10-30-2006, 01:16 AM
[quote Joey Cupcakes]Like pretty much all of Sorkin's work, it's not about how people really talk, it's about ideas. Which is one of the show's problems- this approach worked well on West Wing because the ideas behind the dialog were substantial subjects that needed increased discussion and debate in a public forum. The ideas on Studio 60, eh, not so much.
While I enjoyed Studio 60, I agree that this was the flaw in the premise. Watching SNL these days is painful enough* without watching a behind-the-scenes on how it's made, no matter how snappy the dialogue is. The payoff isn't worth the angst, especially after watching the premise work on West Wing. AND it worked on Sports Night but Sorkin didn't try to attribute such lofty goals to his characters on that show. Last week's episode where Sorkin tried to assert that the fictional show was some continuation of a grand tradition of comedy, with a little McCarthyism thrown in to boot, came across as forced.
*There was one on this afternoon from a couple of years ago and it was truly excruciating. Not even one vaguely funny gag and the "musical guest", Franz Ferdinand, sucked even worse. Yeah, let's pattern our band on 60's British acts, but with boring, unmemorable songs. That'll work.
While I enjoyed Studio 60, I agree that this was the flaw in the premise. Watching SNL these days is painful enough* without watching a behind-the-scenes on how it's made, no matter how snappy the dialogue is. The payoff isn't worth the angst, especially after watching the premise work on West Wing. AND it worked on Sports Night but Sorkin didn't try to attribute such lofty goals to his characters on that show. Last week's episode where Sorkin tried to assert that the fictional show was some continuation of a grand tradition of comedy, with a little McCarthyism thrown in to boot, came across as forced.
*There was one on this afternoon from a couple of years ago and it was truly excruciating. Not even one vaguely funny gag and the "musical guest", Franz Ferdinand, sucked even worse. Yeah, let's pattern our band on 60's British acts, but with boring, unmemorable songs. That'll work.