Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip on NBC [Text View] - Page 4

dad1153

11-23-06, 05:21 PM

Back on topic, I much enjoyed the purge of the writers. I particularly find Judah Friedlander the most un-funny "comedian" on TV and am glad that whole group is gone... including Ricky and Ron, both of whom I also found supremely unfunny characters in the show (surprising, since they're lead comedy writers!).

I found the intelligent and rapid-fire 3-party post-show repartee between Danny, Matt and Jordan (especially the product placement discussion) to be terrific. Backed up by the other similar intelligent and rapid-fire intervention by Tom and Simon into Harriet's outside photoshoot project, I thought the writing and performances in this episode were wonderful. I actually had several outbursts of "instant laugh" (i.e. sudden, quick, loud, and then it's gone, so that you can take in more of the onscreen dialog that follows immediately) as my brain finally processed several of the one-liners that were superb but took a moment or two to absorb.

That's why TiVO or any DVR device that lets you pause/rewind in real time is your best friend. I too laughed harder at lots of moments in this 'Studio 60' episode than any of the previous one's, but that scene between Danny, Matt and Jordan when the latter's phone rang had me in stitches. It looked like improv but it was totally written and acted to look like improv, so it was up to Perry and Whitford to sell it (which they did). And as a former writer's assistant for a comedy show a lifetime ago the tension and bickering in that writing room firing of the exec producers felt both real and painfully accurate. I was having doubts throughout its current run that 'Studio 60' could ever live up to Sorkin's 'Sports Night' standards (my favorite sitcom/comedy show of all time) but episodes like this (ironically the 3rd part of a trilogy following the 'Nevada Day' two-parter) give me hopes it can hang around long-enough to warrant a second season. You know, the way 'Arrested Development' managed to hang around for two seasons when its ratings shouldn't have warranted a second renewal. If 'Studio 60' wins Emmy's in key categories (probably in the acting and writing departments) come September there's hope NBC can keep it going for a little while longer as a 'loss leader.'

vfxproducer

11-24-06, 02:49 AM

I think "The Office" is spectacularly unfunny. I feel the casting to be terrible (and again, Americanized so badly that the show has no chance)

Yeah, forget the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series, the Television Critics Association awards, Steve Carell's Golden Globe, the multiple Writer's Guild Award nominations, the Neilson ratings, and the extraordinary number of people who have paid hard cash to download episodes from iTunes, that show doesn't have a chance.

aviators99

11-24-06, 03:32 AM

<snip>
In contrast, the British original is brilliant (e.g. the casting was perfect, for the British humor), as was Ricky's short-lived HBO series "Extras" which I found to be excellent and satisfying.
<snip>

Well, I won't fault you for your opinions (even though your opinion of the US Office is wrong ;)) but I can correct your misstatements of fact...

Extras was not short-lived. It has been renewed. And it's not an HBO series, per se...it is a BBC series.

DSperber

11-24-06, 04:27 AM

Extras was not short-lived. It has been renewed.This is excellent news. I hadn't heard that. A little research now reveals that HBO greenlighted a second season back in August of 2005 (even before the first season had aired in the US). It's now November 2006 and still no sign of it, but I guess I'll just have to be patient.

As far as "short", there were only 6 episodes in the first "season" (not atypical for BBC series). That's really what I mostly meant, not to mention that its absence from the schedule for 1 1/2 years now along with no promos for the 2nd season suggested to me it had been a 1-season wonder.

Nevertheless, I thought the first season was terrific (especially that wonderful scene with both Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant as his agent working the computer, in the agent's office, which almost seemed like improv but I know that this particular series was definitely scripted).

And it's not an HBO series, per se...it is a BBC series.Well, again research reveals that it was actually a co-production deal between BBC and HBO. It did air first on BBC in England, and then later (Sept 25 2005) in the US on HBO.

Thank you for your corrections.

dad1153

11-24-06, 09:35 AM

Fans of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (and aren't we all? ;) ) will get a kick out of this story about what Jamie Tarses (the ABC programming chief that inspired the Jordan McDeere character in Aaron Sorkin's latest) is up to since her departure from ABC a few years back. I had no idea that Tarses was a consultant on 'Studio 60' (is this in the credits at the end?).

TV Notebook
Back in the game
Former ABC exec Jamie Tarses tests the waters again with "My Boys."
By Lynn Smith The Los Angeles Times November 24, 2006

Jamie Tarses and Betsy Thomas, uncharacteristically made up for a photographer and relieved that the session had finished, sat in the bar of the Four Seasons Hotel and philosophized about a topic they know well: television comedy.

"Everybody begins at that point of 'I want to do something that is of very good quality, I want people to enjoy it, learn from it, be inspired from it,' " said Tarses, the former head of ABC Entertainment, in a rare interview. A show like "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," featuring a character partly based on Tarses herself, demonstrates how it's not always possible to take the high road due to commercial demands, she said. "But always aspiring to do that is certainly admirable and what everyone would like to be able to do every day of their lives."

It's been especially tough for sitcoms lately, but the two women had reason to celebrate. "My Boys," a show written by Thomas four years ago and co-executive produced by Tarses, will launch Tuesday on TBS. Along with "Ten Items or Less," the show represents the cable network's first venture into original programming planned to complement its syndicated comedy block — "Sex and the City," "Friends," "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "Seinfeld."

Tarses and Thomas have known each other since the days when networks still loved sitcoms and women executives and comedy writers were rare in Hollywood. Eight years ago, Thomas sold her first pilot script, a comedy based on her own life in Hollywood ("Then Came You") to ABC.

Then, after Tarses resigned under difficult circumstances from her high-profile job, the two often met informally to talk over Thomas' latest projects. One, also loosely based on Thomas' own experiences, followed a young female sportswriter and her weekly poker games with her male friends. ABC and NBC passed but Tarses liked it and remembered it.

Last November, just after she signed on as a partner with Pariah Productions, Tarses asked Thomas what had happened to that script. When she heard it was collecting dust, Tarses knew it would be perfect for TBS.

Michael Wright, senior vice president of original programming for TBS and sister network TNT, said "My Boys" was just what the channel had been seeking: a romantic "buddy" comedy, with a smart, contemporary tone that avoided silliness or sentimentality. The lead character of P.J., a sweet tomboy on a steep learning curve about life, love and occasionally career, was perfect. "She's very attractive, the girl that guys want to go out with and women want to hang out with," he said.

He said P.J. (played by Jordana Spiro) is a well-written version of Thomas herself. "The characters are all plucked from her world," Wright said. "She's writing from what she knows."

Thomas agreed that she tends to write about women like herself — "not particularly girly, not particularly [aggressive], just professional, sensitive, intelligent women who can both drink a guy under the table, and yet are sensitive and vulnerable and a little crazy."

In the '90s, Tarses made news as the first female entertainment chief at any of the big three networks. She became the entertainment president at ABC after a successful run at NBC as a development executive, during which she was responsible for "Friends." Since leaving ABC, Tarses has shied away from the press.

Though many women now populate writing rooms and executive suites in Hollywood, it wasn't the case when Tarses and Thomas first met. "Now the composition of those rooms has changed dramatically," Tarses said, ticking off women-led comedy staffs at CBS and ABC.

As a consultant on "Studio 60," Tarses helps shape the character of Jordan McDeere (Amanda Peet), the president of the fictional National Broadcasting System who oversees a troubled comedy show and is the only female executive in sight. The show is accurate in the limited view it describes, she said.

In a production studio, she said, "certain areas going to be mainly men and only one woman. You also haven't seen her other staff. In terms of who she's working with, only her dynamic with two men, they're accurate with that. I don't think you've been exposed to enough of the world in which she's working to know if they're getting it right or not."

Thomas said she always had fun in the male-dominated writing rooms. "The truth is, [the culture of the writing rooms] has less to do with gender and more to do with the pace and the stress and the frenetic nature of television production. Fourteen-hour days. Working crazy hours. You're under a lot of stress. You have to toughen up. You have to develop a thick skin or a great sense of humor. You've got to let a lot run off your back.

"There's a lot of rejection in this business. You have to get used to that. Just like in sports."

"My Boys" is replete with baseball metaphors, delivered through P.J.'s voice-over narration, and Thomas says she has plenty more where they came from. In Hollywood, she said, "there are people who are respectful of others in general. And know how to play rough without getting someone hurt. There are people who don't know how to roughhouse whether they're a comedy writer or stockbroker.

"I've been really lucky. I've always been treated with complete respect."

One reason Thomas wrote "My Boys" four years ago, she said, is that she could not identify with women on television, portrayed mostly through gender stereotypes.

"We have a lot of female friends who work in the biz one way or another," Thomas said of herself and Tarses. "We talk about work and politics, things that are typical male. We go to dinner, and we can talk about work and then shift right over to earring talk just like that," she snapped her fingers.

"There are TV shows where women do nothing but talk about sex and shoes," Thomas said. She quickly added that "Sex and the City" is a terrific show "and they're on TBS, so we love them."

The premise of "My Boys," the weekly poker game, is a seven-year tradition in Thomas' home, which she shares with her husband, actor-writer Adrian Wenner. One of the regulars is actor Michael Bunin ("Scrubs") who was cast in "My Boys" as Kenny, a sports memorabilia store owner also coping with dating dilemmas.

Tarses has joined the group a few times. She lives a few miles away in the Hollywood Hills with musician Paddy Aubrey and their 14-month-old child, Wyatt.

Though both are beyond their 20s now, the women said they don't write or produce for a target audience.

"You write what you know," Tarses said. "If they want it, they feel it will appeal to the target audience," which at TBS is the usual 18-to-49 demographic.

TBS shaped "My Boys" by insisting on a single-camera format without a live audience, which Wright said allowed more focus on the characters and their relationships. He also said he relied on the women's extensive experience in television comedy.

Tarses said television comedy is in a "transitional phase," noting that lately the breakout shows have been dramas.

She and Thomas partly blamed the press for a "backlash" against comedy. "They've been reviewing the form more than the content," Tarses said. "The multi-camera comedies that have come on in the last couple of years have perhaps been unfairly evaluated based on the fact that they are of a certain form."

"The word 'sitcom' has become a dirty word," Thomas said. "It's even to the point where somebody says about 'My Boys,' 'So this is a sitcom,' I bristle. But then I think, well actually, technically it is."

Undoubtedly, the popularity of reality shows and mockumentaries has also contributed to the dearth of traditional comedies.

"There is an adrenaline rush people get from watching reality television because it's really happening and people are made to look uncomfortable and you want to see conflict," Tarses said. "That's what in a lot of reality shows drives them and brings people back to watch more."

What's more, she said, "there's a correlation to reality television in this evolution with the idea that anybody can be on television."

Thomas called the situation "depressing. You used to win money on game shows by answering trivia questions. Now you point to a suitcase. You used to have to guess whether this window cleaner is more or less than $1.59, and show some amount of knowledge."

Still, Tarses said, they are both "genuine fans of the medium. TiVo has ruined my life basically. But I love television, I really do, and there's some great stuff on television." Some promising midseason comedies she said she's looking forward to include ABC's "Knights of Prosperity" and "In Case of Emergency."

"When will the next big hit be a comedy?" Tarses asked. "That hasn't been true in a long time. Will it ever be true again? That's what people are trying to figure out."

http://www.calendarlive.com/tv/cl-et-myboys24nov24,0,7662783.story?coll=cl-tv-features

caernavon

11-24-06, 10:40 AM

Humm ... well I think part of the problem is all about "expectations." Either folks had none, expected impossibly lofty goals, or had pre-conceived negative expectations.

I'm one of those people whose expectations were unfairly high for S60, simply because of its pedigree. And yes, I was a little disappointed after the first few episodes -- because I was comparing it to TWW, one of the best shows ever, IMO. But the things that made TWW so exciting aren't ever going to happen on S60. The writing and dialogue, however, are as stellar as ever; the characters as smart and interesting. Once I got my head around that concept -- it did take a few weeks -- I changed my perceptions and now I see S60 as a superbly written character drama, and never miss it.

If I have any beef with this show, it's the same with most shows of this kind.
In fact with most "hip" shows or movies in general.
It's that no one in "real-life" is as spontaneously witty as a television or movie character.

Isn't that kind of why we watch? Because that sort of witty repartee is so enjoyable to listen to? And because life would be a smidge mroe interesting if people really were that spontaneously witty? It's one of the reasons I watch.

ddingle

11-24-06, 10:47 AM

Sorry if this has comment has already been made, but it seems to me like Amanda Peet is trying to read her lines as fast as possible? Suspension of disbelief is diminished when she is in the scene IMHO. The other characters are providing more believable dialogue

aviators99

11-24-06, 05:36 PM

This is excellent news. I hadn't heard that. A little research now reveals that HBO greenlighted a second season back in August of 2005 (even before the first season had aired in the US). It's now November 2006 and still no sign of it, but I guess I'll just have to be patient.

It just finished airing in the UK on BBC. Most people are expecting it to be on HBO early next year (maybe even January).

Someone mentioned that it may be downloadable from the BBC website.
I'm sure it's downloadable from other sources.

I'll wait, just in case it was shot for HD.

CPanther95

11-24-06, 05:42 PM

Please keep on topic. While "Extras" is a fantastic show, one of the funniest half-hours you can spend, worth subbing to HBO for during it's run and a show that should be promoted anytime possible in order to boost viewership (but we can't because it isn't in HD and would not be topical) - please confine discussion to S60.

;)

TheHYPO

11-26-06, 01:57 PM

I think it was 30 SECOND page vs 40 second page. Same amount of pages adds up to more time....

I know this is an old discussion and it's probably moot now, but I thought I'd mention that they DID say half-hour format vs. 40-second format. Not necessarily 30 seconds per page.

I don't know what half-hour format might be per page (maybe half-hour, not being live, and having editing options, doesn't even set out time per-page).

Josh Z

11-26-06, 04:11 PM

Maybe because even with basic elementary information in fields that people do not operate with on a regular basis it takes more to digest and process the information even if the information is readily available?

I would also like HDTVFanAtic to please explain the enduring popularity of medical dramas like ER and House whose bread and butter involves the rapid-fire delivery of complex terms and concepts the average audience will have no direct experience with? Somehow both of those shows get huge ratings and have stayed on the air for years, yet neither one ever stops to explain the intracacies of their medical terminology to the audience.

HDTVFanAtic

11-27-06, 02:37 AM

I would also like HDTVFanAtic to please explain the enduring popularity of medical dramas like ER and House whose bread and butter involves the rapid-fire delivery of complex terms and concepts the average audience will have no direct experience with? Somehow both of those shows get huge ratings and have stayed on the air for years, yet neither one ever stops to explain the intracacies of their medical terminology to the audience.

Adjust your glasses and re-read above - as I already stated ER explains to the patient what is going on.

Here's the bottom line - if the show didn't try to be SO INSIDE the Industry - maybe 15 - 20 lines modified per show - it would make all the difference in the world.

I'm not saying you can't like complicated plots and scripts - some do - I just know how to get audience and ratings - and this isn't it. I've thought Matthew Perry was underated for a very long time which this clearly proves. And there are clearly portions of it that I like. However, I see the flaws and they are deadly.

As Sorkin wrote in the show - you want quality in the show, take it to Pay Cable (actually HBO was his reference with the other show that Amanda Pete got to NBS).

If it can find an audience of several million there, it will be ok - that's not the case with Network OTA TV.

foxeng

11-27-06, 11:00 PM

Jordan! WOW! BOMBSHELL! As if we didn't know! :)

HDTVFanAtic

11-28-06, 02:36 AM

Jordan! WOW! BOMBSHELL! As if we didn't know! :)

Sorkin is now using the show to give his repsonses to how he feels about reporters and all the press on the failure to deliver ratings (i.e. lack of commercial success) on Studio 60 itself.

foxeng

11-28-06, 07:25 AM

Sorkin is now using the show to give his repsonses to how he feels about reporters and all the press on the failure to deliver ratings (i.e. lack of commercial success) on Studio 60 itself.

Well I actually meant that Amanda Peet's pregnancy is now part of the story line. Something she said on Leno that wouldn't be. I am beginning to wonder if Sorkin has any idea where to take this thing now.

Josh Z

11-28-06, 10:20 AM

Glad they finally (if belatedly) addressed the Amanda Peet issue.

The bit about Harriet not being able to tell a joke was funny, but doesn't exactly make sense. If the girl can't tell a straight joke, how could she anchor the News 60 segment?

dad1153

11-28-06, 10:47 AM

You know what would have capped last night's show with a touch of comedic gold when Whitford/Peet said their simultaneous 'pregnant' lines? If there had been a monitor/TV set with the feed from the 'Studio 60' show with the rushed skit playing on the same room Jordan collapsed. Right after we hear 'pregnant' the entire cast is seen/heard on the monitor making gigantic simultaneous spit takes to thunderous laughter/applause. Cut to black, fade credits.

Mr. Sorkin, if you're reading this I'm available and don't need Mark McKinney as my mentor to pull quality stuff like the above out of my you-know-what. :)

archiguy

11-28-06, 10:54 AM

Well I actually meant that Amanda Peet's pregnancy is now part of the story line. Something she said on Leno that wouldn't be. I am beginning to wonder if Sorkin has any idea where to take this thing now.

As I've said before in this thread, her lack of "family planning" has put Sorkin and the producers in a creative bind that they didn't expect when they signed her up. He'll write his way out of it, he always does, but he can't be too happy about it and it will interfere with the organic flow of the show as he originally envisioned it. On the other hand, he's probably already made changes in the direction/tone of the show based on the ratings/criticism, so he's likely not following his original "script" anymore anyway.

spwace

11-28-06, 11:51 AM

R11

11-28-06, 11:59 AM

Was it just our local affiliate or was last nights EP just dismal PQ? It looked even worse than the pilot ep in PDX...

ron

flyingvee

11-28-06, 01:36 PM

The bit about Harriet not being able to tell a joke was funny, but doesn't exactly make sense. If the girl can't tell a straight joke, how could she anchor the News 60 segment?

While I'm the farthest from a P.C. person you could find, I would guess it is just a dumb blonde kind of thing - in that Harriet is enough of an actress that she can read and deliver her lines, but she can't remember a joke. - no, that doesn't make sense either - if an actor can learn his lines, surely she could learn a 6 line joke.

I can support an argument that she couldn't be spontaneously funny, and that she needs to read her lines (I've played with enough musicians that can only read or play off tab) but you're right - she should have been able to learn the lines.

But - it was funny. And I thought it was a good show - Amanda Peet looks good enough to me, I don't care how fast she reads her lines, Dallas. Tho I would rather she was slower, so she would get more face time. :D

pq looked the same to me as the last two - I don't get to watch it often, so don't have a large baseline to work from. There was some serious breakup, but I would have to attribute that to the driving rainstorms we were getting - when the picture was on, it was ok. Filmlike would be the adjective I'd have to use.

HDTVFanAtic

11-28-06, 02:39 PM

Well I actually meant that Amanda Peet's pregnancy is now part of the story line. Something she said on Leno that wouldn't be. I am beginning to wonder if Sorkin has any idea where to take this thing now.

She'll be kidnapped and held hostage by Fox Network Brass for the Season Cliffhanger as the show is cancelled and we never know if she was released.

foxeng

11-28-06, 03:26 PM

She'll be kidnapped and held hostage by Fox Network Brass for the Season Cliffhanger as the show is cancelled and we never know if she was released.

Trust me, they don't want her!! :D :D

JimsArcade

11-28-06, 11:26 PM

RobertWood

11-29-06, 12:04 AM

Isn't that kind of why we watch? Because that sort of witty repartee is so enjoyable to listen to? And because life would be a smidge mroe interesting if people really were that spontaneously witty? It's one of the reasons I watch..
Maybe. The next day after I'd posted that comment, I was sitting on the john and for some reason I remembered expressing that thought. And I immediately began to argue almost your exact take on it to myself. After about five minutes arguing with myself I reached an impasse. But leaning toward your position.

But then I just finished watching the webcast of last night's episode. And I did an about face. And did so because in this episode it presented such a distraction for me that the distractions took me out of the show more than once.
Dialogue of this nature can and of course should be smart and hip and compelling. But the problem arises when it becomes so obvious that what is being passed off as spontaneity just simply isn't. When it becomes so obvious that each line of "spontaneity" is actually the product of an hour's worth of deliberate comedy writing.
That is the way to write the comedy sketches of course. But the Studio 60 script is not a sketch.

Signed,

Dilbert27

fredfa

11-29-06, 12:40 AM

Trust me, they don't want her!! :D :D

I am sure they don't.

She might actually come up with a decent show on their network.

flyingvee

11-29-06, 11:20 AM

I am sure they don't.

She might actually come up with a decent show on their network.

Ouch! Or as the late lamented Kelso would have said, "BURN!" :p

flint350

11-30-06, 02:01 PM

She might actually come up with a decent show on their network.

Hmm...you mean like: House, Bones, 24, Justice (IMO anyway), Prison Break (mostly), American Idol (wildly popular)?

Not such bad company I think. Every network has its losers and, granted, FOX has a knack for accumulating them. But, is it really as bad as all that? (Pls don't bring up OJ) :D

Gecko85

11-30-06, 08:17 PM

Hmm...you mean like: House, Bones, 24, Justice (IMO anyway), Prison Break (mostly), American Idol (wildly popular)?

Not such bad company I think. Every network has its losers and, granted, FOX has a knack for accumulating them. But, is it really as bad as all that? (Pls don't bring up OJ) :D

Don't forget Family Guy, Malcom in the Middle, Bernie Mac...the old standby Simpsons...Plus, they gave one of the greatest shows ever (besides the Simpsons), Married With Children.

They've had their fair share of winners.

RobertWood

12-04-06, 11:32 PM

Very nice wrap-up to the season. I've enjoyed this thing very much.

But boy oh boy would they have a problem with tonight's show in that political board I waste so much time in.
If I try to tell them what happened at the end of this one they would get out their copies of Manufacturing Consent and start preaching Chomsky to me again and telling me the corporationists at NBS would never ever do anything as "anti-corporate" as what Wilson White and Jack Rudolph did tonight.

foxeng

12-05-06, 06:42 AM

..telling me the corporationists at NBS would never ever do anything as "anti-corporate" as what Wilson White and Jack Rudolph did tonight.

Want to bet?! That is pretty much what CBS is doing with the Janet jackson/SB fines today (storyline ripped from the headlines).They are fighting them tooth and nail at the FCC. The difference is Janet Jackson was preventable, in a live news story in a war zone, the FCC would be more forgiving if that scenario took place, even in this era of raised indecency.

lax01

12-05-06, 09:44 AM

yeah I thought that fine was a little far-fetched...$370K+ per affiliate? for a live broadcast from a war zone? come on....the FCC would loose so badly in court on that one

foxeng

12-05-06, 09:49 AM

yeah I thought that fine was a little far-fetched...$370K+ per affiliate? for a live broadcast from a war zone? come on....the FCC would loose so badly in court on that one

$375k per station per infraction is what the Congress raised the fine to this past year because of the Janet Jackson issue. That part of the story arc is true.

lax01

12-05-06, 09:54 AM

$375k per station per infraction is what the Congress raised the fine to this past year because of the Janet Jackson issue. That part of the story arc is true.

wow...thats ridiclous

fredfa

12-05-06, 10:47 AM

flint350 and Gecko85: I was referring to this year's new shows on Fox.

kbp

12-05-06, 11:00 AM

I’m not an industry insider or anything, but is this storyline based on something that actually happened? Did one of the major network’s news accidently broadcast the F-word live from a fire fight and subsequently get fined 300k+ for each affiliate or are they saying the S60 fictional case is basically the same as the Jackson Super Bowl incident?

fredfa

12-05-06, 11:18 AM

The level of the FCC fines was accurate.

Whether the FCC would level a fine in such a circumstance (probably not) is Sorkin's way of addressing the issue.

foxeng

12-05-06, 11:48 AM

I’m not an industry insider or anything, but is this storyline based on something that actually happened?

Janet Jackson Wardrobe Malfunction during the SB. This is Sorkin's comment about the ongoing CBS fight with the FCC to get the fines leveled at the CBS O & O's reduced or removed.

CPanther95

12-05-06, 11:50 AM

Didn't Bono say the f-word on an awards broadcast and the FCC said that it wasn't indecent because of the context?

fredfa

12-05-06, 12:02 PM

Yes, CP95. It took a lot of wrangling, and a lot of lawyers, but that is what finally happened.

fredfa

12-05-06, 12:03 PM

(From Marc Berman’s Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006, Programming Insider blog at Mediaweek.com )

“…At 10 p.m., a repeat of CBS’ CSI: Miami led the hour with 11.50 million viewers and a 3.7/10 among adults 18-49. Second was NBC’s lagging Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (Viewers: 7.42 million; A18-49: 3.0/ 8), which dipped by a too significant 7.58 million viewers and 54 percent among adults 18-49 from lead-in Heroes. Last, and very least, was ABC’s struggling What About Brian at 6.16 million viewers and a 2.6/ 7 among adults 18-49. Comparably, that was down from lead-in Supernanny by 4.38 million viewers and 35 percent in the demo….”

http://pifeedback.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/63310451/m/52010822

kbp

12-05-06, 12:32 PM

Didn't Bono say the f-word on an awards broadcast and the FCC said that it wasn't indecent because of the context?

Yeah, and didn’t someone from a hair metal band do something similar at an awards show, maybe even a couple times?. I seem to remember seeing it live. Don’t quote me on it.

S60 - If the intent was to comment on the CBS situation, wouldn’t the more obvious and believable comparison would’ve been to have one of the S60 on-air personalities deliberately say the F-word on a live feed?

flint350

12-05-06, 01:03 PM

I read all the "I loved it" posts in Hot Off the Press on this show and I simply don't agree. While it deserved a measure of praise (certainly more than most previous attempts), I didn't see this particular show as anything special. Much of it was preposterous. The whole FCC story line being the prime example to me. If Sorkin wanted to attack that issue, he should certainly have come up with something a little more equivocal to the Janet Jackson fiasco instead of a war-time interview with bombs going off. Who in their right mind would ever make these equivalent except someone like Sorkin who always seems to need to beat you over the head with completely over the top examples. The stirring scene with Asner ("waited my whole life for this") speech was completely misplaced on such an issue, while admittedly well done as acting/story. The Jack Rudolph character's comment that even Mr. Rodgers would curse in such a situation was right on the money. The FCC wouldn't bat such a quick eye in this situation. For God's sake, it was live, in the field of battle news. Not a pre-programmed bit of nudity at the Super Bowl.

But typical of Sorkin to completely over-exaggerate to make a point that could have and should have been made with a much more realistic example. I get it, Sorkin wants to show us how the evil government is out to control us, but as usual, has to resort to complete hyperbole to do it. Subtlety (and reality) is out of style I guess. Almost akin to the dismantling of the Bible and Xmas with the myriad examples of minutiae. His theme seems to always be "use a hammer or axe" when a lesser tool is all that's needed to make his point. Sure, the nice ending about New Orleans was well done and there were other moments like the Santa as predator skit, but it wasn't (for me) an example of riveting television anywhere near the quality of West Wing in its day. This show keeps trying to live on hype and Sorkin's name, not to mention NBC's investment in it, rather than really good writing that such shows used to count on.

RobertWood

12-05-06, 01:13 PM

wow...thats ridiclous
Wow! indeed. I second that Wow. I had no clue anything that inane ever actually happened. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised at anything that happens in this country any longer.

I wish there was some way I could convey to the media haters I encounter what some of this content has been. Not only what we saw last night, but also the "Howard Beale speech" in the premiere episode. And the the series' recurrent theme of exploring the relationship between mainstream media and religious controversy.
IMO, Sorkin has been able to take on the religious topics in a manner which is both hard-hitting but also respectful and fair-minded. He's not really preaching to his audience, but he's not pulling punches either. I admire his ability to do that.

I also wish I could make the media haters aware of this series for another reason. To point out to them that they can no longer put all the blame on the industry for giving us the TV pablum they so object to. Because NBC is giving it's audience something different and something quality with this series. And who's fault is it if the audience does not respond to it.
And who's fault is it if the television audience passes this one up for "Deal Or No Deal" or "Who Wants To Be A Braindead Millionaire" or "Who Wants To See Donald Trump Flaunt His Wealth"?

flyingvee

12-05-06, 01:14 PM

Your opinion, Ray. I'm one of the apparent minority that enjoy the show - I never watched or cared to watch WW, so the issue of comparable quality is moot in my case. Nor do I care to over-analyze what I'm watching for entertainment. Last night was fine for me.

I thought the amount of the fine was high - learning that the amount is factual is truly educational. But in return folks - the war zone thing isn't that far fetched -- if things go the way the FCC wants, sports broadcasts will either have to be on a delay, with bleeps, or go with no live crowd mics. There are serious proposals to trigger the same fines for each fan, coach, or player utterance of an obscenity - and how much control do the networks realistically have over a sporting crowd?

fredfa - and anyone else - is my household the only one that sees a problem in the "significant" "dipping" of the numbers, between Heroes and Studio 60? While they are on the same night, on the same network, that is about all they have in common. Why should one expect scifi/X-men type viewers to automatically be drawn to a moderately-paced drama like S60? Shouldn't the blame for that fall more on NBC programming department?

That said, I don't know what it should follow, since the only other prime time shows I watch on the peacock are on Thursday night, but you'd think they might find something that fits better.

spwace

12-05-06, 03:24 PM

The level of the FCC fines was accurate.

Whether the FCC would level a fine in such a circumstance (probably not) is Sorkin's way of addressing the issue.

The FCC has indicated a willingness to levy fines for obscenities inadvertently picked up by broadcasters. I'm not aware of any instances like the one portrayed on S60, but this link (http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=243164) shows that it is not outside the realm of possibility.

Josh Z

12-05-06, 04:58 PM

Didn't Bono say the f-word on an awards broadcast and the FCC said that it wasn't indecent because of the context?

Yes, CP95. It took a lot of wrangling, and a lot of lawyers, but that is what finally happened.

Didn't they later reverse that decision after-the-fact and decide that it was indecent afterall?

Josh Z

12-05-06, 05:03 PM

S60 - If the intent was to comment on the CBS situation, wouldn’t the more obvious and believable comparison would’ve been to have one of the S60 on-air personalities deliberately say the F-word on a live feed?

No, because ever since Janet Jackson all "live" entertainment programs are aired on a time delay. The news, however, is not.

fredfa

12-05-06, 05:07 PM

... The Jack Rudolph character's comment that even Mr. Rodgers would curse in such a situation was right on the money....

Different strokes for different folks.

But that particular line rang as the most untrue -- by far -- in the episode to me. Even having spent a lifetime in the TV business, I could suspend my disbelief for everything else.

But having known Fred Rogers -- even very peripherally -- I cannot imagine any situation where he would have used the f--- word.

Not any.

Not ever.

fredfa

12-05-06, 05:11 PM

Didn't they later reverse that decision after-the-fact and decide that it was indecent afterall?

Technically you are right, Josh. (Your memory is far better than mine.)

FCC staff decided the Bono incident didn't merit any FCC action, but then-Commission Chairman Michael Powell got the full commission to rule the Bono expletive indecent after all. But the FCC levied no fine in the matter.

kbp

12-05-06, 06:15 PM

No, because ever since Janet Jackson all "live" entertainment programs are aired on a time delay. The news, however, is not.

I believe a clever writer like Sorkin could easily work that out.....an error in the system....a chaotic true “live” feed similar to the “plagiarism” episode....collusion between the performer and whoever has control over the delay....something.....he’s smart, he could’ve if he wanted to. Don’t forget the extremely unlikely airing of Judd Hirch’s diatribe in the pilot.

Best image conjured up by dialogue - Ed Asner chained to the NBS transponder while the “Family Council of Whatever” storms his building with torches and axe handles.

archiguy

12-05-06, 06:27 PM

Different strokes for different folks.

But that particular line rang as the most untrue -- by far -- in the episode to me. Even having spent a lifetime in the TV business, I could suspend my disbelief for everything else.

But having known Fred Rogers -- even very peripherally -- I cannot imagine any situation where he would have used the f--- word.

Not any.

Not ever.

So, you're saying he wasn't like, say, Bob Saget in terms of his on-screen image vs. off-screen persona....? :D

fredfa

12-05-06, 06:33 PM

So, you're saying he wasn't like, say, Bob Saget in terms of his on-screen image vs. off-screen persona....? :D

Not in the slightest.

The gentle, warm, caring man Fred Rodgers you saw on the screen was the same off screen. He was truly a remarkable man who made you feel better about yourself and the world in general just being around him.

flint350

12-05-06, 06:40 PM

Your opinion, Ray. I'm one of the apparent minority that enjoy the show - I never watched or cared to watch WW, so the issue of comparable quality is moot in my case. Nor do I care to over-analyze what I'm watching for entertainment. Last night was fine for me.

I thought the amount of the fine was high - learning that the amount is factual is truly educational...

Well, obviously it was only my opinion. My point was, mainly, that it was a ludicrous setup. Not that the subject shouldn't be tackled - only that the way they did it was just unbelievable, having the FCC levy a fine for a live wartime interview like that. Which leads me to...

Different strokes for different folks. But that particular line rang as the most untrue -- by far -- in the episode to me. Even having spent a lifetime in the TV business, I could suspend my disbelief for everything else.

But having known Fred Rogers -- even very peripherally -- I cannot imagine any situation where he would have used the f--- word. Not any. Not ever.

Aren't you being just a bit literal here?? I don't think it rang untrue at all. I think he (the character Rudolph) was making a fairly obvious point and using an extreme example, not a literal one. Neither he, nor I, were suggesting that Mr. Rogers would actually use the language - though I don't know how you can be sure, unless you were personally acquainted with him. As archiguy says, sometimes the screen and personal persona are different (though I'm not suggesting that is the case here) and the circumstances of a sudden bomb blast can bring out the most surprising reaction in anyone.

The point was simply to show how ludicrous the FCC action in the show was. Personally, I found it ludicrous in the show and in reality as well - which was one of my complaints. I also now read the Maureen Ryan review and see I am not alone in my opinion.

flint350

12-05-06, 06:46 PM

The gentle, warm, caring man Fred Rodgers you saw on the screen was the same off screen. He was truly a remarkable man who made you feel better about yourself and the world in general just being around him.

Which, taken in context of the show and how the comment was used, simply supports my argument that it was done to show the silly extreme it would be were the FCC to act in such a way at such an occurrence. Like I said, I doubt it was meant literally, just as an effective hyperbolic analogy. I think you're reading too much into the line and use of the Rogers character.

Josh Z

12-05-06, 09:32 PM

Rudolph was clearly exaggerating for effect. He might as well have said, "Even Jesus himself would swear in that situation". It would make the same point.

Mr. Rogers always creeped me out, personally. Something about the sweaters and the slippers and all those puppets. A grown man shouldn't live like that. :D

Robert Clark

12-06-06, 12:15 AM

My only problem with this weeks episode was the idea that a 4.1 earthquake could bring down an overpass on the 10.
Puhleeze. Here in SoCal we shrug off a 4.1...

keenan

12-06-06, 01:23 AM

My only problem with this weeks episode was the idea that a 4.1 earthquake could bring down an overpass on the 10.
Puhleeze. Here in SoCal we shrug off a 4.1...
Yeah, I picked up on that too. :p

4.1 uh? So anyways, what about those Dodgers? :D

Robert Clark

12-06-06, 01:26 AM

Yeah, I picked up on that too. :p

4.1 uh? So anyways, what about those Dodgers? :D

:D

Makes me wonder how long Sorkin has lived in LA...

Stan54

12-06-06, 12:59 PM

I have come to look upon Studio 60 as simply being a soapbox for the people in the industry. Nothing more and nothing less. Naturally, it's done in fairly entertaining fashion since, after all, it IS the entertainment industry.

flint350

12-06-06, 02:35 PM

Rudolph was clearly exaggerating for effect. He might as well have said, "Even Jesus himself would swear in that situation". It would make the same point.

Exactly. I almost used your cited example of Jesus in my explanation above, since it fit so perfectly.

vfxproducer

12-06-06, 05:17 PM

My only problem with this weeks episode was the idea that a 4.1 earthquake could bring down an overpass on the 10.
Puhleeze. Here in SoCal we shrug off a 4.1...

I don't even feel them unless they are well into the 5s

MRinDenver

12-06-06, 06:01 PM

Ok, I really like this show, but I could like it even more. First the 4.1 earthquake.

Then the executive producer can't pronounce "amniocentesis".

And the network VP draws a blank on the meaning of "RPG".

I wish Sorkin and Co wouldn't dumb it down for "the masses", if that is what he is doing.

Make me think! Don't make me question the authenticity of the dialog!

JimsArcade

12-06-06, 06:33 PM

flyingvee

12-06-06, 11:48 PM

I like the fact that there was finally a truly funny skit on the show-within-a-show (or at least the idea of it). Having Santa targeted on the "To Catch a Predator" parody was a riot. You'd think that SNL was probably considering something like this already: too bad they can't do it now. ;)

There is no way SNL could do it - not if there was the slightest chance that it would be at all funny or entertaining. But on the bright side, I'll be grabbing the first season of SNL - they finally released it. Every time the new one puts on a bad skit, I'll play one off the original dvd. :D

lax01

12-07-06, 12:00 PM

A-Roc29

12-07-06, 12:42 PM

There is no way SNL could do it - not if there was the slightest chance that it would be at all funny or entertaining. But on the bright side, I'll be grabbing the first season of SNL - they finally released it. Every time the new one puts on a bad skit, I'll play one off the original dvd. :D

I think you'll be unpleasantly surprised by the number bad skits you find on the first season DVD as well.

archiguy

12-07-06, 05:30 PM

I think you'll be unpleasantly surprised by the number bad skits you find on the first season DVD as well.

The difference between then and now is that even when they had a skit that was, shall we say "less than inspired", they had that incredibly talented cast who could literally make something from nothing. Heck, all John Belushi had to do to bring down the house was raise an eyebrow. :D

If they had tried to begin SNL then with the current cast, or any in recent years for that matter, it would have died a painful one-season death and been relegated to a mere footnote in television history.

Robert Clark

12-07-06, 07:35 PM

I think that is the FIRST funny skit we've seen on the show...that was great

Agreed. It was the first one all year that actually made me laugh...

scottro

12-10-06, 08:29 AM

I'm sorry some people gave up on this show, little things like the relationship between Matt and Danny and their exchanges about Danny's sudden interest in Jordan are why I keep coming back.

dad1153

12-10-06, 04:56 PM

Agree that the whole 'Dateline NBC/Santa' skit was the most inspired bit of sketch comedy that we've seen on Studio 60 to date (with the Juliette Lewis-hosted Meet the Press sketch a close second). Of course it helps that I'm one of the few members of this forum that unabashedly admits to loving the To Catch A Predator series. Maybe, just maybe, more complete versions of the 'Santa' and other sketches exist and will be included on the eventual Studio 60 Season 1 DVD Box Set. I can't believe those studio cameras we see on the show are there just for show and not actually recording anything.

gruven42

12-10-06, 09:45 PM

I'm sorry some people gave up on this show, little things like the relationship between Matt and Danny and their exchanges about Danny's sudden interest in Jordan are why I keep coming back.

Pffft... haven't you been following this thread? It's for bashing and people telling us how they're going to stop recording it on their DVR ONLY. Oh, and also how bad the ratings are and pretty much that it's the worst show ever produced in the history of television.

Good thing those people actually do keep watching the show, or it might be in trouble. ;)

fredfa

12-10-06, 10:19 PM

I think your remarks about the thread seem somewhat accurate, ruven42.

But in all fairness, ratings news IS important if you enjoy the show -- it gives us clues about whether it will be around in the future.

Surely it hasn't yet lived up the excessive hype NBC built around it -- but recent episodes seem (to me at least) to be very much better and maybe, just maybe, the show can get a second season.

By the way, a week ago I ran a poll of favorite five prime time network shows on the "Hot Off The Press" thread...and "Studio 60" came in a very respectable (not to mention surprising) sixth. Overall there were more than 400 votes, which I weighted on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis

("Heroes" was the winner as favorite show, by the way. "House" came in second and "Lost" was number three).

Complete results are here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9067983&&#post9067983

flyingvee

12-10-06, 11:04 PM

Well, I would have only voted for three shows in your poll, but Studio 60 would have been one of them. I'll be hoping it gets renewed - I'm still bummed that HBO dropped Carnivale and Deadwood. (and - way OT - does anyone else think HBO is using a little false advertising, with their new promos that feature quite a bit of Deadwood? If you are that proud of it, why not renew it? - as much as NBC depended on Friends and Cheers, you don't see a lot of Friends clips in NBC's ads for the new season.)

spwace

12-10-06, 11:52 PM

sangs

12-11-06, 07:10 AM

I'm sorry some people gave up on this show, little things like the relationship between Matt and Danny and their exchanges about Danny's sudden interest in Jordan are why I keep coming back.

Well I for one am glad I didn't give up. You have to hand it to Sorkin, he really knows how to do a Christmas episode. Some of his best West Wings were Christmas episodes also.

lax01

12-11-06, 10:21 AM

There are two 2 hour episodes of Deadwood left to be shown, so no false advertising.

uh? when are those going to air?

archiguy

12-11-06, 10:44 AM

uh? when are those going to air?

He's speaking of the two 2-hour "movies" that represented the compromise between the 6 more hours of 'Deadwood' that HBO originally offered David Milch, and flushing it altogether. There has been no announcement from HBO as to when they will air. But we do know that Milch has been hard at work on his new effort for the network called 'John from Cincinnati'. When he'll find the time to get back to work on 'Deadwood' for these last 4 hours is anybody's guess right now.

kbp

12-11-06, 11:12 AM

Pffft... haven't you been following this thread? It's for bashing and people telling us how they're going to stop recording it on their DVR ONLY.
I think your remarks about the thread seem accurate, ruven42...

I have to disagree. Some posts from just this last week.
Ok, I really like this show......
........ I'm one of the apparent minority that enjoy the show .....
... I've enjoyed this thing very much.....
......But - it was funny. And I thought it was a good show ......
I like the fact that there was finally a truly funny skit on the show-within-a-show....

flint350

12-11-06, 11:13 AM

Pffft... haven't you been following this thread? It's for bashing and people telling us how they're going to stop recording it on their DVR ONLY. Oh, and also how bad the ratings are and pretty much that it's the worst show ever produced in the history of television.

Good thing those people actually do keep watching the show, or it might be in trouble. ;)

Unlike fredfa, I don't find your remarks at all accurate regarding this thread/show. Unless you consider meaningful and accurate critique by both the posters and professional reviewers to be "bashing". I've not seen one post to suggest anyone here considers the show to be anywhere near "the worst show ever" as you suggest. More like simply disappointment at opportunity wasted. As for your summation comment ("...or it might be in trouble"), it is in trouble. The pickup notwithstanding, the network had a multitude of reasons to pick it up despite its poor ratings. Personally, I understand those who continue to like it and those who continue to stick with it despite their disappointment in it - but I profoundly disagree with you and fredfa in characterizing the show's treatment here.

fredfa

12-11-06, 03:08 PM

flyingvee

12-11-06, 03:12 PM

There are two 2 hour episodes of Deadwood left to be shown, so no false advertising.

OK - I know, they are promising two movies at a future date. But that does not constitute an ongoing commitment to the series. Heck, NBC may be desparate enough for a Friends reunion, come next sweeps, but that doesn't make it part of their fall/spring schedule.

So, not false, but at least, speciously misleading. ;)

fredfa

12-11-06, 04:24 PM

The last I hear it was down to a single two-hour episode to wrap up "Deadwood".

archiguy

12-11-06, 04:51 PM

The last I hear it was down to a single two-hour episode to wrap up "Deadwood".

Wow! If true, they sure slipped that one under the radar. :eek: Had not heard a thing about that; everything I've heard pertains to the two 2-hour movies to wrap things up. Milch is on record as saying he was happy with that.

fredfa

12-11-06, 04:59 PM

I can't easily come up with the source for my statement that "Deadwood" will now be just one two-hour movie, archiguy.

So perhaps I was mistaken and there will be a pair of "Deadwood" movies on HBO.

It certainly appears that this particular thread has not been my shining moment. :(

kbp

12-11-06, 05:07 PM

I agree with some of you who take me to task for my recent post. It was hasty and perhaps a bit careless.

So I have changed the first line to read:

I think your remarks about the thread seem somewhat accurate, ruven42.

Thanks for the feedback! :)
Sorry fredfa. Didn’t really mean to take YOU to task. Just pointing out that a lot of us who like the show have expressed that sentiment frequently in this thread. Because there are engaged and intelligent viewers in this forum, analysis and constructive criticism of the show is inevitable. IMO, this criticism is provided in the hopes that the show will remove the unnecessary distractions and garner a wide enough audience so that it will stay on the air.

archiguy

12-11-06, 05:26 PM

I can't easily come up with the source for my statement that "Deadwood" will now be just one two-hour movie, archiguy.

It wouldn't surprise me if they did something like that though, considering the shabby treatment they've afforded this brilliant show. First, they chopped the full 12 episode 4th season in half. Then, they decided they were going to flush the whole thing before some "last minute" negotiations with Milch produced the 4-hour finish compromise. (Actually, I may have the timeline flipped on those two events. It may have gone: cancel the fourth season, then reprieve for 6 eps, then finally settle on the two "movies".) Considering the vast and almost uniform praise for 'Deadwood' from critics and viewers alike, it's being treated like a red-headed stepchild by HBO is puzzling in the extreme. I hope it wins a bunch of Emmy's just to embarrass them.

It certainly appears that this particular thread has not been my shining moment. :(

Happens to the best of us. You've earned a little slack now and then. ;)

Jeff Whitford

12-11-06, 06:39 PM

By the way, a week ago I ran a poll of favorite five prime time network shows on the "Hot Off The Press" thread...and "Studio 60" came in a very respectable (not to mention surprising) sixth. Overall there were more than 400 votes, which I weighted on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis

("Heroes" was the winner as favorite show, by the way. "House" came in second and "Lost" was number three).

Complete results are here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9067983&&#post9067983
I dont think having a poll inside another thread is going to get the most acurate or the best results. I didnt know it (the poll)exsisted until I read this. I'm sure others would have chimed in if they knew about it. I know I would have

flyingvee

12-12-06, 11:45 AM

Any complaints about last nite's episode???? :D

gruven42

12-12-06, 11:51 AM

Any complaints about last nite's episode???? :D

Worst episode ever! I don't know what Sorkin was thinking when he wrote this one. If he doesn't shape up soon, this show will be heading to the dumpster. I'm going to give it until next Monday's episode, and if it doesn't pick up by then, I'm removing the series recording from my DVR.

Sturmie

12-12-06, 12:03 PM

Any complaints about last nite's episode???? :D
it was new last night? better check the DVR when i get home.

scottro

12-12-06, 12:19 PM

Worst episode ever! I don't know what Sorkin was thinking when he wrote this one. If he doesn't shape up soon, this show will be heading to the dumpster. I'm going to give it until next Monday's episode, and if it doesn't pick up by then, I'm removing the series recording from my DVR.

Same here!
Now, don't get me wrong, I thought the West Wing was the best show in history with Sports Night a close second, but I wish Sorkin would just get off his liberal Hollywood elitist soapbox.
Nobody will watch if they keep using such big words and speaking so quickly.
There's too much technical jargon in this show.
I work in the television industry and the whole premise of last night's plot was ridiculous. Did I mention how terrible that sketch was?

:rolleyes:

archiguy

12-12-06, 01:39 PM

Are you guys talking about the "Christmas episode" from last Monday (12/4)...? I didn't think there was a new one this week.

scottro

12-12-06, 01:43 PM

No new ep...the posts regarding "last night's show" are dripping with sarcasm.

archiguy

12-12-06, 02:00 PM

No new ep...the posts regarding "last night's show" are dripping with sarcasm.

That's what I thought. My trusty DVR never misses a new episode.

sangs

12-12-06, 02:22 PM

Are you guys talking about the "Christmas episode" from last Monday (12/4)...? I didn't think there was a new one this week.

Come on arch, you're smarter than that.

Sturmie

12-12-06, 02:26 PM

No new ep...the posts regarding "last night's show" are dripping with sarcasm.
ahhhhh....guess that's what i get for reading only part of the page :).

archiguy

12-12-06, 02:31 PM

Come on arch, you're smarter than that.

Well, that's debatable. :p And the critical posts did look familiar (we see the same basic version every week), which was the whole point I guess. I got punked! :D

dad1153

12-12-06, 06:56 PM

TV Notebook
What's love got to do with NBC's 'Studio 60'?
By Andrew Wallenstein, The Hollywood Reporter December 11, 2006

It's typical in television for a show to come down with a case of acute cutesiness at Christmastime. But for NBC's "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," that might amount to a terminal condition.

The Dec. 4 episode -- its lowest-rated yet -- seemed to take a pronounced shift away from its usual deep dive into the industry intricacies of the titular fictional TV show toward the kind of romance-centric storytelling you'd find on "Grey's Anatomy." I would chalk it up to a seasonal outbreak of the warm 'n' fuzzies, but what transpired could linger long after the eggnog sours.

Here's the "Studio" update: Everyone is suddenly in love with everyone. The gruff producer played by Bradley Whitford abruptly declared his affection for the network president, played by Amanda Peet. Nathan Corddry, who depicts one of the "Studio" comics, has begun eyeing one of the writers, played by Lucy Davis. The "Studio" head writer, played by Matthew Perry, mired in an annoyingly stop-and-go dalliance with another comic played by Sarah Paulson, is suddenly go-go-go when they share an urgent kiss.

From the beginning of the episode, I sensed something was awry when Perry's neurotic sourpuss of a character came out extolling the joys of Christmas as if his dosage of Paxil had just kicked in. There was so much love in the air that I was convinced some character would remove the errant mistletoe wedged in the ventilation system and the show would return to its predominantly platonic ways.

For the record, NBC, Warner Bros. and executive producers Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme all insist that despite the series' ratings woes, "Studio" has not been subjected to any creative tinkering since the pilot, with the exception of writing Peet's pregnancy into the story line of her character, NBS network chief Jordan McDeere.

Whether ratcheting up the relationships like an Uzi-wielding Cupid is indeed an organic plot development, it certainly would make "Studio" more relatable. I watch every week less out of genuine appreciation than morbid fascination with the fact that the series feels like one big in-joke for TV-industry junkies like myself. I laugh less at Sorkin's witty banter than I do at the thought that viewers in Peoria are futilely looking up jargon in the dictionary such as "upfront" and "demo" in an attempt to understand the dialogue.

Yet for all its authenticity as a slice of Hollywood life, "Studio" occasionally appears tone deaf to showbiz realities. Take the never-ending story line, for instance, that would have us believe that when McDeere's ex-husband begins publicizing details of their sex life, she becomes a media obsession to rival Paris Hilton. As if anyone who reads Us Weekly could even name a network president.

"Studio" also didn't score points for realism last week with my favorite characters, the deliciously nasty NBS chairman, played by Steven Weber, and the Murdoch-esque chairman of the network's parent company, played by Ed Asner. My inner TV wonk was all set to jones on a new story line about a potential FCC fine for the network. But the story line instantly fizzled when Weber's character absurdly offered to resign over the fine only to have Asner's character barely bat an eyelash. This wild swerve away from an obvious boardroom clash made me wonder: Is Sorkin setting up Weber and Asner to fall in love with each other, too?

Maybe "Studio" just had to get its Yuletide ya-yas out for an episode. Or maybe the series is awkwardly remaking itself in the mold of the 13 other shows on the air about workplace romances, lowering the volume on the industry chatter that rendered it incomprehensible to anyone who has never made a reservation at the Ivy.

Maybe a little love will help "Studio" find its feet -- now that would be a Christmas miracle.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/features/columns/tv_reporter/e3i1ab243002a4990743c76e0063ac90b13

scottro

12-13-06, 09:09 AM

Same here!
Now, don't get me wrong, I thought the West Wing was the best show in history with Sports Night a close second, but I wish Sorkin would just get off his liberal Hollywood elitist soapbox.

- Nobody will watch if they keep using such big words and speaking so quickly.
- There's too much technical jargon in this show.

I laugh less at Sorkin's witty banter than I do at the thought that viewers in Peoria are futilely looking up jargon in the dictionary such as "upfront" and "demo" in an attempt to understand the dialogue.

- I work in the television industry and the whole premise of last night's plot was ridiculous.

Yet for all its authenticity as a slice of Hollywood life, "Studio" occasionally appears tone deaf to showbiz realities.

Did I mention how terrible that sketch was?

:rolleyes:

Not bad, I'd say I was 3 for 5. I guess somebody working for the Hollywood Reporter isn't going to complain about Sorkin's politics; and the Dateline parody was pretty good, so those were off the table.

After being on the air for 3 months, this is the best this hack can come up with?

:rolleyes:

CPanther95

12-13-06, 09:12 AM

People in Peoria looking up the word "Demo" ?

I think the reporter is more out of touch than Sorkin.

archiguy

12-13-06, 09:35 AM

I think the reporter is more out of touch than Sorkin.

Sorkin out of touch? Considering the sea-change of mood in the country recently, I don't know that's really a fair accusation. ;)

We'll have to see if his "touch" returns as the show becomes a bit more "touchy-feely" in an effort to goose the ratings. A "stifled Sorkin" may become, Heaven forbid, a "boring Sorkin". And then there really is no reason to watch.

CPanther95

12-13-06, 09:46 AM

I'm talking about the accusations that the show only appeals to Hollywood insiders and can't appeal to middle America. They claim Sorkin's dialog is over the head of most, but I think the reporter is out of touch with what most "normal" people can understand.

Josh Z

12-13-06, 10:03 AM

TV Notebook
What's love got to do with NBC's 'Studio 60'?
By Andrew Wallenstein, The Hollywood Reporter December 11, 2006

It's articles like this why the Hollywood Reporter just cleaned house and layed off a big chunk of their workforce (http://www.mediabuyerplanner.com/2006/12/11/vnus-massive-layoffs-begin-with-hollywood-reporter/).

scottro

12-13-06, 10:10 AM

People in Peoria looking up the word "Demo" ?

I think the reporter is more out of touch than Sorkin.

Derrrr....we don't use no context clews in Pittsburgh eether. :D

fredfa

12-13-06, 10:16 AM

It's articles like this why the Hollywood Reporter just cleaned house and layed off a big chunk of their workforce (http://www.mediabuyerplanner.com/2006/12/11/vnus-massive-layoffs-begin-with-hollywood-reporter/).

That was one of the most pretentious, arrogant and off-the-mark pieces I have ever seen in THR.

And that is pretty crowded company indeed for the "Variety" wannabe which so often over the years seems to be shouting desperately to an uncaring world "Hey, look at ME!!!!"

gruven42

12-13-06, 10:27 AM

viewers in Peoria are futilely looking up jargon in the dictionary

It's very reassuring to see that the person calling Sorkin "out of touch" is without a doubt completely out of touch himself. Articles like these are red flags enabling us to distinguish between the people who know a show is going to fail versus those who want a show to fail.

HDTVChallenged

12-13-06, 12:52 PM

It's very reassuring to see that the person calling Sorkin "out of touch" is without a doubt completely out of touch himself. Articles like these are red flags enabling us to distinguish between the people who know a show is going to fail versus those who want a show to fail.

LOL ... I started to respond to this "review" last night, but decided the faults were glaring and that even the "folks in Peoria" could figure them out.

OTOH, I'll admit that phrase "The Hollywood 10" threw me for the two or three minutes before I googled it on that thingy that Al Gore "invented." ;) :D

flint350

12-13-06, 01:33 PM

OK, I'll be a bit of devil's advocate on this and take the anticipated goring. While I agree in general about the quoted review, I don't agree about his take on the jargon. I would be quite willing to wage a rather tidy sum that if you walked up to the average TV viewer in Peoria and asked what the "upfronts" and "demo" mean - that you would not get accurate answers from the majority. I found the same true in Sorkin's writing in West Wing. I can guarantee you that many references were made about inside-the-State-Dept (or Gov't in general) that went over the heads of many of YOU in this TV savvy forum. It all depends on your frame of reference and knowledge areas. While terms like "upfronts" may be very familiar in here, I highly doubt the average TV viewer has a clue. Same for the Gov't references and situations - guaranteed!

Now, that just defends the single point the guy in the review made - it doesn't defend, and isn't intended to defend, the review in general. But that point is the one most seem to be jumping on in this review and it is one that is completely accurate in my opinion. That doesn't mean that I think Sorkin should write "down" to the mass audience. Personally, most shows I like are intricate and intelligently written and probably not popular with the mass audience (The Wire, West Wing, etc). They contain many examples of insider knowledge and references or a strong commitment to follow. So, complexity and insider-ism isn't disqualifying to me. Studio 60 has too many other issues that kill it for me. This isn't one of them, but it was an accurate assessment, I think.

fredfa

12-13-06, 01:46 PM

Ray, I'd be willing to bet if you went in to any supermarket in Los Angeles or New York the vast majority of folks you talked to would give you blank stares when you started talking about "the demo" or other insider talk.

Wallenstein certainly made some valid points in his commentary -- and we have to remember it was written for an inside show biz audience -- but the arrogant tone toward the viewers is just another example, IMO, of the growing disconnect between Hollywood and the folks it should be attempting to serve.

It is always harder to provide a service if you think the folks you are seling to are beneath you.

On top of that, in LA it is a regional sport to try to bash those who have been successful -- especially if the ratings or box office aren't up to expectations. And certainly Aaron Sorkin has attracted his share of bashers.

Funny, though, how the "Studio 60" bashing didn't begin until the ratings headed south. Through the upfronts and the July TCA sessions, "Studio 60" was perceived to be about the best show in the fall lineup. I don't remember Wallenstein taking swipes at it then, although my memory is far from infallible.

Just to be clear: I don't enjoy "Studio 60" quite as much as "The West Wing". But to me it is still a show I look eagerly forward to each week it is on.

flint350

12-13-06, 01:54 PM

fredfa,

Like I said, I agree with most of what you are saying, plus I don't have the necessary "insider" view of the Hollywood Reporter that you do and could still sense the arrogance as you suggest. I was merely pointing out the accuracy of the one point most people were complaining about (not you, your critique was more well-rounded and on target). There seemed to be a sense of "how dare he (reviewer) assume the general public wouldn't understand" - well, the public wouldn't understand, in general. That's all I meant.

CPanther95

12-13-06, 02:44 PM

If you ask people in Peoria what "demo" means after using it in context like:

"Ratings are poor among 18-34 year olds, but our focus is on the baby-boomer demo"

most would be more than capable of following the storyline.

flyingvee

12-13-06, 03:47 PM

Ray, I'd be willing to bet if you went in to any supermarket in Los Angeles or New York the vast majority of folks you talked to would give you blank stares when you started talking about "the demo" or other insider talk.

Shoot - if we are to believe that Leno's "jaywalkers" are legit, most folks in the street are incapable of telling who the president is, what continent Iraq is in, or what day of the week it is. ;)

That said, I don't think it hurts to use some relevant jargon - I prefer that to having to watch a show that is so dumbed down that everything is explained in words of one sylable or less. After all - what was the #1 movie at the box office last week? If having the entire dialog in an extinct language to preserve "verisimilitude" isn't jargon on a grand scale, than what is it?

I think Americans will watch anything they think will entertain them (or, that they have been told is entertaining.) I guess the problem with Studio 60 is that a lot of people don't like it. No matter how many reviewers told them they should. Their loss.

fredfa

12-13-06, 07:07 PM

And probably our loss, too, Jon, when the poor ratings lead to the demise of "Studio 60".

But I doubt it is the jargon which killed the show (it doesn't seem to hurt "House" or "Grey's Anatomy" or "ER" with all their obscure Latin references to diseases most doctors have never heard of).

I think many just found the storyline ultimately unsatisfying. As you note, too bad.

flint350

12-13-06, 09:49 PM

Like I said, I don't think it's the jargon either. nor do I want it dumbed down. Those are not its problems. I think it has exhibited many problems over its first 1/2 season so far and is not really deserving of renewal for next season IMO. That doesn't mean I won't continue to watch it (unless it really nose-dives much further in quality). It just means it isn't living up to its hype or its potential, but it is still interesting enough to watch while it lasts. It has its moments, but then goes horribly wrong even more often. And the believability/reality factor - well, I should leave that alone. After all, I watch Prison Break and 24. Those folks can bend time and other weird crap and I still watch.

flyingvee

12-14-06, 10:32 AM

After all, I watch Prison Break and 24. Those folks can bend time and other weird crap and I still watch.

For sure :D - I want Jack's mode of transportation, where he can cross LA in less than several hours. Either that, or they should just have an episode of him stuck in traffice, fuming as the world ends. :)

DSperber

12-17-06, 03:32 PM

Well I for one thought this particular episode was terrific.

I'm always a sucker for Christmas shows (e.g. this past week's "Las Vegas") and always enjoy feel-good insertions that tug on your heartstrings and make your eyes watery. I thought the New Orleans musicians story line and how they got the horn band performance into the show was fabulous.

This is a TV show! Who cares if people ON THE SHOW seem to do "emotional" things that seem a bit implusive (like Danny suddenly realizing he's falling in love with Jordan, or Matt suddenly realizing he probably wants Harry back after a "rival" appears... hey, didn't Tony Parker propose to Eva Longoria after [according to the tabloids] she was being "courted" by others)?

As long as the show and story is entertaining (and it IS! at least to me) that's all I care about, although the loftiness of Sorkin's writing and the speed and with with which his actors deliver their lines (think "Sports Night") is what I really look forward each week.

I thought the 12/4 show was GREAT! I don't mind minor "unbelievable" (to who? THR?) threads (like Jack's finally taking off his tie, so that he can resign rather than cave in to likely FCC pressure for something he believes in). In contrast, I think Sorkin's use of perfectly appropriate background music to prop up emotion really adds to the emotional impact of the scene. Hey... this is a TV show!

I thought the whole side trip about the details and factual inconsistencies and impossibilities of the Christmas characters and stories was hilarious! I thought Matt's synopsis delivery of what his writers' research had uncovered about dates, locations, birth places, skin color, etc., was hilarious! This stuff was gold, and Matthew Perry was wonderful... not to mention Nate Corddry and D.L. Hughley and the new chief writer/coach/teamleader!

All in all... terrific, enjoyable, and a wonderful Christmas show.

HDTVFanAtic

12-20-06, 04:08 PM

Top 10 "Timeshifted" Primetime TV Programs - 2006

Rank Programs % Increase Network in Viewership
1 STUDIO 60 NBC 10.9
2 HEROES NBC 9.1
3 GILMORE GIRLS CW 7.9
4 AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL CW 7.7
5 30 ROCK NBC 7.5
5 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS NBC 7.5
7 NINE, THE ABC 6.7
7 SUPERNATURAL CW 6.7
9 KIDNAPPED NBC 6.6
9 ONE TREE HILL CW 6.6
9 SMALLVILLE CW 6.6
Source: Nielsen Media Research

Note: Data from Dec 26, 2005 - Dec 3, 2006. Percent Increase in viewership is based on difference between Live Household Ratings and Live+7.

DSperber

12-25-06, 08:16 PM

Here's quite a well-written and interesting negative critique:

Chris Kelly's HuffingtonPost blog on Studio 60 (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-kelly/how-not-to-talk-about-_b_37127.html).

Works in TV and HATES the show.

fredfa

01-11-07, 01:01 AM

TV Notebook
Finally she gets noticed
Sarah Paulson shines brightly amid the star players of TV's 'Studio 60.'
By Martin Miller Los Angeles Times Staff Writer January 10, 2007

Sarah Paulson explains her Golden Globe nomination this way: People like to discover things for themselves.

Though a working professional for more than a decade, the 32-year-old actress stood out among the starry cast of the TV series "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" as the "not famous" one. Maybe no longer, though. The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. certainly took note of her performance as Harriet Hayes, a Christian comedian on a fictional, late-night sketch-comedy show.

"Everybody knows everyone else on the show, and they've all been wonderful on TV and in the movies, but then it's like, wait a minute, 'Who's that girl? We've never seen her before,' " said Paulson during an interview from her publicist's West Hollywood offices.

The nomination — for supporting actress in a TV role — marks a milestone for someone who has endured the kind of rejection, failed pilots and overlooked series ("Leap of Faith" in 2002, "The D.A." in 2004) that only Hollywood can dish out to its aspirants. She shares the nomination with Toni Collette ("Tsunami, The Aftermath"), Katherine Heigl ("Grey's Anatomy"), Emily Blunt ("Gideon's Daughter") and Elizabeth Perkins ("Weeds").

"It does make me feel a certain sense of affirmation," she said. "Like 'you're doing all right, kid. Maybe you're in the right profession after all.' "

"But when I look at that category," she continued. "I'll be clapping for someone else. And that's really, truly and utterly fine with me. I'm sure if I'd been nominated for 20 other awards in my life, then I'd be like, 'OK, it's time to pony up, it's time to win.' "

While "Studio 60" has been critically acclaimed by some, the Aaron Sorkin show has also been a target for barbs and scorn — something not lost on Paulson or the show's cast and crew.

But Paulson rejects the common "Studio 60" criticisms that it's too inside-baseball and lacks a consequential subject matter, like, say, "The West Wing."

"It's not the easiest thing to deal with because it's kind of your baby," said Paulson. "You feel like, 'Hey, don't pick on my kid because you don't like his shirt or you think he's not talented.' We're trying to do something here. We're trying to show the dynamics of the workplace. We're trying to show the perspective of these people who are just trying to navigate what's important to them — and they give it a lot of importance because it's their life, for God's sake."

Oddly enough in a town greased by the publicity machine, Paulson believes "Studio 60" would be faring better without such an early and heavy dose of it. She concedes any Sorkin project, or one with Matthew Perry coming off "Friends," could not avoid the spotlight, but she says the show's star quality has put too much pressure on it and on viewers.

"The engine was running so long on this baby before it ran out of the gate, I think it just overpowered people," she said. "It was like the audience was being held at gunpoint and the message was, 'You better watch the best damn show on television or else.' That's liable to turn anybody off."

While the show attracts an affluent audience, its numbers have been disappointing. Undaunted, NBC has stood behind the show and has committed to a full season.

"Hopefully we can hang on," said Paulson. "And people will be able to discover the show on their own."

http://www.calendarlive.com/tv/cl-en-paulson10jan10,0,5891338,print.story?coll=cl-tvent

dad1153

01-17-07, 03:56 AM

Aaron Sorkin vs. The Los Angeles Times. Round 1...

Television Critics Winter Tour Notebook
Field Notes: Part le deux
From Peter Ames Carlin's Oregonian Blog - January 16, 2007

Back in the bus, and off across town to the Warner Bros. lot, and the set for "Studio 60: Live on the Sunset Strip." Here we find show creator, chief writer and co-exec producer Aaron Sorkin sitting at the center of the enormous table that dominates the showinside-the-show writer's room. He seems a bit older, and maybe a little heavier, than he did back in his "West Wing" salad days. But his eyes are bright and he doesn't even flinch when the rabble ask if he wants to comment on the recent spate of less-than-upbeat stories that the Los Angeles Times, among other publications, have recently run on his show.

"I'm taking a second to decide if I should answer honestly or diplomatically," he said.

"HONESTLY!" the rabble cried, as one.

So off he went, noting, not a little angrily, that the LA Times had in the space of four months run three separate articles about his show, all of them stating, re-stating and then re-re-stating the idea that some people on the Internet aren't fond of "Studio 60." The most recent story, he continued, also claimed that comedy writers don't like the show, either. And though it quoted a few members of a local comedy troupe called Employees of the Month, it failed to mention that the show had recently scored two nominations for Writer's Guild awards. Those are working, professional writers, Sorkin seethed. "And the writers she quoted were all, you'll notice, unemployed."

This was great. Sorkin was totally throwing down. And he wasn't finished!

"This was nonsense," he went on. "The Los Angeles Times should be ashamed of itself!"

Sing it, brother! And he wasn't done! Next Sorkin ridiculed the whole idea that bloggers -- many of whom come from parts unknown, bearing grudges, perhaps, and not always a reliable sense of who they are and what they're really after -- be taken more seriously in the mainstream media than any random josephine walking down Main Street. "An enormous rise in amateurism," Sorkin said of the blogosphere. "And everyone's voice oughtn't be equal."

Cool. So cool in fact, we nearly forgot to ask what the future held for the show! A bigger emphasis on romantic comedy, for one thing. More acknowledgment of Matt Albie's drug problem. And yet even more of the romanticized, idealized portrait of hard-working showbiz pros working hard on professional showbiz.

Huzzah!

http://petercarlin.blogs.oregonlive.com/

Bruce Patterson

01-17-07, 07:39 AM

Looking forward to this being back on schedule... :(

Zissou

01-17-07, 07:42 AM

Looking forward to this being back on schedule... :(

Funny, I don't like the show yet I miss it.

lax01

01-23-07, 12:07 AM

Great episode...Jack and White taking on the board was hilarious...nothing matches this show in terms of wittyness...its just too good

sorceror

01-23-07, 12:48 PM

A bigger emphasis on romantic comedy, for one thing. More acknowledgment of Matt Albie's drug problem. And yet even more of the romanticized, idealized portrait of hard-working showbiz pros working hard on professional showbiz.

Well, it felt like there was a stronger emphasis on romantic comedy last night. But they weren't spending a lot of time on that earlier so it'd be hard to do much less. :)

I must admit I don't understand the vitriol directed toward the show. I recognize that it's not the greatest thing on television ever but my wife and I find it entertaining and enjoyable. And it's nice to see a comedy that doesn't assume every character (and every viewer) must be a moron.

I really find the accusations of being "unrealistic" to be quite... unfair. Can anyone propose a prime time TV drama or comedy that is, in fact, strikingly more realistic about its subject matter? Honestly, can we have an example of what "Studio 60" should be striving to emulate or outdo?

RDK006

01-23-07, 12:56 PM

I must admit I don't understand the vitriol directed toward the show. I recognize that it's not the greatest thing on television ever but my wife and I find it entertaining and enjoyable. And it's nice to see a comedy that doesn't assume every character (and every viewer) must be a moron.

I really find the accusations of being "unrealistic" to be quite... unfair. Can anyone propose a prime time TV drama or comedy that is, in fact, strikingly more realistic about its subject matter? Honestly, can we have an example of what "Studio 60" should be striving to emulate or outdo?

Agreed!

flint350

01-23-07, 06:17 PM

I have been very critical of the show. I'm still doubtful. But, I thought this return episode was much better and well written. I still find the Danny stalks Jordan theme too weird. How many times do you say "stop" and he says "no" before it's serious sexual predation? It's beyond strange and should be ended. But the rest was pretty good overall. I actually enjoyed it.

scottro

01-24-07, 09:11 AM

I enjoyed the show as well. To me, S60 is perfect light entertainment.

Nobody's dead or dying, I don't have to look at people's guts, there are no newcular bombs in the hands of terrorists....rather it's witty, quickly paced, the characters, their flaws, their relationships, are all interesting to me. Sure beats the average "fat guy/hot wife" sitcom dreck.

Doolittle

01-24-07, 10:29 AM

I have watched every episode. I really want this show to be good, but there is one major problem for me. The humor seems forced. I expected this show to be much funnier than it is. The cast members (of the show within the show) and the writers are especially unfunny.

The show seems to want to focus more on the big issues with network programming and world events. It’s a bit of a bait-and-switch.

CPanther95

01-24-07, 10:59 AM

Sure beats the average "fat guy/hot wife" sitcom dreck.

Agree, but I also agree with Flint that the "creepy stalker guy/hot pregnant boss" storyline needs to end ASAP. Having one of your main characters seem like a creepy loser is going to limit his role severely.

scottro

01-24-07, 11:11 AM

Yeah Danny needs to give it a rest. I admire his persistence though. :p

TexusLexus

01-24-07, 01:54 PM

Great episode...Jack and White taking on the board was hilarious...nothing matches this show in terms of wittyness...its just too good

I especially like this story line. While it also may be unrealistic it WAS a regular earmark of West Wing that characters would stake out a position on moral grounds in spite of differing consensus and turn the tide in the end. I like to believe people in positions of broad authority, politicians, business leaders, religious and community leaders, make these efforts and do not exclusively cower to political-correctness and self-interest. Again, probably not very realistic, but an uplifting thought nonetheless.

Bruce Patterson

01-24-07, 03:40 PM

LOVED the scene with the boardroom - Asner is particularly enjoyable.

shortkud

01-24-07, 03:41 PM

I agree with the comments about Danny. If he really liked her he would honor her wishes and stop bugging her. I loved the line from Jordan about how she is pregnant, he is a recovering cocaine addict,etc.

JimsArcade

01-24-07, 05:58 PM

The whole Danny/Jordan situation has felt unnatural and forced since its inception. It was the only thing that prevented me from completely enjoying this past episode.

NetworkTV

01-25-07, 03:23 PM

The whole Danny/Jordan situation has felt unnatural and forced since its inception. It was the only thing that prevented me from completely enjoying this past episode.
I'll take it a step further and say the whole thing creeped me out and caused me to fail to enjoy the episode at all.

archiguy

01-25-07, 04:45 PM

I agree with the others on the Danny/Jordan thing; it doesn't feel "organic" to the show. It's almost like Sorkin is forcing the "romantic comedy" angle since he's been forced (by ratings pressure) to reduce the wonkish, soapbox stuff he does so well. And, of course, he was forced to deal with Amanda Peet's unexpected pregnancy and figure out a way to write it into the plotline. It ain't easy being Aaron, I guess. ;)

DeathRay

01-25-07, 05:55 PM

i think they're setting danny up for a major coke binge

or murder/suicide

stalking rarely ends well

i liked the board room scene but i also enjoyed the showdown between jordan and the new head of illiterate programming

URFloorMatt

01-25-07, 06:27 PM

Maybe they should purge the cast and make it a show about Jack and Wilson White. They're the only one's that get the good material.

BarnacleBill

01-26-07, 05:51 AM

Maybe they should purge the cast and make it a show about Jack and Wilson White. They're the only one's that get the good material.
I think that they should add the Japanese viola player to the cast. She's as "funny" as the rest of the comedy crew.

CPanther95

01-26-07, 08:30 AM

i think they're setting danny up for a major coke binge

or murder/suicide

stalking rarely ends well

Now, that would be cool. I won't have a problem with it if he goes psycho - my problem is if he is supposed to be perceived as a likable character after such creepy conduct.

giganticHead

01-26-07, 09:59 AM

I think that they should add the Japanese viola player to the cast. She's as "funny" as the rest of the comedy crew.

Chinese.
But, yeah, I enjoy her, too.

foxeng

01-29-07, 10:59 PM

"What goes in AFTER the coyote?" I think he has caught on!!

lax01

01-29-07, 11:56 PM

"What goes in AFTER the coyote?" I think he has caught on!!

I was LOLing...great line

VisionOn

01-30-07, 12:43 AM

HDTVChallenged

01-30-07, 01:02 AM

so was it just my local TWC feed, or was the Studio 60 HD quality pretty lousy last night? .

No it was not your TWC feed, yes it was very soft and noisy.

cherry ghost

01-30-07, 01:06 AM

so was it just my local TWC feed, or was the Studio 60 HD quality pretty lousy last night? It was soft to the point of being blurred and looked more like an upconversion of the widescreen SD. Heroes by contrast was pin sharp.

Not just you. Everything was soft and blurry. The only good shot was when Harriett was standing outside talking to Luke. All the lights inside had halos around them.

Rory Boyce

01-30-07, 02:42 AM

Same poor quality picture here OTA. Good show but often hard to look at. 16mm film?

DeathRay

01-30-07, 02:44 AM

i thought maybe amanda peete invoked a soft lense clause. in the sene where she was asking jack why he brought the reality progam chick in his close-ups seemed a lot clearer than hers.

ragedogg69

01-30-07, 10:14 AM

im a huge fan of this show, but i thought last nights episode was the weakest of the season, both in PQ and in the plot in general. it just seemed too predictable.

of course a snake is going to get lost, of course Harriet's date isnt who he thought it is, of course they are going to get stuck on the roof, and of course 2 dates would of shown up for the dinner.

I thought it was funny when they made mention of "this is a perfect situation for a romantic comedy" when they are cramming every single scenario from a romantic comedy into the episode.

CPanther95

01-30-07, 10:22 AM

Pretty lame episode, and it looks like next week will be even worse. Nice to see that his creepy/desperate stalking strategy is going to pay off.

Mr_Bester

01-30-07, 10:23 AM

I am getting sick of the Darius situation. I thought the whole point of them liking him early on was that he wasn't "stereotypically" black and now he's in the doghouse for not writing the "Black" sketch.

VisionOn

01-30-07, 10:56 AM

of course they are going to get stuck on the roof

terrible cliche and not even acknowledging it in the script in an ironic way made it any less predictable. Same applies to the cell phone signal excuse, I didn't buy that for a second.

The set looked obviously fake as well.

R11

01-30-07, 01:53 PM

Ehh, it wasn't that bad. It was definitely predictable but it had a few moments. I thought the stuff with the viola player was pretty fun even if you knew it was coming. The ep no doubt looked like crap though

ron

lax01

01-30-07, 10:12 PM

I don't remember that terrible of picture quality...no worse than usual

maybe you old guys should goto bed and watch it in the morning when your eyes aren't so tired...? :D

I liked the episode...I liked the snakes, I like the Danny-Jordan relationship, I like Matt-Harriet relationship (or lack there of now)...I dunno, I just love the writing and find the show incredibly interesting...

timdgibson

01-31-07, 11:09 AM

Good to see the show back (missed last week's-VCR issues). Not as good as previously, but still good.

And for everyone complaining about poor PQ, come over to my place and watch via Ramapo Cable-severely overly compressed, overly split, overly amped, 3rd party company. You ain't seen nothin yet! ;)

And for those of you who remember, we got through the ER issues with my daughter. Now come the bills ($3500 anyone?)

tim

JimsArcade

01-31-07, 03:51 PM

PQ wasn't as bad as the first couple of episodes, but it was pretty crappy here on Comcast in Philly.

It was a pretty cliched and predictable episode, especially the rooftop scene, but I have to admit I loved the coyote comment: classic cartoon comedy bit.

Other than watching Julia Ling transform from ultra-cute to ultra-sexy (well, for the few moments before her character was blind-drunk at least), I was not a fan of this particular episode. ;)

michaelk

01-31-07, 04:55 PM

i watch OTA and I think they are going for that fuzzy look for whatever reason.

Britinvirg

02-01-07, 12:22 PM

I agree - I was watching OTA in DC area and the picture quality was very disappointing

Sturmie

02-01-07, 01:23 PM

...I dunno, I just love the writing and find the show incredibly interesting...
i agree...when you compare it to other shows on TV, the dialog is really well done even though all the story lines aren't that compelling. that being said, since i like it, it'll prolly be off the air next season :).

flint350

02-01-07, 02:57 PM

After my brief reprieve of liking it last time (except Danny the Jordan stalker), this one was at least 3 steps back to lame. Silly and unbelievable. And no cell phone coverage on an open ROOFTOP in the middle of NYC????? Back to lame, and next week looks no better. I've written it off.

Josh Z

02-01-07, 03:02 PM

And no cell phone coverage on an open ROOFTOP in the middle of NYC?????

The show's title is "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip". That's not in NYC.

But yeah, I do agree that it was lame. I also want to concur with everybody else about this episode's picture quality being particularly awful. It reminded me of the pilot episode, which looked like an old VHS tape.

foxeng

02-01-07, 03:34 PM

And no cell phone coverage on an open ROOFTOP in the middle of NYC?????

It is more common than you think. Cell antennas are pointed towards ground to keep the cell size predictable. If you are above the umbrella of the antenna, you will not have coverage. It doesn't matter if you are in NYC or Dirty Dog Small Town. I don't know how many times I have been on roof tops in the 15 to 20 story range and not had cell phone coverage and that isn't even NYC.

DeathRay

02-01-07, 03:43 PM

I don't know how many times I have been on roof tops in the 15 to 20 story range and not had cell phone coverage and that isn't even NYC.

are you a cat burglar?

foxeng

02-01-07, 04:22 PM

are you a cat burglar?

No. We have several microwave receive sites on tall buildings in the 15 to 25 story category.

DeathRay

02-01-07, 05:05 PM

No. We have several microwave receive sites on tall buildings in the 15 to 25 story category.

not as exciting. but then, i guess any good cat burglar would have a believable cover story.

back on topic, i found it somewhat irritating that the nerdy guy (whatsisname)didn't just explain why he had to cancel his date with the british chick. that took us into lame sitcom land (or bad rom-com) in my opinion.

jcavner

02-01-07, 05:21 PM

back on topic, i found it somewhat irritating that the nerdy guy (whatsisname)didn't just explain why he had to cancel his date with the british chick. that took us into lame sitcom land (or bad rom-com) in my opinion.

yeah I agree. you would think that with all the people from the show going that someone just might happen to mention it to Lucy (the british chick). bad form.

R11

02-01-07, 06:46 PM

The show's title is "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip". That's not in NYC.Perhaps he was thinking of Studio 60 on the SunRise Strip? ;)

ron

vfxproducer

02-01-07, 08:24 PM

And no cell phone coverage on an open ROOFTOP in the middle of NYC????? Back to lame, and next week looks no better. I've written it off.

Oddly enough, the Hollywood Palladium, the exterior of which is used as the "location" of Studio 60, is right smack dab in a dead zone for T-mobile. I work on a show that shoots basically across the street at the Sunset Gower studios, and on the entire studio lot there is about a 30'x30 area in the middle of a parking lot where I can hit my T-mobile service. Everywhere else on the lot is dead, and that is in the heart of Los Angeles. I live that experience every day.

HDTVFanAtic

02-02-07, 03:53 AM

Oddly enough, the Hollywood Palladium, the exterior of which is used as the "location" of Studio 60, is right smack dab in a dead zone for T-mobile. I work on a show that shoots basically across the street at the Sunset Gower studios, and on the entire studio lot there is about a 30'x30 area in the middle of a parking lot where I can hit my T-mobile service. Everywhere else on the lot is dead, and that is in the heart of Los Angeles. I live that experience every day.

Glad you brought this up - I logged on to note as such and see you have already noted this - Considering that the Palladium is right between the Gower Studios on Sunset and North Highland Avenue, I know that Highland is a nightmare for most cell services and I always expect my call to be dropped when driving East-West within 4 blocks of Highland. Driving North-South on Highland which is the back way I use from that area to LAX - cellphone service is horrible regardless of carrier in that area - so its really not that far fetched.

It has to do with lack of cell sites up in the Hollywood Hills due to real estate and the way Hollywood tucks right in there - also causing massive RF Signal issues for FM and TV off of Mt. Wilson - along the entire Sunset Blvd area.

And for what its worth, if you talk to anyone at a cell company with technical background (and not the CSRs) they will tell you that cellphone service is not guaranteed over 4-8 floors, depending on the company.

I was in Seattle when AT&T Wireless still had their Corporate Headquarters there 6 years ago - on the 17th floor of the W Hotel in the heart of downtown Seattle looking out over Mt. Rainer and had been through nothing but frustration with the AT&T inferior TDMA system - especially, but not limited to, taller buildings.

After 2 missed calls that went straight to voice mail in their Corporate Home, I dropped AT&T Wireless the next week.

flint350

02-02-07, 01:25 PM

The show's title is "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip". That's not in NYC.

But yeah, I do agree that it was lame. I also want to concur with everybody else about this episode's picture quality being particularly awful. It reminded me of the pilot episode, which looked like an old VHS tape.

Oops! Typing in gear before brain was fully functioning, but still... That was only one (mis-placed point), but the whole story moved backward for me. It was looking hopeful for a bit there, then this.

aviators99

02-05-07, 06:18 PM

Unfortunately, the show will go on hiatus on March 5th, with no commitment to bring it back :-(

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20070202nbc02

Bruce Patterson

02-05-07, 07:22 PM

Unfortunately, the show will go on hiatus on March 5th, with no commitment to bring it back :-(

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20070202nbc02

:mad: Jeez! And they wonder why people don't commit to a show in the first season.

lax01

02-05-07, 08:45 PM

Bollllllllllockkkkkkkkkkkssssssssssss

lax01

02-05-07, 11:43 PM

good episode tonight....but awful, horrible PQ...maybe now I see what you guys are talking about...it looked worse than some DVDs I watch...guess NBC isn't paying for extra bandwidth anymore now that they've served S60 its death sentence...jackholes

dad1153

02-06-07, 12:01 AM

And now Jordan McDeere and Danny Tripp are an item after an evening stuck on a roof. Lesson to middle-aged showbiz heterosexual men obsessed with pregnant career women that run TV networks: stalking (and written recommendations from Matt Alby and Martin Scorsese) works! :rolleyes:

It just occurred to me while watching tonight's episode that Sorkin is writing/pacing Studio 60 intending it to be seen consecutively and not on a week-to-week basis (ala Heroes or the self-contained Boston Legal) for the DVD Box Set and syndication crowd. Remember last year's Nevada Day two-parter, followed by another episode (The Option Period) dealing with the aftermath of the 'Studio 60' fictitious show from the previous week? Those episodes, like the just-concluded The Harriet Dinner two-parter and the episode before it (and the one previewed for next week featuring flashbacks to when Matt and Harriet met), are paced in such a way to make watching three or four episodes in a row an appealing idea. This is ideal for the DVD-watching crowd or cable network marathons, but its deadly for network TV viewer expectations. Especially since Sorkin's first acts in these mini-series of episodes within the series (Nevada Day and The Harriet Dinner had dull first-parters that build into better second-parts and, in the case of the former, a terrific follow-up episode in 'The Option Period') have been instrumental in poisoning the goodwill toward the show and limited its ratings growth potential.

keenan

02-06-07, 03:36 AM

This show would probably be better suited to the 1pm or 2pm slot during the daytime soap period.

VisionOn

02-06-07, 04:00 AM

I'm getting really tired of the Harriet/Matt relationship almost as much as the Jordan/Danny relationship. The Danny and Matt rapport was one of the best things about earlier episodes and now they spend most of the time staring doe eyed at the women.

I'd like to see an episode about the behind the scenes of the TV show with the rest of the cast. I haven't seen one of those in a while. The show needs more Jack as well. The show really has some bite when Steven Weber is on screen as in the discussion with the Chinese exec. Although the "he's been able to speak English all along!" moment was an entertaining but another cliche in a very dragged out episode.

I think the show hit a high with the two parter Nevada Day, but it's been going downhill rapidly ever since it returned this year.

luv2chill

02-06-07, 04:55 AM

I really wanted to like this show, but try as I might I just find myself not caring about any of the characters or the situations they're in. It's certainly not a problem with the acting--the vast majority of the cast are very talented. I also think Aaron Sorkin's a brilliant mind. It's just that this particular idea of his was a dud. Can't polish a turd, right?

And for a show about a comedy show, I find it sorely lacking in the humor department. Yes I know it's a first-and-foremost a drama, but I notice they try to interject comedy here and there. It's just not all that funny.

The only thing I thought was truly excellent was the Pilot (so I can understand why NBC picked it up). In particular, the Judd Hirsch speech gave me goosebumps it was so apropos. But that fooled me into thinking that the show would actually explore that edgy territory, when it was just a one-off Sorkin diatribe that had really nothing to do at all with the premise of the show. Instead we get a show that's one part tedious, unrealistic relationship storylines and one part moronic "Snakes on a Plane"-type plots.

The whole thing just comes across like a plodding, overwraught soap opera--and the murky PQ only reinforces that feeling.

Better luck next time Sorkin.

ralphyboy

02-06-07, 12:13 PM

I am not an insider to television, but the article http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20070202nbc02 that was posted earlier says that "Studio 60 will return later this season on a date to be determined." Is that TVspeak for it might not be back?

To me it sounds like they are definitley bringing it back, they just don't know at what date.

CPanther95

02-06-07, 12:15 PM

If they don't announce a date, generally it means they will burn off the remaining episodes at non-critical times (summer, opposite the Academy Awards, etc). It is normally the end of the show.

Even if they do announce a date - and it is during those same non-critical times - it isn't good news.

Soybean

02-06-07, 12:19 PM

Mr_Bester

02-06-07, 12:47 PM

I'm new to HD. Watched Heroes, looked great. But Studio 60 was way, way too soft, making me question whether it was even HD. I'm sure it was, but to my eyes, it looked terrible.

As for the actual show, I've been a fan since the beginning. I do wish they'd get back to concentrating on production of the show rather than several simultaneous love stories.

I think they may be using the vaseline lens for the two top female leads and since they were most of the last two shows, the PQ looks soft. It seemed the shots of the Viola player and Matt's other Ex were pretty sharp, but I don't have it tivo'd anymore, so I can't check...

RAVEN56706

02-06-07, 01:07 PM

Poor matthew perry.... looks like this show is getting canned....

VisionOn

02-06-07, 02:16 PM

I think they may be using the vaseline lens for the two top female leads and since they were most of the last two shows, the PQ looks soft. It seemed the shots of the Viola player and Matt's other Ex were pretty sharp, but I don't have it tivo'd anymore, so I can't check...

Nothing on the show was particularly sharp. When Matt was on stage behind the podium his face was so blurred I felt like I was drunk.

If there's one good thing to come out of the demise of the show, it's that Matthew Perry can actually do other roles besides the bungling comic relief.

Ted W

02-06-07, 03:03 PM

Just for miscellaney's sake, since there have been comments about how bad the pilot looked: the Studio 60 pilot was shot on 16mm. This would account for the softness and lack of resolution in the image. The subsequent episodes, however, have all been produced in 35mm. It's quite obvious that the show is using a great deal of diffusion (not unlike the look for West Wing -- same DP, actually) and that this is a creative choice. I agree that it isn't the best example of HD WOW! factor on the air, but there it is.

Josh Z

02-07-07, 09:54 AM

Just for miscellaney's sake, since there have been comments about how bad the pilot looked: the Studio 60 pilot was shot on 16mm. This would account for the softness and lack of resolution in the image.

Not entirely, it wouldn't. Veronica Mars is also shot in 16mm and, though it isn't up to the quality of most other primetime dramas, the picture is substantially better than any episode of Studio 60. The Studio 60 pilot looked like VHS quality. Things improved moderately for a little while, but the last two episodes have been awful again.

Josh Z

02-07-07, 09:56 AM

aviators99

02-07-07, 12:28 PM

I can't tell you how much I really want this show to pull itself together, but the storyline with Tom and the Chinese girl was the only thing that worked in this week's episode. The Matt/Harriet and Danny/Jordan storylines just were not working at all.

I really don't think the "Tom and the Chinese girl" story worked either:

"Oh. So, you got my daughter drunk, and didn't live up to your word that you'd get her to go back to the viola. Well, okay, I'll support your cause."

Josh Z

02-07-07, 04:26 PM

I really don't think the "Tom and the Chinese girl" story worked either:

"Oh. So, you got my daughter drunk, and didn't live up to your word that you'd get her to go back to the viola. Well, okay, I'll support your cause."

Yeah, but the character interplay was entertaining, which is more than the rest of the episode can claim.

keenan

02-07-07, 04:31 PM

Frankly, I think the show would be better if they just used Weber, Asner and the some of the show's "actors" and "Cal", and drop the two lead couples.

vfxproducer

02-07-07, 04:38 PM

the storyline with Tom and the Chinese girl was the only thing that worked in this week's episode. The Matt/Harriet and Danny/Jordan storylines just were not working at all.

Frankly, I think this show is ready for a spin off. I'd spend 60 minutes of my time on a weekly basis watching Julia Ling (Kim) do tequila shots and talk dirty. But maybe that's just me.

NetworkTV

02-08-07, 04:06 AM

I can't tell you how much I really want this show to pull itself together, but the storyline with Tom and the Chinese girl was the only thing that worked in this week's episode. The Matt/Harriet and Danny/Jordan storylines just were not working at all.
Personally, the stuff in the studio with the coyote that was sent in to get the mongoose, which was sent in to get the snake, that led to them digging up the floor was more entertaining than anything else.

"So what do we send in after the coyote?"

Not the most realistic event that might happen in a TV studio, but about as real as anything else in the show.

ion-man

02-08-07, 10:07 AM

I too am really hoping this show doesn't get the boot. The best parts involve Steven Weber and his delivery of his lines, Cal, and the interplay between the writers, especially the new head writer. Strangely enough, the best parts of this last two-parter involved Cal and the animal guy. To me that whole exchange was funy, though somewhat predictable. The animal guy's dead-pan delivery was pricesless.
They need to find a new direction for the Harriet/Mike issue, its getting old fast, and the Danny/Jordan bit is going to sink this show for real.

Josh Z

02-08-07, 10:39 AM

Strangely enough, the best parts of this last two-parter involved Cal and the animal guy. To me that whole exchange was funy, though somewhat predictable. The animal guy's dead-pan delivery was pricesless.

My wife has an amazing knack for recognizing guest stars. She pointed out that Bevo was played by Casey Sander, who starred as Wade on "Grace Under Fire".

http://movieimage.nate.com/images/people_images/p_00063779.gif

There is no way I ever would have recognized him.

MRinDenver

02-08-07, 12:37 PM

The story line on the roof reminded me more of Lucy and Ethel than anything I've seen on TV in a long time. Didn't like it. Surprised that they didn't find a long board that they could stretch across to the next roof.

Dare I say "the shark has been jumped"?

klouseau

02-11-07, 10:52 PM

The PQ quality was so bad I thought I was watching UHF channels again!

(HD70 Projector with HD DVR and 110" screen through Cogeco Cable in Ontario).

Matter of fact, this weeks new episode (Friday Night Slaughter) is on right now on CTV in Ontario (they run Studio 60 on Sunday nights, one night before the US broadcast). It also looks super soft and grainy.

dad1153

02-13-07, 09:03 AM

I'm still coming down from the high that was last Monday's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. As was the case with "The Option Period" following the "Nevada Day" two-parter in 2006 last night's "The Friday Night Slaughter" capped the events from the preceding "Harriett Dinner" two-parter with a gut-wrenching trip into the mind and soul of a tortured writer. I don't want to give it away for those that haven't seen it but that twist at the end (which on hindsight I should have seen coming but was too wrapped-up in the story and Perry's tour-de-force performance to look for clues) truly startled me in its subtetly and power. What made the shift in tone from sweet to sour stand out even more (aside from the fact the episode of Heroes that preceded 'Studio 60' stunk) was that the NBC promos misled me into expecting sacharine Valentine's Day-type romantic tripe. I got exactly that from the handful of embarrassing scenes between Jordan and Danny, but these were few. Most of the episode was actually pretty depressing and somber, a turn toward the darkside that was reflected even in the opening title's intro music. There were more than a handful of laughs though. Nathan Corddry's Irish Electrician... what??!! line literally had me howling out loud at 2AM (to the delight of my neighbors no doubt) when I checked the show on DVR.

Which doesn't mean 'Friday Night Slaughter' was perfect (nothing is in life, especially new HDTV's! :rolleyes: ). For the life of me I cannot understand why Sorkin didn't bring back Judd Hirsch to play West in this episode. West's 'mad as hell' monologue still stands tall as 'Studio 60's' finest moment. Just alluding to him being there in the 1999 flashbacks as the decision maker is the type of inside baseball stuff that the handful of new viewers tuning into 'Studio 60' for the first time will miss entirely. Then again, maybe Sorkin wanted us to only view Matt's stint as the present showrunner to contrast what he went through eight years prior to justify his behavior. Also the inevitable Christian bashing dialogue Sorkin is known for really stuck out in this episode more than usual. I'm usually not bothered by the Sorkin bashing of the right wing because I happen to agree with his viewpoints, but in this flashback-driven look into how Matt and Harriet met the religious bashing was totally out of place within the show's context. It dawned on me several months ago but 'Studio 60' has to be seen first and foremost as an exploration of the influences a muse (in this case the Harriet Hayes character) has over the emotions and abilities of an intellectually-driven man (Matt Albie), a behind-the-scenes showbiz expose second. I'm not sure this is what NBC thought they were getting when they bought the show (along with every autobiographical detail from Sorkin's life right there on the screen for everybody to see), which means the lack of compatibility between where the show is headed and how NBC is promoting it almost certainly has doomed it into a one-season wonder.

Why can't Thomas Schlamme direct every 'Studio 60' episode (like he did almost all of Sports Night's first season)? The man knows how to turn Sorkin's scripts into brilliant television. Between this episode and the show's pilot (and whatever surprises the show has left in the tank) I cannot see how 'Studio 60' isn't a lock for a slew of Emmy nominations come summer. Wouldn't it be ironic if 'Studio 60' actually got the attention and recognition that elluded it during its run when it's too late for Emmy accolades to do it any good? Sorry for the lengthy rant gang. But last night's 'Studio 60' showed me the Sorkin-Schlamme duo working at their usual peak collaborative effort, and I swallowed it whole and was left asking for seconds. Then it dawned on me that brilliance like this cannot possibly last or be understood in our media culture by the masses, and that 'Studio 60' is a goner. And you know what they say about letting go of the things you love the most. :(

ragedogg69

02-13-07, 10:11 AM

I didnt enjoy last nights episode at all. I really want to like this show but for being such a new show the plot is really dragging. Remember the whole merger thing? Has the show been improving under Matt? The only thing I really enjoyed was Nate Corddry and his buddy desperately hoping that their sketch made it into the show. D.L. Hughley is another bright spot in the cast but just like Nate, he is under used. Where is the Matt and Danny dynamic that we all loved. How many episodes has it been since they last talked. (by that I mean an in depth back and forth between the two and not just Matt asking Danny if he remembers someone.)

Seems like Sorkin-Schlamme cant figure out if this show is character driven or dialog/plot driven. Every episode is different. Not normally would this be a bad thing, but since Nevada Day, the quality of episodes have really declined.

dad1153

02-13-07, 10:29 AM

Where is the Matt and Danny dynamic that we all loved. How many episodes has it been since they last talked. (by that I mean an in depth back and forth between the two and not just Matt asking Danny if he remembers someone).

There you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srnnAaMltQA :D

ralphyboy

02-13-07, 11:13 AM

Last night's episode was not good at all, probably the worst one yet. Wow, Matthew Perry's character had a pill popping problem, where did they ever get such an original idea?

UTV2TiVo

02-13-07, 11:16 AM

Let's hope the pill pushing singer character is a recurring role. Wow!
The actress' name is gina la piana.

Stan54

02-13-07, 12:16 PM

I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more! I have tried hard to enjoy this program, but it just doesn't do anything for me. It isn't that I don't "understand" it because I am afraid that I do and it is just plain boring. It is a program, however, well suited for the pseudo-intellectual and they will be loudly devastated when NBC finally ends the pain.

With 20 minutes remaining last night, I had to dial out this cornball mess. ................... Hollywood self - indulgence.

dad1153

02-13-07, 12:41 PM

It is a program, however, well suited for the pseudo-intellectual and they will be loudly devastated when NBC finally ends the pain.

My own personal devastation has already begun and the show hasn't even been axed yet! :(

With 20 minutes remaining last night, I had to dial out this cornball mess. ................... Hollywood self - indulgence.

By missing the last two minutes of last night's show you missed the entire point of the Perry character's self-indulgent trip. It was a beautiful, poetic and devastatingly powerful ending. Your loss Stan54! :(

VisionOn

02-13-07, 12:59 PM

Stan54

02-13-07, 02:59 PM

My own personal devastation has already begun and the show hasn't even been axed yet! :(

By missing the last two minutes of last night's show you missed the entire point of the Perry character's self-indulgent trip. It was a beautiful, poetic and devastatingly powerful ending. Your loss Stan54! :(

I wasn't refering to the self-indulgence of a character. Rather, I refer to the self-indulgence of Hollywood types giving us a program about how they see themselves.

Ted W

02-13-07, 03:09 PM

I wasn't refering to the self-indulgence of a character. Rather, I refer to the self-indulgence of Hollywood types giving us a program about how they see themselves.

Every writer gives us a program/play/book/movie about how they see themselves. That's what writers do. Now, if your objection is to TV writers making a workplace show about TV, then... well, how is this show different than The Office or Lawrence O'Donnell, a former Washington staffer, writing for The West Wing or a writer with emergency room experiece writing for ER? In the case of Studio 60, though some of it is admittedly up its own ass, at least it's not a fully flattering depiction of network television or its creatives and executives.

CPanther95

02-13-07, 03:12 PM

By missing the last two minutes of last night's show you missed the entire point of the Perry character's self-indulgent trip. It was a beautiful, poetic and devastatingly powerful ending. Your loss Stan54! :(

That might have been the case if the ending wasn't so obvious. It was clear he was "seeing" himself the first time he asked someone if they remembered him and they said, "No."

Mr_Bester

02-13-07, 03:34 PM

That might have been the case if the ending wasn't so obvious. It was clear he was "seeing" himself the first time he asked someone if they remembered him and they said, "No."

My thoughts exactly....

dad1153

02-13-07, 03:52 PM

That might have been the case if the ending wasn't so obvious. It was clear he was "seeing" himself the first time he asked someone if they remembered him and they said, "No."

Then I guess I'm easily entertained because I saw none of it coming. I don't watch TV/movies looking for the hidden clues so I can guess ahead of the writer/director what the final outcome/reveal will be. I let myself be taken along for the ride, and 'The Friday Night Slaughter' was a wild trip into the psyche of behind-the-scenes Hollywood/TV writing (with romantic infatuation to boot) that is seldom seen and understood by average folks. It might be swinging wildly while striking out with the Nielsen folks but 'Studio 60' is leaving network TV with one hell of a creative bang... IMHO! :(

BillN96

02-13-07, 04:01 PM

I am also one that really enjoyed last night's episode and largely the series in general. Not that I want every episode so dark and gloomy like this one but it was a nice change of pace. Great show.

klouseau

02-13-07, 04:11 PM

I totally enjoyed last nights show. Matt Perry is brilliant!

jwebb1970

02-13-07, 04:33 PM

Thought I'd read recently that, although ratings-challenged, it's been found by NBC that STUDIO 60 is very popular amongst more affluent (i.e. educated adults with higher than usual amounts of expendable cash) viewers. Certain types of advertisers obviously like this and will pay premium prices to get their ads on during STUDIO 60. AMERICAN IDOL gets literally 10's of millions more watching it, but the ratio of mouth-breathers in trailer parks tuning in is also much higher.

Not trying to sound superior, but just attepmting to see the logic behind what this particualr article I read about this show was saying.

Networks are in the business to make money, so they have kept this show (which I love despite my lack of disposable income :) ) on this long because "high-end' sponsers will help fund it. Virtually any other new show with similar ratings is already gone or "on hiatus".

Hard for me to say whether this always rings true for STUDIO 60, since I always FF thru commercials anyway (The HDDVR--mankind's greatest achievement!). And it may just have more to do with some NBC loyalty to/contract stipulation of sorts with Sorkin. If either scenario will hold it over into a 2nd season remains to be seen.

Of course, quite a few people with (mostly) expensive HDTVs are here talking about it, so maybe the "smart, wealthy people love STUDIO 60" argument holds some water! ;)

ragedogg69

02-13-07, 11:22 PM

There you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srnnAaMltQA :D
I LOVED IT!!!!! That made my night.

I agree with CPanthers, the ending was too predictable and even before fight club, unoriginal.

dad1153

02-13-07, 11:27 PM

The fat lady is walking on stage and clearing her throat. Studio 60 is going on hiatus a week earlier than announced to allow NBC's new drama The Black Donnelly's to premiere after the last original episode of Heroes before it takes another short break.

TV Notebook
Bye Bye, “Studio 60”?
It will be replaced a week early
THE BLACK DONNELLYS' – NEW DRAMA FROM OSCAR WINNERS PAUL HAGGIS AND BOBBY MORESCO – WILL PREMIERE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26 (10-11 P.M. ET) ON NBC

NBC News Release

BURBANK – February 13, 2007 – NBC's new mid-season drama "The Black Donnellys" will premiere on Monday, February 26 (10-11 p.m. ET) -- following the hit drama "Heroes" (9-10 p.m. ET), it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment.

"The Black Donnellys" had previously been announced to debut on March 5. "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (currently Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET), will return to the schedule later this season on a date to be determined.

Academy Award winners Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco (both for "Crash") are the creators and executive producers of "The Black Donnellys," a gritty new drama series filmed in New York City and loosely based on Moresco's background. Haggis is also an Academy Award nominee for the original screenplay, "Letters From Iwo Jima."

The series follows the exploits of four young, working-class Irish-American brothers and their involvement in organized crime in New York City. The Donnelly brothers will do anything to protect each other against all odds.

The ensemble cast includes Kirk Acevedo, Thomas Guiry, Billy Lush, Keith Nobbs, Michael Stahl-David, Jonathan Tucker and Olivia Wilde. The pilot was directed by Haggis, who also wrote the Academy Award-winning "Million Dollar Baby."

Thanks to Fredfa's Hot Off the Presses column for posting this... news! :(

HDTVFanAtic

02-14-07, 04:10 AM

Thought I'd read recently that, although ratings-challenged, it's been found by NBC that STUDIO 60 is very popular amongst more affluent (i.e. educated adults with higher than usual amounts of expendable cash) viewers. Certain types of advertisers obviously like this and will pay premium prices to get their ads on during STUDIO 60. AMERICAN IDOL gets literally 10's of millions more watching it, but the ratio of mouth-breathers in trailer parks tuning in is also much higher.

You did read that. Same sell NBC tried with West Wing.....and that is on at what time?

But of course, I suppose no one else is seeing the same structure of this episodes as you see with all Sorkin shows?

Yes, Sorkin loves to do flashback episodes to show how everyone got together.

Networks are in the business to make money, so they have kept this show (which I love despite my lack of disposable income :) ) on this long because "high-end' sponsers will help fund it. Virtually any other new show with similar ratings is already gone or "on hiatus".

You are popping more pills than Mathew Perry.

Ratings are sold on Ratings Point and no one is paying a premium for this show.

The only reason it wasn't already gone was because NBC had no more shows left in the bag. They had to invent some additional ones so they could place it on Hiatus.

Of course, quite a few people with (mostly) expensive HDTVs are here talking about it, so maybe the "smart, wealthy people love STUDIO 60" argument holds some water! ;)

Yes, they are talking about the poor PQ of it.

Great hype.

dad1153

02-14-07, 08:40 AM

There you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srnnAaMltQA

I LOVED IT!!!!! That made my night.

Just for you ragedogg69, here are more 'Studio 60' parodies from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuS71qH1k8E and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrtVegsURDU (WARNING: contains humor that might be a little too racy and explicit for some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised :D).

CPanther95

02-14-07, 10:20 AM

I should ask this in the BSG thread where there are undoubtedly more computer nerds........ :) However, anyone know how to rectify the following message I get whenever trying to view a youtube video?:

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Macromedia's Flash Player. Get the latest flash player.

I have the latest flash player (re-downloaded a couple times to be sure) - and it appears anything relating to Java in my advanced internet tools settings is set to enable. Any ideas? PM me if it isn't just something quick and easy.

HDTVFanAtic

02-14-07, 10:45 AM

The fat lady is walking on stage and clearing her throat. Studio 60 is going on hiatus a week earlier than announced to allow NBC's new drama The Black Donnelly's to premiere after the last original episode of Heroes before it takes another short break.

They had to - 24 and Heroes were negating each other in the ratings and Studio 60 was just adding the anchor effect to it so Two and A Half Men and CSI Miami could win.

"Idol" crushes the competition

"American Idol" contestants may dream of winning a Grammy, but the Grammy Awards show on CBS was only the #6 show in the weekly Nielsen ratings last week, while two nights of "Idol" on Fox claimed the #1 and #2 spots. "House" was #4, giving Fox three of the top four shows. Fox handily won the big money 18-49 demo, followed by CBS, ABC, NBC, Univision, CW, Telemundo, TeleFutura and a tie of Ion and Azteca America. CBS still managed to win in Households with a rating of 8.8 and a 14 share. Fox was next at 7.0/11, followed by ABC 6.4/10, NBC 5.7/9, CW and Univision tied at 2.2/3, Telemundo and Ion tied at 0.5/1, TeleFutura 0.4/1 and Azteca America 0.2/0.

Here are the top 20 shows for the week.

Nielsen Television Index Ranking Report

Network primetime (Live + SD) week of 02/05/07 - 02/11/07

Here are the top 20 shows for the week.

Rank Program Network Rating Share Audience(000)

1 AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY FOX 18.4 27 33356
2 AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY FOX 15.9 23 27909
3 GREY'S ANATOMY-THU 9PM ABC 15.2 22 25197
4 HOUSE FOX 14.4 21 24877
5 CSI CBS 13.8 20 22522
6 GRAMMY AWARDS(S) CBS 12.1 19 20058
7 CSI: MIAMI CBS 11.9 19 18427
8 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES ABC 11.2 16 18101
8 TWO AND A HALF MEN CBS 11.2 16 17681
10 DEAL OR NO DEAL-MON NBC 10.8 16 17413
11 CRIMINAL MINDS CBS 10.5 15 16274
12 NCIS CBS 10.2 15 16162
13 CSI: NY CBS 9.7 15 14972
13 RULES OF ENGAGEMENT CBS 9.7 14 14835
13 SURVIVOR: FIJI CBS 9.7 15 16441
16 60 MINUTES CBS 9.4 15 14118
17 EXTREME MAKEOVER:HOME ED. ABC 9.3 14 16931
17 SHARK CBS 9.3 15 14531
19 LAW AND ORDER:SVU NBC 9.0 15 13452
19 UGLY BETTY ABC 9.0 14 14275

Source: Nielsen Media Research

http://www.rbr.com/tvepaper/pages/february07/07-31_ratings1.html