Ask Matt: NBC’s Strike Strategy, ‘NCIS: Sydney,’ ‘Dancing’ Wish List and 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.

Was NBC Thinking Ahead for This Fall?

Question: Why is NBC the only major network to have new scripted shows and episodes this fall? I like The Irrational (even though the title is awful), and Season 2 of Quantum Leap is off to a good start. Were they anticipating the strike and filmed earlier than normal? — Scott

Matt Roush: Yes and no. The new procedural Found was originally scheduled for last midseason but was pushed to fall even before strike alarms were sounded. The Irrational was ordered to series late last year and put into production as part of the network’s year-round initiative, which counts as forward thinking, given the way things turned out. The previously filmed second half of the Magnum P.I. season and the third season of Canadian import Transplant were earmarked for midseason 2024 and pushed forward when the worst-case strike scenario presented major holes in the fall. NBC is also lucky that Sundays in the fall are filled with NFL football, and The Voice takes up big chunks of real estate on Mondays and Tuesdays. It’s still a patchwork schedule, with only five original series airing. But by comparison with the other major networks (notwithstanding Fox’s animation lineup and The CW’s Canadian and global acquisitions), this is a lot, and doesn’t lean on so many game shows to keep the lights on. Despite the lack of Dick Wolf’s major Chicago and Law & Order franchises, it almost feels like business as usual for now. But if things don’t pick up by early next year, that could be a different story.

Will the Strikes Ever End?

Question: Once again, the studios are declaring the talks with the union (this time SAG-AFTRA) suspended. This is so frustrating and unnecessary. I understand that negotiations are complex and difficult, but it seems idiotic for them to have another long period of time where they’re not talking at all. Do you have a sense of when this would have to be resolved in order for there to be scripted television in the spring?  While I am delighted that the writers are back to work, having scripts doesn’t seem to matter if there are no actors to perform them. — Jake

Matt Roush: It’s pointless to even try to predict what to expect until something budges and the studios come back to the negotiating table with the SAG-AFTRA union. If there is a silver lining to this dark situation, it’s that writers will have scripts ready to go and possibly some pre-production in place when the actors finally reach an agreement. But for now, the industry is still in limbo, and if things aren’t resolved by the end of the month, with the holidays looming, it’s hard to imagine there will be much of a season left to salvage.

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Preparing to Go Down Under with NCIS

Question: Should I get invested in NCIS: Sydney? Will CBS quit airing the show after the strikes are settled and regular programming starts up again? —Janet B.

Matt Roush: That’s a big unknown. Given the uncertain state of the traditional TV season, with some new and possibly returning shows likely to be pushed back to next fall, I’m fairly confident the U.S. audience will get to see the full first season of NCIS: Sydney, which begins Nov. 14. Whether the network’s deal goes beyond this season to carry the show, which was originally designed for international streaming markets, I haven’t a clue. If Sydney does well — and given the shortage of original network programming these days, it probably will — maybe it will stick around. But even if it eventually goes behind a streaming paywall or otherwise drops off the schedule, I expect anyone curious enough will take advantage of this opportunity to check it out.

If Dancing Is Taking Requests …

Question: At this point, do you think it’s even remotely possible that Australian pop superstar Kylie Minogue could appear as a musical guest on Dancing with the Stars this season? Kylie has, after all, made multiple guest appearances on DWTS in the past, plus she has released a new album recently. — Chris

Matt Roush: Remotely possible, sure. Probable? I really don’t know. They haven’t teased the full season and all of the upcoming episodes’ themes. But given her history with the show and the fact that she has a new album to promote, it would make sense. Hope you get your wish.

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Aren’t the SNL Stars on Strike?

Question: I’m confused. The writers are not on strike anymore, but the actors still are. So how can Saturday Night Live start up again? Are the performers not in the actors’ union? — Dave S.

Matt Roush: This question has come up several times in the past week, and while it’s confusing, the short version is that Saturday Night Live is covered under a different contract (the “Network Code”) that also covers talk shows. Not only did SAG-AFTRA give its OK for the cast to return to work, the union noted that they were required to do so under their contract, so while the performers are in the union, they aren’t breaking any rules by going forward with the 49^th season even while picketers continue to march outside 30 Rock during the day.

And Finally …

Question: Almost a year ago, I read an article that Netflix had bought the rights to Peacock‘s canceled but brilliant Tina Fey comedy Girls5Eva and that they would produce and air a third season of the comedy, in addition to housing all previous episodes. I’m curious when Netflix will begin to carry the reruns and when the new episodes will start airing? Had production begun on the new season before the strikes started, or is it still in development? — Matt, Rhode Island

Matt Roush: By all accounts, including from cast members on the picket lines, they were able to complete filming Season 3 of the hilarious Girls5Eva before the strike deadline. (Whether musical post-production was affected, I’m not sure.) There is no word from Netflix yet regarding the show’s premiere date, and I’d think that’s when the sharing would begin between Netflix and Peacock for streaming rights of the first two seasons (which reportedly were made available to international regions in February).

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.)