I haven't watched a new NBC show since Law and Order: CI started. (Frankly, I think Law and Order shows are the only thing that kept NBC alive for the last several years.) NBC used to have excellent drama and comedy shows. I've heard good things about West Wing, but I was never able to get into it. The few episodes I did see, were interesting, and I may try for DVD. Unfortunately, in the last few years, Must See TV, is more like, Maybe if Nothing Else is On TV.
Last night, I saw the pilot episode to Studio 60 (it was on Bravo), and I have to say that I was impressed. Most impressed. If you haven't seen it yet, you can watch the whole episode at nbc.com. I encourage you to tune in. Tonight is the second episode, and I'll be watching.
Possible spoilers
I love the speech that the Character Wes, (the Studio 60 version of Lorne Michaels from SNL) gives about how the show, and television stink. It's as if Lorne Michaels would get up and admit to the audience that SNL just isn't that funny anymore. (And let's face it, while it has the occasional good sketch, it hasn't been funny to it's original calibur in years.) I give special kudos to NBC to picking up a show that is making fun of one of it's longest running shows.
Edit: Sorry if there is already a thread on this. I used the search function and didn't find one.
Posted by solo (Member # 3148) on :
We get the episodes on Sunday night here. The second episode definitely lives up to the groundwork laid in the first. This has the makings of a very good series.
Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
I also really loved the show, and will be watching it again tonight.
There are quite a few shows that sparked my interest this year. Hopefully they will stick around and find an audience. They way it pokes fun at TV execs, studio 60 had really better do well or it will be canned quickly.
Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
quote:Originally posted by solo: We get the episodes on Sunday night here. The second episode definitely lives up to the groundwork laid in the first. This has the makings of a very good series.
Huh? Where's "here"? I want!
Posted by Sean (Member # 689) on :
It's a Canadian station.
Posted by andi330 (Member # 8572) on :
I'm also loving the fact that NBC is putting the whole episode on their website. For FREE!!!!!! I don't have to download it from Amazon Unbox or iTunes, which means I don't have to wait 2-3 days before it's up if I miss it, or I want to see it again.
Edit: It also means I don't have to pay $1.99 for it.
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
SPOILERS FOR TONIGHT'S EPISODE BELOW!
. . .
That was AWESOME! Even better than the pilot, and featuring a ton more of that classic Sorkin witty dialogue (and pedeconferencing!!). Matt and Danny continue to have fantastic chemistry, and Jordan and Jack, the two characters who I thought were somewhat weak in the pilot, showed that they can handle Sorkin's style of dry humor with aplomb. Loved Cal's "oh god, our camera's aren't working" joke- it was almost Firefly-ish in the way they used overly-dramatic music to underscore Danny's horror. Any remaining worries I had from the heavily expository pilot evaporated like so many secret plans to fight inflation.
And the "Model Network TV show" was sheer genius. Posted by Joldo (Member # 6991) on :
Totally agree on pretty much all of Tarrsk's points. Matthew Perry has really found something that's good for him, and he's proving he can do serious as well as funny, and even both at the same time.
But is it sad that so far every Studio 60 skit they've shown is much better than anything that's come off SNL lately?
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I thought it was great. I was a little nervous, but after the first episode I think it earned a second watch, and now I think it earned my attention for the next couple weeks.
My only complaint is that I want to see more of the ACTUAL show that is being portrayed. I realize this is supposed to be a behind the scenes look, but we're being bashed over the head with how amazing the producers are, and how talented the cast is...so I want to see it, otherwise I have to take 50% of the show on faith, the actual performance, and then live off the behind the scenes stuff, which isn't really fair.
I'll be happy if the last 10 minutes of every show is the first 10 minutes of every "episode" of the actual Studio 60. I liked how tonight ended, and it was clever, and hilarious, and I loved it. Good episode, good start to a series with a lot of potential. I also loved the undertones of the Crazy Christians sketch, and though I felt a bit battered with it, I liked Sorkin's point.
Posted by andi330 (Member # 8572) on :
SNL stopped being funny about the time my parents decided that I was old enough to watch it. That was about 15 years ago now.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
No, I think Will Ferrel's and Darrel Hammond's generation was hysterical. But with them gone, it's nowhere near worth wataching.
Posted by andi330 (Member # 8572) on :
That generation had some funny sketches, but the show as a whole hasn't been really funny since the Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, David Spade generation.
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: My only complaint is that I want to see more of the ACTUAL show that is being portrayed. I realize this is supposed to be a behind the scenes look, but we're being bashed over the head with how amazing the producers are, and how talented the cast is...so I want to see it, otherwise I have to take 50% of the show on faith, the actual performance, and then live off the behind the scenes stuff, which isn't really fair.
The thing is, I think the show (that is, the show-within-the-show) is going to primarily be a MacGuffin- what actually happens on set isn't nearly as interesting as seeing how we get there. Studio 60 is heavily influenced by Sports Night in that regard, where we never saw much more than a few seconds of any given episode of the show-within-a-show. Although, even on The West Wing, we rarely saw any of the action. For example, we'd see lots of discussion about writing the State of the Union, and lots of the aftermath (polling, press reactions, etc), but the address itself is skipped over, because it's not the point. Or Bartlet would order a military strike, but we don't actually get any scenes of soldiers on the ground or helicopters in the air.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Yeah, it'll probably work as a MacGuffin too.
But if that's the case, stop spending so much time trying to convince us that these people are funny. SHOW us that they are funny. I like how it's being done so far, but I want a taste of the show every night too.
West Wing was behind the scenes stuff too, but there wasn't really anything to show other than what happened IN the West Wing. They didn't just say that all the people in the show were good at their jobs, and that Bartlet was a good president, we were shown every episode how good they were, how smart they were, and funny, and how much they really cared about what they were doing. They weren't all just sitting in a room TALKING about how they were good at their jobs.
Posted by TL (Member # 8124) on :
Saturday Night Live actually *is* good right now, with some of the younger guys producing some classic SNL bits (Lettuce, Dopplegangers, Young Chuck Norris, Lazy Sunday, etc)... But let's not get sidetracked on that little discussion.
This episode of Studio 60 was even better than the first. Bradley Whitford is growing on me.
The problem I see *now* is that Harriet (don't know the name of the actress) is being set up as being this phenomenal talent ("There're maybe 50 people in this town who get how good she is, and we're two of them") and I don't know if she's going to be able to carry that off.
It'll be interesting to see.
I'm hooked, I think.
Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
quote:Originally posted by Joldo: But is it sad that so far every Studio 60 skit they've shown is much better than anything that's come off SNL lately?
Wouldn't it be nice if this show shamed SNL into being funny again?
Posted by Mintieman (Member # 4620) on :
I'm really liking this show. This is my first exposure to Aaron Sorkin, and I'm very, very impressed.
It probably helps that I'm a big fan of Nate Corddry, Amanda Peet and DL Hughley
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Loved tonight's episode.
Next week looks great. I like the mixture of show and show in show coverage. And I'm already rooting for Harriet and Matt to get back together. Oy.
Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :
I didn't really like the game show bit, so that kind of killed it for me. I liked the Harriet news objection though.
Maybe it's because I'm such a big fan of Sports Night, but I'm just not getting the big hits I was expecting.
I'm just checking out the episode I missed last week. I really like the opening so far.
I just think that there may be too many balls in the air. The Matt and Danny stuff is great. But with so many characters, you don't get so much of the punch.
[ October 02, 2006, 11:18 PM: Message edited by: MrSquicky ]
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
"And the bear says, 'ROOAAAAARRRRR!'" Hee!
Liked Harriet in this one a lot more than in the last two. Same goes for Jordan.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Last week's episode was great, as the first part of a two-parter.
Also, the show was picked up for the rest of the first season. Their ratings have jumped in their key target demographic.
It may be moved to a different time slot though.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
Tonight's episode was awesome. The show had a rocky start, but I think it's really beginning to hit its stride. Not quite there yet, but coming close.
I know the Heroes/Studio 60 combination is crazy on the part of NBC, but I'm loving it.
I loved Jack's diatribe at the end of this episode. Wonderful and classic.
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
I dug everything involving Jack, but overall I thought this episode was the worst one yet- particularly disappointing since I thought Part 1 was fantastic. Every aspect of the Matt/Harriet argument had me rolling my eyes. Black people have only lived in the open for four hundred years? Say what?
Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :
How good was that episode? Man, that was what I was expecting when I first heard about the show. And they did it without the taking shots at anybody. Well, except the FCC, but, I mean, it's the FCC.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Another great episode.
Funny, sweet, great music, touching...I think it's a really underrated show.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I think tonight's episode was the best so far this season. The dialogue at the beginning and the business mans speech at the end? Classic West Wing.
And then all of the stuff not at all West Wing that was still awesome. Harry and Matt, great as always. Danny and Jordan, unexpected, but amazing. Jordan crashing Jack's meeting, priceless. I love this show.
Posted by Joldo (Member # 6991) on :
I gotta agree. Studio 60's been showing a lot of promise, and now it's definitely fulfilling that.
I love shaved coconut snow . . .
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
That was a very good episode. Matt kissing Harriet...*swoon* I really enjoyed that kiss.
Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
Was the nazi Santa statue prescient? or was the show taped after the news report came out?
[ December 05, 2006, 08:53 PM: Message edited by: aspectre ]
Posted by B34N (Member # 9597) on :
I dug the music and the whole NO support thrown in. Good episode!
Posted by A Rat Named Dog (Member # 699) on :
quote:Black people have only lived in the open for four hundred years? Say what?
When do you think the first Africans were brought to America?
Posted by Evie3217 (Member # 5426) on :
I love this show so much. I agree that the kiss was amazing. And the whole thing with Danny and Jordan, I sort of saw it coming, but I still liked it nonetheless.
I think the one underrated character is Cal. I mean, the conversations he and Danny have are just amazing. It's nice to see some of the West Wing crowd back again. It just makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.
This show is amazing.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
They added a lot more of him it seemed this episode. I loved the thing with the Nazi Santa and the coconut. Wacky but funny.
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
I agree, Evie. I love Timothy Busfield, and I REALLY wish we saw more of him. His comedic timing is really, really good.
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
When Jordan asked to sit in on the meeting, I started yelling at the TV, "Don't let her! Are you insane?!" I love Jordan, but she has no governor on her mouth.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Heh, I said the same thing when I was watching. He HAD to know there was no way she was going to keep her mouth shut.
Posted by Sean (Member # 689) on :
quote:When do you think the first Africans were brought to America?
The quote from Harriet was "The difference is that black people had lived openly as black people for four hundred years before civil rights. Gay people have lived openly for about thirty". Many people found this less than convincing. (language warning)
Posted by Sean (Member # 689) on :
I think a Sorkin show just doesn't really work for me without an Isaac / Jed / Leo around to tell everyone to get over themselves already.
Posted by Joldo (Member # 6991) on :
I love Tom and Simon. They have fantastic chemistry as a comedic duo.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by Sean:
quote:When do you think the first Africans were brought to America?
The quote from Harriet was "The difference is that black people had lived openly as black people for four hundred years before civil rights. Gay people have lived openly for about thirty". Many people found this less than convincing. (language warning)
I don't see the problem with that statement factually. The first slaves were brought to North America in the early 17th century, which is, give or take, 400 years ago.
TWoP is known for being scathing regardless of the show. Most of the time they are funny, but I honestly I don't think they know how to enjoy TV just to enjoy it.
I don't agree with her argument in the show at all, but it sounds plausible, and her position seems very diplomatic, which it needs to be considering her precarious position.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I still don't think Studio 60 is as good as the WEst Wing, but I do like some of the stuff that Studio 60 can do that West Wing couldn't. Like the romances between Danny and Jordan and between Matt and Harriet. The West Wing could never have those be important just for their own sake, I like that Studio 60 can.
Oh, and Sam_Storyteller on livejournal writes some awesome Studio 60 fanfic, if anyone is interested in that.
Posted by TheGrimace (Member # 9178) on :
blacwolve, I have to agree. I'm definately enjoying the show, but it doesn't seem quite up to the calibur of West Wing (yet). At the same time, it deals with such different concerns/topics that it's hard to do a direct comparison.
As you mentioned it can certainly approach certain topics much more freely than West Wing could (such as inter-office romance).
At the same time I have to give it a little leeway in comparison because naturally I'm going to care more about say a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan than I do about the latest struggles of a mock-SNL crew. Not that the latter isn't interesting and well-done, but it's not going to tug at my heartstrings on the same level, or force me to take the show seriously.
All that said, I'm glad that they're continuing the season, encourage any who haven't yet to start watching, and give them kudos for a good job so far (especially the last ep)
Posted by Sean (Member # 689) on :
quote:I don't see the problem with that statement factually.
There isn't one. It just seemed like suggesting that the reason black people deserved civil rights is because they've completed their waiting period was... not quite the optimal line to take on that argument. Her character doesn't work if she sounds like an idiot.
quote:TWoP is known for being scathing regardless of the show. Most of the time they are funny, but I honestly I don't think they know how to enjoy TV just to enjoy it.
Of the ones I've followed, Sports Night, West Wing, Battlestar Galactica, and Serenity were all done by huge fans. They've been justifiably fairly cruel to reality shows, Lost and Studio 60. Firefly is the only one I felt they were too mean to.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I don't think her point was that there's a benchmark for when people can be given the rights they deserve, it's that family values small town Christians don't like how fast and open the world is, and prefer a return to smaller, simpler times when they could more easily protect their children from what they feel are bad influences. She isn't saying 400 years is a necessity, she's saying look at it comparatively. No, I don't think it's a particularly good argument, but she's also not really supporting it, she's trying to explain it. In other words, she isn't saying "gays wait 400 years," I think she's just saying "they want some time to adjust." Again, not a particularly GOOD argument, but she isn't an idiot.
And LOST and Studio 60 are reality shows? By what definition are those more 'real' than West Wing or Sports Night? I don't follow all of TWoP, but even the episodes they give good ratings too are still treated rather harshly in my opinion. The site is obviously bathed in sarcasm, which I have no problem with, but sometimes it's just over the top.
Posted by Sean (Member # 689) on :
Heh, and I was just thinking that it didn't really matter that I have no idea about the proper use of commas in lists. If I'd put "reality shows, Lost, and Studio 60", it might've been more clear that I meant three seperate things.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Ah, alright. Well that makes more sense.
Reality shows on the whole, and LOST, deserve their ire. I don't think Studio 60 does.
Posted by Sean (Member # 689) on :
For the conversation to sound realistic to me she needed to at least point out some differences between the civil rights movement and gay marriage. Accepting the comparison and moving on makes it sound like she's agreeing that they're basically racists but they'll get over it. Which is probably not how she means it, but... Actually that sounds offensive to both sides, which fits perfectly with her press trouble. Is the point that Harriet has trouble expressing herself clearly? If I thought that was their point it would work for me.
Similarly, if I thought they were intentionally making Matt, Danny, and Jordan way too immature to do their jobs (or leave their houses, really), and planned to seriously address that at some point, I'd have a lot more faith in where this is going.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Well there ARE a lot of similarities between the women's rights movement, the civil rights movement, and the gay rights movement. NOT recognizing that does more harm to her argument (and I think those similarities are inherent to the argument) than her needing to point out their differences.
As to your second point, meh, I don't think you understand them. Or you're just being a fuddy duddy.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
quote: Accepting the comparison and moving on makes it sound like she's agreeing that they're basically racists but they'll get over it.
I'm pretty sure this is exactly what she means. I also think it's pretty much correct. I think part of Harriet's character is that she's a great performer, but she doesn't really know what to do when she's not on stage. I don't think that was the only reason for that subplot, though. Studio 60 is trying to breach the cultural divide, that's the real purpose of Harriet's character, and that's the reason for that subplot.
One of the things I love about Studio 60 is that it doesn't shy away from addressing the massive cultural divide in our country. I like that it has a conservative character. I like that the conservative character is sort of confused about how she actually feels and how she actually fits into the world. I think that Harriet represents a huge portion of society that isn't normally represented on televison.
If you're wondering, on social issues I'm about as liberal as you get; but it's also really important to me to try and respect people I disagree with.
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
I think there's a certain irony having a lesbian play a slightly homophobic conservative religious Christian.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Going with the comparison to West Wing, I think she's a far less articulate Ainsley Hayes. They're both hot blondes, both Conservative, but Ainsley is also smarter than most other people in a room at any given time. Harriet isn't really that sure of herself, or that articulate. She works more from emotion, both compassion and defensive anger, and less from an intellectual harvard education.
I think all of them are less sure of themselves than the West Wing crowd was. That was an argument among supersmart people and intellectuals, only occasionally throwing in an everyman to give them a reality check. Everyone on Studio 60 is an everyman (well, except the execs really I guess), so their arguments are bound to be more confusing, as half the time they don't know what they mean themselves. I think it's more honest and less directly preachy, regardless of how people take it. Quite frankly, I think anytime someone hears an opposing argument directly stated on TV it comes off as preachy. People are direct, it happens, like when Matt tells Harriett off, it's realistic.
Anyway, I like the character flaws, and the dialogue.
Sara Paulson is gay? I didn't know that.
Posted by Tarrsk (Member # 332) on :
I'm with everyone who thought the last episode was fantastic. The New Orleans thing could've been maudlin as hell, but it actually came across as very heartfelt and emotional. I think it helped a great deal that Sorkin and Co. didn't try to put any sort of political spin on the events of Katrina; they just paid homage to those who lost (and have still not regained) their homes.
Actually, I think the show in general has been getting better and better over the past few episodes. It seems to be finding its legs at last. Here's hoping it continues its upswing!
Posted by Sean (Member # 689) on :
Yeah, I was picturing Ainsley beating up on Matt.
quote:As to your second point, meh, I don't think you understand them. Or you're just being a fuddy duddy.
There's a bit of a snowball effect. Behaviour that would've been endearing if I had more respect for them to begin with is instead just annoying, which makes me like them less, which makes the next thing more annoying... the big moments just haven't quite worked.
quote:I like that the conservative character is sort of confused about how she actually feels and how she actually fits into the world.
Is that how conservatives feel? To me it just seems really condescending to write the character representing the side you don't agree with as being confused. And the episode about why his ex-girlfriend was wrong to pose in FHM... ugh.
But yeah, the last episode was definately improved.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Isn't it lose lose? Ainsley Hayes was like some sort of Stepford Conservative. Harriet is an attempt at a realistic person.
Should he just NEVER attempt to try and understand or portray the other side?
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I think Sorkin writes the conservative character as confused because he honestly can't concieve of someone being sure of beliefs he thinks are wrong.
I've been rewatching the West Wing recently, and I'm reminded of all the places Sorkin is great and all the places he fails.
The sexism is really, really bothering me the second time around, and I don't like how he portrays Harriet in Studio 60. A professional comedian not able to tell a joke? It's so patronizing.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I think it's funny.
She's not a standup comic, so what? No all comedians are.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
Did anyone else think tonight's episode was one of the best ever? I loved it.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I liked it. Not sure how I feel about the Danny/Jordan thing, or if I like how Jordan handled the stupid VP of Reality Shows.
But everything else was great.
Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :
I have that book. It's really disturbing. I recognized the bit when sneaky blonde girl quoted it and was all kinds of "Ahhhhh snap!"
kat, I think that Aaron Sorkin, who wrote Annette Benning's character in The American President, Dana Whitaker and Natalie Hurley in Sports Night, C.J. Craig, Abby Bartlett, and a whole host of others in West Wing, doesn't really have a problem with writing strong, believable female characters.
Posted by Evie3217 (Member # 5426) on :
It was a good episode. I think that Jordan is right on in her hatred of reality TV (or illiterate programing, tee hee hee). Still, I'm getting kind of annoyed with Danny and his persistence. It's cute in some ways, but still, 38 recommendations? That's just a little excessive. I mean, it would be amazing to have a guy pursue you like that, but he's got to get the hint sometime. I know I've harbored crushes way longer and never acted on them. It annoys me just a little bit.
I did think that Tom and Lucy going out was really cute though. They both seemed so excited. It's adorable. They both seem like really innocent and somewhat naive people, and that just makes it so much better. Good episode. Maybe not my favorite, but still a good one.
Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
Though, I don't think the date is going to happen. I'm pretty sure that the event that Jack wants Tom to take that girl to is on Thursday (the night of his scheduled date).
As for Danny, I think he has gone from cute to harassment. The recommendations were kind of funny...but when she said that this is not going to happen, and said to please stop, he should have stopped. For him to say no, he won't stop is inexcusable.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
I'm so tempted to see Studio 60 as an apologia for Sorkin's personal life.
Considering what he said recently about critics of the show, I think it may be. In that case, he'd be a nightmare to go out with.
quote:"And the writers she quoted were all, you'll notice, unemployed."
"This was nonsense," he went on. "The Los Angeles Times should be ashamed of itself!" ... 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."
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
quote:Originally posted by Evie3217: I did think that Tom and Lucy going out was really cute though. They both seemed so excited. It's adorable. They both seem like really innocent and somewhat naive people, and that just makes it so much better.
I know. Too bad it's not going to happen. Jack is going to order Tom to take the viola chick out that same night and turn her off to improv, in order to make her rich daddy happy so that he'll dump them in order to screw the board of directors.
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
Tom is taking the viola-girl [edit: not planning there for Lucy, I don't think] to the Catholics in Media awards.... Tom... you know, the guy who dressed up as Jesus Christ...
I think Jack is hoping he'll get soundly flamed and viola-girl will share in a lot of the heat.
Just a thought.
[ January 23, 2007, 10:22 AM: Message edited by: FlyingCow ]
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
So, it's not absolutely official yet, but what do you all think the odds are that we won't get a season 2?
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
At the moment, I'd say not very good, but the show finally seems to have hit its stride, so I'm hoping the ratings will start to go up.
I agree that Danny's pursuit of Jordan is sort of creepy, the thing is, that kind of pursuit seems to be the only kind that Hollywood ever shows. I'm not saying that to excuse Studio 60, just that I'm sort of surprised that other people were bothered by it too. I was disturbed by the same thing in The Devil Wears Prada, but no one else seemed bothered by it. I've begun to think I was the only person who noticed.
Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :
I think Danny's pursuit crossed over a line and that he's going through one of Sorkin's character breakdowns. Everyone seems to be telling him to cut it out and he's just barrelling along. I doubt this is going to be treated as a favorable thing in the coming weeks.
I think that the timing for this, if that's what he's going for, is poor. It's too early in the show, especially considering it just took over a month off, to be dropping a heavy line like that where one of the main characters you are supposed to like goes through some serious issues that make him less likable.
As for the second season, I don't know, Aaron Sorkin made an awful lot of money for NBC. I get the feeling he may have a lot more leeway than other people, but if this were a regular show, I don't think it'd last.
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
Okay, I was hoping they'd change it back, but it appears that NBC.com is no longer putting the entire episodes of Studio 60 online, which is my only source of TV at the moment. They would seem to have replaced it with godawful shows like The Apprentice, and Grease... Oh, and Passions... Posted by Irami Osei-Frimpong (Member # 2229) on :
I'm looking forward to Jack's China deal. It's a strange plot line to be excited about, but I think Sorkin set this up well. The deal Jack made with the father is going to blow up because promising the to dissuade the daughter from comedy is the wrong call. I know we are supposed to be rooting for Jack, but there was something too Ethel and Lucy about the way that went down for it to work.(It's also weird that a guy from the PRC would find a 5 second delay so objectionable. I barely find a 5 second delay that objectionable.)
I have a hard time believing that Harriet can't tell a joke, but it's impossible for me not to have a little crush on her. It's unexplained why Matt just doesn't want to be with her. His motivation is poorly done, I think.
Danny the stalker. I thought that back in the 90s, California passed a proposition that funny, moneyed white guys can't be seen as stalkers in the eyes of the law. Every play they make is a viable opportunity. Maybe I have the facts wrong.
The speeches are a little preachy, but these are preachy people with convictions and that's not a bad model for living. I'd be careful disparaging reality TV because it's not like Friends raised the national discourse, but in regards to Jack's boardroom behavior, I do like it when coporate characters call each other stupid and mean it.
[ January 23, 2007, 04:10 PM: Message edited by: Irami Osei-Frimpong ]
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
quote:Originally posted by MrSquicky: I think Danny's pursuit crossed over a line and that he's going through one of Sorkin's character breakdowns. Everyone seems to be telling him to cut it out and he's just barrelling along. I doubt this is going to be treated as a favorable thing in the coming weeks.
He's an addict. He's behaving like some addicts do. An addictive personality can show itself in more than just substance abuse. Sorkin would know this if anyone would.
Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :
Oh yeah, that's actually exactly where I was thinking that this was going. I'm afraid that Danny is going back to the coke or is going to have a break-down fighting it and honestly, I don't think the show is ready for either right now. I don't feel enough connection or warmth for the character to stay attached while he goes through that.
Actually, thinking about it, the letters of recommendation thing sounds like something that someone who was on coke would think was a good idea...
Posted by Irami Osei-Frimpong (Member # 2229) on :
The letter of reccommendation bit was right next to a good idea. If they had been faux-letters, all written by him, but in the voices of different people, it would have been funny. Space them out a little bit, one fake letter every other day.
Posted by Evie3217 (Member # 5426) on :
Oh, I know that Tom is going to have to take the viola girl to Harriet's thing that Thursday. But that doesn't mean that Tom and Lucy can't have a date later. I mean, unless Sorkin makes it so that Lucy gets incredibly angry and hurt by it, but I think that's a little extreme.
Danny is just creepy now. I would be scared by a guy, no matter how well-recommended, who just doesn't know when to cut it out. At least Matt, although still obviously in love with Harriet, isn't as blatantly stalkerish and can (sometimes) function at a normal level.
I agree with Jack's move to fight this thing, but I don't think it's going to go over as well as it could. Plus, it weirds me out that Jack is going to "take care" of the viola girl's obsession with comedy. That's just a little strange.
Posted by Irami Osei-Frimpong (Member # 2229) on :
quote:It weirds me out that Jack is going to "take care" of the viola girl's obsession with comedy. That's just a little strange.
It's more than a little bit strange. It could be the coolest non-romantic plot going right now.
I don't know what's going on between the new writer and Simon. Depending on how it plays out, it could be interesting.
________
This show may turn out to be awesome because the characters have issues. Real internal issues.
[ January 23, 2007, 08:58 PM: Message edited by: Irami Osei-Frimpong ]
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
quote:Originally posted by Evie3217: Danny is just creepy now. I would be scared by a guy, no matter how well-recommended, who just doesn't know when to cut it out. At least Matt, although still obviously in love with Harriet, isn't as blatantly stalkerish and can (sometimes) function at a normal level.
Lucy has been a little stalkerish, too.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
*spoilers*
I'm pretty sure that Danny is not headed for a breakdown. I read an interview with Aaron Sorkin saying that we were heading into a large amount of romantic comedy over the next few weeks. I think the Danny/Jordan thing is supposed to be romantic comedy, not drama.
The article Posted by Evie3217 (Member # 5426) on :
I don't think Lucy has been stalkerish. She's been cute and has a crush. Although I'm still not sure whether she has a crush on Simon or Tom. Still, I think the whole Lucy/Tom thing is going to be cool.
And thank god Danny isn't headed for another breakdown. That's way too early in the season. And the romantic comedy angle is a good one for them to play, considering that they haven't been drawing that much of an audience. Hopefully this will all turn out well.
Posted by Avatar300 (Member # 5108) on :
So am I the only one who thought the conflict between Lucy and Tom was horribly contrived. Tom didn't need to lie. It's not like the truth was some horrible secret.
I liked everything else about the episode, though.
Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :
quote:Originally posted by Avatar300: So am I the only one who thought the conflict between Lucy and Tom was horribly contrived. Tom didn't need to lie. It's not like the truth was some horrible secret.
Tom is a wimp. And Matt and Danny are both terrible role models for him. I forget which one of them told him to lie, but it was bad advice.
Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
there was no reason for him to lie...but it is not surprising that he did. He is awkward, and doesn't know how to talk to women. Someone who he looked up to told him to lie, so he did. It was a mistake, but one that fit his character.
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
Is it just me, or have the last two episodes just been sort of, you know, weak. The first one back from break was great, but the two follow ups haven't really done it for me.
They just haven't been as sharp, in my mind.
Just my two cents.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
Me too. And I was disgusted by the exchange between Simon and the writer. I don't care what the issue is, Simon was a total jerk, and he shouldn't have been excused for it.
Posted by Lupus (Member # 6516) on :
He was a jerk, but is it surprising? He is a star, and he along with the other stars think that the writers are beneath them.
Posted by Miro (Member # 1178) on :
I was definitely underwhelmed by this last episode. It didn't help that every gag was telegraphed a mile in advance.
Posted by Avatar300 (Member # 5108) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lupus: He was a jerk, but is it surprising? He is a star, and he along with the other stars think that the writers are beneath them.
I'm pretty sure that condescension toward Lucy was not part of Tom's motivation in lying to her. And I really enjoyed the last two episodes, apart from Simon's interactions with Darius. Studio 60 is quickly becoming one of my favorite shows, and I look forward to seeing it each Monday even more that I anticipate Heroes--which is starting to annoy me with its slow pace.
Posted by Fyfe (Member # 937) on :
Simon is being a jerk to Darius. I hope that stops. It's mean; and it seems like bullying because Simon is so much higher on the totem pole than Darius is. Plus, Simon didn't (as he keeps saying) get Darius hired, except by having Matt come round to the venue where he was performing. Matt heard Darius doing stand-up and recognized potential. Or am I remembering wrong?
I also thought Harriet was pretty ruthless in this last episode. I agree that Matt's behavior has been less than stellar, but sheesh, she just didn't let up.
Wheeee, I like this show!
But wouldn't Jordan be better with Jack? I think so.
Posted by FlyingCow (Member # 2150) on :
I think the bit about Matt hiring Darius (instead of Simon) is going to come up, and turn the tables a bit.
In fact, Simon had walked out and was actively ridiculing the previous performers when Darius went on, and Matt had to shush him to hear Darius' routine.
Posted by Avatar300 (Member # 5108) on :
Agreed. Simon's recollection of events is incorrect. I'm just hoping that's a plot line and not a plot error.
Posted by Fyfe (Member # 937) on :
Oo, did anyone see Monday's episode? Harriet defended Matt! Woohoo! (I did a little happy dance and went back to watch that part over again.)
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Missed it, but wow that's cool. Too bad it's on hiatus now during the run of [i]The Black Donnelys[/b].
Except TBD looks awesome, so I don't feel that bad.
Posted by jeeshkid (Member # 9885) on :
Not to long ago the person who makes Studio 60 mad e very similer show called Sports Night. I think it only had two seasons but it was really good. The same show really only the production of a late nights sports show instead of SNL. You can almost match every single character from both shows.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
I really enjoyed that kiss.
![[Grumble]](graemlins/grumble.gif)