While the idea for Matlock and Elsbeth to crossover seems odd initially, it’s not impossible. It’s common for TV networks to create crossover events, and CBS has certainly offered that with the likes of FBI and NCIS. Over the years, we’ve seen new shows established thanks to backdoor pilots and opening crossover events. Then, new eyes have been pulled to teams through major moments, such as the three-way NCIS crossover event with NCIS: Hawai’i and NCIS: Los Angeles.
Matlock and Elsbeth are two excellent shows that could usher in a new era of crossover events. Sure, the two are standalone shows, but there is a lot that works in their favor as a way to crossover during Matlock season 2 and Elsbeth season 3. The scheduling decision by CBS is one of the biggest reasons this type of crossover would work.
CBS’ Crossovers Are Typically For Established Procedural Franchises
NCIS & FBI Regularly Crossover On CBS
CBS is no stranger to crossover events, although usually, we see that with the procedural franchises that are already established. The shows don’t even need to be on the air anymore for these crossover events to happen. NCIS season 22 brought back LL Cool J’s Sam Hana, which offered an important update for NCIS: Los Angeles’ Hetty Lange. Even before all this, NCIS: Los Angeles managed to bring in the JAG characters after that show had been off the air for decades.
The crossover events are also a way to start off new shows or to remind us that they are all set in the same universe. Jubal Valentine regularly showed up in FBI: International to talk with Scott Forrester and Wes Mitchell, while Isobel would routinely appear in FBI: Most Wanted to give the team a new job or to talk with bosses Jess LaCroix and Remy Scott.
It’s rare that a crossover event happens with another type of series, but it doesn’t rule the possibility out. However, for something like this to work, the two shows would need to have a similar style while also having an arc that makes sense. Elsbeth and Matlock cover all the bases, and they have the schedule that works in their favor.
Why Elsbeth & Matlock’s Crossover Is Both Fresh & Interesting
Matlock & Elsbeth May Be Standalone Shows, But They Work Together
The two Thursday night dramedies on CBS are standalone shows. In fact, Elsbeth is from The Good Wife universe, and there have been The Good Wife cameos in the past, while Matlock is a “reboot” set in a world where the original Matlock is just a TV series. Just because they are currently standalone shows doesn’t mean that they can’t end up being set in the same world. For one, the two shows are set in New York, and that’s a big city that would explain why the two main characters haven’t crossed paths before.
Their schedules work extremely well, as Matlock leads into Elsbeth on a Thursday night. During the 2024–2025 TV season, Matlock even helped Elsbeth gain a new follower base, and that’s partially due to the two shows being spearheaded by older, quirky women. They have found a similar follower base, and they will want to continue benefiting from that with a crossover event.
There’s no doubt that seeing two older women together in one show is also a powerful move for TV. Older women are often forgotten about, as Matty reminds us on a weekly basis, and putting the two characters together on our screens will continue the story of not being fooled by them. Seeing these quirky women team up and get up to mischief would add a layer of humor and entertainment to whatever the arc would end up being.
Tying Elsbeth & Matlock To Each Other Opens Up More Narrative Opportunities
Abbott Elementary & It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia Show How To Do It
This wouldn’t be the first time two shows that are in their own standalone universes have crossed over. Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia crossed over, despite the latter being off the air for some time. This opened up new narrative opportunities, bringing in new characters for established ones to meet, and it allowed Abbott Elementary characters to learn more about themselves and how they react under certain situations.
Doctor Odyssey and 911 also crossed over, despite originally seemingly being in standalone universes. This opened the door for Athena to face her fears of being trapped on a cruise ship again, while also offering Avery time to figure out what she wanted to go about her pregnancy and her future. There were insights that only Athena and Avery could offer one another.
By joining the two worlds together, our titular leads could notice flaws in their personalities, or they could learn something about the way they view the world.
This is something a crossover between Elsbeth and Matlock could do. By joining the two worlds together, our titular leads could notice flaws in their personalities, or they could learn something about the way they view the world. These findings will then continue in their respective shows, even potentially creating a lifelong friendship between the two.
What Elsbeth & Matlock’s Crossover Might Be About
Matty Could Need Elsbeth’s Help In A Murder Case
To make a crossover work in two worlds that are supposed to be separate, a storyline is needed to bring the two characters together. The great thing about Elsbeth and Matlock is that the two shows share a similar genre. Elsbeth helps to work out murder investigations, while Matty works at a law firm that could defend criminals, and this could open up a storyline that sees Matty turn to Elsbeth for help. Maybe she has a client she knows is innocent, and she needs Elsbeth to work her magic to prove who the real killer is.
After all, Elsbeth is skilled at telling when someone is lying, and she would quickly sniff Matty out.
If the Matlock writers needed to find a way for someone else to learn that Matty is a liar, a crossover with Elsbeth would be a quick way to do that. After all, Elsbeth is skilled at telling when someone is lying, and she would quickly sniff Matty out. At the same time, she would work out why Matty was lying, and then she would likely be on Matty’s side, wanting to work with her to get justice for Ellie considering that’s not over with the way the Matlock season 1 finale ended.
We could even find out that Elsbeth knows Matty from the past, so she already knows Matty’s true identity. This would allow for the two to quickly establish a relationship, and it means Elsbeth can quickly understand why Matty has created this persona and history. It would allow for the focus to stay on the arc that joins Elsbeth and Matlock together for a two-hour event.
