This was NOT just a rehash of the original.
In the late 90s, rather than just repackage old formulas, ABC had the guts to run out a litany of intelligent, creative, entertaining new programs every year. Unfortunately, they then pulled the plug on them before they had a chance to find an audience. (Another glaring example was Jeremy Piven's 'Cupid'.) Fantasy Island-1998 was a darker version, with tongue-in-cheek references to the original. Malcolm McDowell's Roark was outstanding, and the frame intros with Sylvia Sidney and Fyvush Finkel would have made a good show on their own. Repeated, veiled references to a back story explaining the Island's existence and the reasons for the staff being there would have been very intriguing if this show had ever been given a chance.
In the late 90s, rather than just repackage old formulas, ABC had the guts to run out a litany of intelligent, creative, entertaining new programs every year. Unfortunately, they then pulled the plug on them before they had a chance to find an audience. (Another glaring example was Jeremy Piven's 'Cupid'.) Fantasy Island-1998 was a darker version, with tongue-in-cheek references to the original. Malcolm McDowell's Roark was outstanding, and the frame intros with Sylvia Sidney and Fyvush Finkel would have made a good show on their own. Repeated, veiled references to a back story explaining the Island's existence and the reasons for the staff being there would have been very intriguing if this show had ever been given a chance.