Elsbeth - General Discussion

[Meredith Quill]

Anticipate Here!

[shapeshifter]

Here's the trailer.

I think the series premise is summed up in these 2 lines from the trailer:

• Are you with the police?
• [ELSBETH] I think so. I'm either with the police or...
  watching the police.

This Parade article also includes a tiny bit about the other actors and mentions:

• Elsbeth's exact premiere date isn't known yet (especially due in part to the WGA writers' strike), but we know it will air Thursday nights this fall from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET.

[Kiss my mutt]

Is she playing the character she did in The Good Wife?

[shapeshifter]

39 minutes ago, Kiss my mutt said:

Is she playing the character she did in The Good Wife?

Yes

[AnimeMania]

4 hours ago, Kiss my mutt said:

Is she playing the character she did in The Good Wife?

Yes

[shapeshifter]

'New Drama "Elsbeth" Premieres Thursday, Feb. 29 at 10:00 PM'
thefutoncritic.com/news/2023/11/13/cbs-announces-2024-primetime-premiere-dates-for-original-episodes-of-new-and-returning-series-132112/20231113cbs03

[Snazzy Daisy]

Elsbeth Sneak Peek: Carrie Preston Seeks Broadway Show Recs From Her True Blood Co-Star Stephen Moyer

In the above clip from the series premiere, Elsbeth has her keen eye on theater director Alex, played by Preston’s former True Blood co-star Stephen Moyer. Because Elsbeth doesn’t go about things the normal way, she grills Moyer’s murder suspect on… whether she should see Cats or The Lion King while she’s in New York. After a brief rendition of the tune “Memory,” Elsbeth blindsides Alex by revealing that his student’s death might now be investigated as a murder.

[CoyoteBlue]

I don't watch The Good Wife so is this character as horrendous as she appears in the commercials? Like is she what happens when a Manic Pixie Dream Girl gets too old? I don't like my quirky hyper-intelligent cop-adjacent characters (Bobby Goren, Will Trent, Malcolm Bright, etc.) to be comic relief. Heaven forbid we have a female one that isn't a cute clown.

[shapeshifter]

Carrie Preston was just on Colbert shilling her show.
She's playing a Columbo character. It's a "howdunnit" instead of a "whodunnit."
FWIW, she sincerely believes in the show.
My only concern is that there may be a little too much type casting, which can be a sign of limited acting range and inability to carry the lead role.
Stay tuned to see?

Edited February 29 by shapeshifter

[blackwing]

14 hours ago, CoyoteBlue said:

I don't watch The Good Wife so is this character as horrendous as she appears in the commercials? Like is she what happens when a Manic Pixie Dream Girl gets too old? I don't like my quirky hyper-intelligent cop-adjacent characters (Bobby Goren, Will Trent, Malcolm Bright, etc.) to be comic relief. Heaven forbid we have a female one that isn't a cute clown.

I didn't watch "The Good Wife" either... I would assume this character had a huge following in order to merit getting her own show?  Because I must not be in the target audience.  I find the character in the commercial to be exhausting and irritating.  I guess I have no tolerance for "quirky".  I want my detectives to be calm and competent, and she seems like a mess.  It seems like this is going to be one of those "oops, I accidentally solved the crime, aren't I precious" kinds of shows.  No thanks.

[SoMuchTV]

15 hours ago, CoyoteBlue said:

I don't watch The Good Wife so is this character as horrendous as she appears in the commercials? Like is she what happens when a Manic Pixie Dream Girl gets too old? I don't like my quirky hyper-intelligent cop-adjacent characters (Bobby Goren, Will Trent, Malcolm Bright, etc.) to be comic relief. Heaven forbid we have a female one that isn't a cute clown.

I watched both the Goods and my takeaway was that she was definitely a “small doses” character. But I’ve seen a number of reviews of the new series that seem to be overwhelmingly positive. Using words like “enchanting” and “delightful”. So I’m holding out hope. 

[chitowngirl]

I’ve never watched either Wife shows, but I’ll give this a chance. I never trust promos.

[ItCouldBeWorse]

She certainly bought a large wardrobe to NY, including at least 2 heavy coats.

[Irlandesa]

9 hours ago, blackwing said:

I guess I have no tolerance for "quirky".  I want my detectives to be calm and competent, and she seems like a mess.  It seems like this is going to be one of those "oops, I accidentally solved the crime, aren't I precious" kinds of shows. 

She's brutally competent but highly quirky.  She was the lawyer the lawyers of those shows brought in if they needed additional assistance but she was also comic relief.  She's not someone I would have thought to build a show around because of that quirkiness level.  That said, it's all going to depend on who they surround her with in terms of the guest cast.

 

[MsMalin]

She reminds me.so much of someone I.used.to work with. I'd actually laugh til I cried with her.

[shapeshifter]

9 hours ago, MsMalin said:

She reminds me.so much of someone I.used.to work with. I'd actually laugh til I cried with her.

She reminds me of myself a 13 years ago.
Especially the styling, although she has a gazillion times bigger wardrobe budget.

Spoiler

And the detectives did finally admit she was right within just one episode, so maybe vicarious satisfaction for me too regarding respect for her insights.
But the end of the Pilot sets up a possible animosity.

 

[smeech]

I love Elsbeth.. I'm a huge fan !  Get rid of both new characters they will torpedo this show .. I love this show but both new characters are hokie and overactors  overactors .. this is an amazing show that I thought was going to grow with time and budget .. the two new characters are horrible .. 

[EtheltoTillie]

On 10/19/2024 at 6:24 PM, smeech said:

I love Elsbeth.. I'm a huge fan !  Get rid of both new characters they will torpedo this show .. I love this show but both new characters are hokie and overactors  overactors .. this is an amazing show that I thought was going to grow with time and budget .. the two new characters are horrible .. 

which new characters?  The annoying lieutenant?  And who else?  

[laredhead]

I'm enjoying this show immensely, and hope it continues to do well in the ratings so it can stay around for a long time.  I also liked "So Help Me Todd", but evidently the powers that be thought it wasn't worth continuing.  With Elsbeth, I sit back and suspend reality for an hour and just enjoy her quirkiness, her wardrobe, and all of the supporting cast.  I don't care if the courtroom stuff was totally a farce, or any of the other things that would not ordinarily happen in the real world.  This show isn't the real world, but it sure is helping me forget about the real world for an hour or so each week.