Every once in a while, a show comes along that seems like a sure-fire hit—an A-list cast, a clever premise, and that feel-good blend of comedy and drama we’ve all come to love. So Help Me Todd, CBS’s latest attempt to charm audiences, tries to be just that. But despite the star power of Marcia Gay Harden and Skylar Astin, the show ultimately feels more like a disposable snack than a satisfying meal. Let’s dive into what works, what flops, and why this series might not stick around for long.

🌟 Star-Studded Yet Stuck: The Cast Carries the Weight

Marcia Gay Harden: Too Good for This Role?

There’s no denying Harden is a powerhouse. She brings a sharp edge and commanding presence to her role as Margaret Wright, a buttoned-up attorney who’s clearly the smartest person in the room. But here’s the problem—she’s in the wrong room.

Skylar Astin: Charming, But Not Enough

Astin plays Todd, Margaret’s black-sheep son and a disbarred private investigator. He brings the usual Astin charm—quirky, likable, energetic—but it’s like watching a golden retriever in a courtroom. Fun? Sure. Believable? Not quite.

📺 What’s the Premise, Anyway?

The Setup: Dysfunction Meets Detective Work

So Help Me Todd revolves around a type-A lawyer mom who reluctantly hires her underachieving son to work as an in-house investigator at her law firm. Cue the chaos, misunderstandings, and emotional growth—well, at least that’s the idea.

Trying Too Hard to Be Quirky

The show tries to strike a Monk meets The Good Wife vibe but ends up being a mash-up of clichés. The tone swings wildly from slapstick to sentimental, and the result is emotional whiplash.

🎭 Dramedy or Comedy Crisis?

Confused Identity: Pick a Lane, CBS

Is it a legal drama? A heartfelt family tale? A crime procedural with a twist? So Help Me Todd doesn’t quite know what it wants to be, and the audience feels that confusion loud and clear.

Forced Humor: Jokes That Miss the Mark

There are plenty of attempts at humor—Todd’s antics, Margaret’s eye-rolls—but they often land with a thud. The writing feels like it’s trying too hard to be “witty,” and ends up being just…awkward.

🧠 Writing Woes: Where’s the Substance?

Dialogue That Doesn’t Spark

The banter between Todd and Margaret should crackle with tension and love. Instead, it’s bogged down by flat one-liners and predictable exchanges. It feels more like filler than fun.

Plotlines on Autopilot

Most episodes follow a formula: Todd bumbles, Margaret scolds, a legal case unfolds, cue emotional resolution. Rinse and repeat. There’s little risk, little depth, and almost no surprise.

🎥 Direction and Pacing: All Over the Map

Speed Bumps and Stretched-Out Scenes

Some episodes drag, others rush through key plot points like they’re late for a meeting. The pacing is inconsistent, which makes it hard to stay invested.

Visually Bland, Emotionally Dull

The show looks like every other CBS procedural. Think beige courtrooms, predictable office spaces, and zero visual flair. Nothing to hook the eye—or the heart.

👩‍👦 The Mother-Son Dynamic: Wasted Potential

The Chemistry Is There, But…

Harden and Astin have genuine chemistry. You want to root for them. But the script doesn’t give their relationship the complexity it needs. It’s surface-level bickering with rare emotional payoff.

Missed Opportunity for Emotional Depth

This could’ve been a show about family, redemption, and rebuilding trust. Instead, it feels like a sitcom with delusions of grandeur.

📊 CBS’s Formulaic Trap: Safe but Soulless

Playing It Too Safe

CBS loves its comfort-zone shows—procedurals with a twist, mild humor, light drama. But audiences are craving more risk, more edge, more something. This show doesn’t deliver.

Feels Like It Was Written by Committee

The structure is clean, the beats are predictable, and the heart? It’s missing. This feels like a product, not a passion project.

🎯 Who Is This Show Even For?

Not Funny Enough for Comedy Fans

If you’re tuning in for laughs, you’ll be disappointed. It’s not clever enough to be considered “smart comedy,” and not goofy enough to be “silly fun.”

Not Sharp Enough for Drama Lovers

Likewise, if you’re into legal dramas or compelling family dynamics, you’ll likely find this too thin and predictable.

✅ What Actually Works (Barely)

A Few Cases Are Intriguing

Now and then, a legal case will pique your interest. But those moments are few and far between.

Occasional Glimmers of Heart

There are scenes where Todd and Margaret’s bond shines through. Unfortunately, they’re buried under too many gimmicks and gags.

🧨 Final Verdict: Watch It or Skip It?

Let’s Be Honest… Skip It

Unless you’re a die-hard fan of either lead actor, this one’s probably not worth your time. It’s the TV equivalent of airplane food—technically fine, but ultimately forgettable.

🔚 Conclusion: Great Cast, Wasted Concept

So Help Me Todd had all the ingredients for a hit—a solid cast, a promising premise, and that crowd-pleasing mix of humor and heart. But what we got instead was a lukewarm, formulaic dramedy that never really finds its rhythm. Marcia Gay Harden and Skylar Astin deserved a better vehicle for their talents. Instead, they’re stuck driving a show that’s going nowhere fast.