The Scene

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Published on Sunday, September 27 2009
Written by Super User
Nevertheless, NBC has picked up the show for the rest of the season. (Probably because they have invested so much in the show to not give it some growing time.) The plot: when a thinly-disguised version of Lorne Michaels has an on-air meltdown during the live telecast of the thinly-disguised "SNL," the alter-egos of Aaron Sorkin and Tommy Schlamme are brought in to save the show by a new network president (Amanda Peet) looking to make her mark. Studio 60 marks Aaron Sorkin's return to weekly TV after his forced exit from The West Wing a few seasons ago. And his characteristic fast-paced dialogue and wit are ubiquitous, as is Schlammes incredibly long steadicam shots. Whitford is in peak form, and fans of The West Wing will enjoy his return. Perry is also good, and surprisingly more enjoyable in this character than his role on Friends. Amanda Peet is a wonderful mastermind to the two mavericks, a woman who always seems to elicit the fury of her own boss, played with devilish assholeness by Steven Weber. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is not without its problems, starting with the title. Not as catchy and easy to remember The West Wing, I foresee many people wondering what the show is about At that brings me to my second grievance. The show just may be too inside for most Americans. Imagine a much more sophisticated and nuanced version of Entourage. Only this is a TV show about a TV show, and thus is always in danger of becoming too meta as it progress through the season. The show has obvious production value, but will all the backstage occurrences provide enough material to keep us interested? The West Wing had a much more open playbook for drama. Studio 60 will certainly have to work harder to maintain the same excitement. At least Studio 60 is far superior to NBC's clone offering, 30 Rock. Even the names are bizarrely similar. Can two TV shows set backstage at a faltering live sketch comedy series co-exist on the same network? 30 Rock will undoubtedly fail, despite a strong performance by Alec Baldwin. NBC is being presumptuous when they believe that the public is this fascinated with the inner workings of the entertainment industry. We actually could care less, unless Sorkin or another genius is making those inner working interesting.