Welcome to the Q&A with TV critic — additionally recognized to some TV followers as their “TV therapist” — Matt Roush, who’ll attempt to deal with no matter you like, detest, are confused or annoyed or thrilled by in at this time’s huge TV panorama. (We all know background music is simply too loud, it’s essentially the most frequent criticism, however there’s at all times closed-captioning. Try this story for extra suggestions.)
One warning: This can be a spoiler-free zone, so we gained’t be addressing upcoming storylines right here except it’s already widespread information. Please ship your questions and feedback to [email protected]. Search for Ask Matt columns on most Tuesdays.
Curtain Up!
Query: With the thrill generated from CNN’s latest reside exhibiting of Good Evening, and Good Luck, do you assume networks will contemplate bringing again the reside theater performances that they did within the 2010s? – Teri
Matt Roush: Don’t I want. Reside theatrical exhibits and common musicals would appear to be a pure for broadcast networks after they’re in search of massive occasions to advertise, particularly across the holidays, so I’m hoping that we’ll see producers and creators flip again to this medium to reveal new and traditional works to a wider viewers. Among the executives concerned in these reside broadcasts (most notably at NBC) have moved on, and the style took a success when producer Craig Zadan (in a traditional partnership with Neil Meron) handed away in 2018. These days, we’ve seen the development go extra in the way in which of live-capture filming of stage exhibits like Hamilton and Come from Away (on Disney+ and Apple TV+) or the productions that air on PBS’s Nice Performances throughout the “Broadway’s Finest” collection (simply final month together with the Tony-nominated revival of Yellow Face). With the proper star and the proper property, even one massive hit may spark a resurgence. (My suggestion: Get Reba McEntire to reprise her acclaimed Broadway efficiency in Annie Get Your Gun. She’s already an NBC star.)
Is Georgie & Mandy Rising on You, or Getting Stale?
Remark: I just lately caught up on Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, and regardless of being in its first yr I really feel they’ve jumped the shark already. My causes: 1. They appear to have given up on getting their very own place to reside. 2. They’ve already had the episode about having a second baby regardless of their dwelling scenario and never inconsiderable debt. 3. Connor, Mandy’s brother, has now been given a bigger position than simply consuming on the kitchen counter. I discover him to be the one attention-grabbing character on the present, so I used to be glad to see his position expanded.
All of this jogs my memory of B Constructive, one other Chuck Lorre present, that ran out of concepts as soon as the kidney transplant occurred that was the present’s authentic premise. The present that they then got here up with on the senior residence would have been tremendous, in all probability, if it was the unique concept, however because it was it appeared contrived and determined and it didn’t be renewed. We all know from Younger Sheldon that Georgie will divorce Mandy, in order that looks like all they’ve left to do that coming season. Ideas? — Linda
Matt Roush: I’ll maintain my ideas on Georgie & Mandy till after the subsequent remark, as a result of it’s a energetic debate. However I’ll argue in opposition to the comparability to B Constructive as a result of that was such a peculiar scenario. The unique premise was not sustainable, and the redo was principally a wholly completely different collection constructed to capitalize on the appreciable comedian enchantment of Annaleigh Ashford and an ensemble of sitcom veterans (together with the late, lamented Linda Lavin). Georgie & Mandy is a relationship and household comedy that will nonetheless be discovering its method, however it’s not but out of gasoline. Learn on for a differing view from Linda’s:
Remark: Only a fast statement about Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage: I’ve been watching out of loyalty to the characters, and it paid off for me. I feel that they’ve lastly found out what they had been attempting to do, and it’s now a genuinely humorous present, with actual jokes informed by humorous individuals. Will Sasso, particularly, by no means misses. They’ve fleshed out the characters much more than they did in the beginning, together with how one can use the character of Mandy’s brother Connor, and so they use the previous Cooper household in nearly the correct amount. The present could by no means be a traditional, however it’s genuinely humorous. — Paul T.
Matt Roush: I’m extra in Paul’s camp. This isn’t a present I watch as frequently or as eagerly as I do Ghosts on Thursdays, and it’s not in the identical league as Younger Sheldon or the instant-classic The Huge Bang Concept, however after I tune in, it grows on me. The present has suffered from the second they slapped that title on it with the foreknowledge that issues gained’t finish effectively, not less than not initially, for this couple, however there’s nonetheless a narrative to inform right here, and I’m not one for getting in entrance of the narrative and writing it off, particularly because it continues to evolve.
100% Aggravated by Host Swap
Query: I believed Patton Oswalt was excellent because the host of The 1% Membership. It’s a present my faculty buddies (we’re septuagenarians) loved discussing after every episode. Why was Joel McHale introduced in? I like his humor however discover he may be snarky on recreation exhibits. Patton Oswalt was charming even when joking with the visitors. I just like the present and can proceed to look at, simply curious as to why the host change. Additionally, I favored Ken Jennings as Jeopardy! host from the get-go, whereas others wanted to heat as much as him (and a few nonetheless haven’t). I can not get used to the brand new model of The Chase on ABC versus the GSN model. Perhaps I’m only a grumpy previous girl, however some hosts simply don’t have the “it” issue to make them profitable interacting with contestants. — Adrienne O, Winter Backyard, FL
Matt Roush: I haven’t seen an evidence about why The 1% Membership made this swap and whether or not the very agreeable Patton Oswald was both not obtainable or not eager about returning. However I can speculate about why they went with Joel McHale. Fox appears to lean into signature personalities as model ambassadors, and with Joel’s presence as host of the community’s Crime Scene Kitchen and star of the sitcom Animal Management, and former expertise internet hosting ABC’s revival of Card Sharks, he’s becoming a member of Fox’s membership of ubiquitous stars, which incorporates the cooking-show host/producer mogul Gordon Ramsay and extra just lately, Nick Cannon now doing double responsibility on The Masked Singer and, going ahead, LEGO Masters. (Relating to The Chase: I’d be stunned if we see that once more. It hasn’t been formally canceled to my information, however it not seems to be on ABC’s lively roster.)
These Video games Aren’t Going Anyplace
Query: Will Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune nonetheless stay on broadcast (in our market, ABC), or will they transfer to solely streaming? — Elena
Matt Roush: An comprehensible concern, given the way in which {the marketplace} is heading, however the brand new deal for these exhibits to stream a day after premiere on Hulu and Peacock is to extend, not restrict, their availability. Each exhibits are renewed for syndication by the 2027-28 season, and I anticipate so long as they’re worthwhile, which they most actually are, they’ll stay on air for all to see for the foreseeable future.
Again to the Cleaners
Query: What’s unsuitable with NBC? Simply as Fits LA was getting good, they canceled it. Nevertheless, I actually anticipated higher from Aaron Korsh. The storylines had been so weak, and they need to by no means have introduced in actors from the unique present. Very dissatisfied. — Mary J.
Matt Roush: I feel you answered your personal query. The present didn’t reside as much as expectations and wasn’t almost as a lot enjoyable as the unique. (I can’t blame them for bringing in characters from the primary Fits, however it underscored what was missing right here.) Even when the present was starting to search out its inventive footing, the scores weren’t good and the chance of reversing its fortunes was slim. Plus, as we’ve mentioned earlier than, there’s considerably fewer slots for scripted exhibits in NBC’s 2025-26 fall and midseason schedule, so there wasn’t a lot of a chance to nurture it.
And Lastly …
Query: Thanks to your column. It’s useful to grasp TV higher. I’m writing in regards to the Ovation TV channel. HOLY SMOKES. They’ve acquired nice exhibits, however actually each 5 minutes there’s a boatload of the identical commercials again and again. My query: WHY???? I’ve usually questioned if Hubbard Broadcasting ever watches their channel. The exhibits are nice, however the commercials are ridiculous. — EB
Matt Roush: Smaller area of interest channels like Ovation should pay the payments one way or the other, and that usually entails working the identical commercials frequently. Sponsors are sponsors. (That is additionally obvious on many free FAST streaming companies, the place the industrial breaks on a continuing loop interrupt on the oddest occasions.) It’s the value you pay to see exhibits with out a paywall.
That’s all for now. We will’t do that with out your participation, so please maintain sending questions and feedback about TV to [email protected]. (Please embody a primary title together with your query.)