The pilot struck a perfect balance between explaining the premise and introducing the main characters. I liked what I saw and feel that more shows should be like this. Not a copy of this show, but something that goes along with the spirit of the above rant. Still, with all I just said, I never judge a show solely by its pilot.
In the next episode, we see the first day at work for Jordan, Matt, and Danny, and the "Crazy Christians" sketch is going to air that week. There are protests from Christian groups and some network affiliates are refusing to air the episode. We also get to meet the supporting cast, including hack writers Ron Oswald (Carlos Jacott) and Ricky Beck (Evan Handler). The show (within the show) opens with a musical recitation of its own recent problems sung to Gilbert and Sullivan’s "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General" that proves to be a great closing to the show (that we are watching).
The question has to be asked, "Why should I care about people who work on a late night comedy show?" It's true, they don't save lives like the characters on ER, run the country like the characters on The West Wing, or keep the streets safe like the characters do on countless crime dramas. Instead, the late night comedy shows make us laugh at the end of a long, hard day. Through satire, they show elected officials how the public sees them. Sadly, they are some people’s only source of news, and, in times of crisis, they remind us it is okay to laugh.
I also have to ask those who are accusing the show of being anti-Christian to count all the Christian characters you see on TV. Then, with your other hand, count how many Christian characters are presented in a positive light on TV. My hope is that Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip becomes the next great water cooler show. Unlike other water cooler shows where people just talk about what the characters did, here we can shift the topic of conversation to the issues discussed on the show. This show could be bigger than The West Wing -- if Aaron Sorkin is kept in charge and left alone to do his job.
To quote Jordan McDeere (Amanda Peet), "Well, there are gonna be some horny psycho-religious cults tonight."
Stay tuned.
Article comments
1 - handyguy
I wish I agreed that it has water cooler potential. It's not bad, but based on the first two episodes I would call it disappointingly bland. The ex-lover angst between Matthew Perry and Sarah Paulson is particularly flavorless. And the 'satire' is pretty toothless as well. I do enjoy the fact that almost every character is given a chance to be an unreasonable jerk at least once so far.
2 - Bliffle
Well, it's worth tuning in, again. IMO. Precious little on the commercial networks is worth watching a second time. Maybe it's goals are low, maybe the jokes fail, sometimes. But it's a noble effort, and I wish the show good luck.
3 - Baronius
I don't know if the show is any good or not. I never watched West Wing, and I won't watch this. Both shows proved how bold they were by disparaging Christians on their first episode, and if they think that passes for daring, I wouldn't like them anyway. South Park may trash my religion, but they attack everything. I respect them.
Every review of this show talks about Sorkin, Sorkin, Sorkin. I guess David E. Kelley got this kind of press for a while, but not many others have. Sorkin doesn't have many accomplishments, but that doesn't matter, because he's Sorkin! He's bold! He dares to criticize TV and politicians! No one's done that before!
Then there's the matter of SNL-worship. Looking back on it, SNL skits were good about 1/4 of the time, and that was during the better seasons. Maybe 1/4 of the seasons were good. That's about 62 hours of good tv spread out across 30 years.
The bottom line: I'm rooting against this show like typhoid.
4 - Dimitra Ekmektsis
Well, I just read Lorne Michaels accused Sorkin of plagiarizing him, as well as did Sorkin's ex, Kristin somebody...okay, and I wrote a book about Sorkin paying me for sex and stealing my ideas. I am telling you, he is a thief and a fraud. He has so many enemies in Hollywood, something bad will happen to him soon. Watch...; and before I forget, check out my book at myspace and also on my website
thanks,
d.
5 - Joan Hunt
Congrats! This article has been placed on Advance.net
6 - Dimitra Ekmektsis
Fantastic, Joan! I looked at your blog and it's wonderful. Keep up the great work!
Dimitra
7 - Rusalka
Good stuff; the first three eps and this review. Sorkin is an intelligent and subtle writer. The Schlamme/Sorkin team is a pleasure. Now, if I could just figure out the off network scheduling for this show, I'd be happy.
8 - Robert
It's a boring show