Matt's Inside Line: Scoop On Matlock, Strange New Worlds, NCIS: TIVA, Twisted Metal, Countdown And More!

What follows would turn out to be my final Inside Line column for TVLine. Read my full statement here, and also please sign up for my TV newsletter, where I continue to answer reader questions. See you there, I hope! —Matt

Will the Meerkat continue to haunt Matlock? What Strange New World will Captain Kirk find himself in? Will Tony and Ziva get spicy on streaming? Read on for answers to those questions and others! (You can and should email any brand-new Qs to InsideLine@tvline.com.)

I'm a huge fan of Matlock and I love the character played by Yael Grobglas. Is she going to be in second season (premiering Oct. 12)? –John
The Meerkat aka jury consultant/"human lie detector" Shae Banfield "will definitely be back this season," Matlock showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman tells Inside Line, "but the way in which she enters the story will be very surprising...."

Anything on Season 2 of Twisted Metal? –Lindsey
The new season (premiering July 31 on Peacock) opens with an ultimately unsettling flashback to 1998, that lays out a backstory for the real Raven, who is played with a vicious zeal by She-Hulk scene stealer Patty Guggenheim. (Turns out Neve Campbell's Season 1 character is but one of many "Raven" minions under the OG's leadership.) Also, if you're a fan of the Baby-Sitters Club novels, you're in for quite a treat.

Does CNN have any plans to air the last two episodes of Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain ("Marbella" and "Spain's Big Bang")? –Kerri
Those two episodes, preempted for breaking news, now will air Sunday, Aug. 31 at 9 and 10 pm ET.

Given the TV-MA rating for NCIS: Tony & Ziva (premiering Sept. 4 on Paramount+), is it safe to assume there will be some more... "mature" scenes? –Pat
Having screened the streaming spinoff's first four episodes, I will reveal this much: you may not realize how much you needed to hear a ticked-off Ziva (played by franchise vet Cote de Pablo) swear.

Will we be seeing Kirk during this season of Strange New Worlds? Also, will we find out if La'an really has no feelings for him anymore? — Barbie
I can tell you that when Paul Wesley makes his Season 3 debut in Episode 4 (airing July 31), he's not exactly playing James T. Kirk. Instead, he's in an alternate reality as a frustrated actor on a 1960s sci-fi TV show... who bears a striking resemblance to a certain Star Trek icon. (Wesley will actually appear as Kirk in three more episodes later this season.) As for La'an, she may have had a crush on Kirk last season, but based on Episode 2's steamy dance lesson, it seems her interests may have turned to Spock — and we'll see those interests develop more in the weeks to come.     

Are the contestants on Celebrity Jeopardy! required to take the regular test to be on the show, or are they cast for their popularity? –Robert
Ooh, fun question! I am told that Roy Wood Jr., Natalie Morales (no, the other one), D'Arcy Carden et al do not take a test to appear on the show, but "just have to be confident enough to play."

Any spoilers for Countdown? –Jackie
Evan's sister Molly (played by Satisfaction's Michelle DeShon) begins to enter the picture next week, and if thrillers like 24 have taught us anything, it's that unexpected and unpredictable family members can make a mess of things. "All hell breaks loose!" Violett Beane, who plays Evan, quipped during our pre-season chat, before adding a bit more seriously: "Molly is a wild card, for sure."

Looking at your "Missing" Shows list, I got wondering about Moonshine. The CW aired the first two seasons but I know there is a third season that aired in Canada a while ago. –Dan
There are no plans for The CW to be serving any more Moonshine.

Do you have any news about the Kaley Cuoco comedy Kansas City Star from Warner Bros. TV? You had a story on it back in November 2024. –DW
There have been no announcements — not even an official series order — from HBO about the half-hour comedy from Hacks masterminds Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky, and starring three-time Emmy nominee Cuoco. That said, one well-placed source tells me Kansas City Star is "100% happening" and that cameras could mayyyybe start rolling as soon as next spring.

Are there any updates about Poppa's House, Lopez vs. Lopez or Night Court getting picked up by another network or streamer after they got cancelled? –Zuhra
As a rule, low-rated, little-watched network sitcoms seldom get "saved."

Do you know if Chuck Mangione will be making any appearances on the King of the Hill revival, as he did on a semi-regular basis on the old show? –Samma
"He's not in Season 14," a source tells me, "but we'll see what the future brings." Update: Mangione passed away on July 22.

In Disney+'s Electric Bloom, the girls are answering questions for their fans when they're a world-famous band, and then the show flashes back to their freshman year. How old are they in present day when they get these questions? –Ivan
To be clear, the "present day" in the series is while they are all freshmen in high school, and the clips of their super stardom take place in the future. A show rep tells me there is "no specific age to be revealed" for the super stardom timeline, "But who knows?! We may have secrets to share in future episodes!" 

What are the chances one of the streaming outlets will pick up The Cleaning Lady and wrap up the story? I watched this faithfully for four seasons only to have it cancelled with a whole lot of cliffhangers. –PhillyDiva
The chances are, alas, zero. I am assured that The Cleaning Lady's run has come to an end, and no new home is being sought.

I know Wild Cards was already renewed for two more seasons in Canada, but is there any update on its renewal status at The CW (especially considering it's a co-production)? –Sarah
I ask and I ask, and... no updates. (Then again, they haven't said no, per se. Take the temporary win!)

Do YOU have a question about a favorite show? Email InsideLine@tvline.com! Questions plopped in Comments will not be considered and may count against your final score. (With additional reporting by Dave Nemetz)