Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: Hitting its Stride

buddytv · 01-23-2007, 06:19 AM

I've kept telling everyone, "Give it time. It'll be fine. The show just needs to find itself."

Yet, as is the norm in television, critics and viewers were quick to write off Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, even after its universally lauded pilot episode. The Aaron Sorkin drama has since gained a vocal base of critics, who have slammed anything from the overt tackling of political issues to the lack of humor on the show within the show. Granted, even I can admit that most of the criticisms, at their core, were legitimate. However, if you couldn't see the ridiculous potential of Studio 60, even in its mediocre episodes, you weren't paying attention.

A TV show as complex as Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip does not come out of the gate fully formed. It can't. There are just too many characters, too many issues and only 42 minutes to work with. Sorkin and his staff had to find the character match-ups that meshed, the right tone (comedic, political, satirical), what kind of stories work, what don't, which characters needed more screen time, what characters needed to be added, how much of the show within the show to (ahem) show, and, ultimately, figure out all these issues through subtle trial and error. They had to do all this AND somehow gain the support of NBC, who mercifully ordered a full season. This is no easy task.

To read the rest, click here.

Guest · 01-23-2007, 02:37 PM

I agree, I've always believed the show would get better and it has. I loved the West Wing and I love S60.

Florence · 01-23-2007, 07:19 PM

Studio 60 should be Studio 86 and be dug a grave right now!

Guest · 01-30-2007, 11:11 AM

We need to accept that just because Sorkin writes something doesn't make it good. It is cliched and pompous, which doesn't equal intelligent. It works in the White House, not on a sketch comedy show. Unless you're a writer who doesn't know how to differentiate between "their" and "there" (see above), in which case maybe your standard of intelligence isn't very high.

Guest · 02-06-2007, 05:03 AM

This show that began with such promise has degenerated in to a cringe making travesty of romantic comedy. I shudder to imagine Mr Sorkin's way with women if the inept, childish bumblings of his male characters in Studio 60 reflect his own life in any way. No wonder the women in the show are appalled by and run a mile from these limp dish rags representing heterosexual manhood. This show as it has been since its return from hiatus deserves to die. Apart from the aforementioned problems, the rhythms of the dialogue have become so utterly predictable as to be alienating. Every character speaks like every other - all of them spouting the rapid artificial rat a tat of Sorkinspeak that has increasingly become a parody of itself as the show has progressed. I loved the first three seasons of "The West Wing" and the first few episodes of this show, so I feel sad to have to draw the conclusion that the Emporer Sorkin of today has no clothes.

Guest · 02-15-2007, 09:02 AM

I think this show is quick, funny, and great to see what behind the scenes 'could' be. Some shows need time to bloom and I think trying to catch everyone on the first show, shows us how we've become a society of 'Right Now' results. This show should be savored and appreciated like a good bottle of wine, or a good relationship.

Guest · 02-20-2007, 12:17 PM

this show is funny and fast moving i will miss it greatly

Guest · 02-21-2007, 05:13 PM

I don't know who makes the call on what stays and what goes in TV land, but I will say ALL the good shows seem to disapear for things that don't make you think! Studio 60 is an AMAZING show, I have seen every episode and talk about it with everyone at work on tuesdays, it is a reason to gather around the water cooler again! and replacing it with the black donnel's that show will be great, b/c it was great the first time as the sapronos! what genius at NBC said lets not be orginal and keep a great show going, lets replace it with things that have already been done!

Guest · 06-27-2007, 11:33 AM

I really enjoy this show, as I have all of Sorkin's shows. He always leaves you wanting more, in a good way. I hate to think that soon all we'll be able to watch will be reality tv. Enough of that trailer trash stuff.

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01-23-2007, 06:19 AM	#1
buddytv Administrator Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 11,778,731	I've kept telling everyone, "Give it time. It'll be fine. The show just needs to find itself." Yet, as is the norm in television, critics and viewers were quick to write off Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, even after its universally lauded pilot episode. The Aaron Sorkin drama has since gained a vocal base of critics, who have slammed anything from the overt tackling of political issues to the lack of humor on the show within the show. Granted, even I can admit that most of the criticisms, at their core, were legitimate. However, if you couldn't see the ridiculous potential of Studio 60, even in its mediocre episodes, you weren't paying attention. A TV show as complex as Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip does not come out of the gate fully formed. It can't. There are just too many characters, too many issues and only 42 minutes to work with. Sorkin and his staff had to find the character match-ups that meshed, the right tone (comedic, political, satirical), what kind of stories work, what don't, which characters needed more screen time, what characters needed to be added, how much of the show within the show to (ahem) show, and, ultimately, figure out all these issues through subtle trial and error. They had to do all this AND somehow gain the support of NBC, who mercifully ordered a full season. This is no easy task. To read the rest, click here.

01-23-2007, 02:37 PM	#2
Guest Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 0	I agree, I've always believed the show would get better and it has. I loved the West Wing and I love S60.

01-23-2007, 07:19 PM	#3
Florence Junior Member Join Date: Dec 1969 Posts: 8	Studio 60 should be Studio 86 and be dug a grave right now!

01-30-2007, 11:11 AM	#4
Guest Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 0	We need to accept that just because Sorkin writes something doesn't make it good. It is cliched and pompous, which doesn't equal intelligent. It works in the White House, not on a sketch comedy show. Unless you're a writer who doesn't know how to differentiate between "their" and "there" (see above), in which case maybe your standard of intelligence isn't very high.

02-06-2007, 05:03 AM	#5
Guest Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 0	This show that began with such promise has degenerated in to a cringe making travesty of romantic comedy. I shudder to imagine Mr Sorkin's way with women if the inept, childish bumblings of his male characters in Studio 60 reflect his own life in any way. No wonder the women in the show are appalled by and run a mile from these limp dish rags representing heterosexual manhood. This show as it has been since its return from hiatus deserves to die. Apart from the aforementioned problems, the rhythms of the dialogue have become so utterly predictable as to be alienating. Every character speaks like every other - all of them spouting the rapid artificial rat a tat of Sorkinspeak that has increasingly become a parody of itself as the show has progressed. I loved the first three seasons of "The West Wing" and the first few episodes of this show, so I feel sad to have to draw the conclusion that the Emporer Sorkin of today has no clothes.

02-15-2007, 09:02 AM	#6
Guest Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 0	I think this show is quick, funny, and great to see what behind the scenes 'could' be. Some shows need time to bloom and I think trying to catch everyone on the first show, shows us how we've become a society of 'Right Now' results. This show should be savored and appreciated like a good bottle of wine, or a good relationship.

02-20-2007, 12:17 PM	#7
Guest Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 0	this show is funny and fast moving i will miss it greatly

02-21-2007, 05:13 PM	#8
Guest Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 0	I don't know who makes the call on what stays and what goes in TV land, but I will say ALL the good shows seem to disapear for things that don't make you think! Studio 60 is an AMAZING show, I have seen every episode and talk about it with everyone at work on tuesdays, it is a reason to gather around the water cooler again! and replacing it with the black donnel's that show will be great, b/c it was great the first time as the sapronos! what genius at NBC said lets not be orginal and keep a great show going, lets replace it with things that have already been done!

06-27-2007, 11:33 AM	#9
Guest Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 0	I really enjoy this show, as I have all of Sorkin's shows. He always leaves you wanting more, in a good way. I hate to think that soon all we'll be able to watch will be reality tv. Enough of that trailer trash stuff.