Kathy Bates IS Matlock!

Will she be bringing her Annie Wilkes sledgehammer?

Wait, didn't she try this before with a similar character?

Just what we needed.

Another Hollywood re-boot of a crappy show, starring an ancient and long-forgotten actress.

And they say Hollywood is out of ideas....

I like both Kathy Bates and Matlock, curious to see if this works.

So will she wear the same blue suit every week like he did? For her sake I certainly hope not.

Yawn.

Save your time. Watch "Midsomer Murders" (23 seasons and counting) available On Demand and on Brit Box.

You're welcome.

I love Kathy, but this sounds awful.

She's also set to play Mr. T's character in The A-Team reboot.

[quote]Another Hollywood re-boot of a crappy show, starring an ancient and long-forgotten actress.

Bless your heart, r3.

It's fine. With any luck Kathy Bates will have a reliable ratings performer with a long life. A new "Murder She Wrote" kind of thing.

Old people need old detectives and gentle, non-violent, old-timey mysteries where they can doze off and not really miss anything.

I liked her short-lived show Harry’s Law.

I mean, why not? They’ve rebooted everything else, Kathy Bates deserves a steady paycheck, and the olds need something to watch.

I feel attacked, r10

[quote]starring an ancient and long-forgotten actress.

Are you kidding? Kathy Bates works constantly in high-profile projects.

Kathy deserves better than a reboot of some mediocre tv series from yesteryear.

At her age, r15, she's lucky it isn't a Snoop Sisters reboot.

[quote] Another Hollywood re-boot of a crappy show, starring an ancient and long-forgotten actress.

My, my, my.

Get a load of Little Miss Youthquake 2023!

R14 what was the last high profile project she starred in? I'm not knocking her but I am knocking your awareness of who is starring in what and when. Kathy Bates hasn't been bankable for years, she could use the work.

[quote] Old people need old detectives and gentle, non-violent, old-timey mysteries where they can doze off and not really miss anything.

This show was made for Dataloungers!

R17, you’re a fabulous bitch!

When was Kathy *ever* bankable, r18? What movie did she ever do that was sold on her name?

What is the point of a "reboot"? Why not just write a new show about an older female defense attorney?

I hope they'll keep the old theme song

Name familiarity, r22. How long did Harry's Law last?

[quote] What is the point of a "reboot"? Why not just write a new show about an older female defense attorney?

That's too much work.

We'd rather just do an easy re-boot and collect the cash we'll make from this crap show.

If we're lucky, we'll get four or five seasons out of it, and everyone involved will be financially set for life!

It's "inspired by", it isn't a reboot.

R21, around the time she won an Oscar as Best Actress was her most bankable and that was in 1991.

They could be twins

Lol R28.

[quote] Old people need old detectives and gentle, non-violent, old-timey mysteries where they can doze off and not really miss anything.

Hilarious, but true. A long time ago, an older friend (now deceased) and I were talking about Columbo. He said you can watch it, forget it, then watch it again.

I met Miss Kathy Bates once. She was extremely funny and kind. I’ll always root for her. (But her Netflix weed comedy was TERRIBLE.)

They really do look alike!

That's over 30 years ago, r27. She's worked steadily since then. Bankability really doesn't apply to her career (or to most character actresses) What you know you'll get from her is a quality performance which will enhance your project as opposed to her personally being responsible for the box office.

Aunt Bea sure did clean up nice, didn't she R32?

[quote] Another Hollywood re-boot of a crappy show, starring an ancient and long-forgotten actress.

Long-forgotten? What are you smoking. Even the under 30s know her thanks to Ryan Murphy.

She has to earn a living and it's steady work. Good for her. I think she's fantastic.

When are they rebooting In the Heat of the Night? That oughta go over well these days.

Who is the audience for this? Because the original show was a notorious "old person's show" and that was 30+ years ago. I don't know a single Gen Xer who has nostalgia about Matlock, a show that no one I knew watched at the time because we were all in high school. Even Boomers aren't old enough to be Matlock fans. I can't even form an opinion about this casting because all I know about the show is "old white southerner lawyer wears seersucker suits every week." Like, sure, Kathy Bates maybe could pull that off with aplomb but I'm not giving up an hour of my life to watch it.

[quote]Because the original show was a notorious "old person's show"

Which is the audience this version is aimed at. I'm looking forward to it. It doesn't sound like this is the show for you, dewy ingenue @ r38.

[quote]I met Miss Kathy Bates once. She was extremely funny and kind. I’ll always root for her.

I worked with her ages ago, r31. She's a doll.

I never watched the original, r39, but I'm in for anything Bates is in, even if it sucks, which this probably will..

She's a performer I'll watch in anything. What happened to that thread here, btw? It dropped off my "watched" radar, and now I can't find it.

One of my favorite shows is Only Murders in the Building, and after finishing Season 2 I still can’t figure out why they cast Selena Gomez of all people. She adds nothing to the show and I don’t even think she’s drawn in a younger audience as intended.

For that reason I think the role of Mabel could’ve easily been played by Kathy Bates.

R41 I would’ve had the Jackie Hoffman character be the third person, but make her the profane and loud Jewess she played on “Difficult People.”

She would’ve been a great fool to the other two, telling Oliver to “Shut the fuck up, you unemployable little queen,” and mocking Charles’ pretentious postmodern art collection as “the world’s lamest Viagra substitute.”

She wore out her welcome with me on HBO's Six Feet Under. Plus, she has a bush the size of West Philly.

A great FOIL. Goddamned greasy fingers!

[quote]but I'm not giving up an hour of my life to watch it.

We would expect nothing less from your ever so busy schedule. After all, those pics aren’t going to load themselves up to IG.

R45, I'm 55. Not sure where you're getting "instagram ho" from but not wanting to watch a Matlock reboot hardly makes me one.

Dial it down a notch, hon.

You could possibly dial down your condescension, r46.

The only thing I remember about Matlock was, the character was obsessed with eating hot dogs, constantly. Will Bates be huffing hundreds of wieners?

R48, 'ol Kath will be going to town on massive kielbasas.

She would be better as “Hazel”.

[quote]Will Bates be huffing hundreds of wieners?

I don't think that word (huffing) means what you think it does, r48, and you aren't half as funny as you think you are.

Here she is in Come Back to the 5 & dime, Jinny Dean, Jimmy Dean.

or post menstrual “Patty Duke Show”.

Why not Barnaby Jones?

Or Ironsides?

R10 I bet your mother dropped you on your head as a baby. Old people grew up during the golden age of violent film..1965-1980ish. It was far rawer than the watered down PC Pablum we are fed today.

[quote]One of my favorite shows is Only Murders in the Building, and after finishing Season 2 I still can’t figure out why they cast Selena Gomez of all people.

🌈Diversity🌈

A show starring two old white males without a POC? Forget it, bubbie. Not anymore.

r42 Jackie Hoffman would've been a much better fit for Only Murders In the Building. It's set on the UWS, after all. And Jackie Hoffman is fucking hilarious. I've seen her at Joe's Pub several times and she was a laugh riot.

R54 they tried an Ironside reboot in 2013 wit Blair Underwood. It lasted 9 episodes.

^^ with^^

I love her in that, r51. She was so like a Texas girl I went to college with.

[quote]I love her in that, [R51]. She was so like a Texas girl I went to college with.

Full disclosure, r60: I'm r40 and I worked with Bates on the Broadway version of Jimmy Dean. Met her recently and she was still a sweetheart. A great person and actor.

She deserves every dime she gets, and none of the cheap shots on this thread.

She elevates everything that she's in. Even Titanic.

[quote]She elevates everything that she's in. Even Titanic.

Agree, r61

I'm interested, op. I will tune in.

Good lord, R3: "Just what we needed. Another Hollywood re-boot of a crappy show, starring an ancient and long-forgotten actress."

The original show starred a person who was no spring chicken himself. Judges and detectives don't have to be young; they have to be wise. You want a show about a hot 26-year-old judge? LOL

And Kathy Bates in not long forgotten; she's one of the most talented actresses around, and she has been for years. Because she works constantly.

[quote]And Kathy Bates in not long forgotten; she's one of the most talented actresses around, and she has been for years. Because she works constantly.

It's not the 1st time she's played a lawyer, either, r64. Harry's Law was a decent show.

I wish I could've seen her opposite F. Murray Abraham in the original production of "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune."

It's a beautiful play, and she was just right for that part.

[quote]I hope they'll keep the old theme song

It sounds like Geritol!

Jason Ritter joins cast of reboot:

I fucking love Kathy Bates.

Gross!

Her casting is just another example of disrespect toward black women!

I'm still a bit puzzled about this reboot. It's not called a remake. So there is a chance that there some form of light continuity. The name of the show is the same, an older lawyer is solving crimes. Perhaps she is a niece or long lost daughter of Andy Griffith's Matlock. But that's pretty much where the similarity ends. The setup seems to be very different.

But why create this follow-up scenario? As mentioned upthread, the original show is probably not pulling in that much of the original audience. The concept has been altered. So why pay somebody royalty to use the old Matlock name when there isn't even that much anticipated pay-off?

Anyway, I'm probably watching for Kathy Bates but despite the Matlock name, not because of it.

I always got lesbian vibes from Kathy Bates.

Trailer. Hillary Clinton vibes.

It looks dreadful.

She looks so different. Is it just age, makeup/lighting, surgery, or ozempic?

I’m disappointed by the trailer. It lacks the charm the original show had. I wanted her to be a small town southern lawyer in a small town.

This is like when Jessica Fletcher moved to New York. It lost the Cabot Cove charm.

I’ll watch it. Loved her in Harry’s Law and Six Feet Under.

R76 her cancer has thankfully been in remission for some time. That'll age anyone.

I adore Kathy Bates and will sit through a bit of this Matlock reboot for her. She's from Memphis, TN and worked her way to an Oscar without knowing a soul when she first started her career.

Talent will out, r79.

Really? Matlock in the big city? What the hell is the point? You might as well have just made a whole new show. There won’t be anything charming about Matlock in a skyscraper.

And where’s the fucking music? They couldn’t keep the original Matlock theme song? I watched that video expecting to hear it for sure. Instead that generic shit sounded like something from a Swiffer mop commercial.

"Yes, Matlock, like the old TV show."

So, per the trailer they make sure to let people know that this is not the same universe. It's completely unrelated from the show or the character back then. So, why use the name then? To lure people in who remember the name? They will be as disappointed as r77 and leave right away. Somebody please explain this choice from a marketing point of view.

Bates is a first-rate actress, but this is doomed to failure.

There’s a new trailer out and it’s actually more intriguing than the older trailer because it’s obvious Matlock is hiding a secret.

But am I crazy? Didn’t they release the pilot a year ago online? I wonder if they refilmed scenes to add some mystery as it wasn’t testing well.

I hope they explain this is the same Matlock, only after gender confirmation surgery.

I'm going to give it a try.

I also need to catch up on Elsbeth.

Anything that isn't the usual CBS cop/military porn or death/murder/sexual violence procedurals is worth a look.

Harry's Law was decent. I remember enjoying it, though it seemed to be a little confused about what it was trying to be. David E Kelley was the creator but it seems like either the network or some other creative team member must have been a cook in the kitchen, too - it couldn't quite land on an identity and veered from very quirky Kelley style characters/details to tedious, boring legal stuff.

[quote] Didn’t they release the pilot a year ago online?

It's a bit of a blur after a year, but I think the writers strike was the reason. Last year's season started so late that all drama shows could only have started as mid-season replacement. The show's season would have been way too short to make a lasting impression. As a result some shows started mid-season with only few episodes and other shows got pushed out for an orderly roll-out. May have been marketing speech about a stinker, but that's what I read.

R88 is right. It was supposed to be midseason for this past season but with the strike it was pushed to fall.

I gotta admit, Kathy looks pretty good.

I think it looks fun. I also like Elsbeth, R86, which is basically Columbo.

‘Matlock’ Review:

Let's be real, we're all gonna watch this, no reviews needed.

Kathy Bates is a gifted actor, but even she can't spin shit into gold.

If the thing sucks, it won't be her fault.

Kathy Bates is a gift in everything I've seen her in. The characters she played in Delores Claiborne and Primary Colors were great. Of course she played Bettina (Ruth Fisher's hip friend) in 6FU and I got the impression she was really playing herself. Then there are the odd ball roles she had in AHS which were unusual to say the least. I like KB and get a good vibe from her that she's a super nice person which is why I'll give Matty Matlock a go even though I didn't care for the Andy Griffith version at all.

Kathy is a great actress but I think this will be cancelled by Thanksgiving.

Is the Kathy in this show pre-, mid-, or post-Ozempic? Guess we'll see tonight.

Does she wear a trenchcoat and pee standing up?

Will the theme music end with WAAAAAH DA DA DA!?

I can't wait for Jessica Lange in Diagnosis Murder.

Watched it, liked it. Beau Bridges seems to show up in everything, great for an 83 year old actor. The twist at the end sort of made no sense.

Dame Judi Dench IS Quincy, M.E.

Chrissy Metz as CANNON.

What a twist! That episode! She’s not Matlock.v2. It’s all a ruse. She’s a wealthy retired lawyer who worms here way into the law firm representing big pharma —to get info on her daughter’s opiate death. She’s an avenging angel …

Ugh. Never watched the first one -- gave this one all of 45 minutes, only because I was watching 60 Minutes right before it came on. No more -- I'm done.

So far, my favorite of her roles was in Six Feet Under. Too bad this show's not going to be nearly as good, or run as long.

The twist at the end kind of ruined it for me. I liked it more when she was a shrewd poor struggling old lady. Now one rich lawyer is going to win out over other rich lawyers.

Missing the through line …^^ 🙄

Network television hasn’t been a thing for decades. No one watches this stupid focus group shit.

That’s not true. You’re LYING! THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE!!!!

Enjoyed that a lot, especially the twist – love that the first thing she did after she got in the car was put that huge rock back on her finger. However, the jury reactions weren't this outrageous even on Ally McBeal. I mean, just preposterous.

The Hispanic junior associate is pretty charismatic, I liked that he accepted Matty so quickly.

Julian's hair looks wiggy as hell.

I may give it a watch. Not a fan of reboots, usually, but I was obsessed with Matlock as a child. The early seasons are the best. Later on it moved away from its original private investigation and courtroom defense drama premise, to something more along the lines of Columbia, which is when I lost interest. The courtroom showdowns, following the private investigative work, worked well in the early seasons, even if a lot of it was far fetched.

*Columbo not Columbia.

This was great - right from the opening scene. I really wasn't expecting to like it, just thought I'd give it a try to see what it was going to be like (never watched an episode of Andy Griffith's MATLOCK). I'm hooked - it was great entertainment.

Of course, the supporting cast is mostly over-used caricatures at this point, and their conversations are mostly cliches (it's not the great writing and characters of 'The Good Fight'). But I guess that's what a CBS audience is looking for these days.

It's comfort food, r113.

[quote]7.73 million total viewers, making it CBS’ most-watched series launch not airing after a Super Bowl since Luke Mitchell’s The Code drew north of 8 million on April 9, 2019 (following an episode of NCIS).

Glenn Close is Perry Mason.

Ellen as Mannix.

Meryl Streep is Barnaby Jones

My future husband Damien Molony IS Bergerac.

This is me on the left in another lifetime.

The pilotseemed very interesting, but that twist endingWOW

Watching on YouTube now. And only for Kathy Bates.

It was great and has pretty much nothing to do with the original Matlock, surprise ending that I won't spoil but I will watch it again. Kathy Bates is superb.

R123 what nonsense are you spouting? We all know the ending from above ^^

[quote] I was obsessed with Matlock as a child.

It’s rare to hear a sentence uttered for the first time ever.

[quote] [R123] what nonsense are you spouting? We all know the ending from above ^^

R124, I am not reading 123 responses, what nonsense are you spouting.

R126 look at the YT link in R122

The show has nothing to do with the original Matlock.

The unexpected twist at thee end was brilliant and forms the basis for the series. Kathy Bates, of course is fantastic.

R128, I'm with you, the end was terrific - unexpected and even more unexpected and then unexpected again. The car pick-up, the home where she lives, the office with bulletin board with photos of people from the law firm, the fact that Matty is on a mission... yea! And then the flashbacks giving a different context/meaning to the things she said earlier in the episode and how they relate to where we were in the final minutes. Nice construction and reveal.

I liked it. My problem with the ending is if this wealthy NY family couldn't raise enough of a stink to find out who in the law firm was responsible for their daughter's death, it seems far fetched. Isn't some client at some point going to recognize who 'Matlock' truly is? Agree Kathy is terrific - my favorite role of hers since Coven.

Duh—that’s the pont of the show: see how it unfolded. 😵‍💫

Pont… point

Oui!

Kathy Bates can do no wrong, brilliant actress.

R133 DUH....it still makes NO sense.

I think Kathy did a great job. Looking forward to more.

R130, with this... Isn't some client at some point going to recognize who 'Matlock' truly is?

Since only one episode has been broadcast, maybe what you describe happens in future episodes. You might have to, oh I don't know, watch and find out...

I REALLY liked it. I was surprised.

Does it use the theme song or not?

I didn't think much of this but will continue to tune in for Kathy Bates. It's a distraction from the other rubbish on our airwaves.

The costumes, hair and makeup were well done.

[quote]Does it use the theme song or not?

Briefly. After they win their case, as Maddy gets on the bus to go "home," you see the two junior associates playing it on one of their phones. Screenshot of Andy Griffith and all.

I also enjoyed it. This and Abbott are about the only things on network TV that I'll watch.

R140, I thought it was so clever when they did that.

R141 Same with me - though I also have 'Elsbeth' on my DVR. I added 'Grotesquerie' tonight - once I watch the pilot, I will see if I will continue with it.

I haven't followed a show on network tv in YEARS but I'll watch this, love Kathy Bates. I thought it was a good start, loved the twist at the end.

I think I have two questions so far:

1. If she appears as Madeleine Matlock at court, how does that impact her cases in terms of 'representation by legal counsel'. She'll lose her license once everything comes out, right? And the cases the law office loses where she is involved will there be a liability issue?

2. The credits say that the show is based on 'Matlock by [original creator] Dean Hargrove'. However, the pilot was very clear to state that Maddy is NOT Matlock. Her character just chose this as her name. So this show is not a continuation, a reboot or remake. Even the concept is different. On what grounds does Hargrove get credit for 'based on'? And why on earth did they emphasize on the Matlock name when it has nothing to do with the 80s show? Sounds like they pay Hargrove for nothing. I wonder if there is a meta/fourth wall connection in the season finale. Perhaps it turns out that Andy Griffith's Matlock was not a fictional character after all and in fact part of this universe, like Maddie's father.

[quote] I may give it a watch. Not a fan of reboots, usually, but I was obsessed with Matlock as a child. The early seasons are the best.

It’s not a reboot and it has nothing to do with the original show.

They bought the name for publicity for the show.

Why this long delay between the premiere and the second episode? I've never seen that before and it's pissing me off.

For her next role, I want to see Kathy Bates cast as a small town Southern sheriff in the early ‘60s where race is never mentioned.

Were no older women of color considered?

There was a great interview with her on YT - she was just Nuclear (in the BEST way!) - I have always liked her as an actor and person.

[quote]For her next role, I want to see Kathy Bates cast as a small town Southern sheriff

Kathy said there wil be no new role after Matlock

I think episode 2 will air on October 17?

OP couldn't know, but turns out, Kathy Bates IS NOT Matlock. Not in a remake sense, not in a reboot sense, not literally or figuratively. Not at all in any way.

I have to admit, I liked it.

I only watched because my mother called to tell me there was a BIG TWIST I would enjoy.

The entire time, I was betting that she wasn't really a lawyer and just watched a lot of "Matlock" on tv. Then, when she got off the bus, I figured she was homeless, for some reason.

The entire cast, especially Bates, is charming. I'll watch it again.

As I get older, I find myself enjoying what a friend of mine calls "Light Murder" shows. I even manage to watch crap on Hallmark Mystery channel. Nothing too taxing.

I guess I'll start buying butterscotch candies next week.

Someone answer R145's question. How will the story makes sense if she is a fraud? I suppose her character doesn't care, because she wants to destroy the firm that destroyed her daughter. (daughter? granddaughter?)

The grandson is a hacker who redirected inquiries about her work history elsewhere.

She also used her husband (also a lawyer) as a reference.

I could be wrong, though. I was sleepy.

They should have called it Vaglock.

Ahhh, the spacious, sun-drenched courtrooms of lower Manhattan. How's that for realism, Defendant donald?

One episode was enough for me, thanks, and Kathy Bates will probably be enjoying her retirement sooner than expected.

[quote] Save your time. Watch "Midsomer Murders" (23 seasons and counting) available On Demand and on Brit Box.

Yawn, indeed.

I'll keep watching this, but there were three things that bothered me this episode. First, Julian's wig is truly out of control now. Second, the kid playing Kathy's grandson is miscast, I keep thinking we've switched to a sitcom whenever the camera cuts to him. And lastly, some of the office scenes had a really shoddy green screen skyline in them, I've never scene that in a legal procedural before. Just move the camera so people's heads won't have that nasty halo anymore.

Could CBS not get the rights to Miss Marple?

The procedural narratives are the meat of the show and shoddy. I mean, this is classic Network TV. Product for a senior citizen watching from an easy chair. Writing and performances are C level. Bates is fun.

[quote]One episode was enough for me, thanks, and Kathy Bates will probably be enjoying her retirement sooner than expected.

I'll stick around a little longer, r159, but for only Bates alone. I didn't mind the first twist. I even kind of expected it.

The second twist was cheap, and if they expected another season, they revealed it way too soon. Now the entire season will be about her revenge fantasy, and where will they go from there?

I really enjoyed the first two episodes - more than I ever expected. I'm hooked. Watch Bates win an Emmy next year.

One suggestion to CBS - move this show to Sunday nights, after '60 Minutes', and follow this with 'Elsbeth'.

Elsbeth and Matlock could be in the same universe! Maybe do a cross-over once a season. The overarching narratives are similar-- they're both kind of spies within their institutions.

Ozempic has fucked over her face, even though she's obviously healthier now.

I think she looks fine in that picture. Age appropriate. This face can be cast easily for any senior citizen role. Not everybody can be cast for those roles when they age-in.

The Matlock character is ok. But the supporting cast is kinda cookie cutter text book. Especially the black attorney is very stereotypically written and played.

R168 I agree 100%. I'm curious - does every law firm on TV have to have a firm of attorneys who only talk in sarcastic one-liners to one another ? (This is why 'The Good Wife' and 'The Good Fight' worked so well for many seasons - they didn't resort to this in their script writing).

And does every family have to have the precocious child / grandchild who is smarter than the adults ?

Already renewed:

I am gobsmacked. I really thought they blew it by revealing Matty's true purpose so early.

Signed,

R163

If they can replace Skye P. Marshall, Leah Lewis, Beau Bridges, and Aaron D. Harris the show would be 100% better. None of those characters are likable, and the actors are terrible in their roles. And if they can drop the 'sarcastic, attacking dialogue between the characters, it would make it more realistic.

I agree r172. Kathy Bates is fantastic, as always, but the supporting cast is weak. I understand that nothing can get made anymore unless the cast is a DEI meeting, but FFS you can still find actors of color who have talent.

I gave up on the 10/24 episode... as an early poster here noted, there's just too much fast-talking, internal machinations, duplicitous alliances, back-stabbing. I was exhausted by 9:40pm, changed the channel.

elsbeth has talented weekly guest stars in mildly entertaining plot devices. i dont like what wevare stuck with on matlock

Kathy Bates a beloved and not forgotten. Im happy to see her working. I like when her name pops up in credits. I dont know why Hollywood abandoned her. I know they abandon every actress over 40 at some point, but those actresses are maybe still trying to be cast as younger, which Kathy never was. Character actors usually have longevity for that very reason.

MeToo episode was great, my favourite one yet, actually teared up a bit during Kathy's closing argument. All the OTT juror mugging in the previous episodes makes sense now, since they couldn't just introduce their facial reactions for this episode alone.

I was certain the body language expert had a Montrealese accent. But no, she's French-Israeli. Close, though.

Finally realised who Olympia reminds me of – Michelle Obama! Same voice.

^ The closing arguments was indeed stellar. Well written and very nicely acted by Bates. It was a good episode.

I haven't watched the show but am not surprised that Kathy Bates was excellent. When has she been otherwise? Never.

How was the latest episode?

It was just okay. Some interesting tension in the Matlock household, she's basically using her grandkid for child labour.

Billy is straight, really? Give me a fucking break, I thought it was only a matter of time before his boyfriend was introduced. So there just aren't any gay characters in this show?

The always delightful John Billingsley was this week's guest star.

The plot seems to thicken on Beau Bridges, but it may be just a red herring.

R182, perhaps. He was leaning way too hard into the Texas Republican schtick.

[quote]Some interesting tension in the Matlock household, she's basically using her grandkid for child labour.

Yes, and then they walked it back. We are meant to be cheering on her mission of revenge, but I find her a loathsome character, r181. She has lost her moral center.

[quote]The always delightful John Billingsley was this week's guest star.

I always love to see him. A very charming character actor.

I'm on the "Billy is straight?" train with you.

I found her over-use of the grandson a bit out of character. Sure, after just 3 episodes you may not know the character that well. But just in the prior episode she was the one trying to teach her grandson some patience. And then this episode she was the one who couldn't wait a day to look up an old document.

I wish I didn't like this show as much as I do. I guess I'm firmly in the CBS demo now. Only two things I'm wobbly about regarding this show. I think Olympia is too harsh a character, and I don't believe Jason Ritter is attractive enough for his role.

The word-by-word replay in her head of the argument with her husband we just heard minutes ago was a bit comical.

Yeah, that latest episode seemed to have different writers than the first 3. Where did all the heart and Kathy’s cunning go?

Ritter actually looks like Beau B. enough to pass as his son in real life. They both have fat faces.

The show is terrible when you think about how good land expensive network TV shows used to be.

But we all have adjusted our tastes because it’s all CHEAP DRECK now produced on a shoestring budget.

So, in that context, it’s not so bad.

It's a snappy procedural. In and out. Perfect for our 2024 viewing habits.

[quote] produced on a shoestring budget

Generally speaking, this isn't always a bad thing. I'm a big Trekkie (or used to be) and I can confirm that some of the best Star Trek episodes were the ones where no money could be spent on SFX. I'm still thinking that Marvel's movies be better at half their budget. Coming back to this show, I don't think that a tight budget makes for worse episodes. Money needs to be spent on good writers (and writers rooms), but affordable actors (except Bates) are not the problem, imho.

Just as I complain about no gays on the show, we get a lesbian love interest for Sarah.

A blue chip law firm in Manhattan is not the DEI utopia you see on this show. They're all still very very white.

Good thing it's not a docuseries, then.

r195 is your finger tired from wagging it constantly?

Billy has a bunch of sisters and still hasn't married his girlfriend of eight years. I think we all know what that normally means in real life, don't we.

I find Billy / David Del Rio oddly attractive.

Nothing odd about it, he's extremely cute! Beautiful healthy nails too, which is always the first thing I check on a guy to get an impression of his diet.

The portrait halls of those law firms tell the tale.