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"Fast" is a relative term on 'Studio 60'
Tonight on Studio 60, exactly two things happened: Jordan's baby was delivered by c-section, and Simon ranted at the press. Now, seeing as those things happened in the first five minutes and last five minutes of the episode, respectively, you probably could have safely gone for take-out in the middle without missing anything. Despite Danny's grammatically suspect claim that "things are moving fast tonight." Oh, Sorkin. You fill me with hope only to dash it cruelly with flashbacks and, well, longer flashbacks.
However, I will concede that this week's episode was slightly less West Wing-wannabe than last week's sad installment. You know, aside from all the stuff about Afghanistan, censorship, and the meaning of patriotism. Methinks Sorkin is still a little raw from The West Wing being criticized for being anti-American after the war started. Which, totally fair enough, but work out your issues on your own time, Sorkin--I came here to watch a dramatic version of 30 Rock!
So yes, part two of three episodes (don't get me started) found Tom's brother still captive in Afghanistan, and Mike from Las Vegas acting as Chief Army Comforter/Stonewaller. Matt's still working with the hot lawyer on a cockamamie ransom scheme. That is, when he's not having acid flashbacks about his first, failed experiment as Studio 60's showrunner. Way back in the day, you see, back when we were only at war with one Middle Eastern country, Matt and Danny went up against NBS and Jack Rudolph in an attempt to get political on Studio 60 about the war in Afghanistan. And (spoiler alert!) I don't think it's going to end well for Matt and Danny's jobs. You know, in the past. Where we already know what happens. Can't you at least try and keep it interesting, Sorkin? Sigh.
Things are somewhat more involving at the hospital, where an unconscious Jordan is having clotting issues after her c-section. I actually enjoyed some of the scenes between Danny and Jordan's doctor, which is probably more a testament to Bradley Whitford's mad acting skillz than anything else. But seriously, are they going to kill off Jordan? I mean, I know the show's cancelled and all, so it's a moot point, but Jordan is part of this show's Tremendous Trifecta (the three great characters that make up for any number of evils elsewhere in the show--Harriet and Cal are the other two). Don't make it a Tremendous Pair, Sorkin! I wouldn't worry, but the whole "Don't let Danny get attached to his baby, since Jordan's totally going to die and he'll never see that baby again" thing has me concerned, given this show's track record for subtlety and surprise.
Will Mark Jeter survive Afghanistan? Will Jordan survive childbirth? Will Simon survive the angry paparazzi? Will Liz survive another episode? Tune in next week for the exciting conclusion of this three-parter.
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I agree that the preachy war stuff is largely why this show didn't make it, though I was a die hard West Wing fan through the end so I don't mind it so much.
I do like the way the dysfunctional relationships on the show are slowly evolving. My guess is that Jordan was suppose to go into a coma while Amanda Peet was on maternity leave. A little soapy but its a moot point now. Looking forward to seeing how it ends.
AHinNY | Jun 15, 2007 6:55:28 AM | #I think Studio 60 is a testament to what can happen when a writer starts thinking he can do no wrong.
I loved, LOVED both The West Wing and Sports Night but Studio 60 always felt wrong to me and the episodes since the return have just been awful. It’s as if Sorkin has all this bitterness built up inside of him and he’s now regurgitating it in script form. I get it; you felt hampered by the network after 9/11, ok, but seeing you even the score isn’t really entertaining. Also on the not entertaining list is seeing you take pot shots at internet users or seeing you use the characters to tell everyone you think ratings are irrelevant.
Beyond “not entertaining” though was Simon’s speech in last night’s episode. Thank you Mr. Sorkin for calling me (and all Americans) names but I assure you I (a) have not forgotten there is a war in Afghanistan and (b) do not need you of all people to remind me of it. I’ve always enjoyed Sorkin’s work but he is not America’s moral compass by a long shot.
I’m too much of a fan to not watch this through to the end but it really is more of a chore for me.
Tom | Jun 15, 2007 10:21:46 AM | #I respectfully disagree. The show's politically relevant, and the writing's as sharp as Sorkin can be. The one place where it wasn't is somehow the part that you found most entertaining. Every show and its spinoff has done jokes about lack of faith in young doctors, with the inevitable invocation of St. Doogie, and Sorkin could have risen above that. On the other hand, the "We're not making fun of the war; we're making fun of the war being good for business" line was an instant classic.
marc | Jun 15, 2007 10:26:19 AM | #I, for one, find the flashbacks interesting. More interesting than Josh's unfathomable commitment to a baby he didn't daddy just because he's in lust with hot hot hottie Jordan. As for the rest of it, I'll put up with Sorkin taking his shots at the network(s), simply because reruns of ANY Sorkin show are miles better than most TV, especially the 'reality' crap. It's sad it didn't last, so I'm just going to savor the remaining-episode bonfire while it lasts.
Ishkabibble | Jun 15, 2007 12:14:41 PM | #Oops.
'Josh.'
Little West Wing slip there.
Ishkabibble | Jun 15, 2007 12:17:29 PM | #I think Studio is a great show and was upset when it was taken off the air. We have to give it a chance. It bets watch repeats and I hope that it catches on! I think that they could loose Harriet and replace her. Other than that the cast is super!
Jane | Jun 15, 2007 7:57:54 PM | #I'm on the fence about Studio 60. I wanted to love it; I expected to love it. I'm a huge fan of Aaron Sorkin and Bradley Whitford. Those two drew me in and made me watch even when the show was bad.
It's interesting that the funniest show so far was when Allison Janey showed up and the two mains were MIA. I don't know how I felt about ... sorry, it was CJ and Danny interacting there, wasn't it?
It's difficult sometimes to separate Studio 60 from the West Wing. It's a different environment with similar issues, and the characters are just so similar that it's an effort to do.
Danny (Bradley Whitford) is so Josh as he would have reacted with the doctor in this week's episode that it's difficult to separate the two characters. Hubby thought he was being too impulsive in proposing to Jordan last week. My response...this is not Josh.
Danie
Danie | Jun 15, 2007 10:05:48 PM | #I really want to enjoy Studio 60, I think it's a really well done program. But, just as with the West Wing and Sports Night, I just can't get by all the preaching going on. What happened to just being entertained? If I wanted to be preached to, I'd read the paper or watch the news.
Studio 60 is one of those programs that comes along every so often that's compelling. It draws you in, you actually care about the characters. But it's also spoiled by the speaches and preaching. Knowing who created and writes for this show, I feel like I'm watching where the West Wing left off.
I'll be sad to see Studio 60 go, as it was in my opinion one of the best of the bunch this season.
KB
K Blanco | Jun 15, 2007 10:32:53 PM | #We may be coming very close to the end of intelligent, funny and innovative free television programming. Studio 60 was the latest generation of a long line of quality television shows. And, it might well be the last.
There’s always been a struggle between art and commerce, but now I’m telling you art is getting its ass kicked, and it’s taking the wit and imagination out of our popuar culture. And, that’s not who we are.
In New Orleans when a friend dies, it is not unusual for the funeral to celebrate the person’s life with a parade of jazz musicians playing not only melancholy, but also celebrative music as they move through the streets.
There are a group of Studio 60 fans from around this country and around the world who are raising money to run a full page ad in the Hollywood Reporter on June 28th — the day of S60’s final episode. An ad to thank the cast and crew of Studio 60. Any additional funds will be donated to Tipitina’s Foundation in New Orleans. We chose Tipitina’s because it was close to many members of the show, and was featured in their Christmas Show episode.
We want to celebrate the passing — not mourn it.
To learn more about this campaign you can go to:
http://community.livejournal.com/thanks2studio60/
To listen to the music, you can go here:
http://www.nbc.com/Studio_60_on_the_Sunset_Strip/music/studio_60_o_holy_night.mp3
I disagree: the show is great. I agree it wasn't even mediocre at first but once they changed the format it couldnt even be considered mediocre as it is now amazing! Studio 60 has drama and suspense although it isnt too comedic it does have its lines!
Michael | Jun 17, 2007 7:17:31 AM | #This is one of the best shows on television. I think it is disgusting the way that NBC has run no promotion for it and doesnt even run previews for the next weeks show after the current one ends. It has been as if they dont want anyone to know the show is on because God forbid people find out about it and watch it. This show is well acted, well scripted, and there are countless things every episode that stay in my mind for days after. Television is going to be a lot worse without a show like Studio 60 on it next year.
Ray Lytle | Jun 17, 2007 9:39:18 AM | #I'm with you Ray, I love the show, its plots are facinating, and the script is EXCELLENT! The actors are very well type cast and I WANT it to stay on, catch on and be enjoyed by intelligent people everywhere.
Sincerely, KF
A little harsh aren't we, Liz?
Since when have Sorkin's shows ever been about the plot? It's his characters and dialogue that draw people in, and I didn't find myself at all bored anywhere in this latest hour.
The flashbacks to me are very interesting, and I have no problem with the politics of the show. If you watched the pilot of Studio 60 and didn't recongnize that it was going to prominently feature the clash between politics, Hollywood, and art, then you must be blind.
I will miss this show, but now I may go back and watch The West Wing now that I've discovered I actually like Sorkin's work.
Jason | Jun 18, 2007 10:24:00 AM | #'Studio 60' beats the pants off of 'West Wing' and even 'Sports Night.' Shows about politics are unwatchable, and SN was great, but Sorkin was still developing his talents, so it had a few flaws.
A | Oct 24, 2007 1:55:45 PM | #'Studio 60' beats the pants off of 'West Wing' and even 'Sports Night.' Shows about politics are unwatchable, and SN was great, but Sorkin was still developing his talents, so it had a few flaws.
A | Oct 24, 2007 1:55:51 PM | #
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