I really wanted to like Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. On paper, it’s got a lot going for it – Sorkin is one of TV’s best writers, and the cast is all top-notch talent (Matthew Perry was often the only truly funny one on Friends, while Bradley Whitford’s episodes on The West Wing were among the series’ best).
But Studio 60 falls flat. Consider this past Monday’s episode: the big crisis was possible plagiarism by the show’s writing staff, which they solve by inserting a live segment into the west coast broadcast of the show. First of all, this would never happen in real life. It just wouldn’t. A network doesn’t sweat like that over a pilfered joke (most sitcom plots have been recycled 10,000 times!). Secondly, the West Wing always moved at its best dramatic pace when Important Things were happening. President Bartlett is confronted by the Joint Chiefs, the Vice President is caught with his pants down, Bartlett loses the House to the Republicans and they threaten to derail his agenda. Important Things. Somehow, plagiarism pales by comparison.
Studio 60 just falls apart on comparison and outside of New York and Los Angeles the super-insider nature of its plot just fizzles. Sorry, try again.
(On the flip side I really like Heroes and I think the plot there is developing nicely, thanks to the steady hand of comic writer Jeph Loeb: read this)
Had a lot of fun working with Jeph on an Action Comics Annual about a dozen years ago. He gave me full rein, as the penciller, to pace the action as I saw fit. Even went so far to give me about a dozen pages to choreograph a good ol’ fashioned slobber-knocker of a fight. Now, that’s having trust in your artist.
The only show I watch religiously is ‘24′. The Simpsons and Family Guy, sometimes.
Oliver, NO! Give it time. Sure WW was friggn’ sweet from go, but please don’t shun Sorkin so fast. I need this. If this goes, what will be left? Another ‘Deal or No Deal’? Flying Spaghetti Monster help us all.
Like your stuff, man.
Wayne: I tried, and I’ll probably watch what’s left (I dont’t think the show is gonna last long) but it doesn’t have the “it” that Sportsnight and West Wing had.
I definetly agree, Oliver — I had to actually turn off the show last night. It’s not interesting; the acting is weak; and the things that the “writers” on “Studio 60″ find funny are … not funny at all. My thoughts exactly: Try again.
However, there are some other great shows with new episodes right now: Dexter, Veronica Mars, Friday Night Lights, The Office and The Wire. That’s a good line-up right there.
Oliver, like they said, give it time. It will work itself out. The pilot was a fuckin tour de force. It’ll be good. I agree tho, the biggest problem might be that the “funny” stuff is not very funny at all.
I disagree strongly tho with the idea that the acting is weak. I’d say quite the opposite, but its a subjective thing so not much use arguing about it.
I think that reporter lady is supposed to be Maureen Dowd, right? That’d mark two exes he’s snuck into this show…
Also, NBC paid Sorkin such an exorbitant amount of money for the show (outbidding ABC and CBS) that there’s no way they’ll cancel it before the full first season at the very least.
On the flip side I really like Heroes and I think the plot there is developing nicely, thanks to the steady hand of comic writer Jeph Loeb: read this)
I like Hero’s too, but how many more times can indestructible girl ‘die’ before people start shouting “Oh, my God! They killed Claire! You bastards!”
See I thought the pilot was weak. Compare this pilot to the Sportsnight or West Wing pilot episodes – no comparison. Sunset Strip is better than the average stuff the networks put out, but it’s not at Sorkin level.
Right now I’m watching the Law & Orders, House, CSI, Heroes, and my current favorite: Lost.
And the super sappy show that I make sure to watch every Sunday because I get the warm fuzzies from it: Extreme Makeover Home Edition.
The problem with ANY Sorkin show is that he cannot distinguish between MORE dialogue and BETTER dialogue.
The reality force-field that surrounds this guy us amazing–he could shit, and many would say it tastes like ice cream.
What really sucks is that NBC already pulled the plug on ‘Kidnapped’ which thus far has been a great show.
I watched the first 2 episodes. Seemed just a little too smug in trying to project to us how wonderfully clever they thought they were…. something that the Aaron Sorkin West Wing often did. The West Wing was a far more compelling show, so it could get away with it.
The Gilbert & Sullivan sketch was a perfect example. The process that led to this in the episode tried to make us think that this was the greatest idea since sliced bread. The on-air result showed how horrible it was: a huge chorus and accompanying orchestra was the whole thing, yet you mostly couldn’t understand what they were singing. Not exactly a great comedy sketch.
Sorkin is a huge G&S fan. He did the same thing in WW.
The biggest problem I have with the show is the same problem I had with WW. The dialogue is SO fast and complex, I have to turn the TV up really loud just to catch it. Then the commercials come on and blast me out of my seat.
Give it time, O. I think, like SportsNight, its a slow burn.