Latest news with #CarriePreston
Irish Times
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
When it comes to ‘howcatchems', Poker Face is the new Columbo. Respect
An unwritten rule in journalism states that you need at least three occurrences of an unexpected phenomenon to generate a 'What's up with that ?' feature. Having fruitlessly searched for a third, I am, however, forced to settle for just two examples of current TV shows revisiting Columbo 's 'howcatchem' structure. You see that in the excellent Poker Face. You also see it in the amiable Elsbeth. What's up with that? There is also welcome evidence here of a drift back to a wider convention of classic telly, but we'll get to that in a minute. Let me take a pencil from behind my ear and flick through a tattered notebook while puffing on a cheap cigar. Where was I, ma'am? Ah, yes. Not the whodunit, the howcatchem. More formally referred to as the inverted detective story, such entertainments begin by showing us the crime being committed before following the coppers as they work their way to the solution. [ Donald Clarke: The enduring appeal of the greatest TV show ever made Opens in new window ] Both the current examples go further in their homage to their durable 1970s inspiration. Like Peter Falk in Columbo, Natasha Lyonne , as the wandering savant Charlie Cale in Poker Face, and Carrie Preston, as the relocated attorney Elsbeth Tascioni in Elsbeth (a spin off from The Good Wife), spend large parts of each episode making inexhaustible nuisances of themselves to that week's chief suspect. READ MORE Peter Falk as Columbo. Photograph: FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty All three exhibit borderline-supernatural levels of perception. The moment they arrive on the scene, one tiny anomaly points them towards the perpetrator, and no amount of disingenuous evasion will distract them from their pursuit. The audience, rather than fretting over whether the butler did it, focuses attention on which apparently airtight element of the murder is set to spring a leak. Sometimes the murderer is strangely likable. They are almost always comfortably off and so in a position to look down their noses at Columbo/Cale/Tascioni. If you turned on your telly in a hotel room and encountered an episode of Dad's Army, Kojak or The Dukes of Hazzard it mattered not which 'season' it was from It is a perfect, easily replicable format, and nobody should be surprised – or irritated – that the makers of these new shows look to be paying it deserved tribute. The folk behind Poker Face have even gone so far as to imitate the graphics from Columbo in their own opening credits. Respect where respect is due. Something else is, however, worth noting in the popularity of these series. We are finally seeing kickback against the hitherto unstoppable move from TV in stand-alone episodes to continuous, season-long serials. Until relatively recently most sitcoms and cop shows offered you, each week, a self-contained story that reset before the end credits. There was, in the era of Columbo, occasionally some glacial progression. A new junior detective would turn up. We met his dog for the first time. Poker Face is a 10-episode mystery-of-the-week series following Natasha Lyonne's Charlie Cale. Photograph: Sky/Peacock. But, essentially, nothing of note changed in Columboworld between 1971 and 1978 (or, indeed, up to the close of the lesser revival in 2003). If you turned on your telly in a hotel room and encountered an episode of Dad's Army, Kojak or The Dukes of Hazzard it mattered not which 'season' (as nobody in Ireland then said) it was from. You would get one story arc that ultimately reversed any disruption to the established scenario. Harold never escaped his father in Steptoe and Son. Starsky and Hutch were forever in the same Ford Gran Torino. I was reminded how recently this changed when talking to Michael Cera , star of Arrested Development, two weeks ago in Cannes. One reason, he explained, the show did not catch on during its initial run, 20 years ago, was that the creators insisted on a continuing plot. 'If your friends said this show is funny and you watched episode six with no context, you really couldn't enjoy half of the humour or the story,' Cera told me. [ Benicio Del Toro and Michael Cera on The Phoenician Scheme Opens in new window ] Arrested Development arrived a few short years before streaming changed everything. Now every episode was sitting neatly in the same virtual space. Episode one was always available if you wished to get stuck into the larger narrative. Cliffhanger endings abounded. The dealers (streamers) soon had the users (viewers) hooked on a near-endless supply of gear (telly). Yet decisions made for the current, second season of Poker Face confirm there is still a desire for mainstream TV in discrete packages. The first outings of both that show and Elsbeth did have superficial, peripheral season arcs about which nobody much cared. It seemed there was a law against making a show that didn't at least tip its hat to the serial aesthetic. Even that has now gone for Poker Face. Speaking to GQ, Rian Johnson, creator of the show, acknowledged that he wanted to get away from 'the superstructure' and 'get back to what the show is really supposed to be about, which is, each week, let's have a fun mystery.' He delivers on that. Watch the new episodes in whatever order you prefer. It's 1978 all over again. Poker Face and Elsbeth are available via Now TV
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Elsbeth Burning Question: Will Angus Return Next Season? EP Says…
In Elsbeth Season 2, the CBS drama gave its titular lawyer her first real love interest in Ioan Gruffudd's Scottish musician/firefighter, and the brief flirtationship was such a smashing success that fans have been clamoring for Angus' return ever since. Alas, Gruffudd only appeared in that Feb. 20 episode, but his character was mentioned multiple times in subsequent installments. At first, it seemed as if Angus and Elsbeth had parted ways after his trip to New York City. More from TVLine Elsbeth EP Promises 'We'll Still Honor Female Friendship as Major Part of This Show' Following Kaya's Departure Elsbeth's Carrie Preston, EP Talk Finale's 'Crazy,' Star-Studded Musical Number and Filling the Kaya Void NCIS Stars Talk Parker's 'Revenge,' Jimmy/Jessica - and Pitch a Group Speed-Dating Outing? (VIDEO) 'It was a whirlwind romance,' Elsbeth sighed, bittersweetly, 'but he had to go back to his life in Scotland. We'll see each other again when the time is right.' But then we learned that the pair were still in touch via video chat, and in this week's finale, Detective Edwards even asked how Angus was doing. So will the charming Scot return next season to romance Elsbeth in person? 'I certainly hope so,' showrunner Jonathan Tolins tells TVLine, adding that he's not surprised that the character and his dynamic with Elsbeth took off the way it did with viewers. 'He had to fly all the way from Scotland to see her,' which 'couldn't be more romantic,' Tolins says of the swoon-y gesture. And before the EP even saw any footage from the episode, Tolins was confident that his leading lady and Gruffudd would have chemistry. 'I've never seen any good actor not click with Carrie Preston,' he states. Preston, meanwhile, also has nothing but raves for her on-screen love interest: 'Ioan, of course, is so great, and he was so game and so excited to be a part of the world,' the actress shares. 'He put all of his effort into making a wonderful and dynamic character, and it was such a great premise, too, that we had to meet through screens, and it was so Elsbeth that she would meet somebody through an art installation thousands of miles away, and it was in the Valentine's Day episode. All of that is a perfect recipe for romantic comedy at its best, and so, we're very glad that the audience loved it.' fans, are you anxiously awaiting Angus' return? Hit the comments with your hopes for the couple! Best of TVLine Summer TV Calendar: Your Guide to 85+ Season and Series Premieres Classic Christmas Movies Guide: Where to Watch It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Elf, Die Hard and Others What's New on Netflix in June
Business Upturn
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Elsbeth Season 3: Release date speculation, cast and plot details – Everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on May 10, 2025, 19:30 IST Last updated May 10, 2025, 16:14 IST The quirky and captivating procedural drama Elsbeth has won over audiences with its unique blend of humor, clever mysteries, and the unforgettable performance of Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni. As a spinoff of The Good Wife and The Good Fight , the CBS series has carved out its own niche with its 'howcatchem' mystery format and vibrant New York City setting. As Season 2 ended in May 2025, fans are eagerly looking ahead to Elsbeth Season 3. Here's everything we know so far about the release date, cast, plot details, and more. Elsbeth Season 3 Release Date Speculation CBS renewed Elsbeth for Season 3 on February 20, 2025, following strong viewership averaging 11 million multiplatform viewers. While no official premiere date has been announced, a fall 2025 release—likely in September or October—is expected, aligning with the show's usual Thursday 10/9c slot and CBS's fall schedule. Based on past production timelines, filming could begin in summer 2025, supporting this likely premiere window. Elsbeth Season 3 Potential Cast The core cast of Elsbeth is expected to return, though a significant change has been confirmed for one key character. Here's a breakdown of the anticipated cast: Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni Wendell Pierce as Captain C.W. Wagner Carra Patterson as Officer Kaya Blanke (Guest Star) Elsbeth Season 3 Potential Plot Details about Elsbeth Season 3's plot are scarce, as the show's writers are still finalizing Season 2's conclusion. However, based on the series' format and recent developments, here's what fans can anticipate: Continued 'Howcatchem' Format: Elsbeth is known for its inverted mystery style, where the audience sees the crime and perpetrator upfront, then follows Elsbeth as she unravels the case. While Season 2 experimented with slight format tweaks, Season 3 is expected to retain this Columbo-inspired structure, though writers may introduce new narrative devices, such as multi-episode arcs or cliffhangers. Elsbeth's Evolving Role: At the end of Season 1, Elsbeth transitioned from a consent decree observer to an official NYPD investigator. Season 2 saw her navigating this new role while facing consequences from past cases, including her arrest in the penultimate episode. Season 3 could explore Elsbeth's adjustment to her investigator status, potentially returning her to a courtroom setting in a fresh way, as hinted by showrunner Jonathan Tolins. Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Elsbeth Just Dealt With A Shocking (Mostly) Exit, And I Can Honestly Say I Did Not See This One Coming
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. BIG spoilers for Elsbeth Season 2, Episode 19 – 'I've Got A Little List' – are ahead! Read with caution, and get caught up on the show with a Paramount+ subscription. To me, Elsbeth has always centered around Carrie Preston's titular character and her work with Kaya and Wagner. However, now, in a shocking turn of events, that's all about to change. In the latest episode to air on the 2025 TV schedule, it was revealed that Carra Patterson's Kaya had been given an opportunity to join a task force that would take her away from the precinct where Elsbeth works. That means we'll be seeing less of her as the actress steps away from her series regular standing and becomes a guest star. In Episode 19 of Season 2, it's revealed that Kaya has been offered a job on a task force, which means we won't see her around the precinct as much in Season 3. This comes after her promotion to detective earlier this season, and it is nice to see her rising through the ranks. However, it also means we'll be seeing less of her. Speaking about her character's exit, showrunner Jonathan Tolins told Deadline: Kaya just turned out to be this wonderful partner for Elsbeth, and that relationship was one that we all love so much, and we love Carra. We're excited that the character got her promotion and achieved that dream. She's not leaving the world of the show. She's just not going to be with us every day. I don't want to make too much of the change. Thankfully, Carra Patterson's character isn't gone for good. Like other detectives on Elsbeth, she will guest star from time to time, likely to work on a case that Elsbeth is also on. However, it does mean she won't be involved in every episode next season, which is a bummer. Kaya and Elsbeth's friendship is one of my favorite elements of this show. After Elsbeth got renewed for Season 3 and Kaya got promoted to detective, I had assumed the next season would address how their relationship evolved as Patterson's character found her footing in her new role. So, this development that she's leaving did come as a huge shock. However, Tolins made it clear that Kaya is 'irreplaceable,' and while she won't be around as much, she won't necessarily be replaced. He explained: We have developed this habit of introducing new characters as we go and using them in a way that feels organic. I have no intention of forcing someone into the slot that was Kaya's place on the show. We're going to go with the flow and see what happens and try some things. The wonderful thing is that Carrie Preston is wonderful with everybody. This is not going to be like a Darren Stevens situation. Kaya is irreplaceable. She's not gone; she's still part of our world. So we're going to see what happens. Paramount Plus: from $7.99 a month/$79.99 a yearYou can watch CBS staples like Ghosts and Elsbeth on Paramount+ alongside old hits like The Good Wife. With a subscription, which starts at $7.99, you can also get access to Taylor Sheridan's shows and live sporting events. If you upgrade to Premium, you can get Showtime and no ads for $12.99 per month. View Deal In this latest episode, we did see b's Officer Reynolds return, and we know Ethan Slater, who plays Officer Chandler, is part of the stacked guest star list for the Season 2 finale. My guess is we'll continue to see them – and maybe other officers – in Season 3, and then Patterson's Kaya will be placed firmly in the rotation of detectives Elsbeth gets paired with throughout the season. Overall, I do think this move makes sense for the story. Kaya is driven and ambitious, and she'd been working toward a promotion for a while, so it's nice to see her get the job and assignments she deserves. However, her not being by Elsbeth's side every week is a hard pill to swallow. However, thankfully, as I said, Carra Patterson's character isn't totally gone and will show up again; we're simply saying 'see you later.'
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
After Elsbeth's Shocking Arrest, Carrie Preston Weighed In On That Totally Out-Of-Character Set Up For The Finale: 'How Am I Going To Continue'?
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Elsbeth is all set for a Season 2 finale in the 2025 TV schedule that will go full Chicago with a musical number, but the leading lady had to go through the wringer to wind up behind bars before the fun of any kind of cell block tango with guest stars galore. And she certainly did go through the wringer in the penultimate episode, which ended with Elsbeth looking positively... well, un-Elsbethian. On the verge of tears and dressed in a drab prison jumpsuit without any bright accessories or tote bags, rarely has Elsbeth Tascioni looked more out of her usual character. When I spoke with Carrie Preston, she weighed in on her character's state of mind when last we saw her ahead of the finale on May 8. According to the Good Wife alum, her muted appearance and demeanor at the end of the "I've Got A Little List" episode last week had everything to do with Judge Milton Crawford's bloody end. (That episode is streaming with a Paramount+ subscription now.) She shared: Elsbeth witnesses this assassination, and, like most people, experiences a bit of shock. And so at the beginning of that episode, Kaya asks her, 'How are you doing?' And it's 'I'm fine.' She puts on this mask and just delves into this crime. This criminal happens to be someone somewhat similar to the judge, someone who is very highly placed, has a lot of power and a lot of money and will seemingly be able to get away with murder. She becomes possessed and obsessed with it, so much so that when her best friend tells her that she's leaving to go work somewhere else, Elsbeth just can't quite process that until the end, until she's been stripped down of all of her things. Elsbeth pushing a little too hard in the investigation didn't come out of nowhere, although in her defense, she likely wouldn't have ended up behind bars if there weren't powerful people determined to throw the rule book at her. Everything just didn't catch up to her until the very end, including Kaya deciding to leave the job that allowed them to see each other almost all day, every day. Paramount Plus: from $7.99 a month/$79.99 a yearWith both seasons of Elsbeth so far available, subscribe to Paramount Plus. Opt for its Essential plan or go ad-free and get double the catalog with Showtime through the Premium plan from $12.99 a month. Alternatively, get 12 months for the price of 10 with its annual Deal Coming to a realization at the end of the episode doesn't mean that she gets out of her fairly dire circumstances, however. Carrie Preston elaborated on where her character's mind was leading up to the finale: Like you said, she's been put into this jumpsuit, this drab jumpsuit, and she's sitting in a prison where she can't touch anybody, she can't hug anybody. She doesn't know how she's going to get out. It's that at that point that everything sort of lands, and she has to face that her best friend is leaving, that justice isn't always going to be served. How am I going to continue knowing these things? Luckily, she has these two friends who bolster her up and give her some beautiful words of encouragement at the end as well. Who would have guessed at this time last season that Captain Wagner would be such a good friend to Elsbeth that he's one of two people who could raise her spirits from the lowest we've ever seen her? Last spring, Wendell Pierce was talking about Elsbeth's "betrayal," and as Carrie Preston told me at the time, Elsbeth herself was "off of her game." Look at them now! And if you were discouraged by how sad Elsbeth looked in her drab jumpsuit, just look at the finale promo to see just how much she'll be back to her normal colorful self before the credits roll on Season 2: The Season 2 finale of Elsbeth airs on Thursday, May 8 at 9 p.m. ET on CBS, and returning guest stars include André De Shields, Gina Gershon, Elizabeth Lail, Alyssa Milano, Arian Moayed, Stephen Moyer, Mary-Louise Parker, Retta, and Ethan Slater. I'd wondered how the show could bring back so many stars when most of them were outed as murderers at the ends of their episodes, but Elsbeth behind bars explains it! CBS has also released its 2025-2026 primetime TV schedule to confirm that Elsbeth will return to Thursday nights in the fall, paired once more with Kathy Bates' breakout hit Matlock. Over the course of hiatus, you can also revisit past episodes streaming via Paramount+.
