Pondering Aunt D and TV…

Is the “Who Done It” TV genre making a comeback? TC views a re-imagined show which triggers a trip down memory lane. Fun memories they were. Read on… – the editor

I have had my Aunt Doris on my mind a lot recently. Mostly by her taste of TV shows. After my Uncle Harold passed away in 1985, I had spent more time with Aunt Doris than my usual one visit a year. As she was my father’s sister, she had tales of my Dad I never knew, especially during the 80’s and 90’s when I found it difficult to communicate with him.

I visited her in the new condo my Dad helped set up in the great local known as Greenacres City, Florida. For safety reasons, she asked for a second-floor unit so no one could just walk into her condo, even if she struggled to walk up those stairs with groceries. She had a great setup for visitors, especially the second bedroom for when Dad visits. The property was walk-able, to the clubhouse and pool. I was also able to walk to shopping centers that I could not do today, but back then I walked everywhere.

Other than the neighbor, who had their TV on blast with a rotation of game shows blaring for all to hear, in our house, Doris had all the typical OG shows that were on during the 80’s and 90’s:

Murder She Wrote
Magnum, PI
Cannon with William Conrad
A-Team

Pretty much every crime procedural that existed. A who’s who of classic guest stars from Hollywood past and present.

With the only exception being a PBS station that had a rotation of British Sitcoms, like Allo Allo and Are You Being Served, Doris like her who done it’s.

Of Course, Matlock…

One of these shows, was Matlock. Andy Griffith as a southern folksy lawyer, who solves murder mysteries. Sure, the plots seemed recycled over the many shows she watched all week, but perhaps to her it was visual comfort food. As far as I was concerned, the theme song alone was enough to change the channel.

Matlock – a TV Series 1986–1995 TV-PG
Streaming now on Paramount+

Ben Matlock is a very expensive criminal defense attorney, who charges one hundred thousand dollars to take a case. Fortunately, he’s worth every penny, as he and his associates defend his clients by finding the real killer.

New & Improved?!

When I saw that CBS was bringing back Matlock to broadcast TV, I was skeptical. Mind you, the NCIS and FBI franchises currently on the network remind me that I still get bored by the crime procedural.

This Matlock is in name only as THIS show follows Madeline Matlock as she rejoins the work force at a prestigious law firm, where she uses her wily tactics to win cases and expose wrongdoing.

“Not the Matlock you’re expecting…”

Kathy Bates is Matlock. Without giving too much of the plot, she plays an elderly woman looking for a job in a large firm, to which she sneaks into a meeting to get hired. A little far-fetched, but this is supposed to be light Sunday night entertainment.

So for the most part, no big surprises. A nice retread of the show for modern times. That being said, the last 15 minutes… Whoa!

Whoa… I mean WHOA!!

Without giving it away, I will say that viewers got something they did not expect on broadcast TV (CBS at that!). A plot twist? are you sure I am not on HBO?

A plot twist? Are you sure I am not on HBO?

I give them credit. Not what I was expecting. It definitely gave me a reason to visit for Episode 2.

The Bates Effect…

I had a feeling Kathy Bates would not take on a Broadcast TV show unless it had some UMPH to it, especially after being part of Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story troupe. If so, it was a shrewd set up, and I give credit for that.

Would Aunt Doris like the new Matlock?

A question we’ll never know the answer to. But thinking about her and her TV habits brought me reminiscing about that great woman who always had a full refrigerator and was big on the VISIT. She took me to Publix every visit and drove around to see what had changed. Even when she came to see in Jersey, she loved to go to Atlantic City for the slots.

I miss her a lot. Quite the character!

editor’s note: Indeed! Aunt D sought me out to make the morning coffee during her visits to Jersey. We shared a love of a nice strong, flavorful beverage. Makes me smile. –editor

That’s a Wrap…

You can pretty much count on this being “a Wrap” with a strong “To Be Continued…”
I keep finding interesting programs to view — with viewing triggering nostalgic journeys. I imagine this happens to others (please to share).

Thanks for reading and pondering with me. —TC

Bonus Clips…

The Kathy Bates reference — as Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story troupe, led to this clip:

Third Act? View on!

Hey, Mr Conrad!

A fun discovery. William Conrad (Mr Cannon listed above) was the voice of …Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends show. When you have some time, give this a view/listen.