TV Review!
“Matlock” on CBS Review by Suzanne 10/5/24
I wasn’t sure whether I would like this show or not because I didn’t really care for the original series, starring Andy Griffith. It was just another show, similar to “Diagnosis: Murder” or “Murder She Wrote,” where an older person helps solve crimes in their every-day life. Of course, “Matlock” was more like “Perry Mason” in that he was a lawyer that would help find the real murderer (so that his client would go free). It’s basically the same idea, though.
This version of “Matlock” is not really a reboot at all. The main character is played by a woman (Kathy Bates), and she is not what she seems, which we find out at the end of the first episode. Bates is always fascinating to watch, and she really excels here because the writing is top-notch. She mentions the original show “Matlock” many times, so we know that this is not set in the original show’s “universe.” What they’ve done with it is very interesting, though, and anyone who stays through the end of the first episode will figure that out.
Besides the great lead actress, there is a wonderful cast of people, including Beau Bridges, Jason Ritter, Skye P. Marshall, David Del Rio and Leah Lewis. There are some fun guest stars each week as well. I can’t wait to see what else they do with this series. Do yourself a favor and tune in ASAP because this is already the best new show of the Fall season.
MORE INFORMATION: Official Site Trailer
MATLOCK stars Emmy and Academy Award winner Kathy Bates as Madeline âMattyâ Matlock, a brilliant septuagenarian who achieved success in her younger years and decides to rejoin the work force at a prestigious law firm where she uses her unassuming demeanor and wily tactics to win cases. Matty is assigned to Olympia (Skye P. Marshall), a senior attorney and key rainmaker with a thirst for justice, Olympiaâs ex-husband, Julian (Jason Ritter), the son of the head of the firm, is intrigued by Matty and her clever skills. As Matty endeavors to establish herself in her new high-stakes world, she works alongside the firmâs younger associates â the charismatic Billy (David Del Rio) and the uber ambitious Sarah (Leah Lewis). MATLOCK is inspired by the classic television series of the same name.
Premieres Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
ON AIR: ORIGINATION: |
Thursdays (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), beginning Oct. 17, 2024 Los Angeles |
FORMAT: |
Drama (Filmed in HD) |
STARRING: |
Kathy Bates |
(Madeline âMattyâ Matlock) |
|
Skye P. Marshall |
(Olympia) |
|
Jason Ritter |
(Julian) |
|
David Del Rio |
(Billy) |
|
Leah Lewis |
(Sarah) |
PRODUCED BY: |
CBS Studios |
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: |
Jennie Snyder Urman, Joanna Klein, Eric Christian Olsen, John Will, Kat Coiro and Kathy Bates |
Honored numerous times for her work, Kathy Bates is an undeniable force on stage, screen and television. Bates won an Academy AwardÂŽ and a Golden GlobeÂŽ for her portrayal of obsessed fan Annie Wilkes in Rob Reinerâs 1990 hit âMisery,â based on Stephen Kingâs novel. In 1995, Bates appeared in the title role of Kingâs âDolores Claiborne.â
Currently, she can be seen in the Lionsgate feature adaption of Judy Blumeâs classic novel âAre You There God? Itâs Me, Margaretâ alongside Rachel McAdams.
Additionally, Bates will also star in the Netflix rom-com âA Family Affairâ with Nicole Kidman, Joey King, Liza Koshy and Zac Efron. The film will release on the platform later this year. She is set to star in the independent feature film âThelma,â which recounts the real-life story of the mother of John Kennedy Toole, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Confederacy of Dunces. Bates will star alongside John Malkovich and Lewis Pullman in the film, which is penned by Black List screenwriter Andrew Farotte and will be directed by Ken Kwapis.
Upcoming, Bates will star in the highly anticipated, reimagined CBS series MATLOCK as a new incarnation of the Andy Griffith character from the original hit series. She also serves as an executive producer on the show. Additionally, Bates recently wrapped production on Castille Landonâs comedy âSummer Campâ opposite Diane Keaton and Alfre Woodard.
Bates recently received the National Board of Review Award as well as an OscarÂŽ and Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal as Bobi Jewell in Clint Eastwoodâs âRichard Jewell.â Starring alongside Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Olivia Wilde and Jon Hamm, the WB film is based on Marie Brennerâs 1997 Vanity Fair article âAmerican Nightmare: The Ballad of Richard Jewell.â
In 1999, Bates received Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations and won a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) AwardÂŽ and a Critics Choice Award for her performance in Mike Nicholsâ âPrimary Colors.â Bates earned her third Oscar nomination for her role in Alexander Payneâs âAbout Schmidt,â for which she won a National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress and garnered Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations.
Her film work has also been recognized with Golden Globe and BAFTA Award nominations for Jon Avnetâs film adaptation of Fanny Flaggâs âFried Green Tomatoes,â and she also shared a SAG Award nomination with the ensemble cast of James Cameronâs blockbuster âTitanic,â as well as a nomination for the ensemble of Woody Allenâs biggest success, âMidnight in Paris.â
Bates received her star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame on Sept. 20, 2016.
Her additional film credits include: âThe Blind Sideâ with Sandra Bullock; Stephen Frearsâ period drama âCheri,â in which she starred with Michelle Pfeiffer; Sam Mendesâ drama âRevolutionary Road,â which reunited her with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet; Adam Sandlerâs âThe Waterboyâ; Robert Altmanâs âCome Back to the Five & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Deanâ; âStraight Timeâ with Dustin Hoffman; and Milos Formanâs âTaking Off.â
On television, Bates has received 14 EmmyÂŽ nominations, winning her first award in 2003 playing the ghost of Charlie Harper in Chuck Lorreâs TWO AND A HALF MEN. Bates won rave reviews and her second Emmy as the deliciously evil Madame LaLaurie in Ryan Murphyâs âAmerican Horror Story: Covenâ on FX. She received two more Emmy nods for her respective performances in âAmerican Horror Story: Freak Showâ and âAmerican Horror Story: Hotel.â
For the 1996 HBO film âThe Late Shift,â Bates won a Golden Globe and a SAG Award and earned an Emmy nomination. Her television honors also include Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations for her performance as Miss Hannigan in The Wonderful World of Disney musical âAnnie.â
Bates has also been honored for her work behind the camera as a director. She helmed the A&E telefilm âDash and Lily,â starring Sam Shepard and Judy Davis, which earned nine Emmy nominations, including one for Bates as Best Director. She also directed five episodes of the acclaimed HBO series âSix Feet Under,â earning a Directors Guild of America AwardÂŽ nomination for the episode âTwilight.â Her directing credits also include episodes of âOz,â âHomicide: Life on the Streetâ and PBSâ âGreat Performances.â
Bates first gained the attention of critics and audiences on the New York stage starring as Joanne in Jack Heifnerâs âVanitiesâ â one of the longest-running plays in Off-Broadway history. She was nominated for a Tony AwardÂŽ for her portrayal of the suicidal daughter in the original Broadway production of Marsha Normanâs Pulitzer Prize-winning play âânight, Mother.â She has been honored with an Obie AwardÂŽ for her performance as Frankie in the original Off-Broadway production of Terrence McNallyâs âFrankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune.â She portrayed Elsa Barlow in Athol Fugardâs âThe Road to Meccaâ alongside Fugard and Yvonne Bryceland.
For the past several years, Bates has served as the national spokesperson for the Lymphatic Education and Research Network (LE&RN). LE&RN is an internationally recognized non-profit organization founded in 1998 to fight lymphatic diseases and lymphedema through education, research and advocacy. With chapters throughout the world, LE&RN seeks to accelerate the prevention, treatment and cure of these diseases while bringing patients and medical professionals together to address the unmet needs surrounding lymphatic diseases, which include lymphedema and lipedema.
Bates currently resides in Los Angeles, Calif.
Proofread and Edited by Brenda
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