| |||||||||||
PRINT
COMMENT
SUBSCRIBE
RSSWhile "Studio 60" had its problems, it remained one of the last true politically relevant series on network television. Only ABC's "Boston Legal" surpassed it in quality narrative writing with historical relevance and perspective. These series rank among only a handful of legendary politically, socially and culturally relevant TV programming: Edward R. Murrow; "All in the Family"; "That Was the Week That Was"; "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In"; "Ed Sullivan"; Jack Paar; Bob Hope; "Hill St. Blues"; "Law & Order"; "The West Wing." Each era has its few series that served as a platform for commentary on the state of the nation.
At the top of the short list is "West Wing," which was brought to a grinding halt in the midst of a creative renaissance led by John Wells, who replaced creator Aaron Sorkin after Sorkin suffered two years of creative decline and an unfortunate drug issue. David E. Kelley's "Boston Legal" is television at its best in integrating political and social commentary seamlessly into a fictional narrative. It's a series destined to live forever in syndication, constantly being rediscovered by new generations. TV Land should wrap up long-term rights now while it can.
Sorkin's comeback effort, "Studio 60," was found guilty of wearing politics -- and a political point-of-view -- on Sorkin's sleeve. The writers could never quite get the formula right; the fine line between political commentary and fictional narrative was crossed too many times. The story lines were muddled and uninspiring, the characters only marginally interesting and generally unsympathetic. But behind it all there was the making of high art. There was the potential of greatness. The message that "Studio 60" was delivering is important. It offered perspective from opposing political points-of-view. It acknowledged, fairly but with tacit judgment, the arguments that define many of America's greatest issues and most important conflicts.
No other series on network television of the past several seasons has made as serious an effort to offer the public an honest and cogently written weekly commentary on the American political condition. But its failure to offer equally compelling storytelling that would attract larger ratings forced "Studio 60" off the air. Even though the show was outperforming several other series that NBC retained for another season, "Studio 60" represented an enigma to the network programmers. It attracted an audience that was older, more male, more affluent - a group who by definition was comparatively light viewers of other television programs. They were less likely to stay tuned for the show following "Studio 60." There were few spots in the NBC schedule, or any network schedule, that would not be negatively impacted by having "Studio 60" adjacent to it.
But narrative storytelling can be fixed. New characters and actors can be hired and others fired. Scripts can be lightened up, political "preachiness" toned down. Entertainment value can be enhanced. Audiences might remain older than advertisers' ideal, but there are certainly enough advertisers who pay premiums for association with an upscale intelligence drama that breaks through the clutter and attracts hard-to-reach audiences.
Industry experts and network executives say "Studio 60" is dead and there's no way it will be renewed. Aaron Sorkin and "Studio 60" deserve another shot - at least they deserve some righteous indignation. But the fans of intelligent network series rarely stand up for those series. Where was the uproar against HBO for the cancellation of "Deadwood?" Because it wasn't selling internationally? So that David Milch could do "John from Cincinnati?"
I understand that many "Studio 60" fans also gave up on the series. And I ask you: What do you have in its genre that's better? What series are you watching where you get the same intellectual stimulation?
The three episodes NBC is airing to run out the original order reminded me that I really enjoyed the series, was growing to like the characters and appreciated the quality of the ensemble cast. But mostly I miss the political insight, debate and contemporary relevance. No other television drama is delivering equivalent debate on important issues.
There must be other fans like me. Is "Studio 60" important enough to get behind? It's late. The actors and show-running team are scattered. It is an expensive series with high production costs. NBC, producer Warner Bros Television, and Sorkin should consider creative distribution deals that expose the series to audiences on multiple platforms, including cable rights to A&E, for little cost. At the very least, let's tell network programmers that relevant and intelligent programming has an audience.
The first step is up to the fans. Are you out there? Are you committed enough to fight the good fight? Can we find as creative a symbol as the nuts shipped to CBS in support of "Jericho"? Are there any forces to be mobilized? If you're a fan, send this column to at least two other fans you know (or people you guess are fans) and ask them to send it to their friends. Ask them to vote to save "Studio 60" by responding to the blog, below.
I expect to receive very few actual responses. It doesn't mean supporters aren't out there. It's just that the intelligent TV audience is too intelligent to take part in political action to support a television series. Most would rather just bemoan the lack of quality television and do nothing about it. Or am I wrong about you?
1 person recommends this article.
RSS FEEDS
BRING IT BACK!
It is clear that while America has a desire to consume an ever-increasing amount of television, they do not care to see how the sausage is made. Sorkin was brilliant with Sports Night, but that show suffered almost the exact same fate. A second season was salvaged by succumbing to utilizing a laugh track. Despite winning numerous awards, it was too cerebral and frenetic for "average joe" to appreciate, and anyone who was not into sports, steared clear because of the title.
Studio 60 was not funny enough to feed the SNL crowd. They choose 30 Rock. And apparently, based on the ratings, no one else ever tuned in to give it a chance. Danny & Matt, we hardly knew ya.
Just look at the DVR +7 ratings - the show averaged a 20% increase in share every week. Look at its ranking on ITunes or Amazon Box. Do you know that the last 4 shows are still all in the top 20 on Itunes?
The show had a large audience. Very large. But in today's world, that doesn't mean live ratings anymore. We've taken more control over our viewing habits. Yes, this is problematic for live ad rates but for crying out loud, this is the 21st century. The networks need to figure it out and not at the expense of the viewer. Studio 60 is the only network show worth watching anymore.
One last comment... I will say that I find it an excellent parable that the Studio 60 fans have banded together to raise funds for a thank you ad to run in the June 28th Hollywood Reporter that also encourages donations to the NOLA musicians affected by Katrina. Jericho fans just sent nuts -- cute but useless. The Studio 60 fans are engaged and care.
There's more about their efforts over at http://thanks2studio60.livejournal.com. Mediapost and/or Jack Myers SHOULD write about what their doing and how it demonstrates the contrast between a Studio 60 fan and a Jericho fan.
However the consensus seems to be that it's too late. Even Bradley Whitford said so in a recent interview :
Q: I still get a lot of email from Studio 60 fans asking if the show is coming back, and I don't have the heart to tell them no. Can you tell them for me? A: Uh, yeah...They took Old Yeller behind the barn.
Q: And he's not coming back. A: He's not coming back! But he's in a better place.
(http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=f4d2a283-bcde-4989-ab23-7f2d55aa6967)
That, DL Hughley sharing Studio 60's naysayers' point of view (http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070601/ENTERTAINMENT/706010306/1114), Aaron Sorkin and Tommy Schlamme being already linked to other projects... If those behind the show have already moved on, what's there to do ?
Devil's advocate, I know. I really love Studio 60 to death though. Again, if there's anything to be done, I'll do my part. I do not believe simple letters or emails will be enough to make anyone reconsider. Heck, NBC's new boss Ben Silverman clearly stated that he would never have bought Studio 60 in the first place. Repost of the article with Silverman's quote located here :http://boards.nbc.com/nbc/index.php?showtopic=753801 (third post).
In retrospect, I wish that would have happened - with Silverman in place a year early, the show would have gone to CBS and might have gotten a better treatment there. Not to mention it wouldn't have been competing with CSI (which is CBS') for the Monday night crown.
Personally I believe it's way too late to even bother with NBC. I don't know if CBS would be open to pick it up. The cost of the license for an episode (if I'm not mistaken, somewhere around 2 million dollars) VS the ratings it got weekly (which were constantly on a slow decline, unfortunately) would more than likely be a big argument against any renewal campaign.
I think a good way to handle it for any network/cable channel willing to give it a chance would be a compromise. Make shorter seasons. For instance, 12 one-hour long episodes. Or even 10. Lower the license fee a bit.
Weeds, another one of my favorites, started with short seasons and each year Showtime orders more episodes. 10 in season 1, 12 in season 2, 15 in season 3. Maybe that's they way Studio 60 should do it. Restart small, grow.
Well that was a long post. The result of all the things that have been going on in my head over the last few months regarding Studio 60.
While I prefer to tell myself it's over, I secretly, foolishly hope that a miracle will happen. And again, if that miracle is to be fan-made, then let's do it.
Also, some of you might be interested in visiting this board on NBC.com : http://boards.nbc.com/nbc/index.php?showforum=76 - there's still some activity there.
Where was the uproar against HBO for the cancellation of “Deadwood?� Because it wasn’t selling internationally? So that David Milch could do “John from Cincinnati?�
Mr Myers, I suggest you do some homework before making statements such as this. When news leaked in May, 2006 that HBO was not renewing "Deadwood" actors' contracts, fans of the show took immediate, aggressive action. Our actions were greatly covered by the media and is still mentioned to this day. We were partially credited for the subsequent agreement between Deadwood creator, David Milch and then-HBO CEO, Chris Albrecht to create 2 two-hour movies to wrap up the storyline. Whether these movies will ever be made is now questionable.
However, my point is that the uproar against HBO for Deadwood's cancellation was right under your nose. I don't know how you missed it.
Please take a few moments to read about our campaign at http://www.savedeadwood.net.
TV has plenty of examples of networks giving shows time to find its audience. Seinfeld & M*A*S*H didn't exactly set the world on fire in their first seasons. Imagine what might have been lost. However, NBC does have a record of pulling thing a bit before their time. Somewhere there is network exec that decided the Star Trek was a loser. while no one could have predicted that path, it does show you what can happen when a show is given a chance.
These days I watch almost nothing on the networks (Studio 60, 30 Rock & the Office are the exceptions). While the suits think that Americans have become idiots for game show. "reality" shows and 47 copies of "Law & Order" , I think that if given a chance Studio 60 would find its audience .
Will it be # 1? No but the number would be respectable and the demo skews to an older more economically viable audience. However, wisdom at GE seems to be in short supply. they would rather put more mind numbing crap on the air, rather than a scripted show with great dialog and a great cast.
Does "Studio 60" deserve a chance, without a doubt it does. but then so "arrested Development". The difference is that "Arrested Development" was on FOX (not exactly known for quality programing. NBC used to have that reputation. These days by showing no courage or insight that is way in the past, so are the days that NBC lead in the ratings. Is any relationship between their rating plunge and the garbage they air. You be the judge.
Will "Studio 60" be saved? Given the current mindset at 30 Rock, only if someone were broadcast it from "Supertrain".
Bring back Studio 60!!
Clearly, Studio 60 is worth saving. Thank you for your leadership!
But the worst sin of all. It's supposed to be a comedy show and there is not a laugh to be had on the show. I know comedians are tortured, but it isn't true that if you got a bunch of them together, none of them would be funny, ever. They try to make the other comedy writers laugh. Plus the few bits from the show they're writing prove that whoever hired these writers was just incompetent. As bad as SNL can be, the show within the show on Studio 60 makes it look like the Marx brothers by comparison.
Arguably one of the better programs (which speaks volumes as to the "videodrome" of broadcast), I think we all have much more important things to spend our precious time on, like stopping corruption in the Big Oil control of our government's foreign policy, or America's overly-materialistic consumerism (how many brands of shampoo do we really need?).
I'm sorry you will miss Sorkin's self-indulgent political flatulence. Go read a few books instead - you'll be the better person for it. Let me recommend Ram Dass' "Be Here Now." He started me on my spiritual explorations 3 decades ago. May we all find enlightenment soon, and "let us pray there's intelligent life in space, cuz' there's bugger all down here on earth."
Save Studio 60!
First, I disagreee with the notion, Jack, that the story lines were not compelling and that the actors were sub-par. Sorkin is a master of the art of exposition, and while some of the riffs were slightly derivative of Sports Night and West Wing, you have to give a brother a break. Composers are identifiable by their work, and so are writers. This is high quality stuff that would only get better (compare the first two Sports Night episodes with the final two in season three) as everybody settled in.
Second, TV just ain't what it used to be. We complained that Laverne and Shirley was lowest common denominator fare. In retrospect it was closer to Shaw, Ibsen or Shakespeare when compared to the crap that's out there now. And that is the problem. The audience is smaller due to fragmentation. Costs are higher. You do the math. Cheap Reality shows that skew low IQ and middling demos are what the networks have relegated themselves to.
The truth is, a thoughtful show with intricate plot and polysyllabic dialogue will ever-after have a tough time finding its legs on the broadcast networks. Frankly, I was surprised to see Aaron Sorkin back for more. Why this show didn't debut on HBO is beyond me.
It's not a perfect show, but I still like it - I don't over analyze shows...I just go with what I like.
I'm on board if there's a movement to bring Studio 60 back.
I agree that there may need to be cast changes, etc, but I still think it's better than anything else on TV.
I think the problem with programming today is that Networks don't counter-program against some of the powerhouse reality shows (like Am-Idol). Jericho is well done, and I was one of those viewers who wrote and tried to get the network to re-think the move to pull it -- you NEED to give shows a real chance to get the audience. I doubt they will really give it the promotional and schedule support the show needs to get off the ground again. Afterall, I think we have learned, you don't pull any show from the grid for an extended period without it suffering a ratings blow.
I think maybe we should send Nuts for Studio60 - after all, the Networks / Executives are are NUTS to think that they can put out a quality dramatic series, and expect it to draw huge numbers after only a few episodes. I for one, am tired of those pop-reality fluff shows like Idol. I long for the days of quality programming, and hope that the tides will change and the networks will support programs like Studio 60 and Jericho. NUTS to them if they don't!
After seeing the long list of blogg participants, I believe you may be off on who is actually watching....I see lots of women here!
Save Studio 60!
Aaron Sorkin is a great writer but often gets caught up in the expressive use of language at the expense of story line.
The audience for this show is not only light TV viewers but highly intelligent/educated audience. Unfortunately networks have to cater to the masses and the "intellectual audience" is not as important. Sorry situation about how we look at the value of education in this country.
When I worked at Fox Broadcasting, the X-Files was about to be cancelled due to low ratings. And then the very well educated viewers took a stance that helped the show stay on air for many years. So please anyone who reads this, send an e-mail to NBC. On the NBC website is a link to "contact us" and offer opinions about NBC shows
"Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" is the same type of show. It did badly in the ratings, largely because NBC scheduled it against a CBS powerhouse franchise. If placed in a timeslot where it can attract viewers (please note, NBC, that means not moving it around the schedule) it could be another "Hill Street" kind of success.
I just finished watching Season 3 (for the upmtiumpth time) and have started Season 4, and there is no way anyone can tell me that those years represent a fall-off in the quality of the show. Sorkin, Tommy Schlamme, and the rest of the creative team could have tanked after 9/11, because how does one continue with a story about a fictional White House while the real one is engaging in an uncomparable drama of its own? They didn't, and any careful examination of Seasons 3 and 4 would show that. (The Brad Whitford-Mary-Louise Parker storyline in and of itself is a joy to watch, and the equal of anything Howard Hawkes could have dreamed up for Rosalind Russell and Cary Grant.) Meantime, we got to see darker shades of Bartlet ("The Two Barlets," his agreeing to assassinate Shareef) and the C.J.-Simon Donovan storyline was legitimate, classic tragedy. As for Season 4, Joshua Malina was a welcome addition, bringing a higher level of intelligent humor than Rob Lowe provided (though we love Rob Lowe), and Mr. Wells failure to use him consistently or wisely in Seasons 5-7 was a terrible mistake.
All due respect to Mr. Wells, but the writing in the post-Sorkin era did not measure up, and often resulted in manufactured plot turns and drama that were inconsistent with the characters as they were created (C.J. as chief of staff? Josh and Toby in a fistfight? Please). Only the writing of Debora Cahn ("Abu al Banat," "The Supremes") came close to reaching Sorkinian standards. That isn't a dig at the Mr. Wells crew so much as an it's an indication of the level at which Sorkin operated. As my friend said, "When 'The West Wing' was written by Sorkin, it was theatre; when it was written by John Wells, it was television."
As for "Studio 60," well, maybe that's another example of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theory on Second Acts, or maybe it deserves another season to find its legs. However, I'm not as inclined to stand on the ramparts for it as I would for the legacy of "The West Wing" from fall of 2001-spring of 2003.
There were many ups & downs for a first year show...my biggest pet peeve was that for a show about a network comedy/variety show, their comedy sketches within that show were woefully lacking any real humor, but it finally dawned on me after 5-6 episodes was that Studio 60 wasn't about the comedy but more about the drama of everyday life behind the scenes of a network TV show and the interaction between the characters. It could get so much better with the casting of a few more "60" ensemble regulars who could add more comedy to the show (can an hour-long network variety show really exist with only 4-5 regular cast members?), but for me, the main 4 characters worked so well together (Perry, Whitford, Peet, & Paulson).
SAVE STUDIO 60 !! Let's do whatever it takes to retain "SMART TV" wherever we can !!
In response to an earlier comment, 30 Rock may not inspire heated debates, but it's not even close to being in the same dumbed-down league as Deal or No Deal. 30 Rock is one of the funniest shows on right now.
Dear American Television Viewers,
Last fall I fell in love with a new show Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. I wrote in Never Judge a Show by it’s Pilot: Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,
1. 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 (Judd Hirsch as Wes Mendell in the show’s pilot) rant.
2. I also have to ask those who are accusing the show as 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.
3. 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 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.
My Hollywood Friends and I loved the show, but right after singing it's praises they would always end with, "It will do well in L.A. and New York but middle America, especially the Bible Belt wont get it". I would remind my Hollywood friends of my summer travels throughout Middle America with my wife Donna performing our show Guess Who's Coming To... at Fringe Theatre Festivals in Kansas City, Minneapolis and Indianapolis. I wrote about our travels in an article titled The people from Iowa where I stated,
1. This grouping of people was always empowered with setting the standard for what is acceptable in our creative pursuits and our dayjobs. Even though I know that there is absolutely no difference between catering to the mainstream and selling out to the lowest common denominator I want to have a marketable product.
2. We also mentioned that since we (Donna and I) both have the same commercial agent we would go out on calls together for McDonalds, Sears or some other American Institution. We’re there to read for the same spot. However when we arrive we’re split. Donna gets paired up with the Danzel clone and If I am seen as white I may be paired off with a Caucasian wife or if am seen as Latino I will be matched up with someone of color but there's a lot of cream in the coffee. The fine line between JLo and Beyonce. In the America of McDonalds & Sears, nobody marries outside of their own race. Why? Because someone on Madison Ave. feels that Middle America is not ready for us.
3. My point here is that we have come a long way and still have a long way to go. It might help us get there if the creative people on both coasts spend some time in the Fly-Over States instead of just pandering to them or who we think they might be.
When I defended the people from Middle America, The Bible Belt, Iowa, Red States, Fly-Over States or as Donna likes to call it, Oklabama, my Hollywood friends looked at me like I just drank the Kool-Aid.
Apparently my Hollywood friends were right and I was wrong about Middle America. Perhaps the talented people who I got to know on our tour represented a small minority of people who want to see good writing and acting on TV. Some don’t even watch TV. Maybe when Middle America saw Wes Mendell in the first few minutes of the pilot saying, "Ah, it’s not going to be a very good show tonight and I think you should change the channel. Change the channel. Right, right now. Turn off the TV ok" Middle America took him literally and turned their TVs off. Maybe Wes was right when he said, "There is a struggle between art and commerce. Well there has always been a struggle between art and commerce. Now, I’m telling you, art is getting its ass kicked. And it’s making us mean. And it’s making us bitchy". Perhaps Middle America didn’t want to see Hollywood bitch. Maybe Wes’s comment, "And the two things that make them scared gutless are the FCC and every psycho religious cult that gets positively horny at the very mention at a boycott" opened a Pandora’s box that put the show on so many hit lists that it was doomed from the start. Often being on numerous hit lists results in millions of dollars in free publicity, but this time it was not the case. Speaking of "psycho religious cults" I find it strange that we never saw the "Crazy Christians" skit on Studio 60, but the mere idea of a "Crazy Christians" skit outraged some religious people. Some religious people were offended by the depiction of a Christian character Harriet Hayes (Sarah Paulson) who was not their brand of Christian even though I know Christians in Hollywood just like her. I can’t blame Aaron Sorkin for doing what NBC wanted him to do. I do not blame NBC for taking the show off the air, I feel that they had faith in this project and gave it every possible chance. NBC will also air the remaining episodes on Thursday nights at 10 PM. I feel the blame lies with Middle America not knowing quality programming when they see it (I say this with apologies to the fans of the show who live in Middle America). I can’t help but take it personally after I defended Middle Americans to my Hollywood friends. This year several of my favorite shows were canceled (George Lopez, Crossing Jordan, Andy Barker P.I., Jericho and Raines). It’s hard not to take Studio 60’s cancellation personally either. All my life whenever one of my favorite TV shows was canceled I was told it was because nobody was watching it. Well I was watching, but my tastes were never in line with Middle America’s. I wonder if Middle America truly realizes the power they have.
To be fair and in the interest of full disclosure I did say in my article Never Judge a Show by it’s Pilot: 30 Rock,
"After attending various networking functions and constantly being told by many network comedy development heads all saying they do not want "Behind the scenes" shows (Please don't ask me to name names.), but every fall I still see new "Behind the scenes" shows. Some feel that this is because Hollywood's new young writers have never worked outside the entertainment industry so they write what they know. Others feel that those who work in Hollywood think that their lives and jobs are just so interesting that everyone in America will find their lives and jobs just as interesting (Again please don't ask me to name names.)"
Every fall we still see new "Behind the scenes" shows. Some of these shows hit and others miss. My wife pointed out to me that classic situation comedy The Mary Tyler Moore Show was more about the life of Mary Richards than a behind the scenes look at television newsroom. Perhaps we should study past "Behind the scenes" to see what worked, what didn’t and what shows were just ahead of their time. Or perhaps I am over thinking all of this. Maybe Middle America expected a behind the scenes look a late night comedy show to have more laughs.
To quote Tina Fey at the Writers Guild Awards, "I hear Aaron Sorkin is in Los Angeles wearing the same dress - but longer, and not funny."
Stay Tuned
Tony Figueroa
To answer Patricia Chambers they sent peanuts to CBS headquarters in NYC. It was a king of reaction like General Anthony C. McAuliffe used in WW2 to a German request to surrender. He said "Nuts". (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_McAuliffe and http://mediabiz.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/06/07/the-nuts-save-jericho/.)
Anyway TV isn't going to get better until the networks return to respecting the audience and delivering a product in a consistent manor. (And I think those days are over. The future will be smaller productions delivered through YouTube and Tivo type systems.)
I'm a 22-year-old college grad living in Oklahoma City working as an Account Executive for an agency. Educated yes, older-and-more-wealthy not just yet.
"But narrative storytelling can be fixed. New characters and actors can be hired and others fired. Scripts can be lightened up, political "preachiness" toned down. Entertainment value can be enhanced."
Narrative storytelling and compelling characters are the reasons I watch TV dramas. If I wanted political and social commentary I would watch the “News Hour�. I am one of those fans who started out enjoying “Studio 60� when it was a thoughtful and occasionally funny look at life behind the scenes of a sketch comedy show. When it was clear Aaron Sorkin no longer had any interest in storylines that did not vindicate his personal and political views, I left. You ask what series I watch to get the same intellectual stimulation. Just because a series deals with political issues does not mean it does so intellectually. The only thing I got from “Studio 60� was a renewed appreciation for Matthew Perry’s acting ability and a strong desire to Netflix “Sports Night.�
I do wholeheartedly agree that there really isn't anything else out there that I would actually call appointment TV for me. And I totally fit the described viewer. As much as I hate to admit it, I am mid 40, obviously incredibly affluent and upper class :-)
I think the series has also suffered from "all over the place-ness". There didn't seem to be much coherence to when the series was aired and hiatus seemed to be its alter ego. That is no way to slowly build a steady following for a quality series. From what I recall, West Wing was given much more prominence and time to grow.
My other viewing habits only involve Fox Soccer Channel (I am from Holland originally, so I need my daily footy fix), John Stewart, reruns of Seinfeld and the monday episode of Jay Leno for the headlines. Other than that, I am online or at 40,000 ft watching inflight movies/TV on long haul flights.
I don't think NBC will reverse its decision. They have simply given up pretty much from the beginning. In general, NBC is steadfastly dropped as the must-see TV network it once was. It now qualifies just like all the others as a ho-hum network. Oh well...
PS I would most definitely buy the DVD series of Studio 60.
The general impression I feel and seem to see in others is that Studio 60 has potential but was the result of poor casting (Sarah Paulson first and Amanda Peet second), negativity toward the "Average American" by the two lead characters, and holding an audience to expect an SNL show to garner the same prestige as the White House.
A great show - I haven't missed an episode - but there were more generally poor episodes in this one season than in seven seasons of The West Wing. I'd love to see it survive, but I'd love to see Sorkin regroup and take another stab at something.
Also - as a short last note - it's an overdramatized, higher-budgeted, more-prestigious-cast version of Sports Night, Sorkin's first show. Same concept, some of the same general story and character types, and even some of the same plotlines.
I'm going to miss my "smart TV" once this show is over. I can only hope it will be released on DVD. It's a shame this show didn't catch on like the West Wing when it first aired.
I believe the expectations of the show were off, so there was critical and viewer disappointment. If the TV watchers and TV watchers get out of their own way, they'd see a great piece of television.
Patricia Chambers
I agree, it is a shame that it is being cancelled.
Elisabeth
Come on NBC, bring it back!
I always assumed it was rating well as my wife and I love it and dont miss a single episode.
Shame to hear.
Cheers, Dean