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[quote Baby Tats]Am I the only one who thinks that Sorkin's dialogue is too smooth, no one I know really talks that way.
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. (It worked really well on Sports Night, but that didn't last all that long either).
The other big flaw with the show is something always seems to be revolving around the daringness to air some high-concept comedy piece. We don't always see the piece in question, but when we do, the high concept is there but the comedy- eh, once again, not so much.
It is kinda too bad, despite it's flaws I do like Studio 60. I bet it could develop into something substantial given a bit of time.
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The show is still basically introducing it's characters. Last week was D.L. Hugley's character's turn as well as the guy with the parents.
NBC is reeling, but instead of turning on the lights, seeing where Jeff Zucker scatters, grabbing a 12D wing tip and smashing his sorry ass, they instead freak out and panic. The show still has a chance I think. Slim.
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NBC is run by a bunch of idiots. They really think that reserving the 8-9PM time slot for reality and game shows every single weekday is a good idea?
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I would like to see Studio 60 scheduled between The Office and ER. Then NBC can become the Game Show network every other night for all I care. Maybe they could streamline the show some. I don't know what they are paying Amanda Peet, but it can't be worth it. Steven Webber is good, but his character could be played by a less expensive actor (that is if Webber is expensive in the first place). Timothy Busfield is good too but he can't come cheap. I think it was foolish to expect this show to be a huge hit for NBC. Especially after The Westwing was too costly for the ratings it was getting. I think it is a good show, it would be too bad if it disappeared because NBC expected too much.
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I don't think the networks leave new shows on long enough for people to find them. I had zero interest in watching this show, but all the comments on this thread make me curious to give it a try. However, since it sounds like it is at death's door, I am not going to bother. It does seem like nowadays TV shows get killed off before there's any chance for world of mouth to be a factor. "Cheers" and "All in the Family", for example, wouldn't have lasted two months if networks had acted this way in prior decades.
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Fox is notorius for this. I got hooke on John Doe and The Reunion, and both got pulled. The sucky part is that you get involved in the story and want closure, but there is none to be had. They dont give shows a chance anymore, unless you get immideate ratings. Cheers as you mentioned was almost killed back in the day...they saved it and look what happened.
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Stavs, FOX messes up several shows like that EACH SEASON.
And NBC cancelled JAG after a season of it "struggling". CBS bought it, brought it back a year later (with AJ and Mac) and it went on for 9 more years, and spawned a spin-off that is in its 4th year?
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> Am I the only one who thinks that Sorkin's dialogue is too smooth, no one I know really talks that way.
It's far worse than that. Having worked in the industry, I can tell you authoritatively that everyone is way too nice. They act like New Yorkers, but they are supposed to be in LA. Los Angelinos would EAT those people.
...
Probably the greatest irony about the show is that NBC is undergoing a budget/ratings crisis and is planning on doubling the number of prime time game shows/reality television (like there's a difference) that they air over the next year.
In other words, a show about taking chances to produce quality television is endangered because it is a high quality show.
Hmm... on second thought, I take that back. It's not that high quality a show. But it's better than most of the other stuff on tv right now.
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Let's hope 30 ROCK stays all season. That's the best laughing I've done in a long time.
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[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.
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