Ask Matt: Early Emmy Favorites, TV’s Serial Fixation, Calling on ‘Kat’ Renewal & More
Welcome to the Q&A with TV critic — also known to some TV fans as their “TV therapist” — Matt Roush, who’ll try to address whatever you love, loathe, are confused or frustrated or thrilled by in today’s vast TV landscape. (We know background music is too loud, but there’s always closed-captioning.)
One caution: This is a spoiler-free zone, so we won’t be addressing upcoming storylines here unless it’s already common knowledge. Please send your questions and comments to [email protected] and follow me on Twitter (@TVGMMattRoush). Look for Ask Matt columns on most Tuesdays and very occasional Fridays.
Will Final Bows Be Emmy Winners?
Question: Well, you were right when you said in your Critic’s Notebook review that Succession was going there in its final season. Sunday’s episode had me in shock, though it was also inevitable and the right move for the show as it nears its endgame. Which got me wondering: I know it’s early, but with two potential Emmy powerhouses airing so far on HBO this year, with Succession’s final season and The Last of Us in its first, how do you assess their Emmy chances? And in the comedy field, with Ted Lasso now in its final season as well, do you see it going for a three-peat, or could Abbott Elementary top it and give a network series a rare win? — Daniel J.
!['Succession': What Did You Think of [Spoiler]'s Fate?](https://www.tvinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/succession-season-4-brian-cox-matthew-macfadyen-2-234x155.jpg)
Matt Roush: I’ve only seen one more episode beyond Sunday’s game-changer on Succession, but if it keeps up this quality it will be hard to beat at the Emmys. The series has a track record, with two Outstanding Drama wins, and if the show nails its landing, even an unexpected hit on the scale of The Last of Us may have to wait a year. Fantasy-horror isn’t the Emmys’ favorite wheelhouse — it took Game of Thrones five seasons before it began winning in the Outstanding Drama category — so The Last of Us is more likely a dark horse, though a worthy one.
It’s an even harder call with comedy, and like with drama, until we know how exactly Ted Lasso ties things up, it’s impossible to predict. Abbott Elementary has been doing well on the awards circuit, and it often takes the Emmys a year or two to give an emerging series the top prize, so I’d think it has an excellent shot. Although it would be the first time a broadcast network comedy has won in the category since 2014, the last year of Modern Family’s five-season streak.
What Happened to Stand-Alone Dramas?
Question: Why does every show on TV have some type of serialized storytelling? Am I the only that misses episodic television? I literally can’t think of one show that does self-contained episodes. Not even Law & Order! There is some dumb serialized story that continues week to week. Annoying! What do you think? — Scott
Matt Roush: In the early days of Law & Order, they took pride in the fact that the show resolutely avoided going too deeply into any character’s personal lives. I wouldn’t say the current version has turned into a soap opera, but even Dick Wolf (with his Chicago and FBI series) has realized that in today’s cluttered environment, you have to give viewers some emotional meat along with the self-contained procedural storylines. (Organized Crime may have taken it too far early on with a season-long story arc.)
I get your frustration, and as I try to form my own critical conclusions about new series, I find myself weighing whether keeping up with a show’s serialized subplots will be worth the effort. (This season, ABC’s Will Trent is my favorite example of a show that gives us larger character arcs within stand-alone weekly storylines that don’t overwhelm the drama yet keep me engaged. And Peacock’s Poker Face was a wonderful example of a show that told individual mysteries cleverly while keeping the fugitive arc in its back pocket until the end.) I’d be surprised to see TV in its current state reverting back to a “Just the facts, ma’am” Dragnet format. And if you need an example of why these serial storylines are so prevalent, read the next question.
Question: I’ve been trying to get some hints of what’s to come in Law & Order: SVU and OC and I’ve gotten a response that they’re different shows and I’ve been blocked for that reason. However, from what we see is that they remain in the same universe, and I would like to know the following: When will we have more crossover between SVU and OC and interaction between Elliot and Olivia, meeting between the families? — Kátia
Matt Roush: The fact that you’re asking this question means they’ve got you hooked. NBC tends to promote the storylines when there’s a significant crossover, and we tend to report on them when they happen. I’m sure there will be more, because all of the Law & Order series occupy the same current timeline and the connection between Benson and Stabler runs especially deep. But this is a good excuse to remind readers that this is not a spoiler column (within the limits that we do respond to recent storylines that some may not have watched yet), so I can’t tell you when and how these moments will next occur. Yet there’s little doubt these events are highly anticipated. Read on.
A Satisfied Viewer
Comment: I never thought that anything could be better than the previous FBI crossover, but last week’s crossover outdid the previous one. It was STUPENDOUS!! You wanted to stay glued to the TV so as not to miss one single minute. The characters of all three shows (FBI, FBI: International, and FBI: Most Wanted) were in throughout the entire three hours, not just in their original time slots. And the way the crossover simply just slid from one show to the next, it was like being at the theater. All I needed was popcorn and a soft drink. Kudos to the writers and producers. They should be very proud of an outstanding three hours. I want more. — Bessie T.
Matt Roush: I’m sure you’ll get more, and I hope the next one lives up to your very enthusiastic expectations. But it makes sense for these to be relatively rare programming stunts so they will be more special for fans when they happen.
Can Kat Survive Without Phil?
Question: I know I’m in the minority, but I absolutely love Fox’s Call Me Kat. I’ve never seen the UK series it’s based on, so I have no bias against it. I know dear Leslie Jordan, who played Phil, was probably the biggest draw for most people. (I spent five minutes on an elevator with him once and he made me feel like I was his best friend.) I’m worried that losing him really hurt the chances of the show being renewed. I’m also worried it’s going to end on a cliffhanger. So, quick question: What do you think the chances are of Kat getting a fourth season? Or any chance of a streamer picking it up? — Mark W
Matt Roush: These renewal predictions get harder by the year, because so few network series scream “we’re a hit!” these days. But given Fox’s precarious state since Disney swallowed the network’s former home studio (21st-Century Fox), a modest sitcom like Call Me Kat which has a small but seemingly loyal following and presumably isn’t a budget-breaker probably has a better than average chance of sticking around another year or so if the economics make sense. The death of Leslie Jordan was without doubt a significant blow, emotionally as well as comedically, but the show and its cast have found a way to carry on. I’m sure that how Leslie would have wanted it.
That’s all for now. We can’t do this without your participation, so please keep sending questions and comments about TV to [email protected] or shoot me a line on Twitter @TVGMMattRoush. (Please include a first name with your question.)
FBI: International where to stream
FBI: Most Wanted where to stream
