TVSquad

And what's up with Aaron Sorkin/Matt Albie coming down on the wrong side of their version of the Friends/Amaani Lyle lawsuit. The general feeling of writers and of the courts was that Lyle was in the wrong, but at the end I understand Matt is going to throw Ricky and Ron (and others) under the bus because he hates them and because "this would never happen in my writer's room." Aaron Sorkin is a big douche.

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I loved this episode, and it if the show ends now, then I'll remember it fondly. Hell, two great episodes even though Steven Weber wasn't in either of them is an accomplishment. Though while last weeks relied on gimmicks, this one felt like good old Sorkin. I loved all the self-observations, and if you notice, there was even one about Matt/Aaron being too wracked with guilt over his past relationship.

The other thing I love is the childlike enthusiasm Cal brings. You knew it would go wrong, but he seemed so happy and proud of himself. Like you mentioned, I laughed when Danny went on a whole diatribe about the baby, and Tom just dropped it. For me, anything and everything with Simon just felt awkward.

As far as recasting goes, my choice would be Simon and Harriet, with the emphasis on the latter. It might be an overreaction, but she could just be the reason the show failed.

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Any Sorkin on TV is better than no Sorkin, and Studio 60 is still better than most of the dreck that's on, but this series could've been so much better.

If he insisted on doing another behind-the-scenes-of-a-TV-show show, instead of incurring the wrath of Lorne Michaels and Tina Fey, they should've aimed for Dateline or 60 Minutes (or The Daily Show, even). Of course, Sorkin couldn't have given us as much autobiographical wanking, but it could've been a sort of a West Wing-lite - some serious issues, but with the TV-industry disfunction.

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"I don't think I've ever seen a television show make such a self-aware pronouncement regarding its own place in the TV universe."

Arrested Development did, and was a much better show.

However, I have to say, if Studio 60 had consistently been as good as this episode, no one would be complaining, and it might not even be tanking. The first half especially: we got a solid workplace dramedy, with funny patter and reasonably interesting plots, plus a backstage look at a TV show, and all performed by good and likeable actors.

I'd have to say this was the best episode since the pilot, and it's the first time in a long while that I haven't spent most of the episode wondering why the show hadn't been cancelled yet.

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When Matt asked about Coleridge's most famous poem, I also thought Rime of the Ancient Mariner. I mean... "water water everywhere but not a drop to drink" gets (mis)quoted all the time.

Also, I think Matt's pill popping manifested itself with the drinking in this episode. He did a fair amount of it, and Danny made a comment about the drinking at the end of the episode.

http://popculturejunk.blogspot.com

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The pills: in the next episode, "Breaking News" (if there *is* a next episode), Matt is still popping pills, and a staff member finds out about it.

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It's rare that one character can kill a show, but Harriet could do it all by her lonesome even if she wasn't a member of the Christian right.

I think the characters are like little voices in writers heads and the Harriet voice in Sorkin's head needs to be snuffed out. I think that since her character is doing a movie, it would be great if they could transition her out and bring in a new female lead type on Studio 60 or promote a lesser female sketch artist to replace her. Unfortunately the amount of time and effort to do that would eclipse what little time this show may have.

How does one character murder a show in cold blood like that?

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The Gage-Whitney shoutout from the lawyer made me long for Sam/Josh TWW repartee.

I think it's been said on this site before but give Brad Whitford and Timothy Busfield their own show, please!!

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While I really like a lot about Studio 60, in my opinion, you are all putting too much on Harriet. It is the "relationship" between Matt and Harriet that has weighed this show down terribly. Every time he talks at her (he rarely talks to her) it is a major interruption in what makes this show good. I am still sorry to see it go. You will have to admit, in the 4 AM Miracle, she showed a respect for Matt that he has never shown her. Also, a hint that Matt might finally get together with someone else which this show has needed badly. They should have nothing going on between them.

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Vito - The lawyer was AFRAID Matt would throw Ricky and Ron under the bus when he read what was being said about Harriet, but he made it clear that he would be a "good witness," meaning he was not going to do that. I think.

Harriet is killing me. But I really love everything else about this show. Kill her, but bring the rest back!!!!!!

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Considering this may be the final episode -- unless they bring back the remaining episodes for spring "burn off" -- I thought it was a general ho-hum. Same old stuff, new day. It seems ridiculous to me that a variety/comedy show like the one depicted here would have just three writers (2 neophytes) and one headwriter who is the arbiter of what is good enough and what isn't. There's a reason shows like SNL, Letterman, Daily Show, etc. have staffs of 25-30 -- it's a grind writing comedy week after week (or day in day out in some cases). So we're set up with a situation where Matt is holding the entire show hostage two days before air with nothing ready. This doesn't seem realistic to me. Maybe "West Wing" worked like that and it's Sorkin's experience.

As for other bits: if the show isn't written yet, why do they need a French guillotine? Where does that fit in? And if you're talking creepy, putting a life-like baby doll under the blade qualifies. What -- a puppy or kitten wasn't available for decapitation?

BTW, the whole practice baby wreaked of sitcom fodder. Haven't we all seen this before? Come on, Aaron, are we really to believe Jordan doesn't have any confidence in how to care for a baby? Go hang out in the maternity ward for a night!

As for Harriet, what can I say? She just doesn't work. On the movie set, she was as much a pain in the ass as she is on Studio 60. How does she keep on getting hired knowing that she's so much trouble? Oh, right, according to Sorkin she's the greatest actress and comic around. Sorry, it doesn't fly. She's just a diva with morality issues.

Finally, if this is the last show, I think they tied up some loose ends for those who care -- Jordan and Danny will live happily ever after with the baby, Matt has his "miracle" lady back and she and Luke are over so Matt can go back to the push-pull of their dysfunctional relationship. Even the lawsuit seems to be an easy victory now that Matt will testify against Ricky-Ron group (for their daring to insult Harriet in the writers room).

All in all, "Studio 60" represents a ill-conceived stab at something interesting. Maybe Sorkin should have just kept the show in the executive offices with Amanda Peet and Steven Webber. Their back and forth has been alot more involving than anything going on down at "Studio 60."

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What a talked-about show this has been! The really interesting phenomenon is how most critics approach it saying, "Yes, Aaron Sorkin is brilliant, and yes this show is really good with lots of potential... BUT." Among all new television this year, we must all step over each other to describe why this one isn't ENTIRELY perfect.

I'll go ahead and say it. I like the Matt and Harriet relationship. I think it's excellent that he channels his feelings and frustrations for her into comedy. What a wonderful character relationship that we haven't seen. I'll grant you that Harriet has yet to be the show's most intriguing character. (And for those first few episodes, they really, really pounded home her religion. Nobody, but nobody starts that many sentences with, "Well, as a Christian...")

But I liked that she showed up to save him at 4 a.m. As a writer, I know what it's like to hope that somehow sleep deprivation and some combination of chemicals can save you in the wee hours. I would LOVE to have a cute blonde show up when I'm at that crisis point, so she could "unstick" me.

Even if she does sound like a dolphin.

http://www.screenwriterguy.com

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Vito,

You weren't paying attention at the end of that scene. Matt says that, while that type of conversation would never happen in a room that he was running, a lot of funny material comes out of those types of rooms. In the end, he agrees to defend the studio. He doesn't throw them under the bus. Sorkin may still be a douche, though.

Jay,

While they don't show Matt popping pills in the episode, there are a few signs that Danny is starting to pick up on the signals. He tells Matt "not so much" of the vodka when he leaves his office, and he tells Jordan that he has to stay behind to be around (watch?) Matt. I can't remember the exact words, but he wasn't talking about helping him write or anything.

I thought that the discussion of the show's ratings was very self-aware, like the second episode when they talked about the importance of retention. As much as Sorkin preaches to his audience, very few writers take as much time to really talk to their audiences as Sorkin.

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Funny how the hot, smart, wisecracking lawyer lady had a hundred times more chemistry with Matt than Harriet ever did. She was also a hundred times more fun to watch and listen to.... Too bad she doesn't seem destined to stick around. (I got the feeling that Sorkin was trying to contrast a "dark lady" -- the dark-haired singer who supplied Matt with drugs last week -- with a "light lady" who was a good influence on him.)

The guillotine was funny, but everyone conveniently forgot that it was about to be tested on Simon or Tom, and could have chopped off one of their heads instead of the robot-baby's. (That would have been a big enough story to push Britney out of the news.) And Jordan's reaction was a little weak (as usual, sorry)... People who use those things tend to bond with them like a real baby, and a real-life woman would have been horrified about the decapitation thing.

Still, this was one of the better episodes. It had more humor than usual (even if none of it seemed destined for the show-with-a-show). If the really dull-looking promos they keep showing for "The Black Donnellys" are any indication, I vote for "Studio 60" to come back and fight for its time slot.

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personally, i thought this was one of the strongest episodes of the season.

the interesting thing about the comment regarding ratings being related to writing is that they blamed it on Harriet. Harriet is to Matt Albie as Kristin Chenoweth is to Aaron Sorkin. it's rumored that Aaron and Kristin have recently gotten back together. i wonder if he was acknowledging that he was distracted by his drama with Kristin earlier in the season. at the end of the episode, Harriet comes back and we're led to believe that Matt would go on to write the sketches and be okay. maybe now that Kristin is back in Aaron's life, Studio 60 will get back on track.

of course, we may never know. and, of course, i may be just dreaming all of this up.

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What is it with you people? The episode was a little slow, but overall good. Again, for the most part, I had no problem with it.

I went with "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" myself on Matt's question about Colridge.

The lady lawyer WAS sexy, but I found the connection between her and Matt to be slow moving.

As a matter of fact to all you Paulson haters (and that seems to be most of you), her declaration to Luke about Matt, Matt's recognition that Harriet is his muse, and those last few minutes of the show between Harriet and Matt MADE THE EPISODE FOR ME! I'm telling you, I see their chemistry and Paulson is a fine actress. Sorkin was just throwing you a bone with the whole dialogue about relationships versus ratings. I don't think he has anything to apologize for. I've never had any major complaints about the show.

The one good thing about this being possibly the last episode is that all of you can finally stop hating on this show and find something else to hate. If you do decide to arbitrarily hate on other shows, then I humbly ask that you stay away from the following reviews (if present): 24, Prison Break, Heroes, Lost, Jericho, The Office, CSI, CSI:NY, Scrubs, BSG, Doctor Who, Life on Mars, and... for god's sake... any future show with Sarah Paulson (unless it really is bad).

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This was the first episode that really distracted me. I counted three different references to The West Wing in the first five minutes ("We're nowhere." "I leave when you leave." "I'm from Gauge/Whitney.") and at least one old set piece (the Pirates of Penzance poster) later on. I'm a fan of the show, and this really soured me on the whole episode. I loved The West Wing, but that was all too blatant for me.

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"Listen, I need to say this: Harriet is still shrill and annoying. There's no way around it. I have nothing against Sarah Paulson. I think she's a fine actress who can do a really good English accent and who can also make a dolphin sound, but her character is death. If I were that kid in bed with her, I would have asked for a real gun so I could end the hell of being around her and all her silly drama."

I blame all the show's failures on her, she's a terrible charater, is completely out of place with the rest of the show. The show failed because of her and I find that amazing.

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Sorry- the Harriet relationship is the heart of the show for me, and without it, I doubt I'd watch every week. It's the "must-see" part of the show, and I simply don't understand any complaints regarding her character and the story line. There are people who watch the show who love the show as it is, not because of who created it, not to see if it's going to be a train wreck (in thewir own minds)... There are many of these people, I am one of them- the rest of you can watch more conventional fare, and I hope you're happy and satisfied when this show is gone. No wonder I watch less and less TV nowadays, less and less new music... The news- well, now everyting is tabloid, and all TV will soon be 'reality." Jerry Springer has finally taken over the world without running for office!

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Too bad the punchline in the artificial baby joke was broadcast all week so we had to go through the setup with that spoiled.
I think Harriet is great, it's Jordon who is unbearably annoying. Paulson is a skilled actress unlike Peets who cannot make her character believable as being an executive at that level of authority. Peets is playing a starry eyed ingenue instead of a woman who could actually hold such a position. And she was horribly annoying in the scene on the roof with Danny, I found her headachingly shrill while up there. I kept wondering why he didn't change his mind as she babbled on and on and on. I expected him to jump off the roof just to get away from her.
The Harriet/Matt romance is tiresome but the actors playing the roles are so good that they make it watchable. The Jordon/Danny romance only has one great actor the other one is way over her pretty little head.
Even with all it's faults I haven't been able to stop watching Studio 60 and I'm going to miss it when it's gone.

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