Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip by reginaroadie

TALK STORY

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

POSTED BY: REGINAROADIE
UPDATED: Monday, October 2, 2006 20:47
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 5330
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Sunday, September 17, 2006 7:27 PM

Hey All

I don't know if anyone here on the site has an interest in any of the upcoming shows for the fall season, but I just saw the pilot for Aaron Sorkin's new show STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP. It was broadcast a day earlier on CTV. And I gotta say I was really reeled in.

I've only seen maybe two episodes of THE WEST WING, but I did see all of SPORT'S NIGHT, which whenever I see a list of "unjustly cancelled shows", it's usually between FIREFLY and FREAKS AND GEEKS. So I was intrigued by the premise and all.

Everything about it was just stellar. The cast, the writing, the energy, the emotional content and the satire were just perfect. I know that since we're all desciples of Joss that we must turn our backs on any "grown-up" shows and only talk about fantasy/sci-fi series, but in a way, I kinda think that this is a show Joss would love. With all the behind the scenes drama that Joss has faced on all three shows of his, I think he'd identify with the backstage politics that's the engine of this show.

Oh, and if you only watch shows that have a FIREFLY/SERENITY connection to them, Sarah Paulson, who played Dr. Caron (the holographic doc on the Miranda recording) is one of the cast members on the show.

Anyone else intrigued by this show and like to talk about it?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"There's only one "Return" ok, and it ain't "of the King", it's "of the Jedi."

"Maybe we should start calling your friend 'Padme' because he loves 'Mannequin Skywalker' so much, Right? (imitating robot) Danger...danger...my name is Anakin...my shitty acting is ruining saga."

Excerpt of internet teaser for CLERKS 2.

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Monday, September 18, 2006 3:33 PM

HELL'S KITTEN

I'm looking forward to the premiere, which airs tonight, in my corner of the world.

Yeah, that says pretty much nothing, but I couldn't seem to stop myself from posting.

************************************************
Not captioned for the sarcasm impaired.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sara013

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Tuesday, September 19, 2006 5:08 AM

FELLOWTRAVELER

I caught the pilot last night and really enjoyed it. I couldn't agree more with you regarding the quality of the show. It was great. Sorkin, again, has hit one outta' the park. The name, however, is really bad! "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" conjures up images of Studio 64... But, they set the hook well with Judd Hirsch's on target rant at the beginning, so hopefully people will give it a chance.

It actually seemed, to me, a little ballsy for a network pilot. With several drug references and an overt shot at the Christian Right right out of the gate. Although, the latter was not an altogether unfrequent target on the "West Wing". It's like they're shooting for a Disneyesque boycot of their own. And I loved Three 6 Mafia's (didn't they just do an arc on "Entourage", as well) dressing room being filled with smoke and bongs. It looked the mini-bus from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" (or my dormroom from college). Was that the bell?

The cast was great. I'm happy to see Whitford and Perry have found new jobs and was pleasantly surprised by Amanda Peet's performance. Huh, she can act... Who knew?

But why does NBC have to put it up against MNF? That sucks!

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Tuesday, September 19, 2006 5:21 AM

REGINAROADIE

I loved Judd Hirsch's NETWORK like rant that kicked off the show. Even though the character is based off of Lorne Michaels, you can tell that it's basically Sorkin himself venting. I wonder what a Joss tirade would sound like. If he decided halfway through an ep of BUFFY or ANGEL or FIREFLY (assuming he decided to do a live ep of one of them), he just told them to stop everything and go on a 53 second rant against FOX and Gail Berman and the WB and everyone who has cut him down. As for the rant itself, I'm gonna look for it online so that I can transcribe it and have it as my new signature.

Another thing about the show that intrigues me is that for the actual comedy sketches that you see, that Mark McKinney was tapped by Sorkin to oversee that aspect of the show. Personally, I could care less about McKinney (Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald in my mind was what made THE KIDS IN THE HALL worthwhile), but if this opens the gate for past sketch comedy personalities of the past, then I'm all for it.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"There's only one "Return" ok, and it ain't "of the King", it's "of the Jedi."

"Maybe we should start calling your friend 'Padme' because he loves 'Mannequin Skywalker' so much, Right? (imitating robot) Danger...danger...my name is Anakin...my shitty acting is ruining saga."

Excerpt of internet teaser for CLERKS 2.

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Tuesday, September 19, 2006 5:22 AM

STORYMARK

If anyone missed the premier last night, you can Netflix the pilot episode. The disk also has the pilot for Kidnapped, which premiers tomorrow, but I havn't watched it yet.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Tuesday, September 19, 2006 5:36 AM

EMBERS

I caught it last night and I was completely underwhelmed...
it is a show about an unfunny comedy show with no humor in it what-so-ever...
it took itself SO seriously, like anything about TV has to be so self important.

I was really disappointed, it has this amazing cast, but I really expected something witty...

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Tuesday, September 19, 2006 5:42 AM

MONKSDAD

I wasnt so impressed with it, I will however give it another try next week.

"And I think calling him that is an insult to the psychotic lowlife community."

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Tuesday, September 19, 2006 6:02 AM

DIAVO

I saw the pilot online last week. I liked it a lot, good writing & good acting.
If I watched TV I would definitely watch this show regularly (which is says A LOT).

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Tuesday, September 19, 2006 6:36 AM

CIOCCOLATA

I watched it on Sunday night and have to say I really liked it.
I watched 'West Wing', and even though half the time I did not know what the heck they were talking about, I enjoyed the dialogue and banter between characters.
I hated that they dropped 'Sports Night', another show I absolutely loved and watched with devotion from episode #1.
This show has much potential, and I hope they keep the wit and charm and personality of all his previous shows in this show.
Maybe they can get Joss to write an episode parodying..uhm, is that a word?...'Firefly'...just a thought.

Cioccolata

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Tuesday, September 19, 2006 7:26 AM

REGINAROADIE

I just saw the rant again on YouTube, and managed to transcribe the whole thing, for our enjoyment. It's not the full rant, since I couldn't hear him over whenever we were in the control room, but for the most part, here it is.

“Uhh, it’s not going to be a very good show tonight. I think you should change the channel. Change the channel. Go ahead, right now. Turn off the TV. No, no, I know that it seems like it’s supposed to be funny, but tomorrow you’re gonna find out that it wasn’t and by that time I’ll have been fired. No this…this not…this is not a sketch. This show used to be cutting edge political and social satire, but it’s gotten lobotomized by a candy-assed broadcast network. Hell bent on doing nothing that might challenge their audience. We were about to do a sketch that you’ve seen five hundred times already. Yeah, no one is going to confuse George Bush with George Plimpton, now we get it. We’re all being lobotomized by this country’s most influential industry, that’s just thrown in the towel on any endeavour to do anything that doesn’t include the courting of twelve year old boys. And not even the smart twelve year olds, the stupid ones, the idiots, which there are plenty thanks to no small measure to this network, so why don’t you just change the channel. Turn off your TV’s. Do it right now, go ahead….Well there’s always been a struggle between art and commerce. Well now I’m telling you, art is getting its ass kicked. And it’s making us mean, and it’s making us bitchy, and it’s making us cheap punks. That’s not who we are. People are having contests to see how much they can be like Donald Trump…we’re eating worms for money, who want’s to screw my sister. Guys are getting killed in a war that’s got theme music and a logo. That remote in your hand is a crack pipe. Oh yeah, every once in a while we pretend to be appalled…pornographers. It’s not even good pornography, it’s just this side of snuff films. And friends, that’s what’s next, because that’s all that’s left. And the two things that make them scared gutless are the FCC and every psycho religious cult that gets positively horny at the very mention of a boycott. These are the people they are afraid of. These prissy, feckless, off the charts, greed filled whorehouse that is this network you’re watching. This thoroughly unpatriotic-“

I tried to fit it into my signature, but I couldn't fit the whole thing in.

**************************************************
"I have no reason to believe you and every reason not to."
"Why's that?"
"You work in television."

STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP

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Tuesday, September 19, 2006 8:31 AM

AZHEA

On youtube, what's that rant called? I'd love to see it, since I missed the show.

Edit: I found it and it's brilliant!!! Here's the url,

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I seen the trouble clear as day when I was on my back before...

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Tuesday, September 19, 2006 10:47 AM

STOWEAWAY

I LOVED IT!!!! Seriously I was so amped up for this premiere. Of course, I worship Aaron Sorkin shows the way most folks here follow Joss.
I like it just as well as West Wing (which I watched religiously from the 2nd season). I loved both Bradley Whitford and Matthew Perry on West Wing and I think Studio 60 is maybe a little better. Because there's still the witty banter and social commentary, but now they can run around like idiots a little instead of being serious upstanding members of the White House staff.
This show may not appeal to the "strictly sci-fi" viewers previously mentioned. But Sorkin fans should definitely be pleased. I am!

--Tanya

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Wednesday, September 20, 2006 10:35 AM

FLAKBAIT

I enjoyed it, and I think it has potential.

The only thing that makes me hesitate is Sorkin's tendency to make everyone perfect. Even when they're flawed, they're still perfectly articulate, attractive, idealistic individuals who are imminently competent at whatever it is they're doing. If you think everyone (or anyone, really) in government or in Hollywood is like that, you need a reality check. If Studio 60 falls into that same habit, I'll probably lose interest pretty fast.

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Wednesday, September 20, 2006 10:46 AM

FELLOWTRAVELER

Quote:
Originally posted by flakbait:
I enjoyed it, and I think it has potential.

The only thing that makes me hesitate is Sorkin's tendency to make everyone perfect. Even when they're flawed, they're still perfectly articulate, attractive, idealistic individuals who are imminently competent at whatever it is they're doing. If you think everyone (or anyone, really) in government or in Hollywood is like that, you need a reality check. If Studio 60 falls into that same habit, I'll probably lose interest pretty fast.

I would agree that his characters are extremely articulate and idealistic, but one of things I liked about the "West Wing" was that very few of the cast was "pretty" in a traditional sense. The obvious exceptions to this was the Republican blonde (now on CSI Miami) and Rob Lowe. The other pretty faces were cast after Sorkin had already left the show.

All the others (CJ, Josh, Toby, Donna, all the Bartlets) were actually kinda' homely. A nice change from every other show on TV. Even (ducks to avoid head injury) Firefly.

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Wednesday, September 20, 2006 5:41 PM

REGINAROADIE

I agree with the whole "pretty acotrs" thing. And as much as Joss's shows have gone against the grain for the most part, his shows still had cast members of pretty young things.

Like with BUFFY, even though Buffy, Willow and Xander were supposed to be these outsiders, they looked just as popular as the popular kids. No geek or wiccan/computer nerd in real life looks as good as Niki Brendon or Allyson Hannigan. That was the only aspect of the show I never bought. Only Seth Green looked exactly like his character on that show.

And on FIREFLY, I know that Kaylee was supposed to look like a girl who enjoyed a cheesburger on a regular basis, and be not fat, but "thick." But I guess by tv conventions, "thick" means half a size more than the average twig. The point is, Kaylee never struck me as plus sized.

And for Simon, it's kind of a conflicted thing. Simon was the character I identified with the most on the show because I saw a lot of myself in that character. The only difference is, I do not look like the refugee from the WB that he does. So while I identify with his plight, thus making him the focal point of my stories since writing him is pretty easy, I slightly resent him for looking prettier than most of the women on board.

As for Sorkin shows, I guess that he does cast normal looking actors. Seeing Matt Perry on this show is a bit of a shock, because even though it's been two years since FRIENDS ended, he looks like he's been through the ringer and has aged fifteen years. And Brad Whitford certainly won't be on any "sexiest men" lists anytime soon.

One show that really does go against the grain in casting normal, even downright ugly people, is THE OFFICE. The only people on the show that look remotely appealing to the eyes is John Krasinski (Jim) and Jenna Fischer (Pam). Everyone else looks like regular people. Steve Carrell has a pointy nose, Rainn Wilson has inspired a bobblehead, B.J. Novak has that horse face with the big chin. Angela has a pretty severe look. Brian (Kevin) is balding and has I think a triple chin, Paul Liberstein (Toby) has that hang-dog look, you can tell on Meredith that the alcohol is getting to her and the rest of the cast range from middle age to older than hell. And that's one of the reasons I love that show to death because it looks and feels like an actual office environment.

**************************************************
"I have no reason to believe you and every reason not to."
"Why's that?"
"You work in television."

STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP

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Thursday, September 21, 2006 4:43 PM

SHINYTRINKET

Quote:
Oh, and if you only watch shows that have a FIREFLY/SERENITY connection to them, Sarah Paulson, who played Dr. Caron (the holographic doc on the Miranda recording) is one of the cast members on the show.

So is Carlos Jacott, who played Dobson in 'Serenity' (the pilot, not the movie).

*************************************************
The 3 rules of aging:
1. Never bypass a bathroom
2. Never waste an erection
3. Never trust a fart

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Thursday, September 21, 2006 5:15 PM

CALIFORNIAKAYLEE

I caught the pilot on Monday (and ironically had it arrive from Netflix yesterday), and as a big West Wing fan, while I definitely enjoyed it, there was a sense of weightiness to the West Wing that I really enjoyed, and that Studio 60 seems to lack. Maybe that will come in later, or maybe the show will compensate with something else. But I really did like the feeling in the West Wing that they were involved in something bigger than themselves, something that mattered, and I missed that in Studio 60. That said, I love Sorkin (and Bradley Whitford!) enough to give the show more than adequate time to make me fall in love with it.

I will agree with the point someone brought up about Sorkin's characters being extraordinarily articulate, but that's actually one of the things I love about Sorkin's writing. I come from a very articulate family, and for the most part I feel like what's on TV is written at a fourth grade reading level -- and then read out loud. The witty banter and quips was what first drew me to Buffy, and the fast back-and-forth between extremely intelligent characters was one of the things I loved about the West Wing. Add to that some of the fantastic physical comedy in the West Wing (which I hope we get to see more of in Studio 60 -- Bradley Whitford falling on his butt in the Capitol building because his mother sent him new shoes was beyond hilarious), and the West Wing was pretty much my perfect show for its first four seasons.

I do have to disagree that Bradley Whitford won't be winning any sexiest men awards. You might be surprised at the number of women he makes go weak in the knees. Then again, if you've seen his dimples, you might not be all that surprised.

~CK

You can't take the sky from me...

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Friday, September 22, 2006 9:35 PM

SIMONWHO

Of course part of this "perfection" (though how you can say that when a big part of the episode is Matt screwing up by announcing his partner's drug test results to an entire room) is that these people are supposed to be the cream of the crop. They're comedy makers and comedians, they're supposed to be quick witted and snappy.

I really enjoyed the first episode and yeah, it is at least partly the fault of the Christians for how gutless US TV is. The money men are behind why it is lowest common denominator but it is all those boycott crazy Christian groups that steer television away from anything resembling an opinion.

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Saturday, September 23, 2006 5:19 AM

SHOTGUNJEDI

Caught most of it opening night...

Abso-freakin-lutely brilliant.

will definately keep my eye on it.

Doesn't hurt that Sarah Paulson's in it and that I totally fell in love with her from her scene in Serenity...

"Life's not fair... and 'Earnest Goes To Jail' teaches us that."

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Sunday, September 24, 2006 6:28 PM

REGINAROADIE

Seeing as how there's a large number of people who really dig this show, I figured I bump this with thoughts every week on the latest eps. I know it's on Monday nights on NBC in the States, but up here in Canada, we get it a night earlier, so this is more for the Canadian viewers, at least until tomorrow night.

*spoiler warnings*

I loved the press confrence in that it not only kept the ball rolling that was set in the pilot, but got it rolling faster when Danny freely admitted to the failed cocaine test to all of these reporters. And Amanda's characters attempt at a joke after the revelation. "Did you know about this?"; "Well I was high at the time."

When Matt and Danny go into Wes' old office, I like the reverence that the act has. That by taking the office of this comedic legend is in some way denigrating it. And I like them discovering the clock that even when it's turned off still keeps counting down till Friday night at 11:30. I wonder if Joss ever had a ticking clock for when he was producing.

The scene in the writer's room was really killer in that you really got the sense of peeking behind the curtain of not only a sketch comedy show, but just tv shows in general. I know all you guys got excited to see Carlos Jacott on the show, but I was psyched to see John Ennis, a vet from MR. SHOW the David Cross/Bob Odenkirk HBO sketch show, in the writer's room. And Matt's bit with the writers was great.

"JUST STOP. (room goes silent) What are you all wearing? I'm not Blackwell or anything, but holy cow what the Hell are you guys wearing? One of the things this show does is decide what's cool, and I've just decided that it's no longer cool for grown men to dress as if they're in junior high school."

"It's comedy, Matt."

"Not yet, it's not. And until it is, we're all going to act professionally. You understand? We're going to act, dress, talk, write and behave professionally."

(Harriet barges into the room) "You are an adolescent, over-sexed, whoremonger with the sensitivity of a head of cabbage."

"And all that will begin in just a few minutes."

My favorite tiny moment was when Harriet hit Jeanie with the prop beer bottle over her head. It was like when Dawn kicked Buffy in the series finale. A little tiny moment that had a bigger reaction.

And the musical number at the end was just genius. Had no idea Aaron Sorkin loved the show tunes as much as Joss does. And that it ends with a shot of the clock resetting itself was just perfect.

*spoilers end*

I don't know if Joss watches this show, but I bet that if he does, he'd be grinning ear to ear just remembering all the drama that went on backstage during that 8 year stretch when he produced three genre bending and defining shows.

**************************************************
"I have no reason to believe you and every reason not to."
"Why's that?"
"You work in television."

STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP

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Sunday, September 24, 2006 7:00 PM

LITTLEALBATROSS

Spoilers for Episode 2

Beware!

I really liked this episode. I was slightly surprised because I kind of thought the pilot felt very self-contained, almost as if it could have been a movie had it been a bit longer.

The song and dance number was brilliant! As was the press conference.

And talk about poking the religious right with a stick!

I also liked the 'coward fee' Jordan was going to introduce for sponsors who pull their support but come crawling back later on.

And I can't believe I didn't realize Serenity was where I recognized Sarah Paulson from. I've been trying to figure it out since last week (without using IMDB).

The only thing about Studio 60 I don't like is how much it reminds me of and makes me miss The West Wing.

This has become my first new (and only) 'must watch' show of the season.

And the previews for next week look really good too!

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Monday, September 25, 2006 4:27 PM

REGINAROADIE

bump

**************************************************
"I have no reason to believe you and every reason not to."
"Why's that?"
"You work in television."

STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP

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Tuesday, September 26, 2006 7:39 AM

FELLOWTRAVELER

I thought this weeks episode was pretty good. Not as good as the pilot, but that may have to do with my expectations growing to enormous heights over the past week.

I am enjoying the back and forth between Peet's and Weber's characters. It's always fun to watch idealism and pragmatism duke it out and even more fun when idealism wins. It's also great to see the shots at the Christian Right continue. The reaction when the execs learned that "Rapture Magazine" has a circulation four times "Vanity Fair" was priceless.

I could do less with the who's screwing who subplot, but I guess there has to be some sex to keep the herd interested.

And I loved the opening musical number to the "show", although I doubt most people out in TV land can hum along to a tune from Penzance...

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Monday, October 2, 2006 7:46 PM

REGINAROADIE

Hey All

Here with my weekly "This week's ep of STUDIO 60 RULES" post.

Once against, they knock it out of the ballpark. I loved how we got to see the rehearsals of the sketches and of them figuring out to make it even funnier than before. And did anyone catch Lucy Davis of THE OFFICE(UK)/SHAUN OF THE DEAD fame? It's those blink and you'll miss em cameos that I love.

Jordan's sub-plot on the DUI and the revelation of her ex writing a tell-all e-book made for some really good dramatic stuff.

One criticism that I hear a lot about the show that I actually think is what makes the show great was that at times they seem too serious about it. That even though they work on a comedy show, that they treat the whole endeavour like peace talks between the Palestinians and the Insraeli's. Well, I for one am glad that the show treats it like that, because the old saying is true. "Dying is easy, comedy is hard."

I love it when Matt throws out these comedy rules, like how as soon as you mention psychiatry and Tom Cruise in the same sentence, that the joke's already over. It shows that comedy is an incredibly precise art, where the slightest thing can ruin an opportunity for a laugh. And I think that showing the pain and pleasure in trying to get people to laugh is what makes the show what it is.

And I loved the whole bit at the beginning about the focus group, and how it states the irony that shows that tested horribly usually end up being the classics. And do you guys really think that one person in a focus group can represent half a million people. I'd hate to think what the focus groups said about BUFFY, ANGEL and FIREFLY. Like who the people were, what the percetages and responses were and if Joss just either ignored them, or didn't even look at them.

**************************************************
"I have no reason to believe you and every reason not to."
"Why's that?"
"You work in television."

STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP

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Monday, October 2, 2006 8:47 PM

ANGELICDEATH

Hello all,

As a fan of Sport's Night and that whole satire/comedy/sitcom deal, I've been interested in catching this show, but do to my schedule I have yet to do so. However I am curious... Is it worth taping to see? I'm hearing mixed reviews and was wonder what ya'll may have to add.

thanks...

***************************************
The very existence of flamethrowers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, "You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."

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