tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post116169924765369062..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Studio 60: Try not to be funny, we're doing a TV showAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-31521187123433524312007-04-05T23:18:00.000-04:002007-04-05T23:18:00.000-04:00Hutcherson was on "Def Comedy Jam." In the very b...Hutcherson was on "Def Comedy Jam." In the very beginning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1162839259767350132006-11-06T13:54:00.000-05:002006-11-06T13:54:00.000-05:00Forgive me for being lazy and all, but every time ...Forgive me for being lazy and all, but every time I read anything about Studio 60 I think, Who the heck is Tom?<BR/><BR/>apparently he's not standing out for me and I need a "I'm CJ and I'll be your tour guide" opener to pound it into my head. (for once, TWW is running on Bravo again and I actually *care.* The State Dinner airs today)<BR/><BR/>Pam (wondering if Alan watched Grey's last week)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161994696207685102006-10-27T20:18:00.000-04:002006-10-27T20:18:00.000-04:00F**k yeah! While it's not a full season, Studio 60...F**k yeah! While it's not a full season, Studio 60 just got another three scripts ordered!<BR/><BR/>http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061027/tv_nm/networks_dcAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161972741711490692006-10-27T14:12:00.000-04:002006-10-27T14:12:00.000-04:00I'm loving Studio 60. It's very much in line with ...I'm loving Studio 60. It's very much in line with things I loved about Sports Night and West Wing before it. Yes, it can be predictable at times, but I sometimes find that more charming than annoying. I knew that the baseball player would put his phone number on the ball, but finding that confirmed was like a satisfying click of an appropriate lock being turned rather than an eye-rolling moment for me.<BR/><BR/>I'm disappointed that so many critics (including you, who I have a lot of respect for) are giving it such a hard time. It's not rocket science, but the writing is generally sharp and the acting is very good. Many of the things that I hear complaints about (the characters being too similar to the creators, etc.) are meta issues that aren't all that relevant to the show as a whole, and that aren't picked up on by the average viewer.<BR/><BR/>Yes, I think that the comedy should be sharper in the sketches. But I hope the show has a chance to grow into its stride and gain an audience, and that will be sorted out as it does.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure it's difficult sometimes for a reviewer to watch a show with the perspective of what works for a more casual viewer in mind.Rob Rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17446903261816405382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161910906971480082006-10-26T21:01:00.000-04:002006-10-26T21:01:00.000-04:00Studio 60 is a car wreck. I can't stop watching, ...Studio 60 is a car wreck. I can't stop watching, wondering 1) how it's possible that Sorkin and the other talented people aren't seeing the wreckage they should be trying to climb out of; 2) whether it could possibly get worse; 3) if miraculously Sorkin will be visited by the ghosts of Sport's Night and West Wing past and shown the light (or just the door). I feel bad for Perry, because he's been doing some of his best work and for Whitford and Busfield who are misused or underused.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161878702186192842006-10-26T12:05:00.000-04:002006-10-26T12:05:00.000-04:00And did anyone notice that the actress playing the...And did anyone notice that the actress playing the black bimbette is the holder of case 25 on "Deal or No Deal?" I'm surprised Sorkin didn't write in a putdown of that show if he knew the actress' resume.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161878640795679452006-10-26T12:04:00.000-04:002006-10-26T12:04:00.000-04:00annie: You can check out some of Franklyn Ajaye's ...annie: You can check out some of Franklyn Ajaye's comedy on iTunes. His album "Vagabond Jazz and the Abstract Truth" is half stand-up (recorded in Australia in the '90s), half jazz duets with his brother Eric Ajaye (Franklyn on clarinet, Eric on bass).<BR/><BR/>I recommend the track "Crazy Jack" as a sampler of his sense of humor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161822538049636942006-10-25T20:28:00.000-04:002006-10-25T20:28:00.000-04:00TuckPendleton: The only thing we can hope for is t...TuckPendleton: The only thing we can hope for is that it does well in the Studio 60 timeslot next week, as it's getting killed in the ratings. The last episode slipped another 270,000 to 6.33 million.<BR/><BR/>I wish it could get a backorder, or better yet, a new season based just on critical acclaim, but it seems too long gone now. The whole thing is irritating, as I can understand people liking the kitsch of Dancing with the Stars, but it's just depressing that Help Me Help You is beating, hell, almost doubling the ratings of Friday Night Lights.<BR/><BR/>NBC deserved better considering their fall lineup.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161804657820483612006-10-25T15:30:00.000-04:002006-10-25T15:30:00.000-04:00Undercover black man: Interesting stuff about Fran...Undercover black man: Interesting stuff about Franklyn Ajaye. I knew him only as the NG on Deadwood! <BR/><BR/>Man, do I miss that show. Don't Sorkin's pretension to genius seem extra ridiculous when considered next to a real TV genius like David Milch?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161795870086093742006-10-25T13:04:00.000-04:002006-10-25T13:04:00.000-04:00In other Sorkin stand-in news, his "pay the bills"...In other Sorkin stand-in news, his "pay the bills" job while writing A Few Good Men was, yes, as a bartender at one of the big theatres in NYC.<BR/><BR/>Alan: HOW DO WE SAVE FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS?TuckPendletonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09205887129563034955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161789930537378232006-10-25T11:25:00.000-04:002006-10-25T11:25:00.000-04:00I'm in the "worst one yet" boat. The thing about i...I'm in the "worst one yet" boat. The thing about it was, I could see what they were TRYING to do, and it was good and very reminiscent of really good Sorkin. It's just that they seemed to completely miss the mark in the execution. It just all came off so contrived and disingenuous to me.<BR/><BR/>I've really been trying to give them time to settle in and give them the benefit of the doubt, but I was very disappointed with this one. Like I said, I think it was because I could see the great places they were trying to go, and watched them fly way off course.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161786607092644152006-10-25T10:30:00.000-04:002006-10-25T10:30:00.000-04:00Tom's father came off as a monster. I get the feel...Tom's father came off as a monster. I get the feeling Sorkin really wanted to stick it to the middle American pro-war guys, but backed off. I'd rather he go for the jugular than just end it with a sappy, "Aw dad, you know I love you" speech, especially after the revelation that Tom had paid for his brother's body armor. "Hey dad, go fuck yourself and never call me again" would have been more appropriate. I don't care if he "worked for a living", some people don't deserve the benefit of the doubt. <BR/><BR/>I knew as soon as I saw Wallach that he would be a victim of the Blacklist. And wow, I wasn't wrong. It's not that it was bad, it's just that it was there and told us nothing new about the situation. <BR/><BR/>The Simon stuff worked for me, but only because DL Hughley sold the "I'm from South Central" stuff by virtue that according to his bio, he really was in a gang and really did see a friend of his get shot. <BR/><BR/>Steven Weber stole the show. Too bad he was only in two scenes. Like ricky and Ronnie, he's more sympathetic than Sorkin probably intends.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161784995856803252006-10-25T10:03:00.000-04:002006-10-25T10:03:00.000-04:00Tom has so many daddy issues he should be on "Lost...Tom has so many daddy issues he should be on "Lost". You know that during an upcoming sweeps, his brother is gonna die. Less trying to win the love of your dad, more Lobster costume!<BR/><BR/>As for Mr. Unfunny Black Comic, it's once again typical Sorkin arrogance to think that he (uh, I mean Danny) can take the least successful stand-up of all time and turn him into a great TV writer.<BR/><BR/>And Commedia Del'Arte? I think Cal said it best: "They're gonna keep writing it until someone laughs".BFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15264282750160516858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161765981381540012006-10-25T04:46:00.000-04:002006-10-25T04:46:00.000-04:00And don't forget, Studio 60 was actually up in the...And don't forget, Studio 60 was actually up in the ratings this week! Some glimmer of hope for a second season, or at least a back-nine pickup, still remains!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161765879528532412006-10-25T04:44:00.000-04:002006-10-25T04:44:00.000-04:00Personally, I loved this episode, and it was my fa...Personally, I loved this episode, and it was my favorite since the pilot. That said, it was damn predictable at parts. The part with the old guy was obvious, and while I didn't guess what would happen at Improv, it was obvious once you saw the stereotypical black comic that you'd get the polar opposite. There was plenty more stuff like that, but I do tend to suspend belief while watching the show, and take a break from my typical cynicism for this one hour.<BR/><BR/>Lauren Graham was good in her albeit short role, though I will admit I am not as enamored with her as everyone else is. Looked cute though.<BR/><BR/>I know it sounds dumb, but watching this episode, I actually had a smile on my face for the whole show. It could be that I had just finished watching the first season of The Wire, so I was drastically downtrodden, but I had fun watching Studio 60.<BR/><BR/>On a side note, one reason why I love the show as much as I do could be because I don't find the sketches all that terrible. I mean, I'm not saying they're great, but they're decent enough for me. Take it with a grain of salt though, as I've hardly ever watched SNL.<BR/><BR/>As this point in the fall season, I'd say this is probably my second favorite new show, with only the perfection that is Dexter surpassing it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161746813380810022006-10-24T23:26:00.000-04:002006-10-24T23:26:00.000-04:00Studio 60 is officially in the toilet. Some peopl...Studio 60 is officially in the toilet. Some people said this was the best episode yet, they're wrong. <BR/><BR/>This show had a riveting pilot and has been spiralling downwards ever since. Sports Night was great because it was before everyone jumped on the Aaron Sorkin bandwagon and started the lovefest for West Wing. Sports Night felt fresh and fun and you believed the drama because it was rarely, if ever as melodramatic and plodding as Studio 60 seems to be week in and week out.<BR/><BR/>Furthermore, I don't know anyone intelligent who still watches "24." The bandwagon jumpers came in after I stopped watching after the second season because there's only so many times I can watch Jack Bauer save the world without getting killed before I stop giving a shit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161742795581543922006-10-24T22:19:00.000-04:002006-10-24T22:19:00.000-04:00Fuck this once promising, now lame show. Has anyo...Fuck this once promising, now lame show. Has anyone else watched the season 6 trailer for 24? check it out at www.24trailer.com<BR/><BR/>this thing looks amazing. God, I can't wait for this show. Anyone else? thoughts? alan?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161742519298882192006-10-24T22:15:00.000-04:002006-10-24T22:15:00.000-04:00The only people who didn't see that coming were Na...<I>The only people who didn't see that coming were Nate Corddry's parents. Are you their neighbor?</I><BR/><BR/>Best. Line. Ever. We're using that in my household.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161741936356876992006-10-24T22:05:00.000-04:002006-10-24T22:05:00.000-04:00Count me as someone who was annoyed by this S60 an...Count me as someone who was annoyed by this S60 and would've given it a D. Okay, I liked the interaction between Matt and the bimbettes (which is enough to give it just one more episode), and the Weber-Whitford confrontation, but everything else was so bleeding obviously telegraphed (why the hell else is there an open mike on a Friday night except as a plot device for sudden promotion? yes, we see the autographed phone number coming from a mile away), or offkey-wince-inducing (every scene with Tom's parents) and they didn't even have the courage to make the blacklisted guy a real communist. Slim asked: Was TWW this predictable? <BR/><BR/><I>Sorkin avoided much of his usual transitive property of deification</I><BR/><BR/>Uh, no. NB: Harriet complaining that Matt was "smug," (the favorite criticism of Sorkin), that she likes Darren because he's the anti-Matt, and then realizing that the anti-Matt is a bad thing. Ergo Matt is great, Matt is Sorkin, Sorkin is great! Oh, Mary Sue!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161736063504948492006-10-24T20:27:00.000-04:002006-10-24T20:27:00.000-04:00I was having S3 TWW flashbacks with this episode. ...I was having S3 <I>TWW</I> flashbacks with this episode. Most of the storylines were either boring, insulting or irrelevant, but the performances were so great that it kept me watching. As excellent as Perry and Whitford are, Nate Corddry may turn out to be the breakout star here; he nearly had me in tears.<BR/><BR/>(Interesting that the smart money was on Tom joining the Jeremy-Goodwin-Sam-Seaborn-my-father's-been-having-an-affair-for-25-years-club, when actually he's an alumnus of the Dan-Rydell-my-father-thinks-I'm-a-schmuck-compared-to-my-saintly-younger-brother academy.)<BR/><BR/>The less said about both the ignorant parents and the stereotypical black comic the better. Although I am now waiting for Chuck D. to show up as a musical guest and point out that some black comics play to those stereotypes because that's what white audiences want to hear. It's not an argument I necessarily agree with, but it's one Matt could have made instead of going with the incredibly lame "He wasn't that bad."<BR/><BR/>Does anyone know anything about the terms of Whitford's contract, by the way? I thought this show was going to be primarily about the relationship between Matt and Danny, but it seems like Perry's getting twice the screentime. Is it because Perry's the bigger name, or is it because Whitford was all "I know how you operate, Aaron old pal, and I'm not killing myself like I did for four years on that <I>other</I> show."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161727573221178282006-10-24T18:06:00.000-04:002006-10-24T18:06:00.000-04:00tosy and cosh:"I watch my fair share of TV and hav...tosy and cosh:<BR/><BR/>"I watch my fair share of TV and have seen every ep of SportsNight and most of The West Wing, and yet I still didn't see the stuff with the old man coming. And either would the average viewer, is my wager."<BR/><BR/>The only people who didn't see that coming were Nate Corddry's parents. Are you their neighbor?<BR/><BR/>And did it bug anyone else that the old man was at first the poster boy for Alzhiemer's, but then by the end of the hour could recall names and stories from 60 years ago with such clarity that he could hold two 'gods' of television in complete rapture? Either the old man is the type that pees himself or his isn't, he can't just flip on the Sorkin switch and transform magically. It's analogous to the sketch show - you show us one thing, but then tell us it is completely different and brilliant, even with no evidence to back it up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161725415929184072006-10-24T17:30:00.000-04:002006-10-24T17:30:00.000-04:00You're right, j. I'm the ignorant one who conflate...You're right, j. I'm the ignorant one who conflated HUAC and McCarthy.<BR/><BR/>But my larger point -- about the undying Leftist romance, 50 years after the fact, with the martyrdom of the Hollywood Blacklist -- I stick to.<BR/><BR/>Sorkin didn't find a relevant way to bring up the Blacklist because the Blacklist isn't relevant.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161724791805430082006-10-24T17:19:00.000-04:002006-10-24T17:19:00.000-04:00I watch my fair share of TV and have seen every ep...<I>I watch my fair share of TV and have seen every ep of SportsNight and most of The West Wing, and yet I still didn't see the stuff with the old man coming.</I><BR/><BR/>Have you seen the WW about a foreigner on the White House tour who goes crazy about some painting on the wall, and it turns out the Nazis stole it from his family or something? That might have helped see the anvil.<BR/><BR/>By the way, I was hoping at least for a scene where the Bad Black Comic explained why he thinks he has to do that crap. And are the audiences at the Improv really that stupid, and do they really yell "boring"?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161724595466665422006-10-24T17:16:00.000-04:002006-10-24T17:16:00.000-04:00I wouldn't call Corddry's line about the blacklist...I wouldn't call Corddry's line about the blacklist seemingly insignificant - it came after we learned that the names Wallach had given were all members of the Hollywood Ten. If Sorkin had reversed those two scenes it might've worked better, but as it was Corddry's line felt like pretty obvious foreshadowing to me.<BR/><BR/>I'd call this episode a mixed bag. The stuff at the Improv was weak, the stuff with Corddry's parents was weak, and the stuff with Eli Wallach was way obvious. <BR/><BR/>But I thought Hughley's first scene confronting Perry was very good, I thought Perry and Whitford's scenes with the three dumb girls were pretty funny, and this is the first episode in which I've liked Amanda Peet - they should make her character be drunk more often. And Steven Weber's scene was great, but his scenes always work well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-1161722794557853412006-10-24T16:46:00.000-04:002006-10-24T16:46:00.000-04:00>>And leave Joe McCarthy's bones in the dirtProbab...>>And leave Joe McCarthy's bones in the dirt<BR/><BR/>Probably my ignorance on the subject, but weren't the "Hollywood Ten" part of the HUAC proceedings? And therefore had nothing to do with Sen. McCarthy?<BR/><BR/>And there's a ridiculous gap between "being shouted down on campus" and being systematically hunted by your govt. Sorkin's problem is that he didn't find any relevant way to bring up the Blacklist.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com