Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip - The Complete Series

coming just after Sorkin's success on The West Wing, Studio 60 presented a unique challenge. How do you follow that kind of prestige and popular hit? Turns out he decided to transpose the same mindset people had in a show about people who worked at the White House, to people who produced a live sketch comedy show, a-la SNL. And that didn't work. At all. They spend a large part of this series talking about the importance of comedy. In the same tone that they talked about hostage negotiations on The West Wing. No. If a joke sucks, write another joke. If they were actually doing a 90 minute live show every Friday night, that'd be an impossible standard to maintain anyway. Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford star in this show as the Head Writer and director, respectively of a late night sketch comedy show. They're largely clones of Sorkin or Sorkin and Schlamme, although they do a great job with huge mouthfuls of interesting dialogue. The supporting cast is also stellar, if their characters are not. Amanda Peet, Steven Webber (the standout of this series), and recurring performances by Ed Asner, and John Goodman, who won an Emmy for it, stack this show pretty deep with talent and ability, which only makes it sadder when you see what they're doing. That being said, the show has moments of brilliance. For all his writing arrogance and unbearableness at times, Sorkin can write fantastic pieces of dialogue. And when its good, it's West Wing level good. It's just not interested in being that good that often. Instead Sorkin spends a large part of the 22 episode season rehashing a religious VS Atheist argument with a clone of Kristen Chenoweth, portrayed very well by a then unknown Sarah Paulson, also one of the standouts of the show. This could have been a good show. Its production values are of the highest caliber. It's almost fascinating when you understand that, even though most of the parts are excellent, they can still be mashed into a final product that yields mediocrity. Standout moments of the season include a then topical Katrina tribute with the NOLA musicians, and what was the promise of a story about a fight with the FCC over things people are allowed to say on air on television, that ended up going nowhere, because it was clear Sorkin was writing towards a series finale, and not a season finale.

Aaron Sorkin - of Aaron Sorkin fame - wrote his series for NBC, which showed it in 2006-2007 and promptly killed it off because it never pulled big enough audiences. Stars Matthew Perry, previously of F*****s, and Bradley Whitford, previously of the West Wing.Too talky for Americans, probably. But that's what you expect of Aaron Sorkin. I'f have though NBC would have realised - he'd written almost every episode of the first four seasons of the West Wing for the network.Sorkin, in case you wondered, went on to write The Newsroom for HBO, as well as the movies Charlie Wilson's War, Moneyball and The Social Network. For some reason he'd never in the bundle of names at the top of an Amazon page on something's he'd written. Only the people delivering his script get a look in there.He'd good with words. Not so good with woman characters but newsrooms, politics and backstage at TV shows aren't places I've ever found feminist discourse flourishing.

Anyone who enjoyed the magnificence of the West Wing will find this a superb addition to their collection. Looking at the world inside a weekly live comedy show, Mr Sorkin provides a brilliant collection of characters that enthrall with the dynamics of their own drama - on and off the screen. Thoroughly engaging stuff.

Many reasons to rejoice. Superb scripts. Much inspired casting. Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford terrific as Matt and Danny, hastily brought in to revitalize the studio's weekly live satirical show. Once a flagship winner, it has been brought to its knees by the demands of blinkered network executives, advertisers, religious bigots, political extremists. Away with pap - back with teeth and claws, fearlessly mocking and provoking discussion!The series has everything. Much to amuse (as when in Nevada, guest star John Goodman hilarious as the sheriff). Much to move (as with the Christmas tribute to stricken New Orleans; then that reminder of dark days with so many blacklisted - a heartrending performance by guest Eli Wallach). Much to excite and uplift (as with the four episodes finale - a time of crisis and desperate measures with lives in danger)."Studio 60" works better on DVD - especially with all the flashbacks to when Matt and Danny previously worked there. These confused a bit when originally shown on television with advertisements intervening. Not everything is perfect. Sarah Paulson no doubt shines elsewhere but seems miscast as Harriet - the love of Matt's life, but without the charisma needed to indicate why. The character is also meant to be funny, surely not such an irritant?That reservation aside, five stars are still awarded - recognition of the writing and acting that throughout exhilarate. So often it makes the viewer sit up and take note. For example, that hefty fine threatened for an expletive on air. This was not in the comedy show but in a live newscast, the war reporter narrowly missed by a rocket. Censorship gone mad and needing to be challenged.We need shows that keep us alert and increase our awareness. They may not win ratings but certainly earn respect. Recommended to all who enjoy a series that truly stimulates.

Addiction to West wing withdrawal symptoms set in, and my daughter recommended this series to me which was very much love at first sight. I am so sad that the series never made it from season 1 to season 2. I would happily have watched for years to come and am very relieved it had a happy ending to round it up. Lovely ladies, brilliant sharp clever and lovely, and fine performances from the leading men too. Sorkin appears to use the same actors in his TV series, so there are cameo roles for many old friends here.I shall watch it again and again when life is gloomy and dull and I need something to cheer me up. The trouble is, one just never wants to stop watching and have to be cruel to be kind and go to bed as usual and not stay for just one more episode.