Question: What’s your take on the decision by Kevin Can Wait to kill off the show’s wife character as a way to ultimately move Leah Remini’s returning cop character into a role similar to the one she had on King of Queens? Wouldn’t it have been easier, for instance, to say the wife ran off to join a quasi-religious cult of some sort? Plus, it would be a knowing wink to Remini’s other TV gig over on A&E. —Todd S
Matt Roush: I like your idea, but that would require a level of class and creativity that is seemingly beyond the scope of those who produce this sitcom. It’s hard not to see this as a tasteless way to address a sticky situation that new CBS entertainment chief Thom Sherman addressed thusly at the TCA summer press tour: “Obviously, the chemistry between Kevin (James) and Leah was amazing in the stunt episodes that we did at the end of last season, and we decided to look to continue that chemistry.” There was an audible gasp in the room when he told critics without apology that the wife “will have passed away, and we will be moving forward in time, catching up at a later date.” No thank you to Erinn Hayes (who’s since been cast in The Dangerous Book For Boys) even, just an acknowledgement that “the show speaks for itself. It stands for itself.” Whether you like what it speaks and stands for is up to you.
To submit questions to TV Critic Matt Roush, go to: tvinsider.com