Ask Matt: ‘Instinct’ and Other CBS Casualties, ‘Yellowstone,’ Vintage Mysteries, the Fake President & 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.
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] (or use the form at the end of the column) and follow me on Twitter. Look for Ask Matt columns on most Tuesdays and Fridays.
Is Ageism a Factor in CBS Cancellations?
Question: I am sad about CBS cancelling Instinct and Elementary and The Code. How much do you think these decisions have to do with the supposed “aging” of their audience? I know it’s a ratings-driven business, but good television is good television, regardless of the age of the viewers. Thank goodness Love Island was a gigantic flop, and I imagine Big Brother is still on the air largely because of Julie Chen‘s CBS connections. If I want to watch reality TV, I’ll turn to the news. — Gwen
Matt Roush: To answer this properly, some distinctions need to be made. Elementary wasn’t so much canceled as given a final season — its seventh, which is a decent run for any series — to give the show proper closure. We’ll miss it, but it’s different from a show being yanked after a single season (The Code) or two (Instinct) that each aired at least partially during the lower-volume summer months. All of these decisions were at least partly determined by ratings, but of all of the broadcast networks, CBS is the least bound by demographic blinders. They celebrate when any of their shows are embraced by younger viewers — which is why Love Island, despite disappointing numbers, has been renewed for next summer, and why Big Brother continues to thrive. (Julie Chen Moonves’s network connections aren’t what they used to be, just saying.) But CBS still operates more often than not as a broadcaster, a purveyor of mass-appeal TV, and if the audience is big, even if skewing older, as is the case with many of its procedurals — of which, to be honest, there are too many, ergo these casualties that can’t find traction — the network tends to stick with them, at least up to a point. (When a show nears its seventh season, economics tend to favor easing mid-range shows toward their end point, i.e., Elementary).
The cancellation of Instinct struck a nerve, though, and here are a few of the early reactions.
Question: Why is CBS not renewing Instinct? It is one of the best shows with good stories, great chemistry and just enjoyable to watch. We do not need another reality show. — Barbara
Question: Can it be true? Are they really canceling Instinct? This was the best show on TV. How can they do this? I am so sad. There go my Sunday evenings. — Ruby
Matt Roush: According to trade reports, Instinct lost almost half of its first-season audience, which may have something to do with its late launch this summer; much of the first season in 2018 aired in-season, when viewership trends higher. It does feel like the show wasn’t given much of a chance. But I’d like to share star Alan Cumming‘s gracious thoughts on social media: “I’m grateful for two seasons of fun and gore and feeling like a dandy… I’m also proud to have played the first-ever leading character in a U.S. network drama who is gay. Yes, really, Because of Instinct, millions of people will have seen a same-sex marriage portrayed for the first time and I hope we changed and opened some minds in the process.” Hear, hear.
Enjoy it while you can. What is now the series finale airs Sunday at 9/8c.
Yellowstone Is Easy on the Eyes
Question: Just want to say how much I enjoy Paramount’s Yellowstone. I love seeing all the horses running around, all the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful, the plot is very far-out, but historically TRUE, even the music is exceptional! This is a series that will endure thru the ages! It’s not to be missed. I love it! — Mary Jane
Matt Roush: While I did get initial pushback during the first season over the show’s graphic language and dark tone of the storyline, the feedback this season has been way more positive. And I agree about the glorious photography, which extends to the cowboys’ antics and milieu, the part of Yellowstone I find myself enjoying the most. Maybe because actual TV Westerns are so rare anymore. Program note: Yellowstone‘s season finale is Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 10/9c.
But What’s with the Sibling Hostility?
Question: I’ve watched Yellowstone from the beginning and simply cannot understand Beth’s near-maniacal hatred of her brother [Jamie]. What am I missing? — Dale
Matt Roush: I’m thinking there are depths to the Dutton family’s dysfunction we have yet to explore, which is why it’s a good thing the show has been renewed for a third season. In a “Behind the Story” featurette, Kelly Reilly (Beth) recently suggested that “what’s important to Beth… is loyalty and selflessness, and they are two things that Jamie doesn’t hold within himself. He’s incapable of it in her mind.” I’ve always felt that Beth sees weakness as well in her brother, and given her combative nature, she exploits it every chance she gets, with contempt for the path and bad decisions Jamie has made in life. Compare that with her respect for Kayce, whom she worries will turn into a replica of their father if she can’t urge wife Monica to take him off the ranch, feeling both are too good for this damaged family. Beth is a complicated handful, and I hope they get to the bottom of your perceptive question as time goes on.
Where Are TV’s Fun Mysteries?
Question: Not sure if you’re a fan of those fun, family-friendly mystery series from the ’80s that always had older stars in them like Murder, She Wrote, Matlock, Father Dowling, etc. but those type of mystery shows seem to be extinct. Now all we get is these dry and maudlin procedurals that some people seem to mistake for entertainment. I was wondering is there any classic murder mystery show like those I mentioned anywhere? — O’Hara
Matt Roush: Your best bet is probably to check out the light mysteries airing on Hallmark and its Movies & Mysteries offshoot. The leads tend not to be quite as vintage, or memorable, as Angela Lansbury and Andy Griffith in their heyday, but they’re not as grim and glum as many of the formula procedurals on the broadcast networks.
Where’s the Fake President?
Question: Will The President Show with Anthony Atamanuik be returning to Comedy Central, or has it been canceled? — Ve
Matt Roush: This doesn’t appear to be in the pipeline at present as a regular fixture anymore, but after The President Show stopped airing weekly in 2017, Comedy Central ordered two specials that aired in April and October of last year. While nothing new has been announced, it wouldn’t surprise me if Atamnuik is called back into action when the election cycle heats up, either on Comedy Central or some other platform to continue his broad impersonation. (Although honestly, the genuine article almost defies caricature.)
And Finally …
Question: Living as I do in my own happy bubble, I was totally unaware of the wonderful Michael C. Hall show Safe. My husband and I just finished binging it, and I am even more addicted to Hall than after Six Feet Under and Dexter. The show was brought to a satisfying conclusion. But I’m wondering: Is there any way they can and/or will bring it back for a second season? How were the ratings? And if not, do you know what Hall will do next? — Linda
Matt Roush: Netflix rarely gives insights into ratings, but that might be immaterial for this thriller from the prolific Harlan Coben. Seems that Safe was designed to be a limited series with a distinct beginning and end, and at present it doesn’t appear that there are plans for a second season. As for Hall’s next TV project, he will appear with Taylor Kitsch in another international co-production, Shadowplay, a period thriller set in post-war Berlin in 1946. No U.S. distribution deal has been announced yet as far as I can tell.
That’s all for now. Thanks as always for reading, and remember that I 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), and you can also submit questions via the handy form below. Please include a first name with your question.
Conversation35 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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Lol at the Instinct comments above calling it “one of the best shows” and “the best show on TV.” I watched it and enjoyed it for what it was: a light, unchallenging program with a good cast, mediocre dialogue, and recycled stories. All in all, it was pretty forgettable. Would I prefer that it stayed around? Sure, but its departure isn’t breaking my heart either because the show just plain was not that good. Hardly the “best” or “one of the best” tv shows.
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Well, one man's trash is another man's treasure. Believe me there are plenty of shows I don't get how they're popular or considered one of "The best shows". Like idk how The Big Bang Theory went as long as it had or why we even have reboots of classics like Magnum, PI or Hawaii Five-O or MacGyver and I'm sorry, not a fan of a lot of the critically acclaimed shows like The Walking Dead or Game of Thrones, I just find those sterile and just not for me while amazing classic shows like Becker or The Middle are so underrated and nowhere near given their due. But... different strokes I guess.
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My favorite mystery shows and movies were the Agatha Christie adaptions. O'Hara mentioned Murder She Wrote, Matlock and Father Dowling. I did like those, but Agatha Christie set the benchmark .
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As for light, fun mysteries, try Private Eyes on ION, Tuesdays at 10pm. I miss those types of shows too. Castle started out that way, then got too serious.
If you get Hallmark Mysteries & Movies, lucky you! Full of light, fun mysteries, which I've never gotten to see as we don't get that station. But, they are basd on cozy mystery series, which I devour, so I'm sure they're good. And, they have Ally Sweeney in a couple of them. Can't miss cause she's awesome.
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I'm currently watching a "Perry Mason Mystery" movie on HMM.... and Perry Mason isn't in it! Apparently four movies were made without the character, once Raymond Burr passed away... hence the name change to "A Perry Mason Mystery." (Still, how can it be a PM mystery if PM isn't in it??)
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Damn good question! I'm guessing it's in the style of PM. But it'd be like making a Columbo movie today. Some people ARE the character & can't be replaced.
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Originally, Burr was simply absent and they substituted with whoever was available but after he passed, I guess they still had some scripts to continue on so they went ahead until after they saw the ratings results...
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Yeah, during the Perry Mason TV show, there were times when Burr was ill or injured, and other actors (some big names, including Bette Davis) took the starring role. But to make so many movies after Burr's death seems a little strange. Although I'm sure Hal Holbrook was very good in his fill-in role.
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Kinda makes me fondly remember the NBC Sunday Mysteries... I think the main ones were Columbo, McMillan & Wife, and McCloud.
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Grew up watching that every Sunday night. Those were the 3 shows & they just rotated them, having a different one each week. Loved them!
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Columbo is a certifiable classic.
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Without a doubt. Agree 100%. What's heartbreaking is that by the time he died, Peter Falk didn't even remember making Columbo.
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That's so sad. Peter Falk = Legend
I also enjoyed some of his movies.
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Had to get involved with Columbo being spoken LOL but yes a sure fire classic! I didn't ever see it until January 2018 and have fallen MADLY in love with it. The fandom is some of the nicest and intelligent I've ever met too. Peter Falks WAS Columbo and is irreplaceable as Columbo (knock on wood). Peter may have lost his memories of it while he was on earth his latter years tragically but I'm sure where he is now they've come back in full supply 🙂
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There's just something about these shows that are so fun, comforting and nice to watch. I have especially been hooked recently to Diagnosis Murder and Father Dowling Mysteries as well as for a while now Murder, She Wrote, Perry Mason, Matlock, Columbo, Rockford etc. I feel like this world needs these type of shows more than ever. But, no, everybody is trying to be political or super dark, bleak or gritty and it makes me wonder how can you really have fun watching that? I don't usually watch super dark shows. I need the balance.
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The original "Sunday Mystery Movies" version of Columbo were good, but the later movies (beginning in the late '80s) don't really interest me.
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I'm guessing one of those movies of Mr. Falk you enjoyed was The In-Laws he did with Alan Arkin. That was hilarious!
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Oh I loved The Inlaws! Also check out the hilarious Murder By Death and The Cheap Detective. Both highly recommended. He also starred in other classics, such an impressive actor!
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Agree, the later ones were not as impressive. But I still watch the more recent Columbo episodes because they are still better than most other mystery shows. Peter Falk uplifts and owns every scene he appears in.
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Well, I also know he was in The Great Race and was Oscar-nominated for Murder Inc. both of which I enjoyed. Also, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World which I hope to watch again someday...
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All very good. Murder By Death and The Cheap Detective were hilarious by the way.
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Not sure why The Code is included in talk/examples of CBS "age-ism" discussion. As far as I can tell, The Code features a lot of younger, eye-candy type of characters, not the "silver stars" that other shows have.
Also, re Instinct.... I think this show is a good candidate for a one-shot 2-hour movie. The show got cancelled unexpectedly, without a chance to wrap anything up. Who knows what developments were planned in a season 3. A movie would give viewers the chance to see Dylan and Andy as parents, tell us what's up with Julian (unless that will be explained in Sunday's finale), and also, for those who are into 'shipping,' put together two characters that the writers were obviously getting ready to pair up: Lizzie and the new detective, Ryan.
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O'Hara (and others) who love the "classic, light mysteries) may want to check out some of the shows being produced across the pond--either Britain or Australia. I haven't seen a lot of the British ones, like Inspector Morse, etc. But one I *have* seen--and enjoyed--is Father Brown. It's set in the 1950s, in a small town in England, but it has humor as well as the standard mystery. Another good one is Doctor Blake Mysteries. That one is set in the late '50s or early 60s, in Australia. There is sometimes a bit too much personal drama in that one, but overall it's very good.
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I adore Father Brown. Totally agree that there are some good lighter mysteries from across the pond. Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, inspector Lewis, Agatha Raisin and Midsomer Murders are some that come to mind.
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I haven't seen too many Miss Fisher episodes, but I've seem another one set in same time period (1920s) but in Canada. It's Frankie Drake Mysteries. That one hasn't grabbed me quite as strong as Father Brown, or some others, though.
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Sadly we don't have any good lighter mysteries from the U.S. at least none that I've heard of and even then they don't have an older lead or an amateur detective like the great ones mentioned by O'Hara.
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CBS is accommodating the younger demographic in it's selection of shows. With all the non scripted, reality shows CBS has, for that demographic, they are not supporting the the shows. It's obvious the older generation is supporting them by having scripted shows on All Access, where you have to pay to watch.
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I get Gwen's point about the aging thing and that is often true with most networks but I'd like to point out that CBS thrives off of older viewers, it's always been the network most catering to middle Americans over 50 and it was number 1 for a long time due to the wild success of the NCIS franchises, Blue Bloods and other procedurals as well as sitcoms that had older stars leading them like Mark Harmon, Tom Selleck, etc. Heck NCIS has always had their biggest demo be the ages of 55 and up. So I doubt many of the cancellations have anything to due with having too many older viewers. Speaking of fun classic mystery series I really have developed such a fondness for these type of shows from Murder, She Wrote, Diagnosis Murder, Monk, Columbo, Hart to Hart and Matlock to The Rockford Files and recently Father Dowling. I really wish they had done a few in that sweet spot of the late eighties to early nineties with some classic black stars like Robert Gulliame or Sherman Hemsley would've been perfect, Marla Gibbs, Isabel Sanford, Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis etc. If they did try to do those shows now I think the best options would be to give em to Henry Winkler or Phylicia Rashad.
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Look for Agatha Christie shows and movies. My favorites were:
Murder on the Orient Express
Death on the Nile
Evil Under the Sun
and many others .
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Columbo is a favorite of mine, Monk was great also.
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How can I forget, And Then There Were None!!! A true masterpiece.
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Haven't seen that! I think i'll get on classic mystery films.
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Columbo was brilliant and really created the inverted mystery format for television. Monk is kinda like a grandchild for Columbo lol
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Yes agreed.
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Must see! Trust me!
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