Two petitions to bring back So Help Me Todd have crossed a big milestone in response to the controversial cancellation by CBS. Debuting in September 2022, from creator Scott Prendergast and showrunner Elizabeth Klaviter, the lighthearted procedural drama follows a private investigator (Skylar Astin) as he agrees to work for his mother and her law firm despite their uneasy relationship. So Help Me Todd was cancelled in April of this year, lasting only two seasons.
Now, two petitions to bring back So Help Me Todd have gained traction. The first petition, from Change.org, calls for the procedural to be renewed for a third season. Addressed to networks like NBC, ABC, and The CW, the petition praises the show and pushes back on the fact that it was axed on a cliffhanger.
The second petition, also from Change.org, takes a more critical tone on CBS. It suggests the network behaved unethically during the writers’ and actors’ strikes of 2023, accusing the network of intentionally sidelining several shows, including So Help Me Todd. The petition argues that the network favored new pitches and missed an opportunity to promote So Help Me Todd, alongside similar series such as Elsbeth and Matlock. Together, the petitions have gathered over 50,000 signatures.
What Do The Petitions Mean For So Help Me Todd?
The Show Was One Of CBS’ High-Profile Cancellations
Even though So Help Me Todd was a solid ratings performer, it was canceled on the same day as CSI: Vegas, and both were featured in the same announcement. Given that CBS was adding more shows to its line-up, including Matlock, Watson, and Elsbeth, the network had to make space in its schedule. Ultimately, So Help Me Todd and CSI: Vegas were the least-watched CBS drama series this spring in terms of linear and multi-platform ratings.
Even though it won’t be easy to reverse the fate of So Help Me Todd , it can’t hurt to keep the show’s name alive.
The cancellations were not without controversy, particularly the choice to move forward with NCIS: Sydney while canceling the more established NCIS: Hawai’i. Executives, including CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach, defended the cancellations, stating the decisions came down to numbers and what the network felt would work best for their schedule.
A petition is unlikely to bring So Help Me Todd and other series back. The network factored in the show’s existing audience before bringing the hammer down. However, there could be a reconsideration by addressing budgets and reviving the dramas at a lower cost. Since So Help Me Todd was co-produced by CBS Studios, rather than an outside production company, that may be one avenue forward. It’s unclear, at this point, if there are plans to have those conversations.
Our Take On The So Help Me Todd Petitions
It’s Good To Keep The Show In The Headlines
Even though it won’t be easy to reverse the fate of So Help Me Todd, it can’t hurt to keep the show’s name alive. If the momentum gathers steam and attracts more supporters, the conversation may shift. But it’s important to point out that it is relatively rare for a network to reverse a cancellation once that decision has been made.
When the cancelation reversal happened with S.W.A.T., another CBS drama, it was reportedly more about that show’s creator agreeing to bring costs down to a certain level and work on a tighter budget. With the right discussion, it’s not entirely impossible to bring back So Help Me Todd.
