As a seasoned cinephile with over three decades of film-watching under my belt, I must say that the reboot of “Matlock” is a breath of fresh air in the legal drama genre. Having watched Kathy Bates’ transformative performances since her breakthrough role in “Misery,” it’s fascinating to see her take on the titular character in this gender-flipped revamp.
The legal drama starring Kathy Bates, known as “Matlock”, made its debut on CBS with impressive audience numbers and moderate critical acclaim. A significant factor contributing to this success was the show’s strategic marketing, which effectively piqued interest in its shocking plot twist. In a conversation with Vulture, CBS’ Marketing Chief Officer Mike Benson discussed how they managed to keep the twists under wraps until the premiere and revealed that the new series only loosely resembles the original 1986 show that might have inspired the title.
During his interview, Benson emphasized that the dual titles are what truly makes these shows strong. From the outset, he aimed to generate curiosity about Madeline’s true identity, while always ensuring not to reveal too many details.
Although we have no intention of belittling the original Matlock series, this new production is a fresh take with an unexpected twist in its connection to the original title. Showrunner Jennie Urman aimed for a show that acknowledges its roots but offers a unique perspective. We were aware of audiences familiar with Matlock, yet we chose not to rely on that recognition. We didn’t want to capitalize on the old series’ popularity directly, but instead, we wanted to create a self-sufficient production that doesn’t depend on the old intellectual property.
Originally, the Matlock series centered around Ben Matlock, a widower portrayed by Andy Griffith, whose charisma and intellectual prowess led to an exceptional courtroom success rate. Conversely, the latest CBS show featuring Kathy Bates is a gender-swapped reboot. It follows Madeline Kingston, a resolute grandmother who disguises herself as a lawyer to secure employment at Jacobson & Moore. Utilizing her new position, she delves into the opioid crisis that may have claimed her daughter’s life.
Matlock Promises “More Mystery” Going Forward
Showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman and the star of Matlock, Kathy Bates, have provided two captivating episodes in the reboot so far. The first episode introduced Madeline Matlock as a successful lawyer who lands a job at an elite firm and wins cases through her calm demeanor and quick thinking. In this episode, it’s also revealed that Madeline is married and raising a 12-year-old grandson after his mother passed away due to an opioid overdose. The second episode focuses on Madeline as she continues her investigation while fretting about her secret identity being exposed. It’s been confirmed that introducing this level of intrigue was a deliberate choice.
The strategy I employed was to keep the twist a secret while hinting at its existence. To achieve this, I decided to manipulate the marketing campaign itself. Our aim was to make viewers think, “What’s happening here? Is it Kathy or the show that’s different?” This idea came from the fact that Kathy Bates is not the typical Matlock we anticipate. In reality, there’s something more deceptive at play. We wanted to create something intriguing, capitalize on the sense of deceit, and construct a larger enigma – all without revealing too much.
As an enthusiast, I’m all about deepening the enigma surrounding Kathy, her persona, and the trajectory of this intriguing series we’re following.
Moving ahead, Urman confirms that Matlock will still provide mysteries, given it has been the primary aspect of the series. She aims to produce a show that differs significantly from the original, yet maintains a character who can deceive effortlessly due to her cunning and unforeseeable nature. So far, Bates is certainly living up to the role as Matlock.
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2024-10-19 23:04