Melissa Joan Hart Shares ‘Clarissa Explains It All’ Revival Update

Melissa Joan Hart has starred in quite a few sitcoms over the last three decades, but revival news spread last year that the one that kicked it all off — “Clarissa Explains It All” — might also be the next one she tackles. Unfortunately for fans of the ‘90s comedy, which ended 25 years ago, the latest revival update Hart shared with International Business Times isn’t great news.

The idea for the possible renewed Nickelodeon series, when news of it was first shared by The Hollywood Reporter in March 2018, featured Hart reprising her role as Clarissa Darling, who would now be the matriarch of the family. This past April, Hart gave an update on the show to Us Weekly, revealing it was placed on hold while she worked on her Netflix sitcom, “No Good Nick.”

With her streaming series having since been canceled after one season, IBT asked the “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” alum at Christmas Con 2019 last month if that opened the door for her to work on getting the “Clarissa Explains It All” revival up and running again.

“I think that might be dead,” she told IBT. “I’m not sure. That was a weird thing. Nickelodeon switched hands, Brian Robbins became president, and I think he had other things in mind. And I don’t want to do ‘Clarissa’ unless it’s right. I don’t know that it’s right.”

While sitting on a panel later on during the convention, Hart revealed a bit more about what the future holds for the “Clarissa” revival — or sequel series, as some might consider it — and why it might not be such a good thing for the series to return.

“‘Clarissa’ was something that was talked about for a while. I had a contract with Nickelodeon, they had to give me permission to do my Netflix show last year, but I think that’s gone, like water under the bridge, now,” the 43-year-old actress told the Christmas Con 2019 audience. “…I don’t know that I’m that interested in doing it right now because I’ve been directing a lot, and I have other things that I’m producing, and I’m kind of moving forward, instead of looking back.”

That said, the “Drive Me Crazy” star revealed she’d be interested in getting the “Clarissa” cast back together for a reunion episode or special, just maybe not a full-on show.

“To go back and do a show can sometimes be really damaging to your career, too. If it’s not done right or it’s not done smart, it can just sabotage… and it’s not necessarily that the fans won’t watch it, but the industry will take notice and then not put you in anything because they think you’re poison, that kind of thing. It can be tricky. So, I don’t think that’s gonna happen for me.”

Although a revival might not be happening any time soon, fans can still rewatch the show by buying episodes or seasons on services like iTunes, Amazon Prime Video and Vudu. Unfortunately, it’s not currently streaming anywhere for free or with a subscription.

Hart fans can also check out her latest sitcom, “No Good Nick,” which is now streaming on Netflix, and her latest Lifetime holiday movie, “Christmas Reservations,” which next airs on Sunday at 10 a.m. EST.