It’s endlessly frustrating that CBS canceledSo Help Me Toddon a cliffhanger, but it looks to have been a rather profitable decision. There’s been a lot of fan uproar about the numerousshows CBS has canceled in 2025, includingBlue Bloods,S.W.A.T., and twoFBIspinoffs. It was also just around this time in 2024 thatCBS canceledSo Help Me Toddafter just two seasons. Even worse, the show had only begun to scratch the surface of what could have been a major storyline that would’ve changed the status quo of the entire series.
While the first season ended with Todd’s (Skylar Astin) mother Margaret (Marcia Gay Harden) becoming the latest named partner at Crest, Folding & Wright, the second season’s ending reveals that she’d taken a position created for patsies.Merritt Folding (Joe Pantoliano) was using Margaret as the unwitting figurehead for an embezzlement scheme, something he’d seemingly been doing with previous partners for years. This set him up to become a major villain inSo Help Me Toddseason 3, but that’s far from the only reason the show’s untimely ending was so disappointing.
Why So Help Me Todd’s Cancelation Was Divisive
It Was One Of The Network’s Most Unique Procedurals
There’s always a certain amount of fan pushback when a show gets canceled, butSo Help Me Toddhad an excellent sense of humor to rival some of thebest modern proceduralsin recent history. Additionally, the show took a unique approach to combining investigation with legal drama that made it one of the freshest procedurals of its time.Todd and Margaret are typically at odds in their approach to handling a case, and it adds a new layer to the show every time the question is raisedabout whose methods would ultimately win the day.
So Help Me Todd’s Best Replacement Series Is Kaitlin Olson’s New ABC Crime Drama
CBS’ legal comedy-drama So Help Me Todd is canceled after two seasons, but its best replacement this fall is a new ABC series starring Kaitlin Olson.
As Todd and Margaret improve their relationship throughout the series, the focus becomes more on their mother-son dynamic.So Help Me Toddis one of only a few shows in its genre to put such a strong emphasis on family, also making it one of themost underrated TV proceduralson the air. Although the investigations are intriguing, watching characters like Margaret, Allison (Madeline Wise), and Susan (Inga Schlingmann) all handle floundering relationships in different ways ensures that anyone going through similar situations would be able to identify at least one character.
CBS Canceling So Help Me Todd Launched Matlock & Boosted Elsbeth
Swapping Out A Single Timeslot Benefited Both Series
Even ifSo Help Me Toddhad its fans, there’s no arguing with sheer numbers. And, according toTVLine,So Help Me Todd’s old timeslot has received a 55% boost in viewership since CBS gave it toMatlock. This isn’t fully surprising; while the timeslot’s former darling was just starting to build up a compelling overarching story at the time of its cancelation,Matlock’s conspiracy plotlinehas been a key aspect of the show since the first episode. In addition to the series' obvious quality, viewers have additional motivation to tune in every week to see what happens.
10 Reasons Why Kathy Bates' Matlock Show Is So Successful
Kathy Bates' Matlock series is successful for many reasons, including her Madeline Kingston character’s covert disguise as Madeline “Matty” Matlock.
This ratings boost extends beyondMatlockas well. More people flipping to CBS the hour beforeElsbethstarts has led to a 5% boost inElsbeth’s ratings this season. ConsideringElsbethis a top-10 show with ratings of roughly 7.7 million total viewers, that seemingly small 5% translates into hundreds of thousands of views. Anyone who feels likeElsbethis the perfectGood Wifespinoffcan now rest assured that it’s getting more than the attention it deserves as an indirect result ofSo Help Me Todd’s cancelation. Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean the cancelation hasn’t left a huge hole behind.
CBS Still Needs A So Help Me Todd Kind Of Show
The Network Should Already Have An Open Slot For It
Fans have already made apetition to bring backSo Help Me Todd. That’s also no great surprise, especially sinceTVInsiderreports thatSo Help Me Todd’s storyline was partly planned out all the way through a season 7. But with the petition gaining far fewer signatures than CBS has gained viewership on their replacement series, it’s unlikely the show will return. Even so, the season would benefit from picking up another comedic procedural with a compelling family dynamic at its core.
EvenBlue BloodsspinoffBoston Bluewon’t quite scratch that itch, since Danny can’t replace the entire Reagan family all on his own. But it’s unclear how CBS is replacingS.W.A.T.or what will take the place ofFBI: Most WantedafterFBI: CIAtakes over the timeslot currently occupied byFBI: International. Using either of these slots for a show more similar in tone toSo Help Me Toddwould be, again, refreshing. CBS already has plenty of straightforward, serious procedurals on its docket. Something with a different kind of flair would complement their slate perfectly.
