Matt Roush Comments

[CC Fan]

Every monday, TVguide writer Matt Roush puts out a question answer sort of thing, and here were two questions/comments:

Question:
I never hear anything about CBS's Cold Case. I think it's a wonderful show and the cast has really come into its own. The show is starting to take on life, showing us the inside of Lilly, Scotty and the gang, as well as showing us their outside lives and emotional states. Can you tell me how it's doing in the ratings and if I can hope for a second season? — Martha

Matt:
This may be something of a quiet hit, but a hit it is. CBS has already renewed it for a second season, and much like Without a Trace, I also find that Cold Case improves the more you watch.
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Question:
Some critics have said that the device of Cold Case always ending with a music video-like wrapup is tired and worn out. I disagree. I find that and the whole show refreshing. I always cry at the flashbacks and the way the music fits the characters' storylines. Do you find Cold Case sappy or snappy? Oh, and I also love Lilly's hairdo. It is different and fits her character to a T. — Jeff

Matt:
I'm a fan of the show, but I have also criticized the somewhat heavy-handed use of music — and the final salute by the long-dead victim of the week — as being a bit corny and unnecessary. The show doesn't really need this kind of signature. Most of the stories are emotionally compelling enough already. But it's hardly so objectionable that it gets in the way of enjoying the show. (I understand that Mad TV recently did a parody of the show, mocking Lilly's hairstyle. Wish I'd seen it, but elements like that in a show rarely bother me one way or the other.)

Did anyone catch the Mad TV thing? I wish I'd seen it.

[irishkale]

Found a few pics on PlanetMadTV.com but haven't been able to find video..yet.

[CC Fan]

hahaha! Wow! That actually looks a lot like her. Thanks for posting!

Ok, so they also posted this: (note how much they look like eachother.)

[Naj]

If anyone has that Mad TV segment downloaded somewhere, I'm a sucker for parody.

I, too, have to agree with what someone wrote in...

I'm a fan of the show, but I have also criticized the somewhat heavy-handed use of music — and the final salute by the long-dead victim of the week — as being a bit corny and unnecessary. The show doesn't really need this kind of signature.

It might be okay to end the show this way if they didn't heavily use the music all the way thru. I know I'm in the minority about this but I feel it detracts from the show for me.


~Naj

[Big Cold Case Fan]

I totally disagree about the music being too much! I LOVE all the music and I think it's an important element to the story. It kind of takes me back or puts me in the moment of that time, or at least gives me a feeling for that era (if I wasn't born at that time). I also love the way the "ghosts" appear at the end to Lilly. It makes me think closure finally. I know it's just a show, but I love it and think it all works very nicely just the way it is!!!

[TVFan]

I too really like the music, but I can understand where others would see it as a detracter to the show. I agree with Big Fan that it takes you back to the time period of the episode. Plus, I like trying to guess what music they'll use.

I used to think that having the "ghosts" at the end was a bit much, but after rewatching "A Time to Hate" the other night, I gained a new perspective. The episodes are all so heavy much like "Without A Trace," and you get to know the victims so well, unlike "CSI." Having the "ghosts" at the end adds an uplifting note to end on. Otherwise, I think I would walk away feeling sad instead of happy that the case was solved. For me, it just pulls it all together at the end. JMO

[Naj]

TVFan said:

I too really like the music, but I can understand where others would see it as a detracter to the show. I agree with Big Fan that it takes you back to the time period of the episode. Plus, I like trying to guess what music they'll use.

I used to think that having the "ghosts" at the end was a bit much, but after rewatching "A Time to Hate" the other night, I gained a new perspective. The episodes are all so heavy much like "Without A Trace," and you get to know the victims so well, unlike "CSI." Having the "ghosts" at the end adds an uplifting note to end on. Otherwise, I think I would walk away feeling sad instead of happy that the case was solved. For me, it just pulls it all together at the end. JMO

Hi Tv,

I've never watched Without A Trace or CSI so I'm not familiar with the format. Maybe the reason I don't like it with all the music all the time was because I watched TARZAN last fall and that's exactly what they did but the show was inferior in content, I thought.

I think some eps are made better than others. I thought A Time To Hate was a superior ep compared to some of the others. But I have to say I have enjoyed many of the eps in spite of all the music. And the ending is basically like it's own little video for the show. Is this what they do on the other shows you mentioned too?

~Naj

[TVFan]

Hey Naj!

"Without A Trace" sometimes has music playing over the ending scenes, but there's no montage like CC. I can't remember any episodes of "CSI" that have music at the end, but I haven't seen all of them. I think it's definitely a CC signature. I've found that people either love the music ending on CC or they hate it. Even though I do enjoy it, I completely see where you and others are coming from too.

[TVFan]

Cold Case was mentioned in today's column by TVGuide critic Matt Roush. Here's the question from a viewer and Matt's answer:

Question:
I know you've been slightly guarded in your opinion of Cold Case in the past and wonder if it has changed as the season has progressed. I think the acting is a notch above most police dramas, and my praise extends not only to the series regulars, but to the weekly guest stars. Ditto for the writing and direction. There seems to be a sincere attempt by the creative crew to portray how a single homicide can have such devastating effects on a wide variety of people. I do agree, however, that the musical endings where the murdered victims make ghostly appearances by smiling their thanks to Lilly are sometimes a bit manipulative. But on the whole, I think the show rocks. And in comparing Cold Case's police Q&A scenes with those in any of the Law & Orders, I think you'll agree which show is more realistic. I think most of the police-interrogation scenes on all of the L&Os are criminal! What person continues to work in their office or walk down a busy street while answering questions from policemen? Blame it on bad writing or a hack director? And how about we lobby for an Emmy nod for Kathryn Morris? — Robbie R.
Matt:
Gee, I thought I'd been a pretty stalwart fan of Cold Case throughout this first season, my reservations (like Robbie's) about the formulaic finales aside. It's at least as good as the Law & Order procedurals — as Sunday crime dramas go, I'll take Lilly Rush over Criminal Intent's Robert Goren any day — and what distinguishes it is the emotional resonance of these long-ago crimes. It's a great concept, well-executed.
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Kathryn definitely deserves an Emmy, IMO - anyone else have any thoughts on her possibly getting nominated?

[CC Fan]

haha I was just about to post that one.

[panhandler101]

I absolutely love the music in the show. Especially the last song played!! My wife and I have contests over who can guess it before it plays. Defenitely adds to the show.

[Naj]

Thanks for posting the lastest TVfan,

I know I'm still in the minority, but I wish they would turn down the volume of the songs a bit. It's so loud!

Anyhow--the show is still going strong. Looking forward to the next episode.


~Naj

[krispy]

I love the music and am drawn in by it..mainly because it fits perfectly into the timeline and kinda brings you back. I do not think it overshadows the show given that the music is heard in the opening and closing sequence and always fits the mood.

[TVFan]

Found this on TVGuide.com. It's from Matt Roush's weekly "Ask Matt" column from this week. You'll have to skip through the beginning part to get to the stuff about CC.

<<Question:
Why do you find Las Vegas to be so bad? Calling it a Love Boat-type of show is unfair. Quite honestly, it is enjoyable, and it is about friends, if you will, who work together. I believe it could make the switch to Thursday's "Must See TV" and give us a new group of friends to watch. I don't think it will take the place of Friends but I think it would do better than the spinoff they're planning on putting there. Also, a recent Cheers & Jeers section of TV Guide knocked shows such as **Cold Case** for using music, claiming it was too much like a music video rather than a show. I must say that anyone who watches this show — and believe me, it is the best new show this year — would tell you that the music pertains to the story they are telling perfectly for both the time period and the storyline involved. We can only hope that music videos today could be half as good as this show. Granted, music doesn't work with all shows, but it does with this one. — Pat C.
Matt:
I don't object to the music in Cold Case per se, but my own objection to this otherwise first-rate show is that it gets a bit heavy-handed, especially in the final reel. As for Las Vegas, I wouldn't take the Love Boat-Hotel comparison as a slam. It gives context for the show as a guilty pleasure. I don't have any real objection to Las Vegas. It's harmlessly escapist eye candy and is working very well for NBC. But to claim that it's anything more than that is to give it too much.>>

And so the music debate continues... It is definitely one of those things that you either hate or love.

[Naj]

Hi TV,

It will be interesting to see what, if any, changes happen next year with the format. I've counted as many as 11 songs an ep. I wonder if that will continue myself. I happened to catch the finale of The Practice Sunday night. And they had a music ending as well but it wasn't to popular songs (I think). I think it stands out more on Cold Case when they use the songs of the time---if you like that kind of thing. I wouldn't mind them making some changes in that area personally.

*steps away quietly looking behind for hurling rocks*


~Naj

[TVFan]

Hey Naj!

I was wondering that too about format changes. It will be interesting to see if they keep the end song idea or if they mix it up a bit. It's such a hot topic for CC - that and Lilly's hair.

[Naj]

TVFan said:

Hey Naj!

I was wondering that too about format changes. It will be interesting to see if they keep the end song idea or if they mix it up a bit. It's such a hot topic for CC - that and Lilly's hair.

Yes, that's kinda funny what the fans pick up on. But the hair seems to be a biggy especially with that web site devoted to it exclusively.

~Naj

[TVFan]

Matt Roush's weekly column mentions CC this week. The question is about whether the L&O franchise is better than the CSI franchise (Vegas, Miami, NY), but Matt specifically mentions CC. Here's the quote from TVGuide online:

"The CSI: NY producers have promised their show will weave more personal moments into the crime drama, in the manner of my favorite CBS procedurals of the moment: Without a Trace and Cold Case."

Here's the link to the rest of his column.

www.tvguide.com/tv/roush/askmatt/

[Naj]

Thanks for the article. I wonder if CC will still be up against the same shows on the other networks as last season. I'd say it has it's audience, now they just have to keep us all engaged.

As far as the new CSI, I might take a look at that show since Gary Sinese (sp) is going to be starring.


~Naj

[TVFan]

I haven't seen any new competition, but that could change. Looks like NBC is staying with American Dreams and ABC is keeping Extreme Home Makeover (or whatever that show's called).