So Help Me Todd Explained

Creator:Scott Prendergast
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:2
Num Episodes:31
Location:Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Runtime:43 minutes
Network:CBS

So Help Me Todd is an American legal comedy-drama television series, created by Scott Prendergast, that premiered on September 29, 2022, on CBS. The series follows a talented but directionless private investigator, who begrudgingly agrees to work at his overbearing mother's law firm. It stars Marcia Gay Harden, Skylar Astin, Madeline Wise, Tristen J. Winger, Inga Schlingmann, and Rosa Evangelina Arredondo. In February 2023, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on February 15, 2024. In April 2024, the series was canceled after two seasons. The series finale aired on May 16, 2024.

Premise

So Help Me Todd follows Todd, who has good instincts as a private investigator, but lacks direction and is the black sheep of his family. After his strong-willed mother, Margaret, negotiated to drop criminal charges against Todd two years previously, he reluctantly agrees to work at her Portland, Oregon law firm as an in-house investigator. Margaret believes in strictly adhering to the law, which is at complete odds with Todd's tendency to bend the law to navigate sticky situations.[1]

Cast

Main

Recurring

In addition, Thomas Cadrot co-stars as Chet Venables, a reporter married to Margaret's son Lawrence.

Notable guest stars

Episodes

Season 2 (2024)

Production

Development

On February 3, 2022, it was announced that CBS had given a pilot order to an untitled mother and son legal drama from Scott Prendergast.[5] The series is produced by Prendergast, Phil McGraw, Jay McGraw, and Julia Eisenmann. The pilot episode was also written by Prendergast.[5] On March 15, 2022, Liz Kruger and Craig Shapiro joined the series as showrunners and executive producers.[6]

On May 12, 2022, it was announced that CBS had given the production, titled So Help Me Todd, a series order.[7] It was also announced that Elizabeth Klaviter had replaced Kruger and Shapiro as the series' showrunner.[8] On October 19, 2022, the series received a full season order.[9] On February 2, 2023, CBS renewed the series for a second season.[10]

Casting

In March 2022, it was announced that Geena Davis had signed on to star in the series.[11] Shortly after, Skylar Astin was announced to star opposite her, as her son.[12] Madeline Wise and Inga Schlingmann also joined the cast in lead roles.[13] After having filmed the pilot, it was announced that Davis had exited the series.[14] On March 23, 2022, it was announced that Marcia Gay Harden had replaced Davis.[15] A few days later, it was announced that Rosa Evangelina Arredondo and Tristen J. Winger had also joined the cast in series regular roles.[16] On March 3, 2023, it was reported that Briga Heelan is set to guest star on the series' March 30 episode titled "Twelve Worried Persons".[17] On December 23, 2023, it was announced that Lisa Rinna is set to guest star on the second season premiere episode.[18] On February 7, 2024, it was reported that Heather Morris was cast in a recurring role while Sandra Bernhard was cast in guest starring role for the second season.[19] On March 12, 2024, it was announced that Jenifer Lewis is set to guest star for the second season.[20]

Filming

Production on the pilot began in March 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia.[21] Filming for the rest of the season began on July 27, 2022, and concluded on April 11, 2023.[22] A TD Bank office in downtown Vancouver serves as Margaret's law firm.[21]

Broadcast

On May 18, 2022, CBS announced its fall broadcast schedule for the 2022-23 television season, with So Help Me Todd airing on Thursdays at 9:00PM ET.[23] The series began airing on September 29, 2022, on CBS.[24] It also simulcasts on Global TV in Canada.[25] The first season finale aired on May 18, 2023.[26] The second season premiered on February 15, 2024.[27] The series finale aired on May 16, 2024.[28]

Cancellation

On April 19, 2024, CBS canceled the series after two seasons.[29] A few days later, it was reported that fans are campaigning to save the show by starting petitions such as one titled as "Save So Help Me Todd on CBS" and another "Renew So Help Me Todd for a 3rd season" on Change.org. There is also a Facebook group called "Save So Help Me Todd".[30]

Reception

Critical response

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 56% approval rating with an average rating of 8/10, based on nine critic reviews.[31] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 51 out of 100 based on six critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[32]

Ratings

Season 2

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . 'So Help Me Todd': Elizabeth Klaviter Joins New CBS Series As Showrunner . . September 29, 2022 . May 12, 2022 . September 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220928222816/https://deadline.com/2022/05/so-help-me-todd-elizabeth-klaviter-cbs-showrunner-1235022865/ . live .
  2. Web site: So Help Me Todd on CBS. CBS. March 7, 2024. March 7, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240307155526/https://www.cbs.com/shows/so-help-me-todd/. live.
  3. Web site: CBS Entertainment - So Help Me Todd - Talent. Paramount Press Express. September 20, 2022. September 30, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220930060139/https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/shows/so-help-me-todd/talent/. live.
  4. Web site: (#SHM204) "Dial Margaret For Murder". The Futon Critic. February 28, 2024.
  5. Web site: Hailu . Selome . CBS Orders Legal Drama Pilot From Scott Prendergast and Dr. Phil . Variety . September 30, 2022 . February 3, 2022 . September 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220930040843/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/cbs-pilot-order-scott-prendergast-legal-drama-1235171927/ . live .
  6. Web site: Petski . Denise . Madeline Wise & Inga Schlingmann Join CBS' Mother-Son Legal Drama Pilot; Liz Kruger, Craig Shapiro Set As Showrunners . Deadline . September 30, 2022 . March 15, 2022 . September 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220928190940/https://deadline.com/2022/03/madeline-wise-liz-kruger-craig-shapiro-set-as-showrunners-1234979251/ . live .
  7. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . CBS Picks Up 3 Drama Pilots To Series, Passes On Comedy Pilots In Programming Shift . Deadline . September 30, 2022 . May 12, 2022 . September 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220921202109/https://deadline.com/2022/05/cbs-orders-3-drama-pilots-series-east-new-york-fire-country-so-help-me-todd-passes-on-comedy-pilots-1235022501/ . live .
  8. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . 'So Help Me Todd': Elizabeth Klaviter Joins New CBS Series As Showrunner . . September 26, 2022 . May 12, 2022 . September 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220926100150/https://deadline.com/2022/05/so-help-me-todd-elizabeth-klaviter-cbs-showrunner-1235022865/ . live .
  9. Web site: Mitovich . Matt Webb . CBS' East New York, So Help Me Todd and Fire Country Get Full-Season Orders . . October 19, 2022 . October 19, 2022 . October 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019145959/https://tvline.com/2022/10/19/fire-country-full-season-order-east-new-york-so-help-me-todd/ . live .
  10. Web site: So Help Me Todd Renewed for Season 2. TVLine. Andy. Swift. February 2, 2023. February 2, 2023. February 2, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230202200106/https://tvline.com/2023/02/02/so-help-me-todd-renewed-season-2-cbs/. live.
  11. Web site: Del Rosario . Alexandra . Geena Davis To Star In CBS' Mother & Son Legal Drama Pilot . . September 26, 2022 . March 11, 2022 . September 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220926100146/https://deadline.com/2022/03/geena-davis-star-in-untitled-cbs-legal-drama-pilot-scott-prendergast-write-ep-1234976238/ . live .
  12. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . Skylar Astin To Star Opposite Geena Davis In CBS' Mother-Son Legal Drama Pilot . . September 26, 2022 . March 14, 2022 . September 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220926100143/https://deadline.com/2022/03/skylar-astin-geena-davis-cbs-legal-drama-pilot-scott-prendergast-phil-mcgraw-1234978514/ . live .
  13. Web site: Petski . Denise . Madeline Wise & Inga Schlingmann Join CBS' Mother-Son Legal Drama Pilot; Liz Kruger, Craig Shapiro Set As Showrunners . . September 26, 2022 . March 15, 2022 . September 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220926100145/https://deadline.com/2022/03/madeline-wise-liz-kruger-craig-shapiro-set-as-showrunners-1234979251/ . live .
  14. Web site: Ausiello . Michael . Geena Davis Exits CBS Legal Pilot In Middle of Production — Which Oscar Winner Is Poised to Replace Her? . TVLine . September 29, 2022 . March 23, 2022 . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929200550/https://tvline.com/2022/03/23/geena-davis-cbs-pilot-leaving-recast-marcia-gay-harden/ . live .
  15. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . Geena Davis Exits CBS' Legal Drama Pilot; Marcia Gay Harden Replaces Her – Update . . September 26, 2022 . March 23, 2022 . September 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220926100149/https://deadline.com/2022/03/geena-davis-exits-cbs-mother-son-pilot-marcia-gay-harden-recasting-replaced-1234984903/ . live .
  16. Web site: Petski . Denise . Rosa Arredondo & Tristen J. Winger Join CBS' Mother-Son Legal Drama Pilot . . September 26, 2022 . March 25, 2022 . September 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220926100147/https://deadline.com/2022/03/rosa-arredondo-tristen-j-winger-join-cbs-mother-son-legal-drama-pilot-1234986634/ . live .
  17. Web site: So Help Me Todd Casts Briga Heelan, Staging Ground Floor Reunion With Skylar Astin — First Look Photos. TVLine. Andy. Swift. March 3, 2023. March 3, 2023. March 3, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230303160107/https://tvline.com/2023/03/03/so-help-me-todd-cast-briga-heelan-skylar-astin-reunion/. live.
  18. Web site: So Help Me Todd: Lisa Rinna Brings Big Secrets, Even Bigger Hair to Season 2 — 2024 FIRST LOOK (Exclusive). TVLine. Andy. Swift. December 21, 2023. December 21, 2023. December 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231222011719/https://tvline.com/lists/so-help-me-todd-season-2-release-date-premiere-cast-spoilers/. live.
  19. Web site: 'So Help Me Todd' Adds Heather Morris As Recurring In Season 2 Of CBS. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. February 7, 2024. February 7, 2024. February 7, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240207184637/https://deadline.com/2024/02/so-help-me-todd-heather-morris-season-2-1235817300/. live.
  20. Web site: So Help Me Todd Casts Jenifer Lewis as Lyle's (Allegedly) Murderous Mother — Exclusive First Look. TVLine. Andy. Swift. March 12, 2024. March 12, 2024. March 12, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240312214947/https://tvline.com/casting-news/so-help-me-todd-cast-season-2-guest-star-jenifer-lewis-photos-1235187138/. live.
  21. Web site: Shrestha . Naman . Where is So Help Me Todd Filmed? . Cinemaholic . September 30, 2022 . September 28, 2022 . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929195106/https://thecinemaholic.com/where-is-so-help-me-todd-filmed/ . live .
  22. Web site: DGC BC Production List. Directors Guild of Canada. April 14, 2023. April 17, 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20230417175415/https://www.dgc.ca/assets/Uploads/BritishColumbia/AvailsProductionLists/Production/Production-List.pdf. April 17, 2023.
  23. Web site: O'Rourke . Ryan . CBS Sets 2022-2023 Primetime Lineup With New Series 'So Help Me Todd' and 'Fire Country' Coming in the Fall . Collider . September 30, 2022 . May 18, 2022 . September 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220930044901/https://collider.com/cbs-tv-programming-slate-2022-2023-so-help-me-todd-fire-country/ . live .
  24. Wang . Jessica . So Help Me Todd stars Skylar Astin and Marcia Gay Harden tease their 'oil-vinegar' mother-son relationship . . September 26, 2022 . September 24, 2022 . October 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231002175149/https://ew.com/tv/so-help-me-todd-skylar-astin-marcia-gay-harden/ . live .
  25. Web site: Furdyk . Brent . Global Reveals Fall Lineup, 5 New Series Including 'Monarch', 'So Help Me Todd' & More . https://web.archive.org/web/20220608120054/https://etcanada.com/news/903552/global-reveals-fall-lineup-5-new-series-including-monarch-so-help-me-todd-more/ . dead . June 8, 2022 . Entertainment Tonight . September 30, 2022 . June 8, 2022.
  26. CBS Announces Season Finale Airdates for 2022-2023. Paramount Press Express. March 14, 2023. April 23, 2023. April 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230423224316/https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/releases/?view=101962-cbs-announces-season-finale-airdates-for-2022-2023. live.
  27. Web site: CBS Announces Post-Strike Return Dates for Young Sheldon, NCIS, Ghosts, FBI, Blue Bloods and 12 Other Faves. Matt Webb. Mitovich. TVLine. November 13, 2023. November 13, 2023. November 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231113170002/https://tvline.com/news/cbs-premiere-dates-2023-season-delayed-ncis-young-sheldon-list-1235078886/. live.
  28. CBS Announces Season Finale Airdates for 2023-2024. Paramount Press Express. April 8, 2024. April 19, 2024.
  29. Web site: 'So Help Me Todd,' 'CSI: Vegas' Canceled at CBS. Variety. Joe. Otterson. April 19, 2024. April 19, 2024. April 19, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240419221712/https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/so-help-me-todd-csi-vegas-canceled-cbs-1235976984/. live.
  30. Web site: Fans are campaigning to save 'So Help Me Todd', Portland-set TV show that CBS canceled. The Oregonian. Kristi. Turnquist. April 23, 2024. April 23, 2024. April 23, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240423225841/https://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/2024/04/fans-are-campaigning-to-save-so-help-me-todd-portland-set-tv-show-that-cbs-canceled.html. live.
  31. so_help_me_todd. So Help Me Todd. tv. 1. February 17, 2024. y.
  32. so-help-me-todd. So Help Me Todd . tv. 1. April 13, 2022. y.

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