CBS:
Matlock: Brilliant septuagenarian Madeline Matty Matlock, who, after achieving success in her younger years as a wealthy lawyer, who is retired decides to rejoin the workforce at a prestigious law firm where she uses her unassuming demeanor and wily tactics to win cases and expose what she believes is complicit in the opioid epidemic that resulted in her daughter’s Ellis death by taking them down. Matty is assigned to Olympia, a senior attorney and key rainmaker with a thirst for justice, while Olympia’s ex-husband, Julian, the son of the head of the firm, is intrigued by Matty and her clever skills. Matty works alongside the firm’s younger associates — the charismatic Billy and the uber ambitious Sarah — as she endeavors to establish herself in her new high-stakes world.
Verdict: Renewed. Well CBS already renewed this show after two episodes and Kathy Bates(of Fried Green Tomatoes & Titanic) has shared she is dealing with some health issues so this might be her last major show. So maybe CBS wanted to lock her in before she could decide to leave the show if it gets cancelled. They do make lots of old TV shows/actor references like the actual show from the late 80’s-90s’ so that is nice. Now CBS you did not have to call the show “Matlock” because it has nothing to do with the original so it is not a gender swapped remake. The plot twist is the main reason the critics/fans really like it. Not to spoil it but she is actually a rich-retired, married woman with a tech genius for a grandson. Like in the premise she is finding out what happened to her daughter in the past at the law firm she is working at now. Her goal is to infiltrate the firm to see who covered up the opioid epidemic to protect their clients at big pharma. The reason to watch is to see the larger game of her figuring out what happened by working all of these cases as it is her pulling a big con on the law firm. They make her seem to be way too smart for her own good but it comes in handy. Lastly the cast is actually very good as it has Jason Ritter(Of Joan of Arcadia & Kevin Saves the World), Skye P Marshall(of Black Lighting & Good Sam), David Del Rio(of Beauty & The Baker & the Troop), Leah Lewis(of Nancy Drew & Elemental) and Beau Bridges(Stargate: SG1 & The Agency). Plus there is a void for a good lawyer-courtroom show since CBS’s Bull has been off the air for years and outside of Law & Order there isn’t any other one.
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage: This is the third television series in The Big Bang Theory franchise and a direct sequel to and spin-off of the coming-of-age sitcom Young Sheldon. Georgie and Mandy raise their young family in Texas while navigating the challenges
of adulthood, parenting and marriage.
Verdict: Renewed. CBS already renewed it after two episodes which is a good sign because both fans of this franchise and the network really want this show to be a success like the other two. It is hard to get back though, to a multi-cam/live
audience view since “Young Sheldon” was single cam but it is nice to have real people laughing. The theme song is too elaborate for a sitcom but it will probably grow on people. This universe has only been through the eyes of Sheldon so it is a nice touch to have it through Georgie’s perspective and the McAllister family is great. “Young Sheldon” kind of ends abruptly with the death of Georgie Sr. so this show kind of picks up the pieces with what is going on in the Cooper world. There have been some nice but touching moments that make you tear up like visiting his dad’s grave or moments that remind him of his dad/what his dad would do like helping his sister or checking in on his mom/grandma. The son-in-law-mother-in-law dynamic has been funny since they introduced Audrey into the mix as they obviously do not get along. Of course Will Sasso is still playing his step-dad who is continuing his nice, quiet unassuming hard working easy going guy who is looking out for Georgie which is what the show needs a good father figure which is a nice touch. There is also some getting used to Mandy’s weird brother Connor and one of the employees at the tire shop as both are very odd. Hopefully this show is on the air for a while because it is giving Montana Jordan a real chance to star alongside Emily Osment who also hasn’t been the main star of a show with only supporting roles. Maybe we will see more characters from the previous show pop by but we will have to tune in to see.
Poppa’s House: Legendary talk radio host (played by Damon Wayans of In Living Color & My Wife and Kids) and happily divorced “Poppa” has his point of view challenged at work when a new female co-host is hired, and at home where he finds himself still parenting his adult son (played by Damon Wayans Jr of New Girl & Let’s Be Cops), a brilliant dreamer who is trying to pursue his passion while being a responsible father and husband.
Verdict: Renewed: There is a void in the sitcom- comedy world on CBS with two long running sitcoms ending already last spring one good and one bad. It is hard to overcome the annoying laugh track dictating when you should laugh because there are plenty of funny moments that there is no laugh track for in general. They do have a mini theme song which is a nice touch and it is unique that they have outtakes at the end of the show showing how much fun they are having making this show as it doesn’t look like work-as it looks like fun. There was a previous attempt of a sitcom with them as a father-son duo when Jr had a show called “Happy Place” and Sr played his TV dad which was one of the best episodes. This can be a full fledged idea because it is comedy gold, that they have great chemistry working together. They know each other too well being a father-son duo in comedy as they can play off each other’s weird quirks and mannerisms well as they are sometimes in unison. The supporting cast like Essence Atkins (of Marlon; Smart Guy) who has experience in successful comedies as Sr’s new co-host who is also the antagonist and the radio producer guy in Bryan Safi(of 911) are nice touches. The main question is if Jr is a parent with his wife (who doesn’t have many credits) where are the kids? It is the perfect addition to be on the same one-hour comedy block on Monday nights on CBS after the “Neighborhood” going from Cedric the Entertainer to Damon Wayans so pay attention.
NBC:
Brilliant Minds: Dr. Oliver Wolf(played by Zachary Quinto of “Heroes” & “Star Trek”) is an eccentric but incredibly gifted neurologist who suffers from a rare condition that gives him a unique perspective on care, fueling his mission to change the way the world sees his patients. After his unusual methods result in his dismissal, he takes his unconventional approach to a new hospital: Bronx General, where he leads a team of bright young interns in tackling some of the world’s most puzzling psychological cases. With their help, he must also challenge his own personal and social limitations by navigating all the expectations, politics and complicated relationships that come with the job.
Verdict: Renewed. There is a huge void on the airwaves for medical dramas that stick out or just have an interesting plot. All three have come and gone off the air in the Good Doctor, The Resident and New Amsterdam. NBC does have Chicago Med but a show about a doctor who cares too much is what has been missing since New Amsterdam was cancelled. That show was about a doctor trying to change the medical system from within as the head of the hospital but this is also a doctor trying to change the system on how we view patients even if it breaks the rules. You need to give Quinto all the accolades on really selling this character and knowing the entire medical lingo as he studied it instead of just reciting it. The hope is the network lets the writers and creators continue building the story of him as a doctor but also the other doctors he is working with as most medical shows need more than a season to get their flow in storytelling. It is an adjustment to have a show with not just a monologue to start each episode but also full of flashbacks to help him figure out things when he has breakthroughs. It is unique to have actually shown someone with his illness of face blindness; most people think it’s not real. It is too coincidental that both his parents are doctors but sometimes that can be true in the real world but his mom runs the hospital (the only one that will give him a chance). The hope is they get more in depth with the residents he has to work with since they are all unique in different ways and one of them is very familiar to audiences from his days on All-American and AP Bio in Spence Moore. Plus one of the neurosurgeons has been on TV for awhile in Teddy Sears of Flash & American Horror Story as a frenemy. Hopefully NBC gives them the time to grow because it has a potential hit on their hands thanks to Quinto, the ensemble cast, the guest stars and the apparent source material based on the books by Oliver Sacks.
Happy’s Place: When she inherits her late father’s tavern Happy’s Place, Bobbie(played by Reba McEntire of Reba & Young Sheldon) is shocked to learn that she has a new co-owner – Isabella(played by Belissa Escobedo of Blue Beatle & Baker and the Beauty) , the half-sister she never knew existed. Isabella is young, inexperienced and has some unusual new ideas about how to run the family business. But they’re not alone — there’s also Gabby(played by Melissa Peterman of Reba & Baby Daddy), the bartender with a love of drama; Emmett(played by Rex Linn of CSI: Miami & Better Call Saul), the cook and man of few words; Takoda, the nicest waiter in Tennessee; and Steve, their brilliant yet eccentric accountant. Alongside their close-knit staff, Bobbie and Isabella will definitely figure out this new chapter together. After all, whether they’re friends, co-workers or unexpected siblings… at Happy’s Place, everyone is family.
Verdict: Cancelled. In the sitcom landscape of NBC scaling back on their sitcoms they have
even canceled good and bad sitcoms leaving only a “Night Court” revival and a below average George Lopez show. It would make sense to renew it but there aren’t enough good things to keep it going. The laugh track is not on actual track with what is funny because the pilot seemed like it was a live studio audience waiting to start. The reason this show exists is because they failed to revive Reba’s Reba sitcom. Her antagonist in the previous show was annoying but now she is back as her co-worker who is also annoying but is barely in the episodes which is a waste to team them up again. But hey their banter is good because they have the TV chemistry from before. This is also the second show in a few years that Reba’s current boyfriend Linn is in the show with her but at least he is getting some funny lines. Most of the writing sucks so he will keep shining with those small lines. I do like her singing an original song for the theme song since that is a dying art. Most importantly her new sister is so annoying and the writing is terrible for her. She does not need to be in every scene or most of the show as her character is someone we cannot all stand based on the online review as well. America loves Reba/her dual skills of acting/singing and it is nice they gave her another show for her to be the lead and not recur but this might not be the right show for her which is probably the only reason to keep tuning in. Maybe cut out her long lost sister or make her less of an important character and use Peterman, Linn and maybe the two unknown actors more. There have been many bar themed shows since “Cheers” or “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” but this one falls short like the rest so maybe the creators will take what the fans and critics have said and change up the flow of the show.
St Dennis Medical: Devoted nurse Alex(played by Allison Tolman of Fargo & Emergence) has just been promoted to Supervising Nurse in the emergency department at St. Dennis Medical Center in Oregon. She works alongside an eclectic team of underfunded yet dedicated doctors, nurses and hospital staff, including her boss, Joyce(played by Wendi McLendon-Covey of The Goldbergs & Reno 911), who wants nothing more than to turn the hospital into an international medical destination, and Dr. Ron(played by David Alan Grier of In Living Color & Martin), who’s done it all, seen it all and is pretty much over it all. They’re all doing their best not to lose their patience in a hospital overrun with patients — while caring for everyone who comes in the door, including each other.
Verdict: Cancelled. I can give NBC credit that this show is funnier than George Lopez’s current show, Reba McEntire’s new show and the Night Court revival. Plus they are going back to the mockumentary style that they made famous with the success of “The Office” and “Parks; Recs” which now has been done well with ABC’s “Abbott Elementry” and Fx’s “What We Do in the Shadows”. This though has been way too cringe worthy in most episodes based on the plot/writing and certain actors in the show. Despite the three actors with experience in this show in comedy or drama they cannot save how bad the writing is. It is a disappointment since it is from the people that made “Scrubs” and “Superstore you would think they can blend comedy with drama but also get the medical parts for a sitcom right as well. It does have a nice mini-theme song though. One of the nurses is so dumb that he doesn’t give anything to the plot/,it is a waste. With Joyce the head of the hospital she is so dumb/silly/cringe that it’s more weird than funny. Now at least Grier gets the only funny lines like normal and it shows how important nurses are really to the medical world but also how much work the head nurse puts in. A half-hour sitcom about the medical profession was one most recently done on CBS in Carol’s Second Act but that had a funny lead and clever writing for a good ensemble cast but that got cancelled only after one season. Can NBC go back to when sitcoms were king and not one-hour procedurals? When there were two nights of comedies like a two hour block on Thursdays and some on Tuesday but with actual funny shows since all four sitcoms do not meet the standard.
ABC:
High Potential: Morgan(Kaitlin Olson of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia & The Drew Carey Show), a single mom with three kids and an exceptional mind, helps solve an unsolvable crime when she rearranges some evidence during her shift as a cleaner for the police department. When they discover she has a knack for putting things in order because of her high intellectual potential, she is brought on as a consultant to work with a by-the-book seasoned detective, Karadec. Together they form an unusual and unstoppable team. It is based off a 2021 French show called “HPI”.
Verdict: Cancelled. This is definitely better than Olson’s last show (The Mick) but maybe it’s her acting ability or the writing but it isn’t that realistic or plausible in these episodes with her character. She has all this random knowledge and a high IQ but sometimes it seems like she knows everything when she is questioned or looking into something. It is cool she has those “Ah-Hah moments” like a Sherlock Holmes in a way as she puts it all together which is when we know the episode is wrapping up. This show is also not as annoying as “Elsbeth” but is trying to do the same thing as they think they are different because she has HIP/unique partnership with law enforcement being the cleaning lady (which is kind of similar to the show with that name but that one is a doctor). It has been done many times with different civilians like magicians, actors, profilers, writers, the devil himself, a car and criminals and has done much better than this attempt. Even the detective she works with calls this an “idiotic experiment” and there is too much drama with her being a single mom with multiple ex-husbands. Sometimes it appears as if it is too silly/they make too many jokes for you to take this cop show seriously. One of the positives is it has a great supporting cast of Judy Reyes (of Scrubs & Devious Maids) who is head of the department, Javicia Leslie (of G-d Friended Me & Batwoman) who is one of the detectives, Deniz Akendiz (of As the Bell Rings & Rookie: Feds) another detective, Taran Killam (of SNL, Single Parents) as one of her exes and her detective “partner” played by Daniel Sunjata (of Rescue Me & Graceland”. The other reason is she has her own reasons to take this job besides the money aspect which will be interesting to see where that goes.
Dr Odyssey: Max is the new on-board doctor for a luxury cruise ship where the small but mighty medical team, navigate unique medical crises and each other, miles from shore.
Verdict: cancelled. There is something up with medical shows on broadcast TV as most have been cancelled after one year or if they are lucky two years. This show is so stupid, crazy, sometimes boring and silly. There is a void for another medical drama on ABC with “The Good Doctor” ending but this will not fill that void. You cannot compare this new show to that show because this is garbage because that show had some high quality seasons. This is also an attempt to be like “The Love Boat” but with a medical theme. That show was famous for having famous guest stars every week and so far this show has done that as well. But I do not think anyone asked for that show to be revived as most people who watched it either didn’t like it or if they did like it they wouldn’t want it to be remade. The main character who is the new guy on the boat Max(played by Joshua Jackson of Dawson Creek’ & Fringe) is way too cocky/flashy/seems way too cool to be a doctor/cocky and over qualified to even be a Dr. on a cruise boat as he could be doing anything else to make an impact. He has a nice background story that has to do with Covid19 but if the first episode had to deal with them doing surgery on a private part they already descended into filth. This is a medical drama but of course there is way too much drama going on as each week is a different themed week but if you have two of the main characters kiss and then a different male lead kisses them same female lead that love triangle isn’t worth anyone’s time. It is nice that Phillia Soo(of The Code & Hamilton) is getting another shot at being a lead in a drama but that show got cancelled so maybe she is picking bad projects. Lastly Don Johnson (of Miami Vice & Nash Bridges) seems to be playing a fictionalized version of himself as a rich guy large and in charge enjoying the high life. He could afford to not be on another TV show because of all the TV shows he has been in, he is no Gavin McCloud for being a captain of a cruise ship. Maybe Ryan Murphy should stick to those American Crime/Horror story shows and quality procedurals like the 911 franchise.
Fox:
Rescue: Hi-Surf: This show follows the personal and professional lives of the open-water lifeguards who patrol and protect the North Shore of Oahu, the most famous and dangerous stretch of coastline in the world. Each episode features dedicated, heroic and adrenaline-seeking
first-responders saving lives in the difficult and often life-threatening conditions of Hawaii’s Seven Mile Miracle.
Verdict: Renewed. Based on the current landscape of procedurals about first responders/medical shows this show will fit in nicely being above average like most shows
nowadays. It has this “Baywatch” feel to it as it is about lifeguards but has this Hawaii vibe as well. Since both shows that take place in Hawaii are off the air shows (NCIS: Hawaii; Hawaii 5-0). It certainly had beautiful scenery in Hawaii and plenty of rescuing so far. Like most one-hour dramas, there is drama. All of these actors are unknown/foreigners so it will be a learning curve to figure out their acting styles and how they jell together as a cast/a unit. They all have their character’s back-story to explore during the season and beyond. We all hope to learn more
about them unless it gets cancelled. One thing is the captain has some sort of trauma he is dealing with when the show starts so it’s jarring to get a grip on what it is and how he is handling or not handling it. The only actor of note is Arielle Kebbel(of Midnight Texas & Ballers) as she was a first responder in the show “911” so she has acted in this type of role. With Fox ultimately canceling both 911 shows and “The Resident” there is a void for some good procedural shows in the first-responder-medical world. Also this is a huge improvement from the other one-hour dramas on this network that should have already been cancelled. If HBO did not want this show then it is their loss.
Universal Basic Guys: It centers on two brothers, Mark and Hank Hoagies, who lose their jobs to automation and are given $3,000 a month in a new basic income program. Now, they’re using their free time and free money to find purpose in a world where they’re no longer needed. Verdict: Cancelled: When will Fox get the message?! Stop renewing shows before it even premiers! I know executives watch the pilot episode before green lighting it but this one is worse than the rest of the ones they renewed before it started. First off the animation looks terrible and weird. The voice acting is terrible and I know it is by the two brothers who made this show but they should have hired people who can do voice acting. The theme song is terrible and it is the only thing that explains the situation the two main characters are in because the pilot sure didn’t. There are too many bad, terrible, sophomoric humor and jokes. Most of the writing is terrible too as most episodes don’t make sense. They are trying too hard to be Family Guy with a fat idiot doing dumb things in every episode. If he does something dumb or terrible it doesn’t bother him from one episode to another with his hi-jinks just without it being as funny. Only Fred Armisen lending one voice does it give any credit to the show but his character doesn’t matter.
