Elsbeth (TV Series) A Classic New York Character (2024) User Reviews

A Classic Whodunit? With Amazing Star Power

[pwbrusoe · 10/10 · 8 April 2024]

After having waited so long to see Carrie Preston return as everyone's favorite Attorney cum Modern Day Columbo, "A Classic New York Character" does not disappoint. Linda Lavin's portrayal of Gloria Blecher is a true delight playing to our worst expectations of a Condo Board President and nosy neighbor. The writers of the episode include a number of plots and twists that the final ending is a very nice pay off. Carra Patterson's Officer Kaya Blanke is emerging as being the Dr. Watson to Elsbeth's Sherlock Holmes. The plot moves along with a rather nice quick pace. We also begin to get the first signals of the investigation of Captain Wagner. After seeing the conclusion, I had to re-watch it to see all of the clues I missed.

Elsbeth is quickly turning into a classic mystery series along the likes of Murder She Wrote, Diagnoses Murder, and Columbo.

Episode 2

[bobcobb301 · 28 April 2024]

It kind of dragged a bit early on as they introduced the character and the setting and gave some of the worst vibes of Only Murders in the Building that we have seen.

But once it got going it was fun. I just worry about the show becoming repetitive with Elsbeth immediately knowing who did it and pursuing the big name celebrity guest star throughout the episode. That format can get a bit tiring.

This is clearly CBS' version of Poker Face, but that didn't use the same format and style every week. Shaking it up slightly is what made it work. I hope we get one episode where Elsbeth is wrong or she at least is confused early on.

My Favorite Elsbeth Episode So Far

[bieljulie · 10/10 · 15 May 2024]

So far, I've seen Elsbeth's first nine episodes, and this one is the best. Linda Lavin is always great at self-justified intransigence (I'm thinking of her guest spots on "The Good Wife" and "Mom") and is fun to watch. She is the keystone of this episode. But Jane Krakowski owns "unbalanced menace" like no other comedic TV actor I've seen. As proof, see any of the following: her creepy SVU episode, her needy actress on 30 Rock, her antagonist to Gloria on Modern Family, and even her crazy socialite in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. In this episode, she is in top form. So watchable, and tons of fun, because you get Elsbeth, too. Bonus: Elsbeth's relationship with the avuncular yet observant Officer Kaya Blanke is developing nicely into a balanced partnership.

Early to rise, early to bed.

[Racingphan2 · 6/10 · 9 April 2024]

Alice lives! But not for long. You get the amazing Linda Lavin to appear on your show. So you decide to kill her character off five minutes in? Dude, get some writers!

Instead you decide to build the episode around the girl from Ally McBeal and 30 Rock to build the show around?

Linda Lavin is 86 and you kill her right off? There's a reason this show is DOA despite all the fuss and advertising. The writing is awful.

The Good Wife was awesome. The character of Elsbeth was awesome. Why is this show so miserably awful?

Thank goodness it's only ten episodes. I can see why CBS is burning it off two episodes at actime.

A Classic New York Character

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 2 May 2024]

Move over Columbo. This could be Only Murders in the Building. Gloria Blecher is the owner of an apartment in New York co-op.

For years Gloria has annoyed her other neighbours. Objecting to having the building refurbished, objecting to pet noises and making caustic remarks.

When real estate broker and resident Joann Lenox (Jane Krakowski) informs the co-op representatives that Oprah is interested in purchasing an apartment. Gloria objects because she does not want celebrities.

When Gloria falls from the balcony of her apartment after an argument with her son. He immediately becomes a suspect.

Only Elsbeth thinks that high powered Joann is hiding something. She stands to lose a lot of commission fo a starters if Oprah is turned down.

First, we met Gloria. She's a nagging neighbor who seems to have a problem with everybody in her upscale NYC apartment building.

Enjoyably quirky with some additional scenes after Joann is arrested. I do feel that the series could become one note very quickly. Especially if Elsbeth's almost invincible super abilities.