If youâve ever caught yourself rewatching âThe King of Queensâ and thinking, âThey donât make âem like this anymore,â youâre not alone⦠and neither is Kevin James. The sitcom star recently said heâd never say no to a reboot, which is basically sitcom code for, âCall my agent.â The nine-season hit wrapped in 2007, but fans have been itching for more ever since. And now, thanks to some very pointed comments James made in a new Collider interview, that door feels a little less locked.
Would he do it? Absolutely. James described the show as ‘one of the best experiences’ of his life and didnât hesitate to say heâd step back into Dougâs well-worn shoes if given the chance. But of course, thereâs a catch. And itâs one that hits right in the feels.
Without Jerry Stiller, Itâs Not the Same
Before anyone starts storyboarding reboot trailers, James also made it clear that one giant piece of âThe King of Queens’â puzzle is heartbreakingly missing: Jerry Stiller. The late comedy legend played Arthur Spooner, Carrieâs chaotic dad, and letâs be real; he was the showâs secret sauce. James said he was what held everything together, and without him, things just wouldnât click the same way.Â
âI would never say no, but it feels hard because for me, [Jerry] was such a part of it, man. He was the glue in that thing. I donât know. I just can’t even picture it. I don’t know⦠Why? Why would you do that if you don’t have him?â
Kevin James, Collider
Stiller passed away in 2020, and his absence isnât just a creative obstacle⦠itâs an emotional one. According to James, bringing the show back without Stiller would be like trying to run a three-legged race with only one leg. Itâs not impossible, but itâs going to feel weird, forced, and more than a little sad.
So, while James might be game to revisit âThe King of Queens,â it sounds like it would need to be handled with care; and maybe a whole new premise that honors the original without trying to replicate it. And for those wondering if thereâs anything officially in the works: not right now. Heâs not teasing a secret revival. Heâs just saying heâs open⦠if it ever made sense.
Is This Actually Going to Happen?
Short answer: not today. But also? Never say never. Kevin James clearly still loves that world and those characters. And with TV studios constantly dipping into the nostalgia vault, itâs not wild to imagine someone pitching a reimagining or continuation that does the legacy justice.
Until then, weâve got reruns, comfort-food sitcom energy, and the knowledge that Doug Heffernan would gladly haul boxes (and emotional baggage) back into our living rooms if the right script rolled in.
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