Is AI ruining our favorite classic TV shows? That's the question many viewers are asking after noticing some peculiar visual changes to the 1980s sitcom, A Different World, now streaming on Netflix. While the promise of HD quality was initially exciting, fans quickly noticed something was... off.
Skin appeared waxy, text on signs was garbled, and faces in the background looked strangely distorted. As one MovieWeb critic, Salvatore Cento, put it, "Whether it’s Maggie, Jaleesa, Kimberly, or Ron, once familiar faces instead melted into unrecognizable visual goop."
The AI Upscaling Debate
The culprit? It seems AI has been "unceremoniously injected" into classic sitcoms like A Different World. 
This isn't the first time AI upscaling has stirred controversy. Similar issues have been observed in 4K remasters of films like James Cameron's Aliens, The Abyss, and True Lies, where a lack of film grain and "waxy-skin" effects were prominent. Cameron, however, has defended the remasters, telling critics to "get a life."
It's not just big-budget films. Recently, all 222 episodes of Roseanne were AI-upscaled to HD and are now airing on various networks. While AI upscaling can be a useful tool, the heavy-handed application seen in A Different World has left many viewers disappointed.
Is AI Always Bad?
To be fair, AI upscaling isn't inherently bad. David Fincher, for example, used AI judiciously for the 4K remaster of Seven, making subtle tweaks without turning the image into a "moving waxwork." The key seems to be in the moderation and careful application of the technology.
However, AI can also be used for "quick-and-dirty" HD or 4K upscaling, especially for older TV shows shot on standard-definition video. 
Shows like Friends and Seinfeld, filmed on film, have received praised 4K remasters, suggesting that the source material plays a significant role in the final result.
Who's to Blame?
It's unclear who's ultimately responsible for A Different World's new look. Netflix may simply have received the re-done assets from the current rights owner. Regardless, the situation serves as a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of using AI to "improve" classic content.
So, if you're planning to revisit A Different World on Netflix, maybe avoid watching it on a large 4K display or even an iPad. Your phone might offer a more forgiving viewing experience. Or perhaps, just stick to the original DVDs.
Ultimately, the controversy raises a crucial question: At what point does "improvement" become detrimental to the original artistic vision? 