Awright, Tina Fey! Now that’s the credibly mediocre comedy I’m talking about!
M. Sorkin, meet Mme. Fey. She’s worked in one those real-life late-night outfits. She knows from semi-painful, occasionally inspired television sketch. So when she set out to create 30 Rock, a show about the backstage goings-on at an SNL-like program, she used the limitations of a shabby reality — not some gleaming Aristotelian ideal — as her touchstone. As a result, Fey’s show-within-a-show, The Girlie Show, is ”a real fun ladies’ comedy show… for ladies!” (in the words of Kenneth, the earnest NBC tour guide played by budding scene-stealer Jack McBrayer). Sounds horrible, right? It kind of is. And Fey exults in it. She knows wherefrom she writes. She doesn’t try to pass off hot dogs as prime rib. And she knows that ad-hoc TV comedy doesn’t come striding down from the Acropolis. It comes wafting up from the bazaar.
In last night’s pilot, we only saw two sketches: The all-too-SNLian”Pam, the Overly Confident Morbidly Obese Woman,” and ”The CatLady,” a floundering, laughless character bit that was supposed to becut. Both looked trashy-familiar, the product of last-minutedesperation, lowest-common-denominator failsafes, and networkpusillanimity. (”Standards” won’t let the writing team suggest thatMichael Jackson has a vagina.) This is showbiz, buddy: It’s fictionalwild man Tracy Jordan (real-life wild man Tracy Morgan, pictured) yelling thenon-sequitur, ”Funky grandma be trippin’!” and the audience goingwild, just because it’s a catchphrase.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is a show for a world withoutfarts, without awkward silences, without grammatical errors, a worldwhere comedy is clockwork (which might explain Sorkin’s attachment tofarce, comedy’s least anarchic form). It’s a world any intelligentperson might like to visit, maybe for an extended stay. But just once,I would like to see the team at Studio 60 try to sneak in a Jacko vagina joke. Just once. C’mon, Aaron Sorkin. Even August Strindberg (in Miss Julie 2: With a Vengeance)worked in a Jacko vagina joke. Come to the dark side, Aaron Sorkin.Join Tina Fey in the gutter. Seriously, it’s funny down here.
Comments (1-30) of 57 Add your comment
Damn straight! Personally, I enjoyed the fact that Fey’s form of political humor involved Tracy Jordan mis-pronouncing Karl Rove’s name. “Did you just say ‘Robe?’” I don’t I’ll ever get tired of Baldwin’s icy-cool TV/Microwave executive. Hilarious.
I totally agree. Sorkin’s world is all about advancing his ideals–they may even be noble ideals. But regardless of where you stand in Sorkin’s universe, the preaching kills the comedy. On the other hand, Fey appears to be totally comfortable in that humor is unpredictable, nonsensical, and even low art. Her show, even with stupider skits, proves to be smarter television.
Sorkin has the harder, nobler task: He’s dramatizing comedy, while Fey is essentially doing what she knows best. Score 1 for Fey, as the critics loved 30 Rock better than Sorkin’s Live. I’m still rooting for Sorkin, though, as I can’t help but think 30 Rock is Lorne and Tina’s way of keeping control of the franchise. I still root even though the Amanda Peet’s acting is as animated as a birch tree.
Sorkin gets all the credit, but I think Fey’s stuff was smarter. “This isn’t HBO, it’s television,” was a great stealth line. My favorite line, though, was the very end where Tracy Jordan revealed he had been in on the plot all along: “I AM THE THIRD HEAT!”
Sorkin gets all the credit, but I think Fey’s stuff was smarter. “This isn’t HBO, it’s television,” was a great stealth line. My favorite line, though, was the very end where Tracy Jordan revealed he had been in on the plot all along: “I AM THE THIRD HEAT!”
I unintentionally gave up on Studio 60 after two episodes — I just found that by the time the 3rd Monday rolled around, I just didn’t care. After tuning into 30 Rock last night, I actually found a show centered around comedy that was FUNNY! Even better, there’s no laugh track to cue the laughter, instead letting jokes fly by á la Arrested Development.
Tracy Morgan: Do you have Applejuice?
Waiter: No.
Tracy Morgan: Then I’ll take a vodka tonic.
In the span of 30 minutes, Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Jack McBrayer (budding scene stealer, as mentioned above), and crew have given me a reason to flip on the TV. Bravo!
It is weird (re: ridiculous and impossible) to try to write a SNL-esque variety show the same way you write about the White House. We have an ideal of what the White House could be, and that’s why The West Wing worked, even though we knew none of the awesomeness was actually happening in real life. But no one (except, maybe Sorkin?) has any lofty ideals about network television, let alone SNL. Which is why I see 30 Rock rocking and, sadly, Studio 60 going the road of Joey. Shudder.
Anybody else notice that the background from the pictured EW posted has the cat lady as Rachel Dratch? I guess the photo is from the original pilot with Dratch as opposed to the new ‘friend’ Jane Whatsername. Too bad Dratch didn’t test well with audiences or that the execs weren’t bold enough to put her on anyway–she’s way funnier. Plus now her role(s) are weird and distract from the show–but she shows up her replacement, since’s she’s actually funny. What’s the matter, NBC, can’t have two brunettes as leads?
Slight problem preventing me from enjoying 30 Rock. Most of the actors aren’t funny. Baldwin, yes. Fey, yes. Dratch, yes. Everyone else – lame. Perhaps I’m too unsophisticated to get that this stuff is funny because it’s painfully unfunny.
Fey wins in a laugher. I tried Studio 60 but by the 3rd episode, I realized I didnt like the characters and couldn’t care less. 30 Rock was sly enough to make me watch it again in the morning…just so I got all the subtle stuff. Like the scene Fey and Morgan were having outside his foster home. Just when I thought they were about to ruin it with a “moment,” Fey’s “Are you peeing?” just sent me. So. Smart.
I’ll follow Liz, Jack, Tracy, Jenna, Pete and the NBC page and where ever they may go.
Sadly, I’m worried for both shows.
Studio 60 for all the reasons people have mentioned about not feeling genuine… although Mathew Perry and Sarah Paulson do keep me semi-interested (kudos to whoever pointed out the woodeness of Amanda Peet).
I totally loved 30 Rock, but unfortunately it reminds me of too many other shows I love like Arrested Development, Action and Freaks & Geeks which all had trouble attracting a wider audience. Ironically the comment about this not being HBO is very pertinent because that’s probably the only place where shows like this can survive. Maybe I should be more optimistic because of the Office but it has had serious help from iTunes and YouTube and I’m not sure that 30 Rock will garner the same type of following.
i don’t know why we have to compare the two. I find the Studio 60 pretty riveting and (as far as i can tell) a seemingly realistic, behind-the-scenes depiction of the industry. And the first episode of 30 Rock made me laugh my arse off.
colour me happy with both these shows!
(yes, i’m canadian)
I’m a fan of good satirical sketch comedy. There isn’t any, anywhere. I’m disappointed that Studio 60 isn’t funnier. But, it’s smart enough to keep me going.
30 Rock could be smarter. Hopefully, it will. It was funny in parts. Did anyone notice the GE oven commercial they tucked into the show? Then the commercial with the same spiel?
Both shows are still funnier and smarter than SNL. They need decent writers, immediately.
I didn’t think 30 Rock was that great last night, but I really do see a lot of potential and will definitely keep watching. I hope people will give this show a chance to develop because, with single-camera comedies, most of the humor lies in the character development. Remember how The Office and The Comeback weren’t that great in their first few episodes and then turned out to be brilliant?!
Tracey Morgan is fearless! That scene where he said, “Did that man just say pumpkin to me?” made me almost pee on a foster home. The show needs to find a little ground, but I thought it was an overall success. I do believe “Studio 360 Rock” would be the perfect combination, but that’s about as possible as finding Mr. or Mrs. Right these days. Did I mention Tracey Morgan is fearless?
Both 30 ROCK and STUDIO 60 were heavily hyped going into this season, but I feel that neither one lived up to the hype. Both shows are, at best, average, although 30 ROCK did have a few truly funny and clever moments (“I’m buying all the hot dogs;” “It’s not HBO; it’s TV.”). My theory is that network television has become so unimaginative and boring that an average show is now regarded as brilliant.
Oh, Tina Fey is too much awesomeness! That show was so funny. Nice job Tina!
I expected to love Studio 60 and not 30 Rock and it has turned out to be the opposite. Maybe I wasn’t smart enough for Studio 60.
I thought 30 Rock was great — it made me laugh, and it poked fun at a lot of things that needed to be the butt of the joke for a while. Big execs making decisions about which they know nothing, Karl Robe (or perhaps the average American’s knowledge of politics?), rude people who think they’re more important than everyone else? This is the best work Tracy Morgan has ever done. I just wish it didn’t have Jane K, and Rachel Dratch were still a lead. I like Studio 60, but not enough to stay up and watch it. I am hoping 30 Rock lasts longer than my beloved Arrested Development, because there’s not much on network TV that I find funny anymore! Great job, Tina!
I saw part of the show baecause I was watching Dancing with the Stars.
However, what I did see was what Fred Armesen tried to do with Brothers and Sisters- a show that nowadays would normally do better on HBO. I am not saying that this show is not funny, it is. I tip my hat off to Fey. She has a good concept here. However it was changed a bit from SNL to Tracy Ullman, and Rachel was switched with Jane because of the photogenic factor (Rachel does not have a neck) which I thought was a bit selfish because Dratch is a funny person, and would have made the concept stronger. Studio 60 is Sports Night. I am sorry, I still stand by that.
I have yet to watch this show, however the show within a show, “The Girlie Show,” reminds me of “She TV.” Does anyone besides myself remember “She TV?” Can I get a what-what? It had some funny skits, such as Jennifer Coolidge as a horsey foreign model named Bagita. Also featured Nick Bakay, the voice of Salen on “Sabrina the Teenage Witch!”
This show needs to come out on DVD, fo reelz.
Alec Baldwin was hilarious. Hands down funny. If this show does not work out I would love to watch him on The Office as Jan’s executive boss.
As far as Jane K. over Rachel Dracht, personally I don’t think Reachel can act at all. even her cat lady trainer role seemed like bad acting. She might have had a few moments on SNL, but in a tv show you need an actor. (I.E. seinfeld worked cause besides the funny comic the rest were actors)
PS although he did not have a big role last night, watchout for Judah Friedlander, I gurantee you he will steal this show if htye give his character a chance.
I turned off 30 Rock after the first 15 minutes, but apparently my friend and I were the only ones.
Could it be that we are the only ones who thought the show was trying so hard to be funny that most of the humor ends up shooting itself in the foot? Are my friend and I the only ones who recognize that the skits are only a small part of a “behind-the-skits” show (True, it’s natural to think the skit should be the payoff, but I think Studio 60 has it right that, in the world of television, the payoff is the success and celebration of getting through the live show without any hiccups.)
And who’s to say what is and isn’t funny? For example, the Juliette Lewis bit on this week’s Studio 60: as a person who recognizes Lewis as the original Paris Hilton with a dose of Scientology and enough luck (not talent) to score an Academy Award nomination, I found it hysterical (especially since Paulson did a pitch-perfect impression). “What does she have to do with Meet the Press?” you may ask. Honestly, nothing, but what does Frank Sinatra have to do with The McLoughlin Group? Nothing as well, but “The Sinatra Group” with the late Phil Hartman is still one of the best skits ever from SNL.
All I’m saying is that the skits don’t have to be dumb & dumber, and when they are, they’re usually worthless (or as Judd Hirsch put it on the 60 pilot, “lobotomizing”). The best skits are smart and dumb. This isn’t to say Studio 60’s skits exactly hits this nail on the head, but they’re coming closer.
Both shows need to study Monty Python.
Dudes – loved it, very funny, and I love that the show within a show is actually bad. Too fun! I see Arrested Development mentioned here a few times – so the excitement starts. Good on you Tina – it’s fun and snarky and hits the right notes.
About our depressive nihilist pal Strindberg – I can’t believe you web acrobats don’t know about his mood makeover. Because until you’ve seen Strindberg and Helium, you just ain’t lived proper.
http://www.strindbergandhelium.com/
Um, nobody does bad sketch comedy better than SNL.
This show was much better than the BORING BORING mess that is “Studio 60″. (You know how you lose viewers every half hour that your program airs, start with a promising premise and then bore the bejeezus out of your fans with unbelievable concepts like Amanda Peet, who couldn’t act her way out of a paper bag, as a studio exec. And then get suckier and more boring each script and add more bad, boring actors like Bradley Whitford and Matthew Perry. Is there a lead anywhere in that cast?) The reason, plain and simple, is Alec Baldwin. Been a fan of his since he played Lisa Hartman’s psychotic boyfriend on “Knot’s Landing” — thats a long time….
NBC – pull the plug on “Studio 60″ – everything about that show sucks. This “30 Rock” could be a find. If Tracy Morgan is given good material – he will be the real find. Much more promise than that Sorkin junk.
I hope the kid who couldn’t do a good Leno becomes really popular and they let him do the fake news. But, he insists on Liz to co-anchor. The best thing on SNL over the last 10 years were Tina and Jimmy Fallon doing Update. Watch the reruns on E. They has a good chemestry and much better material.
Chris I agree, the wisecracking, unexpected happenings, and silly things that Monty Python perfected and The Kids in the Hall added is missing from todays sitcom. That’s why shows like Night Court and WKRP were funny.
Excellent, much funnier than Studio 60, although Studio 60 is NOT A COMEDY. But i like 30’s characters better and Alec Baldwin is priceless… Yes, Studio 60 is out, 30 Rock is in. (my tv schedule I mean.)
This show was freakin’ hilarious!
“Affirmative action was made so that minorities could compete with each other…to distract them while the White Man injects AIDS into our Chicken Nuggets!”
I fell out of the chair, literally, with that line. It was hysterical!
And the cat scene was funny as well. I love Tina Fey, she’s definitely a gifted writer. I wish her well with the show, I know I’ll be watching. I’m still a bit peeved they premiered it all the way in October. Finally, something a NON-Lost watcher has to watch on Wednesdays.