my impression of the 91 series is that Dan Curtis saw it as his "big budget" opportunity to "fix" what he saw was "wrong"(ie. low production values)with the original series...
so it seemed to take itself deadly seriously...
My impressions too, exactly, and I think Curtis may have said this. I'd never say that low production values were good in themselves, or endearing, but I would say that there was a life in the original DS thanks to the rush to get each episode out, that created a healthy sort of spontaneity, and therefore a sense of being there. None of that excitement was in the '91 show. It was weighed down by the perceived need to "do everything right this time", to avoid the blunders and frayed edges.
I'd guess it was ego on Curtis's part. He probably wanted to be known for a respectable good-looking show, not ribbed for a blooperfest. It's also possible, I suppose, that he felt guilty for rushing the original show so much that most mistakes were left in, and wanted to rectify things.