T.V. Guide - Ask Matt

[Ryebeach]

Source:http://tvguide.com/tv/showguide/ShowPage.asp?iprogramid=3900410
Monday, October 18, 2004

Ask Matt

Question:
Am I the only one happy with the fact that NBC is losing in the ratings war, even to ABC? The fact is that this network hasn't produced anything original since Boomtown and Scrubs. Even when it does, it either has no patience with it (Boomtown), puts it in a dead time slot (the great Freaks and Geeks) or fails to promote it (Scrubs). I'm glad that Lost and Desperate Housewives are doing well, because maybe then NBC will learn its lesson and return to its roots as a network of fun and edgy shows for young viewers like myself. But that's a big maybe since NBC is all for the quick fix right now. CBS shouldn't be laughing, though. Law & Order is running out of steam and so will CSI someday. I hope CBS takes advantage of its time in the spotlight right now to quietly develop original shows, unlike the bland dr. vegas and Clubhouse. Right now, ABC is definitely my favorite network, and I'll like them even more if they get rid of those boring comedies and the so-over Bachelor. What are your thoughts on this? — David

Matt:
We are so on the same page with each of these points that I have little to add. NBC has only itself to blame for programming retro losers like Hawaii and LAX at a time when audiences are responding to imaginative programs like Desperate Housewives and Lost. And I wrote an entire Review column for the magazine expressing my disappointment in CBS's coasting this year, after having launched some terrific shows (Joan of Arcadia, Two and a Half Men, Cold Case) last season. I also worry that CBS will exhaust CSI too soon with too many clones, and when its popularity fades, will have little to show for it. I can only hope that the other networks take a lesson from ABC's playbook (Originality Is Not a Sin), and I agree that if ABC could get as serious about groundbreaking comedy as it was about drama this season, it would be a true destination network. (And please, let this be the last Bachelor.)

[Trublu]

I also worry that CBS will exhaust CSI too soon with too many clones, and when its popularity fades, will have little to show for it.

I worry about this too. I love the original CSI, i think that Miami is just o.k., and i think that they are heading downt the tubes with NY. [JMO of course] One of the things that NBC is doing well with L&O is that they waited to spin it off, and each of the spinoffs are doing well before they spin it off again. ex. the original L&O is in what, its 15th season? that would mean that they waited 9 years to spin off to SVU. as opposed to CSI, which is in what, 6th season, approx? and Miami is 3 seasons, and NY is 1. Wayy to fast for me.

Im glad they mentioned Cold Case though, as a terrific show that CBS has launched.

[TVFan]

This week's (12/20) edition of "Ask Matt" has a Cold Case question regarding "Mind Hunters."


Question:
The Nov. 28 episode of Cold Case featured a serial killer who, despite the best efforts of Rush and her partners, could not be coerced into giving them the confession that was needed to put him in prison. This marks the first time in the series that someone has not succumbed to Rush's power of persuasion and confessed. Not only did it seem more realistic and end with a negative, creepy feeling as the man walked out with a subtle smile on his face, but it opens up the opportunity to bring the killer back in future episodes. Do you think this was a smart move by the writers and should it occur more often to spice up the story lines of the show? — Joe
Matt:
The best thing a procedural drama can do from time to time is present the team with a failure. It keeps us off balance, which is a good place to be, and keeps even a formulaic show from feeling too predictable. And as CSI has done with great success with killers who got away but return later, I would bet this isn't the last you've heard of this fiend on Cold Case. (I'm also thinking it would be cool if a bad guy on one show ended up getting caught on another Bruckheimer procedural: say, someone on Without a Trace turning up on Cold Case or one of the CSIs, if they could break the story.)

[Ryebeach]

Good question. Nice answer. Thanks for posting TVFan.

TVFan said:

(I'm also thinking it would be cool if a bad guy on one show ended up getting caught on another Bruckheimer procedural: say, someone on Without a Trace turning up on Cold Case or one of the CSIs, if they could break the story.)

What a clever idea. I could see this happening.

[Trublu]

TVFan said:

This week's (12/20) edition of "Ask Matt" has a Cold Case question regarding "Mind Hunters."


Question:
The Nov. 28 episode of Cold Case featured a serial killer who, despite the best efforts of Rush and her partners, could not be coerced into giving them the confession that was needed to put him in prison. This marks the first time in the series that someone has not succumbed to Rush's power of persuasion and confessed. Not only did it seem more realistic and end with a negative, creepy feeling as the man walked out with a subtle smile on his face, but it opens up the opportunity to bring the killer back in future episodes. Do you think this was a smart move by the writers and should it occur more often to spice up the story lines of the show? — Joe

As much as i agree that it spices up the plot just a little bit, what about Late Returns? Technically, the guy who did it (cant remember his name) didnt crack under Rush, and even when he confessed what happened to Valens, it was off the record.

[TVFan]

I guess the difference with Late Returns was that the sister paid for the crime. But I agree, a guilty party did go free. I don't know if I would want to see bad guys cross shows like Matt Roush suggested, but it does raise an interesting possibility.

[Naj]

(I'm also thinking it would be cool if a bad guy on one show ended up getting caught on another Bruckheimer procedural: say, someone on Without a Trace turning up on Cold Case or one of the CSIs, if they could break the story.)

I suppose that could be interesting but I don't watch any of those other shows. But since there is such a following of those shows, it couldn't hurt!

I hope to see George back sometime!

~Naj