Running Studio 60 thread (spoilers)

I agree with most of the criticisms in the USA Today article and the ones posted here, but I still think this show is better than 90 percent of what is on TV these days. There are dozens of shows that I have sampled for five minutes and I couldn't stand to watch a sixth minute.

B-level Sorkin? Yes. Still pretty good. I hope it gets better. But even if not, I'll watch it.

 

Another good episode. Not an Emmy winner, but an enjoyable way to spend an hour.

And while it's easy to compare scripts to the West Wing, I'm trying my best not to do just that because I think that cheapens this show.

 

So far, though, it's just not good enough to overcome the ratings numbers as a "quality" keeper.
My suggestion -- an inter-NBC trade: Alec Baldwin for Amanda Peet as head of the network.

 

I just didn't get the stuff with Tom's parents. I guess it was just a way to build in some backstory for the network. But, seriously, people in their 50s who've not heard of Abbott and Costello? Come on.

 

Yes, BULLSHIT. And "Who's on First" the greatest comedy bit of all time? Maybe the most famous, certainly not the best. Please.

Condescending, patronizing crap all around. USA Today was right on. Giant ego stroke, preachiness run amok ... that's it for me.

 

Another good take:

http://www.slate.com/id/2151608/?nav=tap3

 

The biggest lie perpetrated in this is, "It's still better than 90 percent of the crap on TV."

Wrong. We've got more great choices than ever. I just watched a fantastic documentary called "Goldwater on Goldwater," and if any of you took the time to watch that, I doubt you'd say Studio Freakin' 60 is better.

Steelers-Falcons last Sunday - better.
Entourage - so much better.
Grey's Anatomy - better. Better characters, better acting, better dialogue.
Real Time with Bill Maher - better.
24 - better.
Meet the Press - better.
Heroes - better.
Lost - better.
Frontline - better.
Nova - better.
Any NFL Films - better.

I think you have to actually commit yourself to giving thought to the very best way to spend your viewing hours. Just watching whatever crap the networks serve up is lazy.

 

And the "Your little brother's in AFGHANISTAN!" outburst was gratuitous and cheap.

 

Particularly cringeworthy, indeed.

 

Of the new shows, Studio 60 is the best.
Of the stuff shown on Monday night, if you don't want to watch football, it is the best thing going as well.
Heroes is OK, and I like How I Met your Mother, but that show and Studio 60 are two different things.
Is it the best show on TV? No. I'd put it in the top 10 and the best new show.

 

The Nine is the best new one for me.

 

I'm willing to believe that in a country of 300 million people, many of whom do not have the same cultural or educational background as I do, there could be a husband and wife in their 50s who have never heard of "Who's On First?"

But if their son thinks it's the greatest comedy bit in American history, then I think they probably hear about it long before the scene in last night's episode.

(And I still liked it)