Ask Matt: Mayim’s ‘Jeopardy!’ Ouster, an MIA Holiday Movie, Untimely TV Deaths & 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.
Is Jeopardy! Better Off With Just One Daily Host?
Question: I’m curious about your reaction to the decision by the Jeopardy! producers and studio to remove Mayim Bialik for good from the daily show. I like both her and Ken Jennings, but the idea that the show needed two hosts never made sense to me. I’ve heard some people theorize that this was retaliation for not being willing to cross the picket line during the strikes, and that would be unfortunate. I do think she was good as the host when she was there. But it seems more likely that her long absence caused the producers to realize that two hosts is unnecessary, which is what many of us have been saying for a while anyway. I’d just be happier with the news that this extended tournament nonsense is coming to a close, but I’m fine with Ken as the permanent host. And if she agrees to come back for some of the prime-time Jeopardy shows, she’d still be a good fit there.
On another angle, I know the Emmy nominations came out months ago, but the normal timing of the awards was derailed by the strikes. Do you know if the voting for the winners has closed yet? Obviously, she has her nomination regardless, but I wonder what the reaction would be if she were to win after essentially being let go by the show. That would be an … interesting moment of TV if she wins. — Jake
Matt Roush: I look at this as a strange but necessary coda to the awkward situation that has pervaded at Jeopardy! since Alex Trebek’s untimely passing. I always appreciated Mayim Bialik’s enthusiasm, but there seems little doubt that Ken Jennings is the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future, which is a good thing. Some of what I’m hearing and reading just seems like mean gossip, and I also would like to think that this decision was made out of common sense and not out of retribution for her acting on her principles. Ken continues to grow in the job. His rapport with the players and his deep knowledge of the game, the strategies, and the challenges make for an engaging experience. The ball appears to be now in her court as to whether she’ll choose to return for prime-time specials or tournaments, and I’d be OK with that. But producing the daily show is all about establishing a comfort level, and trading off hosts during the season works against that, so whatever was behind the decision, I’m on board with it.
As for the Emmy nomination: That ship has sailed. The voting deadline was last August before it was clear that the Emmy broadcast would have to be delayed by months until January. I agree that it’s an odd situation, and am somewhat surprised they weren’t nominated jointly (which would still be awkward if she won).
The Waltons Movie That Started It All
Question: Why did they quit broadcasting the original The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (the inspiration for The Waltons)? For a number of years it could be seen, but not for a long time now. The remake is a weak version of the 1971 classic. — Richard F., Plymouth, MI
Matt Roush: No argument here. That’s a perennial that holds up, and The CW’s resurrection of the Waltons franchise pales by comparison. I don’t know enough about how movies of this vintage are licensed to local stations to be able to explain why it’s off the market (if in fact it is), or if the new version has somehow superseded it. This is where I advise that if you want to ensure that you make this an annual habit, you might look into purchasing it on DVD (not very expensive last time I looked). Because so many networks are churning out “original” Christmas movies by the dozen, that may also have lessened the opportunity for some made-for-TV holiday classics to find a foothold. This movie is very much worth another visit.
Could This Apple Miniseries Fall Far from the Streaming Tree?
Question: The miniseries The Last Thing He Told Me was on Apple TV+ this past year and I would like to know if it will ever be on regular TV or out on DVD since I don’t do streaming? I have read the book three times and fell in love with it and really want to see it. — Alice P., Ft. Myers, FL
Matt Roush: Regular (as in network or cable) TV? Doubtful. One of the reasons series like this remain exclusive to the streamer that commissioned it is to lure people into the tent. Some of Apple’s series and movies have been released on DVD, but that market isn’t what it used to be, and it will be up to the show’s distributor and producers whether to invest in a physical product. Keep looking on Amazon and other platforms that sell DVDs to see if it ever becomes available. The fact that it’s based on a popular book suggests there’s a fan base that might be willing to purchase it if they went that route. But nothing on this front has yet been announced, so you might just need to find someone who subscribes to Apple (my personal favorite streamer) to be able to watch it.
Reliving the Pain of a Favorite Actor’s (and Character’s) Death
Question: I recently started rewatching The West Wing for the first time since it went off the air as I found my stash of DVDs on a shelf. While I love the series, and look forward to watching it again, I am not looking forward to the Season 7 gut punch when John Spencer dies, resulting in Leo McGarry’s death. I can’t believe it’s been 18 years. Anyway, are there other moments in TV history where an actor’s off-screen death resulted in such a big plot change? Perhaps it’s my age, but the only other one I can think of is John Ritter‘s very untimely death completely changing the storyline of 8 Simple Rules. (I miss the “walk and talk” Sorkin of the late ’90s, early ’00s.) — Veronica P.
Matt Roush: There are plenty of examples of this somewhat morbid topic, with some of the higher profile incidents in recent (to me) years including Cory Monteith dying during the production of Glee, Nancy Marchand leaving Tony Soprano motherless, Phil Hartman’s tragic murder necessitating a replacement on NewsRadio, two bailiffs (Selma Diamond and Florence Halop) dying during the original run of Night Court and Nicholas Colosanto as Coach leaving fond memories at Cheers, with Woody Harrelson taking over as the new bartender. It’s always sad when this happens and a tribute to the actor when the show is somehow able to go on.
Giving Network Shows Some Credit
Comment: It was great to see that you ranked two broadcast comedies in your Top 10 (Abbott Elementary and Ghosts). Too many critics totally ignore network shows but I appreciate how you highlight them very often. Last season Fox’s Accused impressed me often enough. Also, I still rank ABC’s The Conners very high, probably my top comedy. NBC’s sadly canceled but hilarious American Auto is ranked up there as well. — Fred
Matt Roush: Thanks for noticing. The companies running the networks don’t make it easy, putting so much of their most interesting content on their streamers, but when shows pop the way Abbott Elementary and Ghosts do — and I can’t wait to have them back in February — I’m happy to give them credit.
Cooking Up The Dreaded Sophomore Slump
Comment: Like most people with access to (formerly HBO) Max, I was salivating in anticipation of Julia‘s second season. And once the SAG-AFTRA strike ended and freed the show to air, I rubbed my hands together, tucked in my napkin and dug in. And I must say, I’ve never been so grateful that Max has a fast-forward option. I’m lunging for that button practically any time someone who is not Julia, Paul or the wonderfully aggravating Simca is on the air (with the HUGE exceptions of Avis and Judith). To be sure, I used the button liberally during Alice’s scenes in the first season, but now nearly all the stories at WGBH seem to feel tangential (this was not the case in season 1). And I understand what they were trying to do with the Elaine character, but the subplot mostly served to make me wonder again why Rachel Bloom can’t catch a break after Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (Reboot deserved to be more than a one-and done). Am I alone in feeling this way? — Ryan
Matt Roush: Probably not. This is a classic case of a sophomore slump, where the upbeat momentum of Julia (the great Sarah Lancashire) learning the ropes of TV in the first season and becoming a sensation has been replaced with a dourer tone as she and the station react to her success in very different ways. Yes, a show needs conflict, but the WGBH scenes are too broadly played and rarely feel authentic — and there’s just not enough of Julia cooking for my taste. Some of the other subplots have felt strained, but I prefer not to beat up too much on a show with such inherent charm, even if the glaze isn’t as dazzling as it once was.
That’s all for now—and the last Ask Matt column until after the New Year. Thanks as always for challenging me with your questions and comments about the ever-changing medium we love, and I wish you a happy and healthy holiday and a 2024 when many of our favorite weekly series will finally return. Remember, though, that 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 X (formerly Twitter) @TVGMMattRoush. (Please include a first name with your question.)
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