Ask Matt: ‘Magnum’ Fan Dismay, Hosting ‘Wheel,’ ‘Yellowstone’s Future & 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.
Aloha Forever for Magnum
Comment: I am so disappointed with NBC’s decision not to retain the amazing cast and writers of Magnum P.I. for Season 6 and beyond. I know that the writers’ strike had an impact on their decision, and they may even have felt they were doing the amazing actors a disservice retaining them while waiting for the strike to end. But NBC has broken the trust of Magnum’s entire very large fanbase. This is an amazing show that has created an Ohana on and off the screens. The actors and fans have formed a bond that would have assured viewership for as many seasons as NBC aired the show. We all know that first-time viewership numbers have very little to do with the popularity of a show these days. The Magnum P.I. super-fan base rewatches the episodes on DVR and streaming services regularly. There are viewing parties where the fandom talks up the show all over social media. There are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr pages for the show. NBC won over an entire fanbase when it saved Magnum P.I. due to licensing issues at CBS. But by making this decision, NBC has lost our faith. I truly hope NBC reconsiders this decision or at least brings everyone back after the strikes have ended and film a few movies to wrap up the storylines. Give us that grace at least. — Elaine K.
Matt Roush: Let the campaigning begin. If the explosion in my mailbag is any indication, with impassioned e-mails coming from as far away as France, Magnum fans are revving up a major save-our-show crusade on social media and elsewhere. One described a crowdfunding campaign for billboards to pressure NBC to rethink this decision. I have been through this sort of thing many times before, but rarely with such a known quantity as Magnum.
If there is one ray of hope, it’s that 10 episodes remain to be aired in the bifurcated Season 5 ordered by NBC after CBS dropped the show during a dispute over license fees. Should Magnum perform better than expected, that could possibly sway corporate minds, although this situation really boils down to, what else, economics, which are tougher than ever for broadcast TV and exacerbated by the ongoing writers’ strike, which reportedly overlapped with the cast’s contract renewals coming due. The series is produced by the same company that owns the network, so it’s hard to imagine who beyond NBC would choose to pick up the show, which is already on its second home. But with a batch of new episodes yet to air, it’s smart not to give up the fight just yet.
Hosts with the Most
Comment: I am extremely disappointed that Tom Bergeron was not chosen to replace Pat Sajak on Wheel of Fortune. I read his name mentioned a while back and was rooting for him. I also want to comment on the constant criticism of Mayam Bialik and Ken Jennings on Jeopardy! I enjoy both of them. They are fun and friendly and relatable, making the set a comfortable place for the contestants and an enjoyable show for the fans to watch. It would be nice if the complainers out there would allow these two the time to learn their new job as they go, instead of nitpicking their every move. If the complainers can’t do that, perhaps Jeopardy! is no longer the show for them. — Alice K.
Matt Roush: Tom Bergeron would have been a popular choice for sure, and at 68, I imagine still has enough energy and certainly the charisma to keep the wheel spinning successfully a while longer. I’m still seething at how they handled his departure from Dancing with the Stars. That said, while the Wheel of Fortune rumor mill was still in full gear, Bergeron puckishly posted a “No thanks” message in a workout Instagram video, suggesting, “I’ve developed an aversion to wearing suits.” Which may have been a gracious way to bow to the inevitable, that Ryan Seacrest was probably always the producers’ first choice, and I have no doubt he’ll do fine. Anything to avoid a repeat of the calamitous transition on Jeopardy!
And I agree with Alice on her support of the current Jeopardy! hosts. I’ll admit to some trepidation this spring when I knew Ken Jennings would be turning over the daily podium for a while to Mayim Bialik, because he had so successfully become the face and voice of the show for me during this season. He is so intuitive about the contestants’ gameplay and has a specificity that Mayim sometimes lacks. But her good nature also serves the show well, and I’m at peace with the current situation for now.
A CW Wipeout
Question: Whatever happened to Barons on The CW on Monday nights? Granted, it isn’t the best show on TV, but it beats reality and game shows. And I want to know what happens to the characters. — Lorna G.
Matt Roush: Blink and you missed this Australian drama set in the surfing world, pulled after just a few episodes. Apparently, even The CW’s new management has a bar that a cheap import can fall too far under, and this was watched by so few viewers that they had no choice but to deep-six it. Last I checked, Barons was available on CW’s website and app for those who want to follow it to the end of the season.
Beth Dutton Needs Her Own Show!
Question: I know Yellowstone is ending this season. I keep hearing there’s supposed to be a spinoff with Matthew McConaughey, but I can’t find anything concrete to back that up. If it’s true, what are the chances of Kelly Reilly moving to that series? She’s the reason I started watching Yellowstone. Her Beth is, to me, the true star of the show. It’s a travesty that she’s never received an award for the role! — Mark W.
Matt Roush: All of the post-Yellowstone series developments are a work in progress and are likely to remain so until after the writers’ strike is resolved, though Matthew McConaughey would be a perfect fit and is said to be deep in negotiations. A recent in-depth Hollywood Reporter interview with series creator Taylor Sheridan suggested the next spinoff will be largely a stand-alone project with a new cast and setting, but nothing has been finalized as far as I can tell. Though if anyone is likely to move between worlds, it would and should be Beth, and I agree wholeheartedly that Kelly Reilly deserves to break through with nominations, even awards, for her fearless performance.
Did Barstow Get Buried?
Question: Last year I enjoyed seeing Angie Harmon star in Buried in Barstow on Lifetime. I have been unable to find any information about when part two will air. It ended with a cliffhanger, so I assumed that would air at some point. Could you possibly find out more for me about this? Waiting in suspense … — Jamie H.
Matt Roush: People keep asking, but there’s nothing official about a second act for Barstow — although in an interview Harmon gave a few months ago to Charlotte Magazine (as in North Carolina), she said the show had been picked up to series by A&E Studios and they had spent the last year working out the scripts and story arc. She noted that the show skewed more male than most Lifetime projects, so they’re pitching it to other platforms including the major streamers. So be patient, because it may be a while before we’re all back in Barstow.
And Finally …
Question: Is there any word from Roku on when they plan to drop Season 2 of Chad? It’s been soooo long without news! And is there hope for a Season 3? — Matt G.
Matt Roush: Nothing yet, but I’m led to believe we’ll learn something soon about the long-delayed release on the Roku Channel of the Nasim Pedrad comedy (formerly on TBS) in which she plays an awkward Persian-American teenage boy. Whether that includes news of a Season 3 pickup I have no clue, and I’d be somewhat surprised given the show’s recent rocky road. But let’s leave this column on a positive note with a “stranger things have happened” maybe.
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.)
