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| Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip Season 1 | - Available Formats |
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Aaron Sorkin, bless him, believes that "the people who watch television shows aren't dumber than the people who make television shows." He also believes that "quality is not anathema to profit." He puts these idealistic words into the mouth of Jordan McDeere (Amanda Peet), the new, impolitic NBS TV president whose first order of business is to revitalize the network's cash cow, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, a long-running live late-night sketch-comedy series reeling from the Howard Beale-esque on-air meltdown of its creator (Judd Hirsch, alas, limited to the pilot episode). With this Upstairs/Backstage look at Studio 60's tumultuous network politics and stormy personal relationships, Sorkin, the creator of Sports Night and The West Wing, once again tried to raise the bar of prime time fare. That he didn't quite clear it makes this one-season wonder a fascinating object lesson of great hopes and dashed expectations. Studio 60 was perhaps the most hotly debated series of the 2006 season and, love it or hate it, all its strengths and flaws can be savored and savaged anew with this complete-series set.
Pretty much above reproach is the ensemble. Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford head the cast as comedy writer Matt and executive producer Danny, former Studio 60 hands whom Jordan brings back to "save" the show. Steven Weber costars as network chairman Jack Rudolph, who clashes with Jordan over reality programming (he wants it, she doesn't), is embroiled in network negotiations with China, and must fend off angry affiliates offended by such sketches as "Crazy Christians." Jordan contends with becoming tabloid fodder after her ex-husband leaks scandalous details of their past. Meanwhile, Matt, a sardonic atheist, is in a whole Ross and Rachel thing with Harriet (Emmy nominee Sarah Paulson), who is devoutly religious and the show's galvanizing star performer (she does do a mean Holly Hunter). Studio 60 has much to say about comedy in wartime, the divided states of America, the creative process, and patriotism. Some of it is deftly handled, some of it is ham-handed and some of it patronizing. Most of it is delivered in Sorkin's signature chock-a-block style and with walk-and-talk urgency. But even at its most maddening, there are enough riveting moments (a performance by displaced New Orleans musicians in "The Christmas Show"), jaw-dropping developments ("I'm coming for you, Jordan," warns Danny, suddenly-turned romantic stalker), and indelible performances (John Goodman's Emmy-winning turn as a plain-speaking Pahrump, NV judge not impressed with the Hollywood types before him in the two-part "Nevada Day") to make Studio 60 a series worth revisiting, if only as a guilty pleasure. The pilot episode commentary by Sorkin and director Thomas Schlamme, as well as a behind-the-scenes featurette, were produced before the show was canceled, robbing this series' fervent fans of the opportunity for some closure. --Donald Liebenson
Product Description
What goes on behind the scenes of a nationwide late-night comedy sketch show? Aaron Sorkin, creator of The West Wing, answers that question with a must-see show within a show filled with engaging characters, ear-grabbing dialogue and a Hollywood hive of insider buzz. Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford portray the likable hotshots brought in to revive NBS-TV's sagging flagship comedy series and Amanda Peet plays their savvy boss in episodes exploring the lives and loves of and the make-or-break creative pressures on the show's staff. Panic. Chaos. Fear. Sleep deprivation. Just make sure it's funny by Friday. Because that's when a nation tunes in to Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.
DVD Features:
Audio Commentary
Documentary
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
99 of 103 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
On the one hand, it didn't crackle the same way Sports Night or The West Wing did, and plot inconsistencies and occasional heavy handedness revealed a show that never fully trusted its truth. Still, I can't shake the feeling that Studio 60 is a link in an evolution toward a new, more complicated, more interesting television. NBC should have given it more time to find itself. Doing that would have benefitted the network, the audience, maybe even the society (that's a lot of pressure!)
Imperfections included, Studio 60 made me laugh, it made me cry, it literally made me cheer, and it did what Aaron Sorkin's work always does: celebrate the human condition (instead of tearing it down, as many shows do.) Like other Sorkin series, Studio 60 focused on people of good will doing their best to support each other and create something of value. I inevitably felt cleansed when I watched it, and I didn't clear the episodes from my DVR until the DVD was in my mailbox.
As for the DVD, I wish there had been more extras on it than the Pilot commentary, and a mini-documntary made early in the season. It would have been fascinating to hear Mr. Sorkin and his partner Tommy Schlamme have an honest discussion of the strengths and weaknesses, successes and demise of this show. What can be learned from the path Studio 60 traveled?
I hope Mr. Sorkin keeps on evolving, and keeps on writing television, plays and films (and books, too), 'cause his dialogue excites my mind, and his work fills my soul.
Imperfections included, Studio 60 made me laugh, it made me cry, it literally made me cheer, and it did what Aaron Sorkin's work always does: celebrate the human condition (instead of tearing it down, as many shows do.) Like other Sorkin series, Studio 60 focused on people of good will doing their best to support each other and create something of value. I inevitably felt cleansed when I watched it, and I didn't clear the episodes from my DVR until the DVD was in my mailbox.
As for the DVD, I wish there had been more extras on it than the Pilot commentary, and a mini-documntary made early in the season. It would have been fascinating to hear Mr. Sorkin and his partner Tommy Schlamme have an honest discussion of the strengths and weaknesses, successes and demise of this show. What can be learned from the path Studio 60 traveled?
I hope Mr. Sorkin keeps on evolving, and keeps on writing television, plays and films (and books, too), 'cause his dialogue excites my mind, and his work fills my soul.
53 of 57 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Just watched the last show. I still can't believe that it has been cancelled. Witty, intelligent, perhaps sometimes a bit "snotty" but always entertaining. Perhaps with all the drivel on television that now passes for entertainment, this show was just too smart and required the viewer to actually think about what was being presented, is why it failed. Could it actually be that if "West Wing" was first being premiered this fall that it would also not last one season? The chemistry between Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford needs to be seen. By the way, the ending was absolutely perfect. I really wish that one of the intelligent cable channels had picked this show up. How ironic that while Studio 60 was winding down, NBC had the nerve to show commercials for some really stupid show about singing bee?
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Unlike most reviewers here, I had never watched a single episode of any other Sorkin project. The only reason I even watched it in the first place was because I left the TV on after Heroes and listened to it as I washed dishes. As time went on, I found that I would forget to watch Heroes on a regular basis, but would always remember to tune into Studio 60. I loved the entire cast. They made such an amazing ensemble - particularly Matthew Perry, whom I had never seen do anything on TV other than "Friends." I was blown away by his performance but truly I loved EVERYONE (well, not so much Sarah Paulson, but I can't tell if it was because her character was obnoxious or if she was obnoxious... I loved her because Matt Albie loved her.)
I will miss this show - I really think it could have gone somewhere if it was given the opportunity to breathe. It was mis-advertised as a comedy - which it wasn't, there were funny moments, but it wasn't a comedy. Many critics didn't like how the depiction of the behind the scenes world of television was so "unrealistic" - well, it doesn't seem to matter much when the world that is being portrayed unrealistically is an ER, Hospital room, politician's office, etc.
I enjoyed the drama, I held my breath, I laughed, I definitely cried, I loved every moment and at the close of each episode, I would always look at my husband and say "wow, what a great episode"
Sorry to see it go. I'm getting the DVDs.
I will miss this show - I really think it could have gone somewhere if it was given the opportunity to breathe. It was mis-advertised as a comedy - which it wasn't, there were funny moments, but it wasn't a comedy. Many critics didn't like how the depiction of the behind the scenes world of television was so "unrealistic" - well, it doesn't seem to matter much when the world that is being portrayed unrealistically is an ER, Hospital room, politician's office, etc.
I enjoyed the drama, I held my breath, I laughed, I definitely cried, I loved every moment and at the close of each episode, I would always look at my husband and say "wow, what a great episode"
Sorry to see it go. I'm getting the DVDs.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Magnificent television, the quality of The West Wing
From the same folks that brought us The West Wing, I love this show. It has the shooting and writing signatures of West Wing in that it clips along and is filled with the "Walk and... Read more
Published 18 days ago by Suzie
One Season? This is a gem!!
"Studio 60 on the Sunset Stip" made it's debut the same year as "30 Rock"-appeared to be the same premise: behind the scenes of a long running comedy hit. Read more
Published 24 days ago by BAC
EXCELLENT WRITING, ACTING, CLEAVER
I watched this sitcom through my prime subscription. What a pleasant surprise.
This is one of the best shows I have ever seen. How did this only have one season? Read more
This is one of the best shows I have ever seen. How did this only have one season? Read more
Published 1 month ago by SHERRI
John From Cincinnati Goes Hollywood
This creative gem from Aaron Sorkin has something in common with another, albeit completely different creative gem from another award winning writer, David Milch's "John From... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Rick Brewer
I'm telling you, he's the next Shakespeare
The first five minutes of the Pilot of Studio 60 on The Sunset Strip (Aaron Sorkin's brilliant and short lived television series after The West Wing)will explain beautifully why it... Read more
Published 2 months ago by David Seaman
One yardstick for a high rating.
We all have favorites in our libraries. Some are just nice to have and bring back memories. I recently finished watching this series for the second time in six months. Read more
Published 3 months ago by John R. Hebbe
Sad to see it go, what a great show
Apparently the legions of West Wing fans weren't enough to keep Studio 60 afloat. My family and I loved this season and were so sad that it didn't get renewed for another round. Read more
Published 3 months ago by R. Barnes
Fan-tastic!
There are no other words to describe Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip other than amazing. The writing it top notch, it will make you laugh, cry, and think all in the same sentence. Read more
Published 4 months ago by PRESTON W.
One of my favorite shows
Although this series is starting to show it's age a little bit (Episodes about Katrina, and Gulf War invasion) it is a super funny and topical show. Read more
Published 4 months ago by J. Banks
This is the best one-season show I have seen
How did this show not make a second season? So many crappy shows make 2 seasons. Thank you Aaron Sorkin. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Glenn Bates
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