• by Jack Myers , June 15, 2007

If the fans of "Jericho" can bring it back from the dead, why won't fans of "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" convince NBC to bring it back for another season?

While "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?