Ask Matt: ‘Young Sheldon’s Tragic Twist, More Cancellation Angst, ‘Doctor Who’ & More

Matt Roush May 14, 2024, 9:00 am

Lance Barber in 'Young Sheldon' — Bill Inoshita / Warner Bros. Entertainment

Bill Inoshita / Warner Bros. Entertainment

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 or developments here unless it’s already common knowledge. Please send your questions and comments to [email protected]. Look for Ask Matt columns on most Tuesdays.

A Death in the Cooper Family

Question: HOW COULD THEY DO THAT?!?!?! I just watched the two episodes leading into Young Sheldon’s series finale and feel totally drained and depressed. I know the show is ending, but really. I think the show deserves a double Jeers. I hope the final episodes are more uplifting. — Sandra R.

Matt Roush: I’ve seen the final two episodes (airing May 16), and I would describe them as uplifting — though also poignant, so prepare accordingly with tissues. But jeer the show? I don’t think so. Those who pay attention to The Big Bang Theory mythology knew before Young Sheldon even began that Sheldon would lose his dad (George Sr., played beautifully by Lance Barber) at a young age, and I’ve fielded questions over the years from viewers wondering when and whether this event might occur over the course of the show. (Even if I’d known in advance, I’d never have let on unless the network spoiled it, which thankfully CBS didn’t.) I felt they handled the shocking moment of announcing George Sr.’s sudden death with tenderness and grace, and the first of the two episodes will deal with the aftermath in a sensitive fashion, though not without humor. (Most everyone who’s been through a memorial service knows that there are necessary moments of levity even during the saddest times.) The series ends, as it should, looking forward — to young Sheldon’s (Iain Armitage) impending adventures in higher education, leaving the next for CalTech. And for those mourning not only his father figure but the show itself, I’m curious how much of the Young Sheldon ensemble will continue to be seen in the spinoff built around Georgie (Montana Jordan) and Mandy (Emily Osment) and their new family.

Iain Armitage Promises 'Young Sheldon' Will Have 'Satisfying' Ending

The Economics of Surprise Cancellations

Question: Between the demand for more new content year-round and series getting fewer episodes per season — as few as 10 and as many as 24 (versus 35+ in the 1950s & ’60s) — can CBS and the other networks have too many shows for their scheduling needs? NCIS: Hawai’i was in the middle of the ratings among CBS dramas and was more a mainstream procedural like CSI Vegas versus the more unusual nature of So Help Me Todd, though both of those shows were also canceled. Also with the end of NCIS: Hawai’i (2021-2024), network TV appears to also end two decades of production in the Aloha State that included ABC’s Lost (2004-2010), Hawaii Five-0 (2010-2020), and Magnum P.I. (2018-2024), both by CBS. With inflation hitting everywhere, do you think that rising on-location production costs played a bigger role in this renew/cancel decision? — Angelo L.

Matt Roush: You’re right on both counts, at least if you buy the network’s explanations. (For many angry viewers, no explanation for a show’s cancellation will ever suffice.) So Help Me Todd in particular seems to have doomed by an inventory surplus, with the Matlock reboot waiting in the wings and too few time slots available, as well as Hawai’i making room for NCIS: Origins. (I’m sure there’s an argument that these shows could have been held for midseason or moved to another night if CBS would only shrink or eliminate one of its reality competitions or game shows, though they exist for a reason: Economics.) In the larger picture, some of these tough choices were made because all of broadcast network TV is going through a belt-tightening phase, with CBS especially vulnerable at the moment with the fate of its parent company (Paramount Global) in corporate limbo.

Regarding Hawaii as a TV destination, it appears there will be at least one network show still filming there: Fox’s new fall series Rescue: HI-Surf.

8 TV Franchise Spinoffs That Didn’t Last Long

Is CBS Serious About This Bloodbath?

Question: Someone has obviously spiked the water at CBS corporate headquarters! First they cancel Blue Bloods, one of their premiere shows, even though the viewing audience and the cast would like it to continue! Then they unexpectedly cancel another of their more successful shows, NCIS Hawai’i, leaving the audience clinging to a cliff, while allowing the weakest link in the franchise (in my opinion), NCIS Sydney, to remain in the lineup! Is there any chance that they will regain their sanity and continue the shows? — Rick W.

Matt Roush: Probably not. This time of year, I tend to point out that in almost every case, a cancellation is final, especially once a new fall schedule has been announced. There are rare exceptions of a network later reneging, or another platform picking up a show for another season or more (though not typically when the show is produced in-house). But it seems CBS is intent on ending these shows, including Blue Bloods in the fall, although I suppose there’s still time for that show to make a case, albeit a long shot. (Again: Economics.) Regarding Sydney, that spinoff is being filmed for a global audience, not just CBS, and was initially intended for the Paramount+ streaming platform, so it’s not going anywhere just yet.

Why Leave Us Hanging?

Question: One final NCIS: Hawai’i critique: CBS knew the last show was coming, and it was already “in the can.” Why didn’t they stop the show at the spot where they were all gathered and celebrating, then rolling the credits. But no! They let it play to that cliffhanger scene. Hawai’i deserved a better ending. — Dave in Iowa

Matt Roush: I don’t know what would have been entailed technically to alter or remove the ending, given how late in the process the show was canceled, and I get why this series was blindsided by the bad news. For most shows whose futures are more clearly in doubt, I’ve argued they should avoid an open-ended cliffhanger or provide an alternate closed ending. A network can’t just go dark on purpose, which may be why they were stuck with that final scene. I agree, it’s unfortunate.

'Blue Bloods': Family Drama Became Police Business Ahead of Finale

The Doctor’s in the Mouse House

Question: Oh no, I just figured out my favorite child and adulthood show Doctor Who has been sold to Disney. I hate Disney as a capitalist, exclusive, incipit, pandering organization. I have loved Doctor Who since the early black-and-white film days of the 1960s for its snarky humor, iconic and scientific content, its philosophical bent and its individualism in the world of sci-fi. What can I expect now, will it be ruined? Will it become pablum for the masses? Will it be dumbed down? In college we had a drinking game guessing the five themes in each episode. They were scientific concept, literary reference, cultural/anthropology salute, acknowledgement of being an outsider (we now call non-neurotypical) and environmental reference. A loyal and concerned fan. —Cheryl C.

Matt Roush: While I’m amused at your existential predicament, I don’t think there’s any cause for worry, at least not from what I’ve seen so far from the new season starring Ncuti Gatwa as the charismatic new incarnation of The Doctor. If there’s a Disney-fied influence, it may be in a larger budget, meaning some of the endearing tackiness of classic Doctor Who might be sacrificed for a more polished sheen. But this relationship seems to me more a function of distribution, and I’m encouraged that with Russell T Davies back as showrunner, we’re in for a fun ride.

Suspending Disbelief in Tracker

Question: I have enjoyed watching Tracker on CBS since the beginning of its first season. My concern is the rather large holes in the storyline that you could drive the proverbial Mack truck through. How is it possible that he has excellent cell phone coverage out in the middle of nowhere? Who are these two ladies that he calls for help? And how about this guy who can find and get information about anyone right from his laptop? Colter Shaw also seems to have no concern about walking into a house or building when he is chasing bad guys, and no one is guarding the back door — Taylor

Matt Roush: If you’re watching Tracker for its realism, you’re bound to be disappointed. (Same goes for most weekly procedurals, which are escapist and improbably tidy by nature.) I happen to like the quirky women, Teddi and Velma (Robin Weigert and Abby McEnany), who assist Colter from afar, but couldn’t agree more about the cliché of the super-hacker computer whiz who has to be part of almost any crime team anymore. Best to lean back and try not to sweat the details with this one.

Russell T. Davies Reveals How 'Bridgerton' Episode Came Together on 'Doctor Who'

And Finally …

Question: What was the song near the end of the “Punch Card” episode of The Rookie, in the scene where Lucy is crying and reading the card? I tried to Shazam it several times but no luck. — Caroline C.

Question: We must know the last song of the May 7 episode that started playing when Lucy opened the door to Kojo holding a card for her! Please! — Paula L.

Matt Roush: When I get repeated requests like this, it’s clear the music (which viewers often complain about) must be investigated. Thankfully, the good folks at ABC tracked down the song, titled “Lift Up Your Head,” by Esabalu. The reason it couldn’t be found via Shazam is because it hasn’t yet been released, though the latest word from the licensor is of is a tentative release date this Friday, May 17.

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 X (formerly) Twitter @TVGMMattRoush. (Please include a first name with your question.)