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NBC Scores With "Studio 60"

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 11:59:19 PM EST
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I'm skeptical when it comes to new tv shows, particularly on network television. Despite the raves of the critics, I didn't think I'd like "Studio 60." I was never a "West Wing" fan or a fan of any of its actors, except John Spencer whom I loved on LA Law. I've never been a Judd Hirsch fan. Timothy Busfield was good in "30 Something" but far from my favorite character in the show. The movie Network had become a cliche to me even before it won the Oscar. I'm also pretty clueless as to what happens in the "control room" except when they whisper in my ear, "Jeralyn, jump in if you want" when the host isn't calling on me or "Hey, everyone, keep your answers short, we've only got 2 minutes for the segment and there's a package."

I only watched Studio 60 last night because of the buzz and because of its connection to Saturday Night Live. I thought there had been too much hype. I was wrong. Except for the predictability of Judd Hirsch's "Network" moment, it was excellent television.

Many of the tv critics say they got riveted from the moment Matthew Perry made his appearance. That didn't do it for me. For me, it was the scene where Amanda Peet (Jordan) showed up in Bradley Whitford's hotel room room and used his failed drug test to convince him to come back to the show. The ensuing scenes between Brad and Matt Perry clinched it for me. They totally work together. I also got very into Amanda Peet's self-confidence -- she promises to be even a better role model for women than Geena Davis was in Commander in Chief.

It wasn't perfect. Harriet (Perry's ex-girlfriend who works for the show) and the network guy who previously fired Brad and Matt have yet to win me over. Neither seemed to have the substance or allure of the other characters -- a little too mayonnaise-ey for me, I would bet that changes in future episodes.

Studio 60 is a show that has "success" written all over it, and one I will watch every week. I could not stop thinking of John Belushi and how he would cheer Perry and Whitford.

I'm on dial-up tonight, or I'd go on and on about how great the show is. Instead, I'll leave you with these reviewers (links available on Google):

'Studio' proves worthy of the hype
Dallas Morning News (subscription), TX - 12 hours ago
By DAVID KRONKE / Los Angeles Daily News. Aaron Sorkin's new drama, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, is set against the backdrop of ...

Studio 60': How Matthew Perry makes fall's best new network show ...
Chicago Tribune, United States - 15 hours ago
The opening set piece that begins the sensational new NBC drama "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (9 pm Monday, WMAQ-Ch. 5) does ...

Aaron Sorkin makes dazzling comeback calling on 'West Wing'-like ...
San Francisco Chronicle, USA - 18 hours ago
As the new fall television season begins -- a handful of shows have already been sneaked, but tonight is the official start -- it's only fitting that Aaron ...

Networks open floodgates of new season
Louisville Courier-Journal, KY - 18 hours ago
There have been dribs and drabs of new shows trickling onto the air for nearly a month, but tonight all the broadcast networks begin shifting into high gear ...

BACKSTAGE ANGST
New Yorker, United States - 19 hours ago
by TAD FRIEND. Aaron Sorkin must love television--only someone who loves it could savage the medium so. The first episode of his ...

In brainy 'Studio 60,' Aaron Sorkin reviles and reveres TV
Boston Globe, United States - 19 hours ago
By Matthew Gilbert, Globe Staff | September 18, 2006. Perhaps the sly idea behind the clunky title ``Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip ...

From Pennsylvania Avenue to the Sunset Strip
Detroit Free Press, United States - 20 hours ago
BY MIKE DUFFY. Bradley Whitford, left, and Matthew Perry play a creative team on the fictional late-night sketch comedy show within a show. 1."Entourage" (HBO). ...

Three new TV shows stand out in Week 1
Houston Chronicle, United States - 23 hours ago
By MIKE MCDANIEL. Ready those remotes. The television season officially begins today, and your channel changers and DVRs are about to get a workout. ...

Not Live! Not From New York! It's 'Studio 60' . . .
Washington Post, United States - 22 hours ago
Less than some of its parts, and a little long on shortcomings, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" nevertheless arrives with so much credible fanfare and such a ...

If you didn't see it, be sure to tune in next week.


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    NBC Scores With "Studio 60" | 16 comments (16 topical)
    Re: NBC Scores With "Studio 60" (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 10:13:00 PM EST
    I make it a point to avoid television like the plague. I also make it a point to read the hyperarticulate critiques in the NYT. Because I was amazed at how the critique praised the show (truly rare for the NYT), I figured it was worth an hour of my time. And I was right. The casting for this show is almost flawless - another rarity. Weber is the nasty. Peet is the self-assured token female. Perry is unpredictable. Whitford is the brooding thinker with the dense dialogue. Perry and Whitford have amazing chemistry. Hirsch was misscast and Busfield doesn't seem to work at all but, hey, good show.

    Re: NBC Scores With "Studio 60" (none / 0) (#2)
    by roxtar on Tue Sep 19, 2006 at 12:48:08 AM EST
    The title is poison. It seems to be about a Hollywood disco. Now that I know better, I'll check it out.

    Re: NBC Scores With "Studio 60" (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Sep 19, 2006 at 01:40:47 PM EST
    It's a hit. Buzz is big. It has legs, and all that. I'm hooked already. Anyone who missed it can catch the pilot Re: NBC Scores With "Studio 60" (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Sep 19, 2006 at 01:51:23 PM EST
    Make that online.

    Re: NBC Scores With "Studio 60" (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Sep 19, 2006 at 05:34:42 PM EST
    Yes that scene between Bradd and Matt was what did it for me too. Mostly because of the way Matt picked up on exactly what was going on so quickly, very real. Amanda Peet can just stand there with that big gap tooth grin and I would be happy. Oh well, it's only down hill from here.

    Re: NBC Scores With "Studio 60" (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Sep 19, 2006 at 05:34:42 PM EST
    TL, can I ask why you were never a fan of the West Wing and any of of its actors? I thought the first two series were the best thing on TV since LA Law; in addition to Spencer, Schiff, Lowe and Sheen did fantastic work. Even now, I still look forward to a day I can veg out and watch *any* of those episodes. Whitford is not one of my favs but if Sorkin's writing, them I'm watching. Can't wait till it gets here.

    Re: NBC Scores With "Studio 60" (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Sep 19, 2006 at 05:34:42 PM EST
    I just finished a film with Amanda Peet this past summer. My role was small, but she is the real deal. I usually can't turn away from C-Span at night to watch what the networks dole out as compelling television these days(and I am in the industry), but I loved Studio 60! Don't sell Matthew Perry short just because of "Friend." You are going to find his performances to get better and better, with the help of excellent writing. My only regret, is that once again, in the so called world of "liberal" hollywood, the cast only has D.L. Hughley as the token person of color. No offense Mr. Sorkin...a woman of color, Wanda Sykes,Margaret Cho, just to name a couple off the top of my head!

    Re: NBC Scores With "Studio 60" (none / 0) (#6)
    by anon55 on Tue Sep 19, 2006 at 05:34:42 PM EST
    I downloaded the pilot episode via bit torrent a couple of weeks ago. Trust me, this show is especially good if you can watch it commercial free. Viva TiVo, fast forward and DVR for those bound to the commercial networks.

    Re: NBC Scores With "Studio 60" (none / 0) (#7)
    by Madison Guy on Tue Sep 19, 2006 at 05:34:42 PM EST
    I know exactly what you mean: not a big fan of West Wing for years now, didn't expect much, but was hooked just when you were. A really pleasant surprise. Unlike this potential dog: The CBS show that seems premised on the need to get people thinking more positively about nuclear war. Get them worked up about the Iranian "threat." And on the other hand -- just in case we need to use those nuclear bunker busters -- make the idea of using nukes a little more thinkable. We need a little infotainment... How about a "high-concept" TV soap featuring a plucky red state small town with a biblical name surviving nuclear catastrophe while those sinners in the big cities apparently burn in hellfire and disappear? Yeah, new CBS show "Jericho" just might do it.

    Re: NBC Scores With "Studio 60" (none / 0) (#8)
    by Tracy on Tue Sep 19, 2006 at 05:34:42 PM EST
    I saw it a well. I was a huge WW fan - but I wasn't expecting much from Studio 60, and I was blown away wrong.

    Re: NBC Scores With "Studio 60" (none / 0) (#9)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Sep 19, 2006 at 05:34:42 PM EST
    Wow. I didn't know anyone actually watched this stuff. I haven't watched a primetime show since the 70s and I don't plan on watching anything anytime soon, much less writing about it. TV, seems to me, is for the brain dead. I thought NBC was the enemy?

    Re: NBC Scores With "Studio 60" (none / 0) (#12)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Sep 19, 2006 at 11:19:15 PM EST
    as a comedian and sketch comic, and someone who has lived with around and in comedy shows all my life, i have to disagree with all of you. it had as much to do with comedy shows as west wing had to do with presidential politics. read skippy's review (written back in august, yes, i am that hip) here. . .

    Re: NBC Scores With "Studio 60" (none / 0) (#13)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Sep 20, 2006 at 10:53:37 AM EST
    PN, thanks for the link to the pilot. Well, it's certainly no "Sports Night." I think "60" is much more accessible for the general audience. imo, Peet and Paulson are the weak links - to me they didn't keep up with the dialogue. Though that's not to say they won't find their groove after a few episodes. For me, in a show of this nature, ie., one attempting to be, almost, "reality," some of the dialogue was too "on the nose." I noticed this especially with Paulson's character. But, all in all, minor quibbles. the characters were generally believable, sympathetic and embraceable. I liked it. Thanks for the heads up, TL.

    Re: NBC Scores With "Studio 60" (none / 0) (#14)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Sep 20, 2006 at 11:55:35 PM EST
    Except for the predictability of Judd Hirsch's "Network" moment, it was excellent television. Of course, Aaron Sorkin knew that going in -- that's why in a later scene, he had a bank of televisions with every single anchor making the "Network" reference. (It was, at least in some small part, the point. Hirsch's character went off and actually did something authentic and immediately it got safely packaged by the news media.)

    Re: NBC Scores With "Studio 60" (none / 0) (#15)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Oct 02, 2006 at 09:55:07 PM EST
    Commedia dell'arte--you pronounce the last e.

    Re: NBC Scores With "Studio 60" (none / 0) (#16)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Oct 04, 2006 at 11:32:15 AM EST
    Studio 60 has it all; this is the kind of show that challenges the viewer in every way; I love that. Props to NBC for not going the ol' "copy cat" way and really putting something out there that I would have only expected from HBO.

    NBC Scores With "Studio 60" | 16 comments (16 topical)