Ask Matt: ‘9-1-1-‘s Maddie Problem, Crossover Dreams & More

Matt Roush March 25, 2025, 9:00 am

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Jennifer Love Hewitt in '9-1-1' — Disney / Christopher Willard

*9-1-1*

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, it’s the most frequent complaint, but there’s always closed-captioning. Check out this story for more tips.)

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]. Look for Ask Matt columns on most Tuesdays.

Hasn’t Maddie Dealt with Enough Emergencies?

Question: Do you feel as I and a lot of fans of 9-1-1 do that we are getting tired of this show always picking on Jennifer Love Hewitt‘s character Maddie Han always being put in danger, such as being kidnapped by the serial killer? And if Jennifer doesn’t get an Emmy nomination or award for her performance in this two-part episode, just cancel the awards altogether. — Paul B.

Matt Roush: Yes, I think it’s fair to say that even given Jennifer Love Hewitt’s long history with networks like Lifetime, it’s time to give her a rest from woman-in-peril storylines. Let Maddie enjoy this next pregnancy without unnecessary trauma. But don’t hold your breath waiting for any actor from 9-1-1 or similar procedurals to get any love from the Emmy voters. This type of TV is basically invisible to the Emmys — although I’m curious how Max‘s first-rate hospital drama The Pitt will fare.

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**Could 9-1-1 Meet The Rookie?**

Question: I’m assuming that 9-1-1 and The Rookie are coming back next season. What are the chances that they ever do a crossover episode? Both are now on the same network and obviously both are set in Los Angeles, so I think that would be pretty cool to see. — Jonathan

Matt Roush: I can’t imagine that either show would be canceled without warning (especially 9-1-1), although The Rookie spent the first half of this season on the bench. Even so, here’s why a crossover between these two shows is unlikely. The problem is that they’re run by entirely different production companies and teams, and coordinating their production schedules (especially for a show as big as 9-1-1) would be a major challenge. This kind of stunt is obviously promotable, but just because they’re both set in L.A. doesn’t mean they exist in the same fictional universe. And if 9-1-1 is going to do any crossover next season, it will likely be with the Nashville spinoff or, as we saw last week, with another Ryan Murphy project like Doctor Odyssey.

**Reunion Possibilities for the Nashville Spinoff**

Question: I’m so happy that Chris O’Donnell is going to be on 9-1-1: Nashville! Do you think other NCIS: Los Angeles cast members could one day guest star on the show? – Maria

Matt Roush: Why not? Especially considering LL Cool J‘s music roots, he’d be a natural. (Although he still seems committed to the NCIS universe, reprising his character of Sam Hanna on the mothership on April 21.)

Reruns to Refresh Our Memory

Question: I have not watched Grey’s Anatomy in decades. I quit watching when Izzy was talking to her dead fiancé Denny, who we could see. Anyway, I bring this up because the show was the subject of a recent question that included this comment: “I appreciate that ABC airs the show in uninterrupted blocks and am willing to accept the long hiatus in order to avoid the stop-and-start nature of having to pepper in regular repeats. But I’ve got to say that I thought the episode was kind of disorienting.”

What's Next for 'Abbott Elementary' After Ava Gets Fired?

Here’s my question about other programs that do something similar, taking LONG, LONG breaks. Couldn’t the networks air the last 2-3 episodes BEFORE the break happened prior to the (let’s call it) spring season STARTS, to catch people up? Even airing them three Saturday nights BEFORE the return would be good. Better than NOTHING, you know. It wouldn’t be regular repeats, just enough of them so that everyone who watches can catch up. — Andrew

Matt Roush: OMG, Denny’s ghost! It’s incredible the things Grey’s has survived (and my significant other nearly bailed during that period as well), including long hiatuses like this year’s. While it’s rare to hear someone advocating for repeats, I agree that this would be helpful, but it’s hardly a secret that most of the broadcast networks are allergic to repeats, especially of serialized shows like Grey’s. (Sitcoms and most CBS procedurals are the exception.) Linear ratings are already bad enough for first-run episodes, and the networks would rather put reality or game shows (the latter also repeat decently) or anything else in those time periods than repeats. This is why so few ongoing series repeat during the summer, except in cases where the network may want to give a show some extra exposure. Besides, given that these episodes are readily available on the networks’ streaming platforms and in some cases On Demand for those who use that option, not to mention online recaps for the truly dedicated, there are ways to jog the memory that don’t require replaying the episodes, even for those who have time to watch them again.

**On Abbott’s Camera Crew, and the Ava Situation**

Comment: Last week’s Abbott Elementary on March 19 (SPOILER ALERT) was one of those episodes where the mockumentary conceit works against the story they’re trying to tell. The camera crew is there capturing our characters trying to hide stuff. They also have plenty of footage from throughout the season of basically everyone talking about the bribes they’re getting from the golf course. The district staff could simply demand to see the documentary footage and then Ava’s noble sacrifice would be null and void. It even means that the documentary crew has footage of Ava and Janine in the same dress from the cold open. I know this is a nitpick, but Quinta Brunson and the other writers are the ones who have made very clear that there is a documentary crew filming at Abbott, and their talking to the camera isn’t just a random aside to the audience, which it would work fine if it was, but it isn’t. I guess we’re supposed to acknowledge the unnecessary camera crew only when the show wants to and not think about it here.

That being said, it was a highly effective episode. I don’t believe for a second that we’ve seen the last of Janelle James in the show — just like I knew Janine would eventually have to return from the district to teach at Abbott again. I’m sure this is an arc that is being put in the show for a specific reason, but on an emotional level, this episode hit perfectly. The fact that they were able to make Ava being fired so emotional is a credit to how well the show works, and how much they have genuinely improved her character from the person she was in the pilot. I’ve seen people online being mad that Brunson would even consider firing Ava, which means the episode resonated as it was intended for the audience. I’ve also got to say I’m impressed that this happened already, as I would have expected the district to catch onto the relationship with the golf course more likely in the season finale or thereabouts. Doing it now means they have more time to play the aftereffects throughout the rest of the season, which is great. What did you think? — Jake

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Matt Roush: The mockumentary format is a great way for characters to express inner thoughts directly to the audience — but only if you don’t take the device literally. (Doesn’t the crew even get New Year’s Eve off?) “Audit” was a great episode, and the twist involving Ava stepping up to protect her staff and paying the ultimate price was shockingly and emotionally powerful. I’m curious and eager to see how this plays out, and I’m also confident that Ava will find her way back onto the show, just not how or when. Whatever happens next, I won’t let the presence of the camera crew distract me from the story.

Unhappy Endings

Question: I was upset when I heard CBS canceled the 2 FBI spinoffs and S.W.A.T. Will we get a proper series finale and is it possible they could continue on streaming? — Peter from Astoria

Matt Roush: The early reporting on these cancellations suggested that the bad news was delivered early enough to give the producers time to craft an actual finale. Although given the nature of these shows, I’d be OK if we’re left with the impression that the teams were carrying on with business as usual (just no longer having their stories told), maybe signing off on an upbeat or otherwise meaningful note. The real issue here is for the shows not to end on a cliffhanger that will never be resolved. That would be the worst.

Not surprisingly, the mailbag is still being flooded with angry e-mail reactions, such as this from Bill in Clifton Park, N.Y.: “What is wrong with CBS on Tuesday? They are killing FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted. I really looked forward to the three FBI shows. I will be switching to ABC for Will Trent, The Rookie and High Potential.” And that’s the danger any network faces when making moves like this for whatever reason. (Here’s my analysis of the situation from last week.) Although I’m betting that CBS believes it can still hold on to most of its audience with the original FBI, a new spinoff and whatever else they might have planned for Tuesday’s 10/9c hour.

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]. (Please include a first name with your question.)