents still live. “I don’t remember what I thought at the time. But the show has obviously had an impact on me.”

When it comes to titles, “Dragnet” is one of the most reliable. The original “Dragnet” started as a radio drama on NBC in 1949 and moved to television in 1952. It was created by and starred Jack Webb as the flat-voiced, no-nonsense Sgt. Joe Friday, whose “Just the facts, ma’am” and “My name is Friday -- I’m a cop” became catchphrases. The four-note theme was instantly recognizable.

The series ran for seven years, then was brought back for three more years in 1967 -- with Webb reprising his Joe Friday role and Harry Morgan joining as partner Bill Gannon -- under the title “Dragnet ’67.” While popular with audiences, the series took a straightforward, conservative approach toward crime and youth that made it a camp hit among college viewers. A Webb-less syndicated version was launched in 1989 but lasted only two seasons. The 1987 movie “Dragnet,” starring Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks, was a hit.

The 2003 “Dragnet” looks a lot like the original “Dragnet.” As before, the new version centers on investigations by two LAPD detectives who gather clues methodically, slowing putting the case together. Taking on the Friday role is “Married ... With Children” refugee Ed O’Neill. Ethan Embry, who starred opposite O’Neill in the 1991 film “Dutch,” is his partner Frank Smith, a role played briefly by Herb Ellis and then throughout the series’ original 1952-59 run by Ben Alexander. The theme music is still present, although in a bouncier form.

Though there have been numerous other series that have employed the “Dragnet” formula, Wolf’s “Law & Order” has been the most successful. In that show, two New York detectives investigate a murder in the first half-hour, then turn it over to the district attorney in the second. And the producer is more than aware that the similarities between the two series will be pointed out.

“The DNA of ‘Dragnet’ is part of ‘Law & Order,’ to be sure,” he said. “ ‘Dragnet’ is the ultimate pure police procedural, and we’ve certainly followed in their footsteps with ‘Law & Order.’ But this show will have a whole new look, a whole new color palette.”

With the new “Dragnet,” there is more blood and violence. The cops will visit autopsy rooms, something that never happened in the original. The camera movement is more kinetic. The crimes will be more complicated. The feel and texture of ethnically diverse Los Angeles will be a key component.

“We can’t do the original show -- that’s just out of the question,” he said. “Ed O’Neill plays the modern incarnation of Joe Friday. He’s an iconic cop. The key to Jack Webb was that he rarely showed emotion. But Ed can’t help but show emotion. He’s a cop with a heart. An infallible moral compass is written all over his face. In the fourth act, he can go ballistic on a suspect. He shows righteous rage.”

Said O’Neill: “I wouldn’t be able to follow Jack Webb if I tried. I really can’t think about doing that. I’m just trying to keep the spirit of the show. It’s not about me and Jack. It’s all about the show right now.”

O’Neill is not feeling pressured by the remake syndrome, or by fans of the old “Dragnet.” He said all the focus is centered on making this “Dragnet” fresh and unique.

“Comparisons are inevitable, and we really can’t let ourselves get caught up in that,” he said. “All we can do is make our show enjoyable. If it isn’t, it won’t matter anymore. But I think we’ve done the job.”

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

When familiarity breeds contempt -- or affection

Three TV remakes that failed:

“Fantasy Island”

Network: ABC

First Aired: 1998

Last Airing: 1999

Comment: No Tattoo, no “De Plane, de Plane,” no go.

*

“The Love Boat:

The Next Wave”

Network: UPN

First Aired: 1998

Last Airing: 1999

Comment: A TV “Titanic.” This remake left viewers seasick before it sank.

*

“The Bradys”

Network: CBS

First Aired: 1990

Last Airing: 1990

Comment: Viewers had a hunch that this remake was really the Bad News Bradys.

*

Three that succeeded:

“Hollywood Squares”

Network: Syndicated

First Aired: 1998

Last Airing: Continuing

Comment: Whoopi Goldberg spiced up the center square. She’s gone, but the show chugs along.

*

“Dragnet ‘67”

Network: ABC

First Aired: 1967

Last Airing: 1970

Comment: Jack was back, and fans young and old dug this revival.

*

“Star Search”

Network: CBS

First Aired: 2003

Last Airing: Continuing

Comment: It’s the kinder, friendlier “American Idol,” the kids are cute, and it’s still got “spokesmodels” and over-the-top singers.