Common Sense Media Review
By Stephanie Morgan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Romantic subplots and murder cases in mother-son comedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
So Help Me Todd
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 33 parent reviews
Parents say that this show was a favorite for many viewers and is greatly missed since it was canceled. Reviewers appreciated its family-friendly content, humor, and the heartfelt relationships portrayed, expressing a desire for it to return to television, especially as it provided wholesome entertainment suitable for viewers of all ages.
- family-friendly content
- great humor
- strong characters
- heartwarming relationships
- desire for revival
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In SO HELP ME TODD, down-on-his luck private investigator Todd (Skylar Astin) comes to work as the in-house investigator for his defense attorney mother, Margaret (Marcia Gay Harden), who's rediscovering herself in the wake of her husband Harry's (Mark Moses) recent disappearance. From there, each week the duo takes on new cases while also finding new footing with each other, as new recruits, including the sharp and composed partner Beverly (Leslie Silva), contribute to workplace drama.
Is It Any Good?
A TV show centering on a mother-son relationship is a rare find, especially one aiming for both laughs and intrigue. So Help Me Todd has a familiar premise—a male detective appears to fumble through life but is actually quite proficient at his craft—but here, his relationship with his mom is at the heart of the show. Starring Harden (The Morning Show) and Astin (Pitch Perfect), the show clearly borrows heavily from the series Psych. But without a likable sidekick like Psych's Gus, the character of Todd falls flat. Additionally, the cases he's asked to solve are dull, and the only special talent he actually seems to possess is a knack for stumbling across key pieces of evidence.
The talents of both Astin and Harden don't get to shine much here, and there might be better options out there for viewers interested in either procedural dramas or comedy. Season 2 expands the world of the show with new recurring characters and offers more time with Todd's siblings to round out the family dynamic, but even though these additions bring variety, they don't fundamentally shift the show's tone or pacing, which struggle to fully capitalize on the potential of its cast and premise.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how often Todd lies or manipulates to find out things in So Help Me Todd. Is this OK because of his end goal of helping others? Why, or why not?
In what ways do Todd and Margaret demonstrate compassion and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
Can you think of any other shows or movies where a mother and son are the primary relationship featured? Why do you think this is so rare?
The show builds toward a final twist that leaves several key relationships and professional futures hanging in the balance. What responsibilities do creators and networks have to provide closure for fans? And how does an unresolved ending shape our lasting impression of a show?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 27, 2022
- Cast : Marcia Gay Harden , Skylar Astin
- Network : CBS
- Genre : Drama
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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