CBS Trailers: Elsbeth Solves Crimes in Good Wife Spinoff, Kathy Bates Makes Matlock Debut — Watch Videos
![[VIDEO] 'Elsbeth' Trailer for 'Good Wife' Spinoff, 'Matlock' Preview](https://tvline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/gelman_vlada_final_v3.jpg?w=250&h=250&crop=1)
Goodbye, Chicago courtrooms. Hello, crime-filled streets of New York City!
Former defense lawyer Elsbeth is using her quirky observational skills to take down criminals — like True Blood vet Stephen Moyer — in the first trailer for CBS’ upcoming The Good Wife spinoff. (View CBS’ new fall schedule here.)
Premiering this fall, the offshoot finds Carrie Preston reprising her Good Wife/Good Fight role as Elsbeth Tascioni, “an astute but unconventional attorney who utilizes her singular point of view to make unique observations and corner brilliant criminals alongside the NYPD,” per the official synopsis. “After leaving her successful legal career in Chicago to tackle a new investigative role in New York City, Elsbeth finds herself jockeying with the toast of the NYPD, Captain C.W. Wagner (played by Jack Ryan‘s Wendell Pierce). Working alongside Elsbeth is Officer Kaya Blanke (Turner & Hooch‘s Carra Patterson), a stoic and ethical officer who quickly develops an appreciation for Elsbeth’s insightful and offbeat ways.”
The Good Wife/Good Fight co-creator Robert King directed the pilot and penned the script with Michelle King, both of whom serve as EPs alongside Liz Glotzer and showrunner Jonathan Tolins.
CBS on Wednesday also released a trailer for its new Matlock series, inspired by the classic Andy Griffith-starring drama of the same name. Kathy Bates (American Horror Story) plays “the brilliant septuagenarian Madeline ‘Matty’ Matlock, who achieved success in her younger years, and decides to rejoin the workforce at a prestigious law firm where she uses her unassuming demeanor and wily tactics to win cases and expose corruption from within.”
The cast also includes Jason Ritter (Parenthood), Skye P. Marshall (Good Sam), David Del Rio (Maggie) and Leah Lewis (Nancy Drew).
Jane the Virgin showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman penned the pilot.
Press PLAY above to watch the trailers, then hit the comments with your first impressions!
OK, I’m baffled. In the Matlock trailer, Kathy Bates says her name is Matlock, “like the old TV show.” Huh? Isn’t this a reboot? Then why is she referencing a fictional character from a TV show? Or is she a crazy person who liked the Andy Griffith version and changed her name to Matlock?
It doesn’t make any sense!
It certainly seems to be played for laughs so it might be a “dramedy” and a remake only in the general format.
You may be right. It’s still odd though. If this isn’t a real reboot, she just “happens” to have the last name and is a lawyer, there’s no reason for CBS to connect this to the old TV show, heh. (Well, except for the name recognition/popularity the original has.)
I can think of only one other way they can connect the new show to the old and that’s by saying that the original Matlock was a fictionalized version of her father or another relative.
Maybe she just happens to have the same name and as an attorney people are always teasing her about an old tv show so she mentions it first. I don’t see why it has to be a big deal.
Don’t overthink it.
Maybe she just shares the name Matlock and her profession with that TV guy – and mentioning this is a nod to the old show.
It’s something borrowed, something new, and not a thing to be blue.
It was always described as a “reimagining” of the original series, meaning that Ben Matlock and other characters from the first show won’t be referenced in the new version. In this Kathy Bates version Matlock was a TV show.
Seems about the same as Doogie Kamealoha, MD, in which the original TV show (Doogie Howser) is why she gets her nickname in the new show.
Ok I had absolutely no interest in this one until I saw the trailer. I loved Elsbeth when she was on The Good Wife and even more so when she was on True Blood. She is a hoot with every character I’ve seen her play. Now I look forward to checking this one out.
Edit…I meant to say Carrie as Elsbeth, not Elsbeth. (And of course we know Carrie played Arlene on TB)
So… is Matlock a sequel to Harry’s Law??? (Said with mild sarcasm)
After watching both trailers, I’m intrigued by Elsbeth (even though I never saw her character of the Good Wife/Good Fight). As for Matlock, I was a huge fan of Andy Griffiths Matlock, but this so-called reboot has bust written all over it. The trailer was dreadful.
Like both of them. Great actresses in both shows so will check both out.
They should have hired Linda Purl to play Matlock’s daughter Charlene. Could have had her be crotchety. Then hire someone to be a private eye like Conrad or Tyler and bring in Nancy Stafford as Michelle and Julie Sommars could be a judge now.
Conrad died a few months ago
That’s why I said “like him”
Heh, The Matlock trailer was amusing. I will give the premiere a watch. I’ll always support Kathy Bates and it doesn’t hurt having Jason Ritter on board, either.
It’s interesting that CBS is going for the “softer”, quirkier drama shows like “So Help Me Todd”, “Elsbeth”, and “Matlock”. I personally like this genre, but I wonder if they will draw a large audience.
I just watched the Elsbeth trailer. Hard to believe CBS cancelled East New York and is going to present this new show for the Fall. I really question what CBS is thinking.
I’d watch Matlock if it were in just about any other time slot than early Sunday night
I’ve never been a fan of CBS procedurals; however, I love a drama with light elements. The Good Wife and The Good Fight are two of my favorite shows. Both Matlock and Elsbeth look great! I really like both casts. CBS, you may be changing my opinion of you. I think I’m going to give SO Call Me Todd a chance.
I’m going to give both Elsbeth and Matlock a watch! They look very interesting!
Meh…I either want a good drama or a comedy…don’t like silly dramas.
Since Elsbeth is no longer a lawyer in this new series, the idea that they could have called it “The Good Lawyer” is now officially moot (also since ABC grabbed the title first).
That Matlock trailer lured me right in, especially, if they team Kathy Bates & Jason Ritter. These two are funny & talented. Hoping for a great series.
I’m going to give Matlock a shot because there isn’t much on TV on Sunday Nights. I’m very skeptical of this reboot. They better knock it out the park or it won’t last more then one season.
Both Matlock and Elsbeth look promising from the trailers. I enjoyed both East New York and True Lies but neither seemed very different than previous CBS shows, not surprised both did not receive season 2 pickups.
I liked east new york. Was disappointed that it wasn’t picked up. Loved Jimmy smitts and the lady boss.they shld have given it another try.love swat was glad they changed their mind.
Can Elsbeth be a central character? She worked so well in the past because she was used in a limited capacity. Can her quirky eccentricities stand up to repeated viewing? And are the Kings turning her into Columbo?
So, Elsbeth was OKed while they cancelled East New York? You’ve got to be kidding! This is just as bad as cancelling Madam Secretary and almost cancelling Blue Bloods!