10-31-2006, 05:00 PM
I'm a "Studio 60" fan and would hate to see it go. It's still giving us the outlines of the characters. The potential is there for TV moments. And Aaron Sorkin DOES give his audience moments, i.e. memorable scenes that crackle with drama or make you genuinely laugh. he has given us many from "The West Wing".
West Wing Examples:
Personal Pain: I can think of no other TV show that would even consider (much less dare) to do a scene in Latin. Bartlett is in personal pain at the sudden death of his old friend Mrs. Landingham. Orderng the Secret Service to clear the National Cathedral after her funeral service, the President stands alone on the alter and lashes out at God. It was daring enough to do most of the scene in a dead language, but by doing so, it went directly to the very essence of Bartlett's character and his Catholic faith. Just like all of us, Bartlett is hurt and wants to lash out and hurt back. The image for that? The President lights a cigarette, drops in on the marble floor of the alter and rubs it out with his foot. Find another poetic yet totally honest and revealing moment in a popular show.
Respect & Responsibility: Bartlett decides he wants talented, yet conservation Republican lawyer Ainsley Hayes on his White House Staff. His West Wing Staff (save Leo) is horrified. But hired she is, and work she does. Sam Seaborn is the most shrill in protesting the choice. Yet, when two White House staffers send Hayes a bouquet of dead flowers with an unsigned card that reads only, "Bitch". Sam is outraged. Why? Because the attack is personal, not political. Even in his rage at the unfairness of the gesture, he confronts the culprits not by dialogue by via action. He storms into their office, grabs a piece of poster board and a magic marker, writes something on it then shows it to the two miscreants - "You're Fired. Sam Seaborn". And to drive the dagger home he simply says, "When I send a card, I sign it."
Obviously there are many more, but my point is that it is well worth waiting for those moments because they stick with you. I'm willing to give Sorkin et al the chance to give me additional riviting scenes. Here's my vote for keeping "Studio 60" on the air, so the demographic I'm in can actually have something to look forward to.
West Wing Examples:
Personal Pain: I can think of no other TV show that would even consider (much less dare) to do a scene in Latin. Bartlett is in personal pain at the sudden death of his old friend Mrs. Landingham. Orderng the Secret Service to clear the National Cathedral after her funeral service, the President stands alone on the alter and lashes out at God. It was daring enough to do most of the scene in a dead language, but by doing so, it went directly to the very essence of Bartlett's character and his Catholic faith. Just like all of us, Bartlett is hurt and wants to lash out and hurt back. The image for that? The President lights a cigarette, drops in on the marble floor of the alter and rubs it out with his foot. Find another poetic yet totally honest and revealing moment in a popular show.
Respect & Responsibility: Bartlett decides he wants talented, yet conservation Republican lawyer Ainsley Hayes on his White House Staff. His West Wing Staff (save Leo) is horrified. But hired she is, and work she does. Sam Seaborn is the most shrill in protesting the choice. Yet, when two White House staffers send Hayes a bouquet of dead flowers with an unsigned card that reads only, "Bitch". Sam is outraged. Why? Because the attack is personal, not political. Even in his rage at the unfairness of the gesture, he confronts the culprits not by dialogue by via action. He storms into their office, grabs a piece of poster board and a magic marker, writes something on it then shows it to the two miscreants - "You're Fired. Sam Seaborn". And to drive the dagger home he simply says, "When I send a card, I sign it."
Obviously there are many more, but my point is that it is well worth waiting for those moments because they stick with you. I'm willing to give Sorkin et al the chance to give me additional riviting scenes. Here's my vote for keeping "Studio 60" on the air, so the demographic I'm in can actually have something to look forward to.