Did Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 1 kill off a late night host played by Stephen Colbert? ‘Yes, And…’ it’s a true testament to everyone involved in this season premiere — particularly Colbert’s fellow guest stars Amy Sedaris and Andy Richter, as well as star Carrie Preston — that the hour is such a delight even, maybe especially, after the murder takes place. Admittedly, this series is never going to feel exactly the same without the Elsbeth/Kaya friendship, and I’m sure we’ll feel that loss more often than not. At least for now, though, there’s a clear attempt to honor that relationship and acknowledge that absence as much as possible. And that makes all the difference in the world.
A love letter to comedy
Aside from having loved Carrie Preston as Elsbeth ever since the character debuted on The Good Wife, continuing to love her on The Good Fight, and overall having a blast with this series, I came into Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 1 dying (no pun intended) to see Stephen Colbert here. I am, to say the least, a fan. And, unsurprisingly, he doesn’t disappoint as Scotty Bristol. The man knows — and has known for many a year — how to deliver a line in a way that, even if it isn’t traditionally considered a joke, will absolutely land. That the character of Scotty Bristol is actually kind of an a**hole underneath that outward Colbert charm is totally fascinating. It’s like watching that time he basically told Chris Christie to go F himself and never come back — just not in those words — and yet, also something completely new.
That the character’s murder is about as absurd as it gets, googly eyes on the shredder googling around as the man’s red tie chokes him to death and all, is both totally on brand for this series and a nod to the comedy setting. The same goes for Elsbeth’s handler for this episode literally being a stand up comedienne in her own time. (“…helpful — and good for laughs!” indeed.) Throw in the way Preston is so good at the physical comedy — here, scrambling for the remote while whining about needing to stay up to watch Colbert Bristol or collapsed on the floor, partially on Bristol’s chair, during the initial crime scene visit — and you really have the formula for comedic gold in this hour.
Throughout this premiere, there are so, so, so many places where the actors subtly deliver a masterclass in comedy. So, it should probably come as no surprise that one of the highlights involves an actual lesson in improv comedy. Sedaris and Preston put together a scene that feels very real — like it’s truly two people working through improvisation exercises. The choices Preston makes, especially when it comes to voices and accents, are about as entertaining as it gets. And then, the bit works its way throughout the rest of the hour.
Elsbeth shows off her newly-gained skills at the station, repeating that “yes, and…” without even realizing it. She’s also able to identify “yes, and…” in action when she clocks Laurel‘s ability to have an answer for every single question she’s asked about Scotty’s murder. In order to solve the case, Elsbeth has to beat her teacher at her own game. Of course, that’s exactly what she does.
“This business”
Although “yes, and…” might be the most-repeated line and biggest recurring theme in Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 1, “this business” has got to be a close second — in more ways than one. The series has, of course, taken a jab at the industry before. (See also: Season 2’s ‘Toil and Trouble.’) This time around, we get to see writers openly admitting to going to a stand up set — not to support a fellow comedian, but as a way of sucking up in case he eventually takes over the host’s job. But no, they’re not murder suspects because “this is a hostile work environment, but we are all so grateful to have a job.”
There are plenty of other examples in the episode. Each one brings with it another “this business” delivery that’s just slightly different from the last. So, in that way, we’ve got a running bit that’s an acting exercise of its own, one that continues right up until the very end when Hackett is overjoyed that Ronan bought one of her jokes. Now, it’s a full-on thrilled “this business,” and that says it all. When you love to create — as a writer, as a comedian, or with any other aspect of TV — you take the good with the bad. And every win is exactly that: a win.
That brings me to my next point about the business of, well, business. Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 1 also features some harsh realities within the police department. Budget cuts are everywhere, and some of them are flagrantly ridiculous. Which, uh, is saying something considering we kind of live in AbsurdLand here. But you have to do what you have to do in order to keep doing the work, which is something that very clearly applies to the business of TV just as much as — if not more than — whatever’s happening in this fictional police force. Even so, the in-world stuff is not to be overlooked.
Wendell Pierce is hilarious as a Captain Wagner who, totally unbothered, just sits there and eats his food while Elsbeth and Detective Smullen have a heated argument about the case. And, with that same air of calm, he completely minds his business as he writes something down with that silly pencil Elsbeth brought back from her trip. Elsbeth gets through to him, though, by reminding him that Lt. Connor has feelings and shouldn’t be the one everyone takes their frustrations out on. So, in the type of moment Pierce creates so incredibly well, Wagner eventually comes out, asserts his authority, and reminds everyone to come to him — the leader — with any complaints.
If the lines here aren’t a nod to the audience, at least in some sense (and I believe they are), what Wagner tells Elsbeth at the end of this premiere certainly has to be. “Elsbeth. It was either those cuts. Or get rid of you. And that is not something I would entertain.” That it’s also fairly obviously one of the most touching acknowledgements of how far Elsbeth and Wagner have come since they first met just makes the moment even better.
Between that, Officer Hackett finally selling a joke, and Elsbeth falling asleep to the new iteration of The Late Show Way Late, there’s a little bit of a hopeful message here. Things may change, may get rough in the worst way, but there will always be at least some version of some comfort show to end our day. No matter what happens to “this business” that’s forever changing and forever at risk, it’s always able to endure… somehow.
More Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 1 reactions
It’s like Stephen’s not himself, but kind of himself, but not in the way the idiot character on The Colbert Report was? Brilliant, the way they crafted this character for him.
Sedaris really makes an entrance here. I already know so much about her just by the way she cuts through that tour group, looking so frustrated from the start.
“I come from a comedy background.” “Improv.”
Speaking of people who can make an entrance: Stephen T. Colbert. I mean, yeah, I’m biased and all…but I said what I said.
“Oh, my gosh, it’s you. I can’t believe it! Oh, I’m such a fan.” In which Elsbeth is a stand-in for the Colbert Nation.
“You know what’s fascinating about that story? I didn’t ask.” That little bit of bite he adds here goes from “Stephen Colbert telling jokes/joking with you” to “Scotty Bristol being actually an a**hole.” Wild AF!
“Is there coffee?” “Get her a decaf!” Evil.
This exchange, though: “Didn’t you read it?” “Well, I have to read a lot for this job, Sheryl.” “Oh, right. Is that hard for you?” Love Marcia DeBonis’ delivery here. A+.
“This show is literally killing him.” “Well, we’ll miss it when it’s gone.” Was this supposed to make me depressed about the real Late Show because…
Can we talk about how Mickey could’ve been the killer, and just because of the charm Andy Richter brings to everything, I would’ve been like “he’s innocent”? Because, well. There it is. I said it.
“…the truth has been devalued, and the world needs more fact checkers.” Louder.
“Print media is a dying business, and so, the bar to entry is really low.” Absolutely the correct choice to have Ben Levi Ross deliver this line so…brightly, when it’s actually such a dark commentary on the times. Still hurts more than amuses.
“Sondheim’s score is a masterpiece!” You want me to believe this “Scotty Bristol” isn’t actual Stephen Colbert, but you have him listening to Sondheim in his office. (For those who don’t know, Colbert is a huge Sondheim fan. See also: That time he sang with Christine Baranski and his origin story, which he read out loud to Sondheim himself.)
Elsbeth’s Scotty impersonation was…not good. Did I care? No. Why? The hilarity.
“These googly eyes sure are fun.” Correct. Plus, the noise she makes!
“I just need my first big cup of coffee.” Me.
“Most comedy writers would take Scotty Bristol stealing one of their jokes as encouragement to keep going…we’re a sad bunch.” The absolute brilliance of Lindsay Mendez with every single “this business” is maybe only one-upped by this timing and delivery, right here. Talk about nailing the joke.
(Also, the specific choice of Merrily We Roll Along, among all possible Sondheim shows, on Colbert’s Bristol’s playlist was totally a nod to Mendez.)
“Detective, you’ve got to understand. We’re writers. We would never do anything to rock the boat.”
“You’re smart.”
Baby Colbert! (And another nice nod to the real-world origins of all three guest stars.)
Sure Laurel’s trying to cover up a murder and all, and sure she’s mostly…less than friendly overall, but I couldn’t help but feel for her during that walk down memory lane. There’s something…wistful in the way Sedaris plays the moment. And looked at through the eyes of Elsbeth, who is such a bundle of love, it’s hard not to just see someone who lost her old friend and is very worried about her husband’s health. (“Lost” is, obviously, doing a lot of work here.)
“What? Improv? Oh, it’s not much of a thing anymore.” “But it’s such an important skill!” Exactly.
The dancing!
“We’re in a scene?” A lot of people probably think of Wendell Pierce in terms of his dramatic skill, but his comedic work on this show — her especially — is effortless. Just…as natural as breathing.
“Tell her there’s a plushie Loch Ness Monster with her name on it.” My heart hurts. I’m glad Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 1 reminds us that Kaya exists, that we miss and love her, and that Elsbeth still thinks of her even when she’s vacationing and all…but I’m SAD. This is SAD.
“I know things are tough. We’ve had to make some…painful adjustments. In case you haven’t noticed, that is happening all over. And the work that we do is too important to focus on petty inconveniences. We will get through this difficult time together. But in the meantime, if you have a complaint, you come. To me.” That authority in his voice by the end, phew! This man can own a room with just his mere presence, but when he adds that voice…wow.
“Scotty’s favorite musical. Under-appreciated until the recent revival.” Are we sure Colbert didn’t write this, though?
It’s the way Carrie Preston just unapologetically dives in on even the craziest stuff she’s asked to do for me. The way she acts out the shredder doing its work, and makes that noise…
Also, uh, the “seduction” reenactment about killed me.
I see this is a cue for our extra special guest Officer Hackett to come to the stage…
“I’m still going to use my bagpipe stapler.” Aww, Lt. Connor!
“The top job doesn’t automatically make someone a monster.” An optimistic place to end if I ever saw one.
