The best thing since the West Wing without any bling and in the bin... (Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip)

Member Name: thedevilinme

Product:	Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Date:	09/11/07 (60 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great writing, top acting

Disadvantages: They have cut the series!

Studio 60 is Aaron Sorkin of West Wing fame next big thing. Many fans of the brilliant US political drama went into a slump of depression after the final series was shown this year and were keen to see what Sorkin would come up with next. Well this is it and it’s not too bad. Unfortunately, and for unknown reasons, it has already been shelved after only one season from HBO. It’s certainly not a quality control issues as the six or so episodes I have seen so far are up there with any current American intelligent drama on TV right now. But more of that grumble later.

The big problem with this is the awful scheduling, yet again bunged on in the middle of the night, as is most intelligent and sharp US drama on the commercial stations. C4 are showing it in double-headers, starting at a ludicrous late 12:15 a.m., and because its not on prime time its doesn’t get a write up in the TV listings, meaning you keep forgetting to record it as its hidden away in the small print. I reckon I have missed four episodes of the nine so far because of that stupidity stealth. One suspects Channel Four, who have really hit rock-bottom in the last few years, have realized that if there is only going to be one series then what’s the point in plugging it. Playing two shows together gets rid of it before the Christmas schedules. Job done! With so little quality drama on terrestrial TV, Channel 4 not exactly enamored with it these days, you just bang your head against the wall on the mentality of stuffing it here. At least some night watchman on a Slough industrial estate will finally get to see something good on their TVs before they nod off.

-The Show-

‘Studio 60’ is a fictitious TV station, broadcasting intelligent and satirical programming in the heart of Los Angeles. Its star writers and producers are Mat Albie (Mathew Perry from Friends) and the West Wings Bradley Whitford (who played Josh Lyman) as Danny Tripp, two guys fired from the station two years ago, but recalled by sassy new Station Chief-Jordan McDeere (British actress Amanda Peet) to turn things around. There are other West Wing refugees on show with many popping up in cameos. Timothy Busfield, who played the bearded Washington Post reporter who had a crush on CJ, is the most prominent one, playing haggard TV producer Cal Shanley.

The narrative of the show is about the stations ethos of trying very hard to keep putting out intelligent content against the increasing ‘dumbing down’ of American TV (rather ironic if you think this has been cut in real life for just that reason). With a docusoap style of the ‘Larry Sanders Show’and that backstage West Wing hustle and bustle, fast talking delivery, the show orbits around the decisions made by Mat and Danny to try put out an entertaining and live two hour comedy show, more ‘That Was the Week That Was’ over ‘Saturday Night Live, using real and fictitious celebrities to add authenticity. Sting has already been on playing his lute looking a complete prat!

The shows main battles are between the producers and the network owners over political correctness and controversial material the lawyer’s won’t allow to go on air. The staff is also on Danny and Mats case, the in-house black comedian (Tom Jetter) wanting to see more black writers on the show, playing the affirmative action card, whilst their hottest female comedian (Sarah Paulson) is trying hard not to fall in love with Matt again. They say you should never go back to a job and that’s the sharp pointy bit of the narrative here.

---Cast list----

Matthew Perry ... Matt Albie
Amanda Peet ... Jordan McDeere
Bradley Whitford ... Danny Tripp
Steven Weber ... Jack Rudolph
D.L. Hughley ... Simon Stiles
Sarah Paulson ... Harriet Hayes
Nathan Corddry ... Tom Jeter
Timothy Busfield ... Cal Shanley
Nate Torrence ... Dylan Killington
Lucy Davis ... Lucy Kenwright
Camille Chen ... Samantha Li
Simon Helberg ... Alex Dwyer
Ayda Field ... Jeannie Whatley
Merritt Wever ... Suzanne
Columbus Short ... Darius Hawthorne
Mark McKinney ... Andy Mackinaw
Joey Thurston III ... Cue card tech

22 episodes

With such a top notch cast and plenty of celebrity cameos on show, all to willing to get involved with such a class TV set up, coupled with Aaron Sorkins brilliant writing team behind the screenplay, there’s no fathomable reason for this to get cancelled, other than Americas usual failure to grasp irony. I suppose a TV network commissioning a show that ridicules a TV network for not commissioning shows like this was too much like hard work.

Anyway we are on episode 10 now of 22 now, which will be broadcast on Wednesday night-Thursday mornings at around midnight. Don’t forget to set the video or DVD. Don’t just leave it running because you’re going to turn off the plugs, and so muck it up that way.
Its really smart TV and a must see, even if you want to dive in mid-series. There’s not much else about right now on the TV drama schedules, unless you like the OTT Spooks and that over-rated Stephen Polliakoff waffle…

Summary: More intelligent TV bites the dust