Ask Matt: Another ‘9-1-1’ on Thursday?, CBS Sunday Scheduling, Defending ‘Frasier’ & 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 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.
Could a New 9-1-1 Spinoff Displace Grey’s Anatomy?
Question: I’ve seen the reports that ABC is considering a new spinoff of 9-1-1, suggesting that Ryan Murphy could control an entire night, assuming they stack both 9-1-1 shows and Doctor Odyssey on the same night. I don’t really care about any of those shows, but the obvious question is what happens to Grey’s Anatomy if Murphy does come for that third hour? I assume any new 9-1-1 spinoff wouldn’t be until next fall at the earliest, so this is probably too early to reasonably speculate. And of course, ABC could relocate Grey’s to another night if all of these hypotheticals pan out. I assume most people time-shift it now anyway with On Demand or Hulu, so it doesn’t really matter where they put it. But the idea of Grey’s being on any night except Thursdays after all these years is a very strange thought. — J
Matt Roush: Another option would be for Grey’s Anatomy to share the third hour with a new 9-1-1, with one or the other being held to midseason — and considering the current budgetary considerations for the long-running Grey’s, a shorter season wouldn’t be that much of a surprise. Again, this is all speculation, and we don’t know yet if ABC will even renew Grey’s for a 22nd season. But as I’ve often said before when this issue arises, I can’t imagine ABC abruptly canceling their longest-running drama — and TV’s longest-running prime-time medical drama ever—without advance notice and proper fanfare.
While it’s entirely possible ABC will turn over the entire Thursday lineup to Ryan Murphy shows in the future, much the way NBC and CBS have done for Dick Wolf franchises, we might also see the network relocate Doctor Odyssey to another night if they believe it can stand (or sail) on its own while pairing the two 9-1-1 shows. Finally, while it indeed would be weird for Grey’s Anatomy to air on a night other than Thursday, it’s not unheard of for a long-running show to play out its waning days in a different time period and night. Not the way I’d expect ABC to say goodbye to the show, but those who’ve pledged to stay loyal to Grey’s to the very end will likely follow it anywhere.
CBS’s Juggling Act on Sundays
Question: With 60 Minutes expanding to 90 minutes for several of its episodes this season, it certainly makes for a strange evening schedule. Recently, that meant the hour-long procedurals, Tracker and The Equalizer, started on the half-hour, and they were followed by a half-hour sitcom, The Neighborhood, at 10:30/9:30c. Wouldn’t it have made more sense to follow 60 Minutes with the sitcom, as All in the Family/Archie Bunker’s Place once did? Do you have any idea what the intent was?
Also, I’ve got to comment on the recent scene in Tracker where Colter and Russell are riding in the convertible and discussing the case, which had to be the fakest car scene ever. It doesn’t even look like they tried to make the scene look believable. And what was the deal with tying Russell’s Chevrolet convertible to the hardtop Jensen Ackles drove as Dean in Supernatural? And the show having a UFO/UAP aspect? Are we supposed to believe that Tracker is now somehow part of the Supernatural universe? — Tom
Matt Roush: Let’s take the scheduling issue first. On nights when 60 Minutes expands, or when football overruns (primarily affecting the Central and Eastern time zones) cause the lineup to begin late on the half-hour — and sometimes much later — the network isn’t likely to schedule a sitcom repeat to follow the mighty newsmagazine. Airing the popular procedurals directly afterward has long been their strategy, leaving the final half-hour or hour for repeats of dramas or sitcoms, or in extreme cases just not airing the final show if it’s starting too close to the 11 pm/10c hour. (This will change in the new year after the NFL season ends, and the new mystery drama Watson occupies the 10/9c hour.)
As for Tracker, I saw Russell’s wheels as an homage to his iconic role on Supernatural, and I wouldn’t read too much into the UFO/UAP storyline as anything but a whimsical change of pace — although some people take this subject very seriously if the plentiful docuseries on cable and streaming are any indication.
A Sophomore Slump?
Comment: I wanted to comment on the CBS show Tracker. I watched every episode in Season 1 and I was hooked. The scripts were well-written and believable. I really looked forward to Season 2. But if the first two episodes are any indication of the direction that the series is headed, I won’t be watching for very long. The first episode was a formulaic foray into organized crime. Strike one. The second was a formulaic excursion into conspiracies about UFOs (and they tried making it seem more believable by “educating” the audience in the UAP acronym). Colter’s brother Russell is now an over-the-top arrogant and smirking character. Again: formulaic. Strike two. Less is more, and stay in your lane, Season 2 Tracker writers! It almost seems like they’re already trying to jump the shark. Thanks for listening. — Tim B., Glenwood, Iowa
Matt Roush: Thanks for writing. I might argue that staying in one’s lane too diligently is itself a form of formulaic storytelling, but I get that it can be exasperating to see a favorite show overreach and fail in the trying. Maybe I don’t see the problem because I don’t hold this type of show to a very high critical standard, but I appreciate the reality check.
A Frasier Fan Speaks Up
Comment: I’m a long-time reader but this is my first time writing in. I was very disappointed to read your latest column and the reader’s feedback that is generally negative about Frasier and continuations of old shows in general. I think many viewers and critics are…well, overly critical…of such shows, and Frasier is a prime example. My family and I immensely enjoy Frasier, looking forward to each episode and laughing throughout. However, a lot of people seem to be judging it for what it is not: the original show. Conversely, I enjoy the show as a means of reconnecting with old friends in the form of returning characters in the context of a new show. When viewed through this lens and judged on its own merits, it is in fact very funny! More people should give this a try. — Bryan
Matt Roush: Well put, and I’m glad you and the family are enjoying the reboot — or I suppose you might describe this as a reimagining of the classic sitcom. Unquestionably, Frasier is at its best when the new version interacts with characters from the show’s past, including Roz (Peri Gilpin) and Bebe (Harriet Sansom Harris) with more to come. But I’m afraid it’s only human nature for people — and critics are also people, despite evidence to the contrary — to judge a show in its context, and Frasier is particularly susceptible to that (as was the ill-fated Murphy Brown revival), given the acclaim and Emmys showered upon the original series. My problem with this version is that very few of the supporting characters measure up to the original ensemble, making the farcical nature of the plots often feel more strained and sillier than they did back in the day. That said, it’s rare to see this kind of sophisticated sitcom in any arena these days, and I understand why anyone would want to embrace it.
Worst Show Ever?
Comment: This is a copy of a review I left on one of TVI’s stories about Doctor Odyssey. As you can see, I feel very strongly about this horrible hour. I can honestly say in six decades of TV watching, this thing actually made me increasingly angry as it went on that something this bad could get greenlighted when the networks are in such a dire spot needing good shows. But it was like a car wreck, and I just could not look away while the disaster was breaking loose.
Here’s what I wrote: This is, without question, the single worst TV show I have ever seen. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much, but this thing sank faster than the Andrea Doria and was a Titanic failure. It had some of the worst acting and most predictable plotting I’ve ever seen, and much of it was an insult to the intelligence of anyone who bothered to turn it on. I simply could not believe what I was watching. The guy who plays the male nurse had an accent I could not make out, the “instant attraction” between the male and female medicos was both predictable and unreal, the medical emergencies were absurd, and I have to admit I wondered how they would come up with enough plots to keep this running for this season, let alone years. They’ve already used the “man overboard” gimmick in the very first episode. Once they get over the Legionnaire’s Disease and the woman forced to have a premature baby at sea, what’s going to be left? I only watched this because Ryan Murphy of 9-1-1 fame was attached to it. But it’s beyond resuscitation. I hope this piece of ship falls like a stone, so the network can put something worthwhile in that time slot. Because as it stands now, this boat not only sinks — it stinks. And in the end, Doctor Odyssey is nothing that you ought to see. Do not get on board. — Aaron F.
Matt Roush: As people have been known to say to me after an extravagant rant: Besides that, how did you enjoy the show? I’ll admit I’m currently watching Doctor Odyssey with appalled fascination, and my friends who are nearly constant cruisers are doing likewise — although the recent appendectomy conducted on board during what looked like a Poseidon Adventure-worthy storm was almost the last straw. I advise putting this show in the “inadvertent comedy” column and responding accordingly. This is obviously not meant to be taken seriously, or perhaps better watched under the influence of Dramamine.
Still Not Laughing
Question: I am currently watching Poppa’s House and am quite distracted by the laugh track. Are they real people? I’ve read that they sometimes “sweeten” the laughter. Whatever the situation, it’s annoying. I do like the Wayans, but not sure I can stand the false laughter. Thoughts — Joan
Matt Roush: Without regurgitating my arguments from last week’s column in defense of shows with audible studio audience laughter, I will point out that at the time, I singled out the Poppa’s House pilot episode as being especially egregious in pumping up the volume on the laughter. Instances like this are extremely off-putting I agree.
And Finally …
Comment: I have a pet peeve I’d like to put before the powers that be at PBS. I watch many of their shows religiously and pardon my pun, but one of my favorites is Grantchester. However, with all the care taken on locations, settings, period styles, etc., they persist in having wisteria blooming in the exterior shots of the house in every season of the year. It just doesn’t do that. A minor grievance in the grand scheme of things, I realize, but truly annoying since my first exposure to wisteria was beautifully intertwined, but totally bare branches crossing the outside of a house in London in the winter. Subsequently, I planted some at my home in Los Angeles, and it blooms for a few weeks, turns green and leafy for a while then drops all the leaves and is completely bare through the winter. Thanks for letting me rant. — Dorine
Matt Roush: I may never watch Grantchester, or at least its fauna, quite the same way. Consider your observations passed on.
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.)
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