Tue, July 11, 2006
Studio 60—5:28 PM
Go watch the five-minute preview of Aaron Sorkin's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip on NBC.com. Do it right now. (Sorry, Tidball... it's worth it this time.)
Now, there are opportunities for this to be mishandled, I grant you. You don't need all the fingers on one hand to count the non-West Wing cast members. There are moments that look like the syrupy, preachy epilogue scenes from many of The West Wing's worst episodes under Sorkin's stewardship. However, this has the potential to have the crackling energy of Sports Night, plus all of its heart, while also skewering the worst creative nosedive in television history... which just happens to air 45 hours earlier on the same network.
I don't know how to explain the leeway that NBC has granted here. I can only assume that things are so bad for non-reality network programming that it was actually easier for NBC's programming executives to swallow their own massively stupendous pride than let Sorkin shop the show elsewhere.
I hope it's a huge hit. I hope it lasts beyond SNL's cancellation; in fact, I hope it causes SNL's cancellation. I've been skeptical about this show from the start, because it tackles a topic so near to my heart. Then there was the battle with 30 Rock. (Remember Crisis in the Hot Zone vs. Outbreak?) Then "on the Sunset Strip" was added – I'm still unsure why. Maybe to throw Lorne off the scent. ("See? It's an LA show!") But I really really want it to be good. Okay, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip? Please be good?
(Also, I will be happy to download the clip of Amanda Peet saying "masturbate" as my new ringtone. Whoever makes that possible, go ahead and e-mail me.)
Brandon — Tue, 7/11/06 8:23pm
But I really really want it to be good. Okay, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip? Please be good?
Sigh... yeah. Watched the trailer, looks like it could be ridiculously good... which makes me nervous. But at least with the cast they've signed on and Sorkin, I don't have to worry about NBC pulling the plug after a few episodes. Have they already given it a full-season commitment? I'd be stunned if they haven't.
Bee Boy — Wed, 7/12/06 12:30am
I don't have data on this, but my intuition tells me I'd be stunned as well. With these actors and production values, it seems like a big financial investment to walk away from. Although I suppose we've seen networks squander more money on shows that only saw one or two airings. I guess we'll have to keep hoping for it to be really, really good.
AC — Wed, 7/12/06 2:15am
Hooray!! I totally agree with you– the punch and pizazz of SportsNight without the preachy schlock of West Wing. While many would blame Sorkin's monologue-style writing on those bad WW episodes, I blame the subject matter. Personally, I can't get enough Sorkin sermons.
This is going to be great. My one thought while watching the trailer was could Matthew Perry have picked a better follow up to Friends? I seriously doubt it.
AC — Wed, 7/12/06 2:23am
Also, while I'm thinking about it, has anyone seen the preview for the new CBS sitcom this fall called The Class? It totally cracked me up, and I know I know, no one was more shocked by that than yours truely. I despise sitcoms because 99% of them are shit, but the mere fact that this one caught my eye makes me think I need to at least watch an episode.
Bee Boy — Wed, 7/12/06 8:42am
Yes, I'm loath to utter it, but it looks like it could be a very good crop this fall. Prove me wrong, networks!
(And they will! Tune in a couple months from now...)
"Mike" — Wed, 7/12/06 11:47am
I followed Jameson's command. I watched the 5 minute preview. Wow. This could and should be very good. It has high "heart" potential while still making comedy and storytelling the central features of the show, as Jameson noted, a la "SportsNight" – I was really impressed. Surprisingly, I thought Amanda Peet was good, I generally have thought her to be merely ok in stuff I've seen her in before.
As AC said, a great choice for Matthew Perry following "Friends." This character does not seem to be a 'sort of Chandler.' This is where, I think, folks like Michael Richards went wrong in his post "Seinfeld" comedy/detective show. That character was too much like Kramer.
Anyway, I am excited for Studio 60!
Bee Boy — Wed, 7/12/06 12:27pm
Great point about avoiding the 'sort of Chandler.' Interestingly, I think the character is somewhat like Matthew Perry. This hunch may prove unfounded, but I think maybe Sorkin was thinking a little bit about Perry's substance abuse days when he put those things into the show. Should be good, though – Perry was great on West Wing and I strongly believe he can do the more serious stuff (as well as comedy; of course he's very strong on that, too). So, he may be able to follow Aniston out of the "Friends Curse" thing, despite having gotten a somewhat later start.
Also, follow this command: you're required to sit quietly facing the corner for ten minutes and think about what you said about Amanda Peet. Don't you watch Letterman, fer Chrissakes? How can you not know how great she is? Please don't tell me you haven't seen The Whole Nine Yards. Please!
Brandon — Wed, 7/12/06 1:39pm
Yeah, there will be no backhanded complimenting of Amanda Peet around here! The Peet is sweet! You will treat The Peet as elite, and without conceit you will bow at her feet! Don't make me repeat this bleat about The Peet... (shakes fist in the direction of Delaware)
Though I, uh, well, um, haven't seen the, uh, The Whole Nine Yards. For you, Jameson, I'll put it on my to-do list. For you, and for The Peet!
Bee Boy — Wed, 7/12/06 5:14pm
Well, there's some honor in that, Brandon. (You also get some credit for stopping short of "Banana-fanna fo Feet!") It takes a keen eye indeed to appreciate her diamond-in-the-rough quality based only on Letterman appearances and that Seinfeld cameo. But, you'll be rewarded when you rent W9Y. Joe will back me up on this.
Hot chick. Impeccable comic timing. Handgun. Topless.
If there's anything better about living in America, I'd like to hear it.
Brandon — Wed, 7/12/06 6:00pm
(Raises hand) Playing a video golf game that's like forty billion times better - and cheaper - than actually playing golf?
Joe Mulder — Wed, 7/12/06 6:46pm
And how.
I was very, very excited by the "Studio 60" clip as well. Looks really good, for any and all of the reasons you've all said. Also, wow. That show never would have made it to air if Lorne Michaels were still alive (to paraphrase one of Simmons's oft-used lines).
Is anyone but me, though, excited about "Heroes"? They also had a five-minute preview, and this show looks like it might be, like, "Buffy" good. "Studio 60" looks cool and all, but, "Heroes," man. I'm telling you. They already know, too; you can tell.
"What should we call this awesome show we just thought of?"
"'Heroes.'"
"Just 'Heroes'?"
"Yep. Let them come to us. We're calling it 'Heroes;' that's how much it's gonna rock."
We'll see; the concept couldn't possibly be more intriguing as far as I'm concerned, but I guess they could always mess up the execution. If nothing else, it'll get us some good Hayden Panettiere (damn!), who might someday – and I don't say this lightly – make us forget that there ever was a Michelle Trachtenberg).
Bee Boy — Wed, 7/12/06 8:49pm
Okay, whoa.
I'm going to grant you, that Heroes preview clip looks pretty compelling. (Plus, it has that title going for it, which aside from being ballsy is just blessedly short.) And I'll acknowledge that the producers of Racing Stripes did in fact get a zebra print red carpet for their premiere. But "make us forget that there ever..."?! Let's not say things we can't take back, okay?
(Although, as awesome as Trachtenberg is, her name is not an anagram for "I need eat her panty.")
Joe Mulder — Thu, 7/13/06 3:40am
See, this right here. This is why the world needs Onebee.com.
"Mike" — Thu, 7/13/06 8:27am
Wow, I am embarrassed to say I didn't know about Amanda Peet's Letterman prowess. I haven't seen "The Whole Nine Yards" either, just "Something's Gotta Give" and that one with Asthon Kutcher (I'm married).
Speaking of anagrams... Man pee - Tada!
Bee Boy — Thu, 7/13/06 11:34am
Well, that's better than judging her on the basis of Syriana. (She was fine, but I wouldn't judge anything based on Syriana.)
I haven't seen the two you mentioned, and I admit they represent questionable choices, but rest assured, you'll be converted once you check out W9Y or Studio 60. (Or Melinda and Melinda, for that matter.)
Shame that Something's Gotta Give wasn't better; I had my eye on it as a rainy day DVD. But I just realized possibly the only advantage of being unmarried: I had completely forgotten about the Ashton Kutcher movie (most Ashton Kutcher movies, in fact).
("Hurt on the sack.")
Brandon — Mon, 8/7/06 12:48am
Okay guys, I followed orders and rented The Whole Nine Yards last week... and you've got some explaining to do. Awful. Not funny. Laughed maybe 3-4 times. Almost bailed several times but kept watching thinking "There HAS to be something redeeming coming up." Other than The Peet's nude scene, the answer was a resounding no.
I gotta tell ya guys, this one puts a little nick in your recommendation status, which, up til now, was very high.
Bee Boy — Mon, 8/7/06 9:35am
Whoa.
Are you sure you didn't accidentally get The Whole Ten Yards? There's just no way to comprehend this.
Are Joe and I being punk'd? If not, I'd say this puts a little nick in your recommendation status!
Brandon — Mon, 8/7/06 1:58pm
Are Joe and I being punk'd?
This is what Brad and Matt thought you guys were doing to me.
Bee Boy — Sun, 9/17/06 12:27pm
Did you realize Michelle and Hayden shared the screen in Disney's Ice Princess? Multiple face-offs: no contest. Hayden has a nice cuddly quality, but if we'll someday forget that anyone ever was, it'll be her.
Brandon — Wed, 9/27/06 2:53am
Mulder calls it, two-and-a-half months in advance. Great pilot episode.