Ask Matt: Cancellations Woes (‘Feds,’ ‘Joe Pickett’), Football Frenzy, Missing Lucy at the Holidays & 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.
Why Wait So Long to Lower the Boom?
Question: I can’t believe ABC waited until a day after the actors’ strike was resolved to announce the cancellation of The Rookie: Feds. As a fan of the show, I am disappointed. But I’m more upset with how Disney/ABC handled the situation. Most other shows were canceled much earlier. Why would the powers that be wait around six months to confirm Feds’ status? I hope the talented cast and crew find solid work soon. This particular cancellation is the most insulting I have ever seen.
And I know that dismal economic factors, the ongoing strike and the ever-changing entertainment industry are the causes. But I’m also disappointed by Paramount+ canceling Joe Pickett after two seasons Not too long ago the industry was touting the “Peak TV” era; in 2023, I would call it “Slump TV.” I also miss Big Sky, like Joe Pickett adapted from books by C.J. Box. —Fred
Matt Roush: Can’t really explain why ABC/Disney kept Feds and its followers on hold the way it did, but I would speculate they were keeping their options open for as long as they could until they knew how the strike action would ultimately play out. It seems obvious from the outside that they would have known by now whether they needed or wanted Feds on the midseason schedule, but I’m not sure it would have hurt any less if announced back in the fall when Home Economics was scrapped. As for Joe Pickett, I was really fond of that show and of Michael Dorman’s portrayal of the Wyoming game warden. C.J. Box tweeted, “We hope the very talented and very able people behind the show can find a new home for it in the coming months,” but it seems a long shot.
Football Times Three
Question: On Nov. 6, the Monday Night Football game (Chargers v. Jets) was shown on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. Why would the same game be carried on three different channels at the same time? Seems like a waste of airtime. — Ian C., Winston-Salem, N.C.
Matt Roush: Or from ABC/Disney’s point of view, maybe more like sharing the wealth. The reason the games are being simulcast this fall is a response to the strikes depriving ABC of fresh content, causing them to revert to the days when Monday Night Football was still a network staple. Nothing else they could have aired on the night would have performed nearly as well, even if the ratings were split between ABC and ESPN — and ESPN2, which often provides alternative broadcasts with commentary from the Manning brothers and the like.
Wishing for a Lucy Ricardo Holiday Fix
Question: Is there any information on why CBS has stopped showing colorized Christmas and other episodes of I Love Lucy? I always looked forward to them. — Bill
Matt Roush: The network hasn’t said why they’ve shelved these classics for the time being, but the typical response would likely be that they’re being rested so they’ll feel more like an event if and when they’re ever revived. Looking at CBS’s offerings this year, they’re leaning into game shows (a week of The Price Is Right in prime time), repeats of holiday movies and musical specials, along with the animated perennials, so I’d assume this is what their research suggests is the most popular draw. I’m with you, though. It’s always a good time to watch Lucille Ball, Dick Van Dyke and other comedy masters.
What Will Midseason Look Like?
Question: Now that the strikes have finally been resolved, what happens next as the networks and studios attempt to make TV’s midseason look normal? —Jake
Matt Roush: What happens next is that the shows that have been dormant since May will rev back to life as soon as possible, with production starting either late this month or early next (with mandated holiday breaks complicating matters). CBS was the first network to announce its 2024 midseason schedule, and I expect the others will follow suit soon, with most shows returning in February or thereabouts for a truncated season of 10 to 13 episodes.
Why Is That Fish Acting So Strangely?
Question: I happened to come across Spy in the Ocean on PBS and am wondering how many robotic species there are? Is there two of each one so they can film each other? Or are there other cameras following them? If so what’s the point? — Rob D, Las Vegas
Matt Roush: According to PBS, there were dozens of new waterproof animatronic spy cameras disguised as creatures of the sea for the Nature miniseries, which concludes Wednesday. My understanding is that there was generally only one robot fish per species, embedded in an underwater community to interact with whichever fish population they were meant to emulate. The point of this fascinating project, and the Spy in the Wild series before it, is to observe animal behaviors in ways you’d likely never see if camera crews were anywhere near.
And Finally …
Question: Has there been any movement on finding a home for Snowpiercer‘s fourth and final season? I know TNT has changed their business model, and fair enough, but geez, it’s pretty harsh for the viewers who’ve watched the show for three seasons, especially when Season 4 is in the can. Why not just air it, even if only in the wee hours or On Demand, garner some good will from viewers? Yeesh. — Jennifer
Matt Roush: Yeesh indeed. This practice of shelving series already produced to balance the bottom line is one of the worst side effects of the peak TV era and the corporate giants’ subsequent belt-tightening. I would think a streamer licensing all four seasons will be the ultimate endgame, but for now, this train is still off the tracks.
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.)
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