Flash! Studio 60 is sucking. But exactly how much is it sucking? This is what everyone’s buzzing about. This and THE CULTURE WARS, of course. Oh, and RACE RELATIONS. (Did I miss anything IMPORTANT? If so, please send suggestions on the back of a Crash DVD.)
Fox News (in the person of less-than-oracular Roger Friedman) preemptively announced the show’s cancellation, and got a pop on the wrist from its old adversary, reality. Kevin Reilly, president of the network, says he’s 100% behind the show — that’s probably not exactly true, either, but he’s sure putting his money where his mouth is: Studio 60’s on every Monday during November sweeps. Meanwhile, as media vultures split hairs and NBC honcho Jeff Zucker decides how many Strindberg references can dance on the pin of his head, YOUR BROTHER IS STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF AFGHANISTAN.
(Sorry. Sometimes I need to throw in some righteous Red State indignation to show you how very "authentic" this blog is.)
The debate: Studio 60 temporarily ceded its timeslot to the also-struggling Friday Night Lights, which pulled down bigger numbers. However, FNL’s18-49’s didn’t hit Sorkinite heights. So the question is: Do you wantfewer, richer viewers, or more of everybody? Gold plating or a solidfoundation? NBC says Studio 60 has a future as long as it stays above a 3 share. (To put this in perspective: A 3 share is what’s left on the kleenex when NCIS blows its nose.)
Me, I’m hoping NBC’stelling the truth, and the show sticks around for more than 16 eps. Myweek feels empty without it. I’ve come to love watching Aaron Sorkinchew with his mouth open. Sometimes, bad art illuminates more than goodart. With Sorkin and Studio 60, the culture wars aren’t so muchlimned as caricatured, and I see, more clearly than ever, "why theyhate us." Don’t give up now, NBC: Don’t cancel this show. Not beforeSarah Paulson does her spot-on impression of Aristophanes hosting Larry King Live in the 9th circle of Dante’s Inferno (written by Studio 60′s one black writer, of whom everyone is VERY PROUD).
PS: How hard is Tina Fey trying to contain herself here? Mmmm, barely concealed contempt. In an age of open contempt, it’s a real breath of fresh air.
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Studio 60 is still on tv? I guess in the same way that Rick Santorum is still technically in the Senate.
And this is rhetorical, but wouldn’t FNL pulled more viewers on Tuesday with a fresh episode? Tuesday’s was a rerun of Monday’s, so a lot of folk might have tuned out.
Wow, one of the episodes describe how Jordan and Danny wrestle over Budget Cuts… unlike TNT, apparently, NBC doesn’t know drama, cause that has to be the most boring description in the history of episodic television.
I really like Studio 60 and was bummed to see that it wasn’t on the lineup yesterday. So I took time out to catch up on Harry Potter in anticipation of the new film. Oh well, it seems intelligent television isn’t what this country wants. (aside from sci-fi and quirky cop dramas – I love CSI and L&O franchise and I hear Battlestar Galactica is kickin’ major . . . oops)
They need to keep it Heroes then FNL, because…dang.
And if not that, then just please please please plain keep FNL!
Every hour we get to have Studio 60 on the air is one less hour of one the Law & Orders or Deal or No Deal. Thank you Keven Reilly. This week anyway.
Tina Fey is just jealous. She couldn’t write at Sorkin’s worst level on her best day. So having to watch a well written (and performed) show like Studio 60 must drive her crazy. She has Alec Baldwin going for her, and nothing else. Poor Alec…
I really *want* to watch FNL but it just looks so depressing. Still, I watched the first episode, and it was done well. I was going to wait for the DVD, but I guess I should sit my a$$ on the couch so that there’ll even be a DVD.
p.s. Scott, I love your hatred for Studio 60. It’s too funny.
The one thing about Studio 60, which I gave up on during its second episode: it pulls in a very upper class audience, an audience that big advertisers like. My parents and their wealthy siblings love the show (even if they’re out of the 18-49 demo) because of how “it asks important questions.” While the audience may be small, it’s pretty targeted, and it’s a lucrative target at that.
I’m pullin’ for all three shows (“Studio”, “Rock” & “FNL”). I don’t think “Studio” has hit its stride yet and I wanna be there when it does (heck, IT wants to be there when it does). And “Rock” & Fey have brought me more LOL moments this season than almost any other show–which I concede isn’t saying much in this, the Age of Dead Sitcoms, but still. Finally, “FNL” is bringing the good drama just as much as any show this year, which is high praise, coming from a football total non-fan.
Steady as she goes, NBC–just give ‘em some breathing room.
It’s so cool to hate Studio 60, isn’t it? Just like Crash. Shows that take on issues (subtle or not) are in a no-win situation. Leave it alone and stop trying to be cool by hating Studio 60. There are way worse shows to make fun of out there.
I’m still scratching my head over the praise lavished on STUDIO 60 and 30 ROCK. I haven’t found either one to be “brilliant.” Granted, I tend not to like hour-long dramas (they always seem to drag, as opposed to feature-length films), so that could explain my resistance to STUDIO 60. As far as sitcoms go, I thought that ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT was brilliant, and 30 ROCK is definitely no AD.
I just don’t see why everyone thinks Studio 60 is so bad. I was never a fan of the West Wing so perhaps I’m just not Sorkin worn. I still think the cast is great and I want to know what happens with the Christian comedienne and Matthew Perry’s romance, if Amanda Peet can pull off her new job, and if the new Black writer will be any good.
I really like STUDIO 60. Yes, its a bit wordy at times, but its also like nothing else on television, regardless of the endless comparisons to 30 ROCK, thats a comedy, where STUDIO is a drama about a comedy sketch show.
I really hope NBC sticks by STUDIO, but if they wanna try and reach a larger audience then perhaps they should consider more familiar guest artists to perform on the show. I mean, don’t get me wrong, Sting is a legend, but he’d be more likely to attract older folks. I mean for the first time in quite a while, there are plenty of pop/rock songs in Billboard’s top 10. Land an appearance from Snow Patrol, The Fray or the Killers. I’m sure any of these acts would help attribute the ever coveted 18-34 demo. I saw the Fray in concert here Friday night & was stunned to discover the show was sold out for weeks beforehand. If NBC TRULY wants to stick by the show and save it, it doesn’t mean compromising its ethics, it just means using all of the outlets they have available. I respect the highbrow risk of having Sting appear to promote his new album playing the lute, but seriously, did it lure in any more viewers or help his disc on the charts?? NAH, DON’T THINK SO.
Finally, I’m content with the diversity of gay characters currently populating the network dramas, but really, not one gay actor on STUDIO? It DOES take place in West Hollywood afterall….Just a thought?
My parents are big Sorkin fans going way back but I always find his work to be talky, boring, and self-important–and I have 2 degrees. Anyway, I pretend that I enjoy the show when I’m around them (Me? I’d rather watch a L&O, House, or Grey’s Anatomy then Studio 60 any day of the week.)but I’ll be glad when NBC ulitmately cancels this show. It’ll be one less hour I will waste my time and my eyes on. I do hope that Matthew Perry finds a another show that is worthy of his talent. He’s still the coolest.
But how accurate is that Friday Night Lights rating for Monday? Considering it was against a CSI Miami RERUN. You would think a new product (episode) would get more viewers than a product (episode) already seen at least once. Now if STUDIO had been a new one, against a CSI Miami RERUN… I wonder the result? But anyway, I am glad NBC is standing behind Studio 60 at least for the next little while. And really, why outright cancel before they try a new timeslot. It an excellent show that needs to smooth out some of its kinks. But I love the show, I would miss it!
Friday Night Lights may have been up against a CSI:M re-run, but it was also up against football.
That’s Monday Night Football. Against a new show ABOUT football.
It’s amazing it pulled in what it did at all and a tribute to its quality.
okay i get it ew. you don’t like studio 60. now stop blogging about it.
I like Studio 60. I think the writing is amazing and the actors are very good. I want it to stick around because I worked as a PA when I finished college, so I find it all very interesting.
However, I was very offended by the last episode and the “dumb” Midwestern parents. It was just tacky to assume that two adults from COLUMBUS, OHIO had no idea about anything “pop culture-y” at all. It’s Columbus, Ohio not Lucasville, Ohio.
No offense to my Lucasville friends. I think we all know the point I’m trying to make.
How much of FNL audience was due to people watching Heroes and then sticking around because they had never seen it?
Agreed with marykate. Folks in the “middle of nowhere” still have access to the web, satelite radio and cable tv, so it’s not like the midwest still lives in 1950.
The fact that Studio 60 has been on as long as it has just proves the narcissistic tendencies of the media. It’s a bad show, but entertainemnt writers are watching it becauses they can identify with it. However, the rest of America could care less.
I hate this show soooooo much and it serves as a reminder of how arrogant and self righteous entertainment writers can be. “I write for the network, so clearly I better than the rest of America…”
Friday Night Lights is definitely the better of the two. Maybe they could *try* it in a Friday Night slot to see if it does better there – putting it up against football is not a good programming decision, even if it got better ratings there than Tuesdays at 8.
With Studio 60, maybe they need to try out other time slots as well before giving it the ax. Although I gave up on this one in four episodes. I was bored beyond belief.
Friday Night Lights is the better show, though. Although I could do without the entire Garrity family.
Thanks for agreeing EP! Nice to know that a “regular” is on my side!
After football season, they should move it to Sundays at 8 PM. Any later and it gets beaten down by Desperate Housewives and the surging Brothers & Sisters (That show has grown on me more than I thought it would).
This show, like so many in the past, needs TIME. As for Phil’s comment about no gay characters – we’ve only seen a handful of episodes, so there may be one waiting in the wings. But why does every show need to have one? I know it makes sense, given that it’s based in Hollywood, but every show doesn’t need to have every demographic shoved into the cast. I’d like to see a Jew date another Jew on TV (only happened once in the last ten years, and that was Grace), or just one that’s slightly observant (only a handful there), but the only show that’s managed to have almost every demo represented, and do it well, is Grey’s Anatomy. Let’s just work on Studio 60 having good characters first, and then work on it being the melting pot that we’d all like to eventually see.
As one who has actually watched and formed my own opinion as opposed to seeing an episode then hurdling off the bandwagon, all three shows are worth keeping on and worth watching as they grow. FNL isn’t breaking new ground by any means, but the show is entertaining, well written and has a quality cast. Now I wouldnt run it against football…but maybe thats just me. Studio 60 is one of the best new shows on this year – and you can make it about Sorkin (who I have always been “eh” about) or red vs blue or smart vs dumb or whatever – but objectively it is a character-driven drama that is well written, makes you think, makes you laugh, makes you care, and impresses each and every week. Bravo to NBC for having faith in the intelligence of the average viewer – the last thing we need is CSI:Omaha with Don Johnson or another annoying reciprical game show. And while it is a very different show, 30 Rock has been a better then average sitcom with (gasp) a strong cast and a quality script. Stop being sheep and watch the shows – you may find that in spite of yourself you enjoy them. All three of better then almost all the rest of the shlock unfortunate enough to be passed off on our TVs.
Why does EW keep hating on Studio 60? Ok, we get it, you don’t like the show, it was hyped a lot, and you’re somewhat unreasonably high expectations haven’t been met yet (after one month). Move on. I think the show is great, and I really hope they keep it on the air. I think Sundays at 8:00 would be a good timeslot for it because FOX has comedies and ABC and CBS both have reality shows on at that time. Studio 60 could do well, or at least better then it’s doing, in that time slot.
No to dbldn11’s comment……
Studio 60 does NOT make one care. That’s the prob, these characters are SO BLAH, all yackity-yak, which is great and oh-so-smart, but care-worthy? Not in the least.
Studio 60 not dead yet, feeling better, might go for a walk later
On the Entertainment Weekly blog, there’s a piece that suggests news of Studio 60s demise were slightly premature, including this wonderful line: NBC says Studio 60 has a future as long as it stays above a 3 share. (To…
Problems with Studio 60:
1. It’s too brilliant for it’s own good. It needs to be dumbed down a little.
2. The characters aren’t well defined. Who running this place? The Amanda Peet character, the Stephen Weber character, who? It’s confusing.
3. Even a fictional drama about a comedy show should be (gasp) funny!
The fact that I like Studio 60 after a few episodes speaks volumes (truth is, like Scott Brown, my week feels empty without it). Seinfeld was one of the best ensemble shows and had some of the best chemistry, timing, and subtle humor of any show other than The Simpsons. But here’s the rub: Seinfeld’s (or The Simpsons’) first season? Not so. I can barely watch either, particularly after so enjoying the later seasons. I can’t imagine that Studio 60 won’t gain more rhythm, grace, and depth, given time. If it doesn’t, shame on the network and the writers for losing the grip on a very entertaining show. I also couldn’t agree more with Dave: the last thing we need is another drab, unoriginal, CSI: Anywhere.