Ask Matt: Is the New Season Dragging Its Heels? Dramedies at the Emmys, Bloody Credits & 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.
What Happened to September Fall Premieres?
Question: I’ve been wondering about why the start of the TV season has gotten later and later for so many series. I remember when I was younger and new seasons always started a couple weeks after we went back to school. Now many series are starting in October or mid-season. What’s the reason for this? — Lisa S., Milwaukee, WI
Matt Roush: It’s a fair question and especially appropriate in a fall season where the most traditional of broadcast networks, CBS, has delayed its official “premiere week” to the week starting Oct. 13. There are several reasons for this, and I’ll do my best to simplify it, but the reality of the situation is that the broadcast networks no longer are the only game in town, when they could command the nation’s attention by orchestrating a premiere week (typically following the Emmys in mid to late September) when something like 20-30 new shows might be premiering over a limited period of time. In recent years, the number of new network series in the fall has diminished significantly, and they’re being released in a more staggered way in hopes they’ll break out and not get lost in the chaos. CBS also decided this year to use its highly rated Sunday schedule, with football and 60 Minutes, to help launch new series like Matlock (which got a very strong sampling) and The Summit, even repeating their first episodes in early October before they settle into their new nights and times.
ABC has also slowly rolled out its new series (High Potential, Doctor Odyssey) with repeat broadcasts to get more sampling before most of the rest of the lineup kicks in. Some new series (NBC’s St. Denis Medical hospital comedy) won’t even arrive until November, by which time we’ll have been saturated with promos during The Voice and other hits. For years the networks have been talking about year-round seasons, and while that may result in a less dynamic fall launch, that’s pretty much what’s happening, with quite a few returning shows held back to midseason. Besides, as I’ve said many times before in my glass-half-full mode, a show premiering later in the fall might mean fewer repeats in the spring.
Should the Emmys Create Categories for Dramedies?
Question: I watch and love The Bear as much as anyone. But I think we can all agree, it’s far from being a comedy — and certainly does not belong in a category with true comedies, like Abbott Elementary and Hacks. After all these years—and controversies—why hasn’t the Academy created categories for a “dramedy?” It’s still a stretch to put The Bear in that category. It’s not like this season of Fargo, with the first couple of episodes so funny, in a Home Alone type of way. But if it isn’t going to be considered a drama, then a dramedy is certainly more appropriate. Why all the foot-dragging to create a “dramedy” category for series, actor, actress, etc? — Rob S., San Francisco
Matt Roush: The Emmys and its many categories are woefully imperfect, to be sure, but the ceremony is already so swollen with categories for various types of TV that adding an entirely new, and hard to define, genre (plus the acting, directing, writing, and other categories within) will probably never happen. Same goes for the other categorization so many of my readers lobby for, separating broadcast series from premium cable/streaming series to even the playing field and giving network shows more of a chance to be noticed. If the TV Academy expanded to accommodate each of these issues, the show would likely become even more unmanageable. (It’s already a delicate enough dance to decide which categories are announced in the main broadcast and which the weekend before.)
Should there be a mechanism in place for the Emmy administrators to override producers and networks when they game the system by placing a deeply dramatic non-comedy (The Bear, later seasons of Barry, to name a few) into the comedy categories simply because they’re a half-hour show? I’d be in favor of that, though I have no idea how that would work.
Those Bloody Credits
Question: Is anyone else sickened by the overly gory opening of Peacock’s Those About to Die? I’m not squeamish, but watching a tsunami of (fake) blood pouring over statues and flowing through the streets of ancient Rome is too much for me. What kind of people were in the focus group that approved it? I did stick around to watch the first two episodes, and even though the show is trying too hard to be Game of Thrones 2.0, I will keep watching. My other thought is that the show will have to gain huge viewership and buzz to offset what has to be a sizeable budget for the multiple sets, horses, chariots, CGI backgrounds, and a large cast. And blood. So much blood. — Julie
Matt Roush: I imagine you’re hardly the only one turned off by these opening credits, if not by the torrents of fake blood, then by the shameless attempt to echo the vibes of Game of Thrones (and even more so House of the Dragon with its bloody tapestries). For me, that cheesy blood-drenched credit sequence is a fair warning about what’s to come. Anyone who’s squeamish should probably steer clear, because the violence only becomes more extreme as it goes. More than anything, though, Those About to Die tested my tolerance for inferior CGI (especially during the chariot races).
Sailing Into Silliness
Question: What did you think about Doctor Odyssey? I understand why ABC did not want critics to watch the pilot before it aired. Here are my main issues: Underpopulated cast. Just four main cast members on a luxury cruise? The show needs supporting players. I understand the guests pad the show, but I want to see a supporting cast. I realize Fox’s Fantasy Island also had very few cast members, but it worked because it was an island paradise setting and the guests were well-represented during each episode, unlike Doctor Odyssey so far. The medical cases are either weird or forgettable. I have a feeling that future episodes will improve that situation. The depressing Covid flashback did not belong on this light escapist show. My positives: the elaborate sets, good-looking cast, mostly well-acted. I’ll give it another couple of episodes at least. The time slot is after 9-1-1 and before Grey’s Anatomy (still a favorite of mine), so I’ll just keep watching. All in all, I did enjoy the pilot. I just hope it improves soon. — Fred
Matt Roush: I’m not sure “thinking” and Doctor Odyssey should ever be used in the same sentence. The show is pure candy: eye candy, mind candy, armchair-traveler candy. It’s The Love Boat with medical issues, and I’ll argue your point that it needs a larger core cast, because even though The Love Boat had a few more regulars, it was really about the guest stars, and I’d bet that will be the case here as well. This is also a classic “hammock” show, likely to benefit from being sandwiched between two established series on a competitive night. Beyond that, further analysis of a show this silly probably isn’t required. This Odyssey pretty much defines the concept of guilty pleasure.
How Rocky Will This Sitcom Marriage Be?
Question: With the Young Sheldon spin-off series featuring Georgie and Mandy kicking off this season, I’m just wondering why they decided to choose the name Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage for the series. It seems a bit counter-productive, making it sound like their marriage is doomed from the start. That’s not something I’d expect from a situation comedy, even though I understand the title was probably chosen for comic effect. I realize this decision was based on Sheldon’s comment from The Big Bang Theory that hinted at Georgie’s multiple marriages, but couldn’t they have come up with a better title? Especially if they hope to have the series run for several years. It’s always going to seem like the writers are eventually going to have to break up the marriage. — Kent M.
Matt Roush: I agree with Kent that I see the unorthodox title as being meant to be playful, acknowledging that this isn’t going to be a traditional happily-ever-after love story. But I’m not sure that makes it a downer, any more than Mom (also from Chuck Lorre’s camp, and which I still miss) was a drag despite dealing with issues including addiction and questionable parenting. I’ve also seen this show’s title stars (Montana Jordan and Emily Osment) discussing the possibilities of the title, that the course of their relationship could include splitting up and possibly getting back together again, should the show last that long. I doubt any of that will happen soon, because the series will first need to establish itself as a very different property from Young Sheldon, with a studio audience, a new core cast and a fresh premise of a young couple trying to figure out their next moves. Once again borrowing from the example of Mom, I’d expect Georgie & Mandy to lean into the challenges of young love without too much sugar-coating. Hence the wry title.
And Finally …
Comment: The new season so far hits the upper limits. I was finally happy to see the new season of 911: Lone Star and to see Rescue: Hi-Surf and the new show Murder in a Small Town. Please let me say WOW. Rescue: Hi-Surf is a great story so far and I’m looking forward to more. — Kaye A.
Matt Roush: And that’s just one network. I think it’s fair to say that even though the new season’s rollout is taking its time, many people are happy to have scripted shows back on network TV, putting the game-show summer behind us.
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: @TVGMMattRoush. (Please include a first name with your question.)
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