My Quick Takes on 'Chicago Fire' TikTok Wink-Wink, 'Cupertino' Evoking 'Thicky Trick' and More

📺 Given that Line of Fire Secret Service vet Mike barely dodged a literal bullet when it looked like he had cleared a would-be assassin for not one but two President Barnes events, would he really offer to "pull some strings" to sneak his new lady friend into a VIP ball?

📺 So, Spider-Man: No Way Home's Ned can sling-ring portals straight away, but Billy on VisionQuest hasn't quite figured portals out after a year...? Also, did the pointed, stray whisker-like ends of James Spader's Virgil mustache (above) make you want to reach for clippers?

📺 As noted by Alan Sepinwall in response to my story about Julianna Margulies' latest TV project, MGM+ is now home to The American Heiress, American Hostage, and American Classic. Can an American Rust or American Gigolo reboot be far behind?

📺 On NCIS: New York, did seeing Scott Caan's Nick interact with the girl whose mom had been killed remind you of Hawaii Five-0's Danny and his daughter Grace?

📺 How sweet was that final look between oh-so-proud NCIS mom Katrina Law and her real-life daughter Kinley, who guest-starred this week as Mandarin-fluent Chloe?

📺 As used by NCIS: Origins' Vera this week, was "obvi" around in 1993? (Maybe it was! This Gen X-er does not recall.) And in the wake of the latest casting news — Mark Harmon's Gibbs will meet up with, over the next three episodes, Mike Franks, Vera, and old pal Tobias Fornell — does it feel like this shortened season's finale is destined to reunite present-day Gibbs with Lala, wherever she now may be? If so, any prediction on who they got to play a late-60s Lala, seeing as filming has wrapped?

💬 Quote of the Week: "I don’t think I’ve ever been more turned on in my life.” —Chicago Med's Dr. Lenox, making the year's best entrance

📺 Did you have any doubt that Chicago Fire's Severide would find away to add Burke to his squad? How did Violet not consider the possibility her mom was trying to reach out with news of an illness, when many viewers surely speculated such? And how fun was it to see Lizzy and Violet fundraise via charming TikTok videos, when Jocelyn Hudon and Hanako Greensmith winningly do same for Chicago Fire's own socials?

📺 Did Cupertino's "Booty Bass" storyline (and even the tune itself) take you back to The Good Wife and its very similar "Thicky Trick" court case? (Brace for an earworm and watch the BTS cast video above.)

📺 This week's Elsbeth was one of the show's way-too-silly episodes, creating a ridiculously storied lore behind a niche interest, the world of competitive eating. Like, if you're going to film on Coney Island, is that the best use of the location/expense? And while there were too many precinct pals absent from the softball game (e.g. Det. Smullen, Lindsay Mendez's Officer Hackett), did the delightful Fire Marshal Jake callback almost make up for it?

📺 Ahead of the Dec. 1 leadership change at DC Studios, how has Skydance not already shut down production on The People V. Gorilla Grodd and Batgirl'd any filmed episodes? Unless they know that HBO Max's Superman offshoot plants a semi-important-ish seed for James Gunn's Man of Tomorrow...?

📺 Why announce the Broadway revival of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple on Nov. 12, when, famously per the classic TV sitcom, it was on Nov. 13 that Felix Unger was asked to remove himself from his place of residence (by his wife)...?

Recap By A Rugrat: Scooby-Doo Returns! - TVLine

Hey there, it's Matt. Previously on TVLine.com... "Take Your Kids to Work Day" brought my twin 8-year-old sons to the office, where Jacob broke some…

TVLineMatt Webb Mitovich

🎂 Speaking of November 13, please wish a happy 24th birthday to my twin sons, whom you may remember from Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated recaps and news breaks at TVLine, or the time they Q&A'd Debby Ryan in my office.

📺 Considering how short Netflix seasons are, and given how quick the streamer is to cancel many things, Virgin River's "longest-running Netflix original series" superlative comes with a half of a whiff of an asterisk, yes?

📚 What happens when Boy Meets World meets my prolific peer, Emily Longoretta? Variety's Director of Features now has out Book Meets World: The Definitive Inside Story of the Hit Sitcom Boy Meets World – An Entertaining Cultural History Full of 90s Nostalgia and Humor, featuring deeeep dives with series stars (and Pod Meets World hosts) Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong and Will Friedle.

Hey, It's Matt! And I Need Your Opinion on Inside Line's Future

I'm thinking about going "all in" on MattsInsideLine.com (just clock the shiny new URL!)

Matt's Inside LineMatt Webb Mitovich

🚨 REMINDER: If you have not yet replied to the survey I emailed out October 21 (re: a paid subscription tier), the more feedback, the merrier! A decision/announcement is forthcoming....