Last night the lights went out on Studio 60, my most anticipated show of the season (as well as my biggest let-down of the season). Since I've already covered the show's disappointing performance, and don't want to upset Studio 60's diehard fans in their time of mourning, I'll just say that the final episode was very satisfying. Aaron Sorkin tied up all the loose ends, and wrote in plenty of happy endings for the show's characters.
Contrary to my prediction, Jordan came out of the episode a-okay, complete with adoption papers for Danny to sign. Their new daughter, Rebecca Tripp, is pretty dang cute. Unlike every wrinkled, owlish, actually newborn infant I have ever seen. While Jordan was still in danger, Danny and Harriet got to spend some quality time together dissecting the whole Matt/Harriet thing.
After hearing that Matt has been getting high since fighting with her a few months back, Harriet decides that he's the man she wants to be with. Because...I don't know why. At any rate, she and Matt have a lovely "I'm the person you tell about these things" scene at the end of the episode, in which they confess their as-yet-undying love for each other and make out like crazy. Incidentally, both this scene and the above "Danny and Jordan looove each other" scene are schmaltzy sweet enough to remind me that Aaron Sorkin is also the man behind The American President (probably my favorite romantic movie ever).
Meanwhile, Simon and Jack continue to spend quality time together, and Steven Weber pulls out all the stops. Seriously, the dude's awesome. Give him his own show now, please. Jack finishes the story of how Matt and Danny left the show all those many years ago, and really seems to regret the way things were handled. In the end, he quite seriously demands that Simon not apologize, which is enough to get Simon to agree to apologize, of course. But they're interrupted by...
Tom's brother, on the phone from a helicopter containing his rescue team and the two other missing soldiers! So...that ransom thing really went nowhere, huh? Jubilation all around, anyway, and cigars too, as Danny arrives to celebrate his fatherhood. So happy endings for all (except for me, because Cal is barely in this episode), and we're out. It's been fun, Sorkin. I may not have loved this show as much as I wanted to, but I'm sure you learned some valuable lessons about ego projects and will move on to bigger and better things.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Studio 60: R.I.P.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Studio 60: Just a little bit of history repeating...
Sigh. I just- sigh. You guys had better appreciate this recap, because I ended a perfectly good (very good, in fact) date early so I could get home in time to watch this episode in which, again, nothing happened. I've reached a point where I don't even know what to say about Studio 60 anymore. The good characters are wasted while we spend time focusing on bad relationships and crazy plots (which may or may not be dropped from one week to the next, coughMatt'sdrugaddictioncough). The show's perfectly good original premise has been all but abandoned in order to make it into another West Wing. What used to be fun, with a good political edge, has become absurdly overdramatic. Every week Aaron Sorkin uses Studio 60 as his own personal soapbox, sacrificing art for ego. The list goes on and on.
All of that said, it's certainly far from the worst show on television. In fact, it's pretty good. How could it not be? Amazing cast, great dialogue most of the time, the best set on television, good directing... It's just that, given all that, how could it not be better? How could it not be great? I'm not mad, Sorkin, I'm just disappointed. And even though I know a lot of you out there disagree with me, in my opinion NBC wasn't wrong to cancel Studio 60. They gave it a first chance and a second chance, and the show just failed to reach its enormous potential. And, let's face it, was pretty freaking expensive to make. Ah, well. Some of us will just have to agree to disagree. On to the episode...
This week was part three of three episodes, although it might as well have ended with a "To be continued." Jordan's still hovering between life and death, Tom's brother is still being held hostage in Afghanistan, Simon is still in trouble with the press, and we're still flashing back to yesteryear, where Matt and Danny are still, to paraphrase The West Wing, allowing their demons to shout down their better angels.
While this show may not have plots that can advance even one night over a period of four episodes, it does have an incredible depth of characters to work with. Tonight, for example, I gained a greater appreciation for Jack Rudolph, and the incredible burden it is to have to be the bad guy, even when you know that the people you're chewing out (and apparently firing) are in the right. More of this, Sorkin! More character-driven action, and not action-driven action, if that makes sense. Not every episode has to be a sweeps episode. You're not ER, and John Wells isn't in charge of this show. Oh, well. Guess it's too late for advice. I'll just continue wailing about wasted potential.
The episode left us with Jordan still in critical condition, leaving Danny's paternal rights uncertain; Tom ready to pay the terrorists a huge ransom in order to retrieve his brother; Simon still refusing to apologize for telling the press he wants to blow them up; and Matt and Danny on the verge of being fired for refusing to apologize for airing a political sketch that bothered advertisers. Which we pretty much already knew would happen, since it's in the past.
Next week on Studio 60: Hopefully some of these plots actually get resolved, since it's the last episode and all.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Studio 60: "Fast" is a relative term
Tonight on Studio 60, exactly two things happened: Jordan's baby was delivered by c-section, and Simon ranted at the press. Now, seeing as those things happened in the first five minutes and last five minutes of the episode, respectively, you probably could have safely gone for take-out in the middle without missing anything. Despite Danny's grammatically suspect claim that "things are moving fast tonight." Oh, Sorkin. You fill me with hope only to dash it cruelly with flashbacks and, well, longer flashbacks.
However, I will concede that this week's episode was slightly less West Wing-wannabe than last week's sad installment. You know, aside from all the stuff about Afghanistan, censorship, and the meaning of patriotism. Methinks Sorkin is still a little raw from The West Wing being criticized for being anti-American after the war started. Which, fair enough, but work out your issues on your own time, Sorkin--I came here to watch a dramatic version of 30 Rock!
So yes, part two of three episodes (don't get me started) found Tom's brother still captive in Afghanistan, and Mike from Las Vegas acting as Chief Army Comforter/Stonewaller. Matt's still working with the hot lawyer on a cockamamie ransom scheme. That is, when he's not having acid flashbacks about his first, failed experiment as Studio 60's showrunner. Way back in the day, you see, back when we were only at war with one Middle Eastern country, Matt and Danny went up against NBS and Jack Rudolph in an attempt to get political on Studio 60 about the war in Afghanistan. And (spoiler alert!) I don't think it's going to end well for Matt and Danny's jobs. You know, in the past. Where we already know what happens. Can't you at least try and keep it interesting, Sorkin? Sigh.
Things are somewhat more involving at the hospital, where an unconscious Jordan is having clotting issues after her c-section. I actually enjoyed some of the scenes between Danny and Jordan's doctor, which is probably more a testament to Bradley Whitford's mad acting skillz than anything else. But seriously, are they going to kill off Jordan? I mean, I know the show's cancelled and all, so it's a moot point, but Jordan is part of this show's Tremendous Trifecta (the three great characters that make up for any number of evils elsewhere in the show--Harriet and Cal are the other two). Don't make it a Tremendous Pair, Sorkin! I wouldn't worry, but the whole "Don't let Danny get attached to his baby, since Jordan's totally going to die and he'll never see that baby again" thing has me concerned, given this show's track record for subtlety and surprise.
Will Mark Jeter survive Afghanistan? Will Jordan survive childbirth? Will Simon survive the angry paparazzi? Will Liz survive another episode? Tune in next week for the exciting conclusion of this three-parter.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Studio 60: The West Coast Wing
After watching Studio 60 last night, I'm prepared to announce Aaron Sorkin's secret plan behind the "Tom's brother gets kidnapped in Afghanistan" plot. Faced with lagging ratings and disappointed critics, he clearly tried to turn Studio 60 into The West Wing. It was an interesting strategy, to be sure. I can almost see the wheels turning in his head: "The West Wing featured heavy stuff like conflict in the Middle East and religious freedom, and no one called it a disappointing failure...hmm...hmmmm..." Thus, the decision to spend an entire episode (part one of three) on Tom's brother, Matt and Harriet's neverending fights about religion, and Jordan's baby. I'm sorry, didn't there used to be some sort of show-within-a-show here?
So yeah, Tom's brother is still kidnapped, and the morons at the local news have decided that broadcasting the fact that one of the kidnapped soldiers is related to a TV star won't endanger his life at all. Everyone is understandably upset. The sexual harassment lawyer randomly brings to Matt's attention a secret company that basically takes ransom money in to the Middle East and Latin America and rescues kidnap victims. Not so much kidnapped soldiers, but still...they're exploring the possibility. Harriet is praying (and fighting with Matt about praying). Matt is having drug flashbacks or something to the day the U.S. declared war on Afghanistan, and the difficulties inherent in writing a comedy show at that time. Luke was an asshole then, too.
Meanwhile, Jordan's baby still isn't moving, and it seems the umbilical cord is wrapped around her neck. Danny's there in a flash, harassing the young doctor and freaking out all over the place. It seems Jordan has pre-eclampsia, which is scary stuff, especially since the only cure is to get the baby outta there. Before they rush Jordan into surgery to get a c-section, Danny proposes and Jordan accepts. It's maybe a little sweet. Maybe. But that's all you're getting from me today, Sorkin. What happened to that late-night sketch comedy this show is purportedly about? Come to think of it, what happened to the theme song this show used to have?
Friday, June 01, 2007
Studio 60: Back to business as usual
After a brief respite from the overdramatic storylines that sunk Studio 60 like a pair of cement shoes, it's all come rushing back, with the addition of a cement sock or two. Matt's drug use? Discovered! Jordan's baby? In trouble! The sexual harassment lawsuit? Getting worse by the minute! Danny and Jordan? Fighting about Studio 60's ratings!
And just when you thought things couldn't get any worse, it seems Tom's brother, who is in the Armed Forces, is being held hostage by Iraqi insurgents. What the hell happened here? Actually, I guess it's not a big mystery. Aaron Sorkin was clearly all, "Uh-oh, the ratings are still going downhill, we'd better do something huge!" Here's a tip from me to you, Sorkin: Studio 60's strengths are its characters and its actors. Let them do their thing, without forcing it using absurd plot devices. Oops, too late.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Studio 60: Allison! Freaking! Janney!
Since last we saw Studio 60, the show has been cancelled (and I really can't argue with that), but NBC is doing us the dubious favor of burning off the remaining six or so episodes on Thursday nights, now that ER is over (speaking of shows that should be cancelled). So where did we leave off? Matt was struggling with a drug addiction, there was a pending sexual harassment lawsuit, Danny went from stalker to lov-ah, Jordan was having a baby, Matt and Harriet were feuding/flirting, and something about the FCC and Macau.
Thursday night's episode dealt with exactly one of those plotlines, and only to crap all over it. Not that I'm complaining--quite the opposite, in fact. I found most of those stories obnoxious and unnecessary. As unnecessary as Matt and Danny, apparently, since they were nowhere to be seen (along with Jordan and her giant belly). So what DO we have, besides the backup cast speaking for me (and, I suspect, most of the show's audience) when they tell Harriet that they're sick of hearing about her drama with Matt? (I'm not sure how much more I can take either, Sorkin!)
We have "the disaster show," that one show every year in which everything goes to hell. In this case, the prop masters and cue card...commanders...have gone on strike thanks to Danny and his big, opinionated mouth. And have left chaos and booby-trapped props in their wake. Oh, and there's a bomb threat, too. Allison Janney, the awesomest TV actress that ever awesomed, has the unfortunate honor of hosting the disaster show, and looking like a total screw-up in the process. Cal has the unfortunate honor of being in charge of the show in Danny's absence, and bearing the brunt of The Wrath of Janney. (Yeah, CJ/Danny reunion!)
Best of all, I didn't notice a strong Sorpinion slapping me in the face this week. No annoying speeches, no preachy storylines (except for the one about Cal realizing that white kids can make bomb threats, too), and even some possible meta acknowledgement that this show could be better. Well-played, Sorkin. Well-played.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Studio 60: Good Riddance?
I’m going to avoid commenting much on last night’s episode of Studio 60 for two reasons: First, I want to see where Sorkin’s going with this whole sexual harassment suit before I eviscerate him over it, because it seemed to possibly take a turn for the better toward the end of the episode, although knowing Sorkin, I kind of doubt it. Second, this may be the last episode of the show that’s aired on NBC (at the very least, the last episode in a long time), so it could be a moot point anyway.
That said, this show is going downhill fast. Danny and Jordan have already become boring, Matt and Harriet make me want to blow my brains out, and the only things to distract me from the drippy romance plotlines are a sexual harassment suit and an out-of-nowhere drug addiction. Not good, Sorkin, not good. Whatever I used to like about Studio 60 is a distant memory at this point, as my favorite characters are either underused (Cal, Jack) or mired in extremely unfortunate plotlines (Harriet, Jordan).
Devoted fans of Studio 60: Jump ship now, and transfer your save-the-show campaigning to 30 Rock! Trust me—it’s much more deserving of your loyalty. And before I forget, your Sorpinion of the week: Fake meat is stupid and pointless. I'd say something bitter about heart attacks and hardened arteries, but some of us prefer to live and let live, Sorkin.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Studio 60: The Beginning of the End?
Oy. Just…oy. After last week’s Danny/Jordan goodness (shut up), I was really looking forward to this week’s Studio 60, only to have my hopes bitterly dashed by a shitty, shitty episode involving pointless flashbacks, contrived hallucinations, and (worst of all?) a random drug problem. Goddammit, Sorkin. Goddammit. You have taken a show with enormous potential and turned it into an airing of your personal views, gripes, and demons.
At this point, despite the many things I really do like about the show, I wouldn’t blame NBC executives if they pulled the plug. I’d be a bit bummed, but I wouldn’t blame ‘em. Here’s hoping The Black Donnellys sucks big-time, since as TiFaux points out, it’s being brought in early to “temporarily” replace the ailing Studio 60.
So what happened? Nothing but a huge step backward in the quality of the show. Matt and Harriet met a long time ago and he really liked her, but she and Luke got to work on a sketch together. Matt remembered a writer from back when whom Wes fired for taking pills, but (SURPRISE!) the writer never existed, and was just a drug-induced, anvil-tastic hallucination wearing Matt’s clothing. Because, you see, Matt now has a drug problem. Complete with the minor violin chords of guilt, the extreme close-ups of wrongdoing, and the dramatic fadeouts of repercussions-to-come. Goddammit, Sorkin.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Studio 60: Snakes on a Set, Part II
I have to say, I don’t think it’s the hallmark of a great show that when I’m watching Studio 60, I’m constantly trying to decipher what negative message Aaron Sorkin is trying to convey about Hollywood. He uses Studio 60 as a mouthpiece so often that I now examine every plotline for Sorkin’s opinions – “Sorpinions,” if you will. So Sorkin, wherever you are, I’m not sure what your Sorpinion is on the whole black writer plot thing. We need more black writers in television? The current ones need to be more black? Some black guy pissed you off by not wanting to write for a black character a dozen years ago, and is finally getting his comeuppance in the form of an angry man dressed as a piece of fruit?
Whatever- I’m clearly ignoring the most important part of the episode: the motherfucking snakes on the motherfucking set. After sending a ferret down after the snake, and a coyote (!) after the ferret, Cal gives up and rips up the stage. Oh, and that rich Asian dude agrees to help Jack out, even though Jack totally let his daughter get falling-down drunk on his watch. The End!
What’s that? Some stuff with couples happened, too? Sigh…okay. Matt and Harriet fought long and painfully the entire episode, and I don’t want to talk about it because it was long and painful. Danny and Jordan spent some quality time together on the roof and ended up making out, and I don’t want to talk about it because I had an embarrassingly big smile on my face the whole time. Yeah. I’m a giant dork like that. I also kind of secretly want to see that new Hugh Grant/Drew Barrymore movie. And not entirely in an ironic way. Wanna fight about it? Someday maybe I can regain your respect. Until then, I hope we can enjoy making fun of Matt and Harriet’s ridiculousness together.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Studio 60: Where's Samuel L. Jackson When You Need Him?
Hmm. Well, on the one hand, last night’s Studio 60 wasn’t as chock full of creepy stalking as last week’s episode. On the other hand, it wasn’t really full of things you’d want your male significant other to imitate, either. As far as last week’s bad boys are concerned, Danny gets Jordan stuck on the roof in his attempt to apologize for his obsessive actions (points to Danny for apologizing, though). Matt morphs from sweet ex-and-possibly-future boyfriend to obnoxious “I don’t want her, but I don’t want anyone else to have her either” guy (points to Harriet for not buying it).
And we have a new entrant into the “Suckiest Future-Boyfriend Ever” contest: Tom, who’s gained entry into the contest by choosing Matt as his relationship coach. Yeah. Tom has to break his date with Lucy because Jack wants him to go out with that rich dude’s daughter and convince her to start playing the viola again, or something. Good excuse, right? Nope, not good enough for Matt! He convinces Tom to lie about it and, of course, Lucy sees him with the (surprisingly slutty) rich girl. Sigh.
In Snakes on a Set news, there’s a poisonous viper loose on the set of Studio 60! I hope it bites everyone but Jordan, Jack, Cal, and Harriet. And Lucy. Everyone else could use a little near-death experience to reexamine their priorities in life. Oh, and what’s with this “To Be Continued” shit? It’s not Heroes, Sorkin. You should be able to wrap up these plotlines in an hour.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Studio 60: It’s Stalker-riffic!
Studio 60 returned Monday night, after long last, and made me want to jump into the television and thwack Matt and Danny with a rolled-up newspaper. I mean, come on!
Matt obsessively follows an online auction for a date with Harriet, his ex, bids thousands of dollars to try and win the date, but turns down an actual offer from Harriet for the same date! Sigh. He’s clearly too emotionally stunted to man up and admit he still has feelings for her, but somehow thinks it’s okay to secretly buy her online? And to think he’s the one that was yelling at Danny to “say it!”
Speaking of Danny, he has fallen completely off the deep end. I, unlike some, chose to find his speech about how he had fallen for Jordan and was “coming for [her]” romantic, rather than creepy. And oh, how wrong I was!
First he calls her repeatedly over the holiday break, moving from cute to pathetic to stalker in the space of a couple weeks. Then he exposes his creepy obsession for all of Hollywood to see, getting his famous friends to fax in “letters of recommendation” to her, in hopes that she’ll be so impressed that she’ll change her mind and go out with him.
So let’s see, she’s recently been publicly humiliated by a man who chose to air their dirty laundry in front of the entire world for fun and profit. She is emotional and hormonal and dealing with a pregnancy by herself, one which is probably also not a point of pride for her. What better than to have the most important people in her industry beg her to go out on a date with one of her employees? Jesus Christ, Danny!
Let’s just hope that Tom doesn’t follow in their footsteps during his courtship of Lucy.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
NBC-palooza!
It's the winter Television Critics Association press tour, which means it's time for the networks to make all their mid-season announcements. NBC had quite a bit of news, and we'll start with the best: Heroes will be back next season! Sure, it was a given, but it's always nice to have confirmation (as fans of Veronica Mars or Scrubs will tell you). Heroes is also getting another episode added on to this season's order - good news, but unusual enough that I have to wonder if the producers asked the network for it. Maybe they needed another episode to cram everything in? Whatever, as long as it means more Hiro.
NBC also provided some hope for fans of good, but bubble-y, shows like Friday Night Lights, 30 Rock, and Studio 60, with president Kevin Reilly saying he will "stick with quality" (more encouraging than another comment of his: "[A]t least some of those shows will be back next season"). A network that prides itself on quality, even when it's low-rated? Are we in the Sorkin-verse? Or perhaps they don't want to be the network that canceled all of its new shows except for the one hit. I'm sorry I'm being so cynical here, but years as a Scrubs fan have taught me not to trust NBC.
Finally, Today continues its quest to slowly take over the entire NBC schedule - it'll be creeping into a fourth hour in September. It will still only have 15 minutes of actual news content.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Studio 60: The Less-Than-Immaculate Conception
Sweet, sweet vindication. That's what I felt last night when Danny finally confessed to Jordan that he's sorta maybe falling in love with her. Unfortunately, he did it when Jordan's "eating for two" mouth was full of sandwich, so she didn't get a chance to respond other than to stare blankly. Yes, in case you hadn't guessed it yet, I've secretly been a crew member on the Danny/Jordan ship since the show began. Shut up.
I am, however, totally against the Matt/Harriet bore-fest. Thus, I will only say that the "two soul mates find each other at Christmas" crap amounted to Matt kissing Harriet out of jealousy. 'Tis the season to cruelly confuse your ex right before she goes on the air, causing her to blurt out your name instead of her own when she introduces herself! Ah, Christmas.
Jack is endearing himself to me more and more as he struggles with being a network president while trying to have some sort of integrity. Best of luck, Jack. And let me know how that fight with the FCC goes. Not endearing themselves to me this week were Tom and Simon as they fought over Lucy and crapped all over Christmas. Um, guys? Santa and his reindeer ("Dunder," my ass) can carry all those presents because they're magic. Duh!
Oh, and for the curious, those really were New Orleans musicians performing on the show last night. Let's not forget that although Katrina isn't in the news much anymore, the survivors still need our help. The musicians were Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Kirk Joseph, Kid Merv, Roderick Paulin, Bob French, Steve Walker and Frederick Shepherd, all of whom have benefited from the Tipitina's Foundation.
On the whole, I'd have to say best episode yet, or close to it. Also, best sketch yet (Santa being busted by Dateline's Chris Hansen in "To Catch a Predator"). Way to hit your stride, Sorkin!
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Studio 60: B12 is Mmm-Mmm Good
I really enjoyed last night's Studio 60. Heavy on character drama, somewhat light on polemics (okay, not really, but they didn't stand out as much), and a return appearance by Christine Lahti!
It's raining in LA, and the whole cast has a death virus which requires a magical Hollywood curative: a shot of vitamin B12 in the keister. Fab.
Unfortunately for Jordan, when it rains it pours (couldn't resist). Not only is she probably getting fired, but when she tries to save her job with an interview in Time magazine, she ends up calling the reporter a hairdresser/gossip-monger. She later writes it up to hormones (yep, for those of you who were spoiler-free, Jordan's pregnant), but Sorkin Jordan makes a fair point about reporters basically writing their own news by creating rumors out of thin air. I'd find that frustrating, too.Sorkin Danny later expresses his frustration with the fact that newspapers can quote the opinions of random people from the internet instead of, I don't know, a carefully selected focus group or something. Oh no, wait, he hates focus groups too, remember? So...yeah, okay. I guess only Aaron Sorkin and highly qualified professional critics are allowed to have opinions. Noted.
The two new writers are totally growing on me, and they almost get to have a sketch on the air this week! If only a hostage-taking murderer hadn't made it in bad taste, and required a last minute sketch about spit-takes. Charming. Now can anyone tell me who played the depressed veteran writer helping them out? I totally recognized the actor, but can't place him for the life of me. It's Mark McKinney from Kids in the Hall--thanks, Joe R! Apparently Mark's a writer/story editor on Studio 60, in fact.
Next week looks like some Matt/Harriet holiday drivel, so let's just power through and look forward to the New Year!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Studio 60: It's a Wonderful Restaurant!
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Riiight...so apparently this week is "Product Placement" week on NBC. The Office had their Staples shredder bit, 30 Rock had the "pos-mens," and now Studio 60 has pretty much the exact same plot as 30 Rock: network higher-ups need more ad revenue, and so are pressuring producers into increasing product placement. Does anyone else get the feeling that NBC execs held a meeting a month ago in which they pressured producers into increasing product placement? Yeeeah...The Second Paragraph, brought to you by "Deck the Halls": In theaters tomorrow
30 Rock's Snapple bit managed to be clever and funny, again worthy of an Arrested Development comparison, since the "Burger King: It's a wonderful restaurant" bit with Tobias and Carl Weathers set the benchmark for all self-mocking product placements to come. Studio 60 similarly (although far less hilariously/cleverly) managed to increase product placement simply by talking somewhat negatively about product placement, so the NBC executives should be happy campers. Among the brand names bandied about: Samsung, Sony, and Nokia. Oh, and Jordan actually has the line (speaking of the show's audience), "They like iPods, and so do I." I'd call that a "pos-men," wouldn't you?
In other news (brought to you by the Ford F-150: Built Ford Tough), Ricky and Ron leave the show to work on a Peripheral Vision Man sitcom for Fox. They take all the writers with them but the British chick and the stand-up comedian guy. As Matt points out, it's not a big deal since he was writing all the sketches anyway. Which apparently sucked this week, but we didn't have to see them, so I'm not going to harp on that point.
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Harriet wants to do a lingerie spread for some magazine to increase her marketability, but Tom and Simon are pretty sure the magazine just wants to brag about getting a religious chick semi-naked. Um, duh. Jordan may or may not be getting fired soon, and I may or may not be writing an angry letter to Aaron Sorkin soon.
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Overall, I think the show is starting to find its sea legs, even if it's not quite there yet. Fewer sketches, less harping at Middle America, more character-created drama, and more Christine Lahti next week (I don't know why I love her on this show, but I definitely do). Well-played, Sorkin. Oh, and I seriously, SERIOUSLY covet that fiber optic cactus from the scene with Matt and Harriet. It would go so well with my fiber optic palm tree!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Studio 60: Pah-Rumpus
Thankfully, despite Aaron Sorkin's best efforts at being obnoxiously elitist, NBC has picked up Studio 60 for a full season. Woo-hoo! Unfortunately, it looks like my favorite character may not survive sweeps. Stupid, tabloid-whoring ex-husband. You'd better be bluffing, Sorkin!
So does anyone else feel like Studio 60 is getting incredibly meta? And it's not like Sorkin could have intentionally made the show THIS parallel to real life, because it's not South Park--he wrote the scripts way in advance. We've got the show which may be too intellectual/left-wing for the average television audience. We've got a network struggling to get back on top, possibly by becoming a home for more upscale shows--those which may not get huge ratings, but attract higher-income "alpha viewers." Luckily for both Studio 60's, the alpha viewers pull through, and the shows are allowed to continue on their merry, Jesus-bashing ways. Yay!
Let's just hope the cast of the real Studio 60 can avoid landing in a jail cell in Nevada, thrown at the mercy of John Goodman. Because it wasn't THAT entertaining on the show-within-a-show. Although I do appreciate what I assume was an attempt to address the "Hollywood elite looking down at everyone else" criticism (more meta-ness than you can shake a stick at, here).
Monday, October 30, 2006
Studio 60: The End is Near? Maybe? Possibly?
Just days after NBC announced an order for additional episodes, people are sounding the death knell for Studio 60. The speculation, already reaching fever pitch online, is largely based upon a poorly-written Fox News column which says, "It's likely NBC will pull the plug shortly I am told by insiders." Oh, the anonymous source-ity and missing comma-ness of it all!
First off, I wouldn't necessarily consider Fox News a credible news source, doubly so when they're writing about something created by Aaron Sorkin, whom they have to be at least a little biased against. Although to be fair, when have we ever known Fox News to show bias? Secondly, if the show were already virtually cancelled, what's up with NBC ponying up for new episodes?
That said, I wouldn't be surprised if Studio 60 was deservedly put on hiatus during sweeps, or punted to a less fabulous timeslot (especially if Friday Night Lights does well in its place tonight). Last week's episode was not only bad, it was downright insulting. Plus, the show is incredibly expensive to make. Why would NBC keep a show on the air that's not really a success critically OR in the real world?
But the show has so much potential that I think it would be a mistake for NBC to pull the plug entirely without giving Aaron Sorkin a chance to shape things up, which I'm assuming is why they ordered the new episodes. Then, if the new scripts aren't up to snuff, it's time for Deal or No Deal II in the post-Heroes timeslot (God help us). Thus, I'm calling the funeral march (slightly) premature. Back to your stations, everyone!
Update - 10/31: NBC told MediaDaily News that Studio 60, while still being closely scrutinized, is NOT cancelled, contrary to what Fox News reported.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Good News for The Nine and Studio 60
Yay! The Nine and Studio 60 have both received additional script orders (along with Men in Trees, ugh, and Help Me Help You, which I forget to watch every damn week). This is by no means a sign of a full-season pickup, but it probably means they aren't gonna get put on hiatus during sweeps never to be seen again, at least! Way to go, NBC and ABC!
In other news, Mitchell Hurwitz is developing the U.S. version of a British comedy about Parliament called The Thick of It. I'm torn between joy that his brilliance will be back on TV, and sorrow that it won't be with Arrested Development.
[via TV Tattle]
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Studio 60: Shut Up, Sorkin.
Oh, man. I love the show, and I love Aaron Sorkin and all, but is he actively trying to alienate viewers? I can get over the contrived crap (reminiscing with the old writer who happened to wander into the studio, finding the genius black comedian during open mike after the crappy headliner), but the intellectual superiority vibe is starting to get to me.
I mean, I'd like to consider myself intellectual, and I don't think anyone would question my liberal credentials, but even I got pissed off at the whole segment with Tom's parents. They're from Ohio, so they don't "get" smart comedy, or history, or culture, or minorities, or anything not related to fighting for your country. And they work for a living, so why should they pay attention to any of that stuff? Jesus Christ, Sorkin! I mean, having lived in Ohio, I can't say a lot to recommend it, but it's incredibly insulting to explain away ignorance by saying, "They're from Ohio."
I loved The West Wing despite its preachiness (okay, it was preaching everything I believed in already, so that's easy to forgive), and I love Studio 60 despite the fact that it's a mouthpiece for Aaron Sorkin to bitch about everything that's wrong with Hollywood (again, we're mostly in agreement there, and it's a great show otherwise). But damn, Sorkin, you are not going to keep this show on the air by insulting everyone who doesn't live on a coast. When Ohio insults annoy even me, you know you've gone too far.
P.S. Drunk Jordan = Kind of awesome.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Studio 60: Tune in, intellectual snobs! Seriously!
Ah, Studio 60. I seems like just yesterday I was singing its praises, and calling it (only in my head, apparently, but still...) the best new show of the season. But that was a month ago, and now I have bestowed that honor on a slightly more worthy show (Heroes, if anyone's curious). I do still love Studio 60, though, and this week, Harriet did the best impression of Juliette Lewis EVER (like, wow), and Matthew Perry continued to endear himself to me by being extremely not Chandler, and by shattering a window with a baseball bat. And no one can deny that the show is extremely smart and well-made.
I think Aaron Sorkin has places to go with the characters he's written, and an incredibly deep pool of acting talent to work with. It's possible that Heroes is just a bad lead-in for Studio 60. After all the drama and excitement of last night's installment, Studio 60 came out swinging with...a plagiarized sketch. Except that in the end, it wasn't actually plagiarized. Not to say that was a bad plot, but the show definitely felt as slow as molasses compared to, you know, a cheerleader waking up during her own autopsy (for example).
As last night's Studio 60 explained, though, fans have reason to hope. Yes, despite lagging ratings and what I can only imagine is an insanely expensive cast, NBC will probably give Studio 60 a little longer to build a following than, say, CBS gave Smith. Why? Alpha viewers. Christine Lahti (whom I will always, always remember as the woman who was in the bathroom when she won a Golden Globe) guest-starred last night as a reporter who wants to write a behind-the-scenes article for Vanity Fair. Although Matt and Danny are initially reluctant to grant her such unfettered access, they realize that her magazine's readership is composed of "alpha viewers," those influential, educated taste-makers and product-buyers that advertisers drool over. These magical alpha viewers are worth their weight in gold when advertising dollars are concerned. Or, more accurately, they're worth the weight of five normal viewers.
As The Washington Post's Lisa de Moraes pointed out in a chat this past Friday, these alpha viewers are exactly the people who make up Studio 60's shrinking audience:
NBC is already resorting to talking about the audience comp on this show -- how upscale (aka educated, wealthy)the show's ever shrinking the audience is -- down to 9 million viewers this week. It's true, some advertisers will pay to be on a show that's getting a smaller number if the audience comp is good. It's this show's only hope....
Indeed, here's hoping those New Yorker-reading, Prius-driving, commedia dell'arte joke-getting liberal elite (ah, stereotypes) keep tuning in. Because while Studio 60 is struggling right now to fulfill its astronomical expectations and find its voice, I think it's an extremely good show already, and has the potential to be a great show. So give it a chance, NBC!
