The inevitable, yet quixotic, ‘Save Studio 60′ campaign kicks in
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- June
- 19
 
Improbable as it sounds, there actually is someone calling for NBC to reinstate Aaron Sorkin’s lame duck series, “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.” And that masochistic person would be MediaVillage.com’s president and CEO, Jack Myers, who is calling for fans to stand up and demand that the show—which will conclude on June 28—get another chance. In his appeal to fans, Myers even called the show “one of the last true politically relevant series on network television.”
If by “politically relevant” he means “perversly autobiographical (about show creator and Scarsdale native Aaron Sorkin’s druggie past),” or maybe “shamelessly pandering (in its use of the Iraq war to get a bump in ratings),” then yeah, sure, I see your point. Long live the Studio!
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on Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 at 3:40 pm by Ted Mann.
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Flavor of love is a hit, but not Studio 60? I thoroughly enjoy Studio 60 and it should remain on tv until Aaron runs out of ideas. Just because something does not make the top 20 doesn;t mean its not any good or worth watching. It only means the lemmings are too busy voting for Sanjaya or Joey to seek out intelligent, witty, entertaining, well-rounded and well-written TV. I give up, and may just roll my tv outside ala Poltergiest. Or just watch British TV and “Keeping up Appearances” because they seem to get it.
Of course “Studio 60” is “politically relevant” because how many commercial television shows bother to be anything besides PC—liberal OR conservative? Of course it’s “perversely autobiographical.” There aren’t many shows that aren’t based on someone’s life story … duh! And finally, of course it’s “shamelessly pandering” to what’s going on in Iraq to draw an audience. Ummm, last time I checked, pretty much every current drama has run some kind of story line that involved Iraq. Uh, oh! Now Ted can reply that Sorkin’s not being original. Hmmm. Well, at least Aaron is a better writer and a hell of a lot more entertaining. “Studio 60” may not be back but Sorkin, “druggie past” and all, likely will. And I personally can’t wait to see what he comes up with.
I love that you’ve got these wonderful jabs when you’ve either never watched the show or have the inability to follow along. In an extremely short piece with very little content you manage to prove this by only mentioning one element of the show and getting it wrong. The war being discussed from the pilot onward, in flashbacks and present day is in Afghanistan.
I’m for it. It’s the best TV I’ve seen since The West Wing.
Let’s go!
Is that right? The war they’re talking about is in Afghanistan? I could’ve sworn that Nate Corddry’s character’s brother was kidnapped in Iraq, but I guess not. At any rate, segsig, I have been watching the show from day 1. Wouldn’t feel right commenting on it if I didn’t know what I was talking about. Of course, as you so keenly pointed out, I guess I haven’t been paying too much close attention. Lately the plotline about Jordan and Danny—the baby, the proposal, the emergency surgery—seems totally half-baked and off topic. At some point, Sorkin forgot that he was creating a show about a sketch comedy show and went back to writing The West Wing.
And Ross, of course there’s nothing wrong with being inspired to write by things in your personal life, but Sorkin takes it to a whole new level. I think even Kristin Chenoweth would agree with me on that one.
Actually Tom’s brother was kidnapped in Afganistan, while enroute building a school.
Got it. The brother was in Afghanistan, not Iraq. Still, I question how effective this is in a show about sketch comedy. I mean, is the idea to show us that in a time of war, sometimes comedy just isn’t enough to help us cope? Or that there’s nothing funny about the situation in Afghanistan (or the middle east)? Bottom line: This sort of plot might have been useful and effective on another show, but it just felt totally out of place to me on “Studio 60.” The show never really got to the heart of what goes into creating a show like SNL—a challenge that, thankfully, “30 Rock” stepped up to meet.
Sketch shows deal with relevant politics and culture, so I don’t see the problem with the plot that you seem to have a hard time grasping. The show through its entire run has stayed true to the premise of a drama about the backstage of a sketch show, albeit these last batch of episodes that has been via flashback.
Mr. Myers effort is too late, but there is a campaign that has raised money for an ad to thank those involved with the show and to continue to raise money for Tipitina’s Foundation. http://community.livejournal.com/thanks2studio60/
As you can’t recall Mark Jeter being in Afghanistan, it was only mentioned in The Wrap Party, Nevada DayII, Breaking News and K&R’s; I’ll assume you won’t remember Tipitina’s Foundation was mentioned in The Christmas Show. Mr. Sorkin brought back a shout out to NOLA in the most recent episode aired as well.
My husband and I have been hooked on the show. We look forward to it every week. We love Danny and Jordan. Please reconsider. We will miss it…
I have spent the last year in Iraq. While I have never watched Studio 60 while it was being aired, I have spent a remarkable amount of time waiting for episodes to download, finding people who had already downloaded it, or browsing the web for some glimmer of good news about the show. Let me tell you, there are quite a few fans of the show over here. As much as I like the show, I feel that it is based on a faulty premise, that the American people are smart enough to watch good TV when it is aired. Sadly, the show’s demise has proven that we are not.
On the bright side, the show was completely correct about how cowardly self-interest determines what networks air. When faced with a choice of risking profit in order to provide quality entertainment, they turn their tails and run right back to mindless dribble that will keep the ignorant masses tuning in.
So good luck next season. Watch real close, because all of the good television will only air for the first month or so, until the networks find out that it isn’t cost effective. By the time I get back from here, the only thing to watch will be American Idol XVII and who wants to marry an aging millionaire. I guess I’ll just have to take up reading.
I’ll miss you Studio 60!
This was one of TV’s better shows this year. Bring it back and give it another chance.
Bunch of savages….
Studio 60 is not supposed to be a documentary about a sketch comedy show, it’s a drama about the lives of the people involved in creating a sketch comedy show. These individuals are affected by the same things we all are… relationships, drug and alcohol addiction and yes, the WAR. SNL has always been a left leaning show and it’s no surprise that the characters on Studio 60 are left leaning. I have seen nothing on this show that could be considered disrespectful to our troops, religious groups, etc. It’s well written, well acted entertainment that is head and shoulders above all of the mindless ‘reality’ drivel that pollutes our airwaves. I’d rather poke out my eyes with a sharp stick than watch a single episode of Wife Swap or Age of Love.
I love Studio 60. It’s smart and has very good wit.. The show also has a great tempo and changes of pace. Love it I tell you, Love it..!!! Keep this thing going. With all the trash that’s on TV, they cancel Studio 60..? Someone needs a head check.
I personally think this show deserves a second chance with another season. In Studio 60 I finally found a show with intelligent writing, a rarity on TV these days, and characters that were more interesting than at least half of the cops, doctors, and lawyers that infest TV these days. But as with almost every new show I seem to like lately, this one has failed to be lowbrow enough for a good portion of viewers to get it. TV audiences now are sadly more concerned with which desperate old hag slept with the gardener or which not-so reality TV star is being ousted this week. I was really hoping for this show to take off and restore a little bit of my faith in television but alas it isn’t happening. As it stands Studio 60 will simply live on in the hearts and minds of us who truly enjoyed what could have been a great series…
...So farewell Studio 60…Heres looking forward to the next great “half-baked” idea to come along.
Yet again Ted (bless your ignorant soul) has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the internet mostly brings out the hack, bitter scribe. What really goads my goat is the blatant bashing that is flowing from the proverbial pen upon Mr Sorkin by this “reviewer”. It feels almost reduntant for me to continue, however unlike the honourable Ted Mann, I shall bring some points forward that stem from a place other than bitter jealousy and that havnt already been posted here by clearly more sagacious individuals.
“Got it. The brother was in Afghanistan, not Iraq. Still, I question how effective this is in a show about sketch comedy”.
The mind boggles at the notion that this reviewer seems to think that the basic premise of any given story; whether it be TV/movie/book, is the only thing that can be mentioned. Clearly what this would result in would be an obviously one dimensional piece of story telling. Does M.A.S.H miss the point completely because the show wasnt all about the Korean war ? Heaven forbid they show brave surgeons brewing hard liquor or show a male soldier dress up as a woman ? or whether the West Wing sometimes “gasp” stops to tell stories involving relationships between members of the presidents staff and not continuously pondering on the geo-political ramifications of putting forward Bill no. 942A ?. It should be noted that this writer does not know what opinions the esteemed Ted Mann has of the West Wing but it wouldnt be the greatest stretch to assume that any show that provides a platform for intelligent discussion whilst entertaining must be subjected to grossly unfair critisism. You may as well have said, good sir, “the show is crap…cos i said so…” and saved us a great deal of anguish.
Being proven wrong, not by one, but by 2 different individuals regarding a vital aspect of the show only adds to your embarrassment; even though “I have been watching the show from day 1. Wouldn’t feel right commenting on it if I didn’t know what I was talking about”. One wanders whether you feel right now Ted ? Bringing up the subject of Ms Chenoweth and Mr Sorkin’s Relationship lowers your credibility as a writer/journalist (I pray that you call yourself neither good sir) to subteranean levels.
Credit should go out to Sharron mentioning both NOLA and the Tipitina Foundation for thier great work towards the reconstruction of New Orleans, Ive always said there can never be too many children with musical instruments.
It is with immense frustration and sadness to add that this quite remarkable television program will not even see the light of day in my native Australia (unless broadcasted at ungodly hours on a saturday night!!) I guess the internet doesnt have to be just a forum for nay-sayers, isnt that right Ted ?
I understand that the networks have to take into consideration the profitability of the shows, but after half a one season – come on! Change the publicity, change the time slot, do what you do like you’ve been doing with a lot of other mediocre shows and keep it on if the authors are willing. Don’t punish the rest of the world because there might be people who cannot follow the dialogue because it’s happening too fast for them!
If “Hill Street Blues” came out today, it wouldn’t last a season. Thanks largely to the TV critics who loved it, it went on the become known as a landmark TV show, and one of the first intelligent programs in modern TV history. Today, shows are canceled on a snap judgment regardless of its quality. The crap that’s being produced today (“American Idol”, “Survivor”, “Deal or No Deal”) is slowly sapping the remaining brain cells from the viewing public. “Studio 60” was a chance to balance out what I like to call Idiot TV. The demise of “Studio 60” is nothing less than shameful.
Fans say “Goodbye� to Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
A full page “Thank You� advertisement, paid for by fans of the show, will run
in the Hollywood Reporter on June 28th, and will also encourage
donations to Tipitina’s Foundation in New Orleans
Frustrated by NBC’s unwillingness to renew Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, five loyal viewers from around the world, have looked for a way to express their thanks for the innovative work of its cast and crew. Supported by countless fans worldwide, their solution has been to organize an Internet campaign designed to raise funds to buy a full page “Thank You� ad in the Hollywood Reporter.
The successful effort has been organized around the LiveJournal website, and NBC’s Studio 60 message board.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is a cutting edge, satirical commentary on contemporary television entertainment, and its often damaging impact on popular culture. Funny, imaginative and well written, it is a standout in a medium short on quality product.
While the show developed a worldwide audience, achieved respectable ratings, and is one of this year’s most DVR’d and downloaded network shows, it was officially cancelled by NBC in May.
The ad, which features images of Matthew Perry, Amanda Peet, and Bradley Whitford, will thank the show’s creative team for “providing us with an intelligent, inspiring and compelling drama.�
The final episode of Studio 60 will air on Thursday June 28th in the US, and the “Thank You� ad will appear on the same day. It has been paid for by the generosity of the show’s viewers.
All I Want for Christmas is My City Back
Along with the message from fans, the advertisement will also include information on Tipitina’s Foundation, the New Orleans based charity which was established in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Its mission is to restore the city’s unique jazz community, and preserve its irreplaceable music culture.
In December of 2006, the Studio 60 episode “The Christmas Show� featured the stories of a group of homeless New Orleans musicians, working pick-up jobs in Los Angeles so as to be able to send money home to stricken families and friends. Playing on the darkened and empty Studio 60 stage, against a backdrop of photographs of the devastated city, a small group of jazz musicians from New Orleans performed an emotional blues version of the carol “O Holy Night.�
The performance exemplified the thoughtful, and often unexpected, directions the show would take—combining humor with drama to provide meaningful insights into modern culture.
A clip of that performance is available for viewing online at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI2LdpW7g5U
The Studio 60 “Thank You� ad campaign raised a total of $3,061.64 in only six days. In all, 138 people donated, 98 from the United States and 40 from abroad, including: the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, Canada and Australia. After contribution processing fees and ad costs, the effort had $420.45 remaining. That balance was donated to the foundation, and all fundraising links were changed to redirect contributors to the Tipitina’s donation web page.
The ad campaign was organized by a small group of American and British fans.