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Are you there God? It's me, Harriet
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I had high hopes for Studio 60. Great writing credentials in Aaron Sorkin, great actors, great premise.
So what went wrong?
Though the first episode was pretty good, each successive episode has been increasingly worse.
It began with the focus on the character of Harriett, who is ostensibly the "funniest woman on television," yet is played by an actress who is so out of place on a sketch comedy show that it boggles the mind. It's apparent that she can do a Juliette Lewis and Holly Hunter impression, but so what? Can you see a skit involving either of them on SNL?
The unrequited love between her and Matt Perry's character is nothing but annoying. This is nothing new for Sorkin, who has visited this theme in Sports Night and West Wing, but it's getting old.
But that's not the only thing wrong with the show. Not by a long shot. The characters speak in ways that normal people do not. This is also a trademark of Sorkin's, but on shows like West Wing, it fits. Not so on Studio 60.
Where the show really falls, though, are the scenes from the show within the show. If that's sketch comedy, I'm a skateboard named Jeremy.
I continued to give the show a chance however, as I really wanted to like it. I like the actors, and there are actually some great moments here and there. But tonight was the straw that broke the camel's back.
I hate to use hyperbole, but it was seriously one of the most poorly written television shows of its kind that I have seen in a long time.
The storyline with the old man was ludicrous, as was the storyline involving the black comedian. So, we're supposed to believe that three so-so jokes are enough to get hired on the spot? And the black comedian in question was so clearly written to be the "thinking-man's" black comedian. There might as well have had a blinking neon sign reading "MESSAGE" pointing to him.
The Darren Wells scene was patently predictable. The second he made the scene, it was obvious that he would turn out to be a douche. It is clear that Sorkin will do anything he can to keep this Harriett-Matt-Will-They-Or-Won't-They faux romance going for as long as possible.
And what happened to Jordan? In the first episode, I loved her character. She was spunky, confident and no-nonsense. The last few episodes have shown her become more and more silly and insecure. And tonight's episode was even more so.
I hate to say it, but tonight's episode will be the last I'll watch. I wanted so badly to love the show, but just because you want something doesn't make it so....
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I felt this way about this show, as well as Jericho...
I really liked the segments where Jordan was rejecting the reality show and trying to get the HBO kid (man, that reality show idea was evil). I really liked the fact that the kid chose NBS simply because Danny told him to. (This is from last week's episode.)
From this week's episode: I found that the crazy old man left a warm feeling. I liked it as the end of the show espeically since Tom spent all that time going over the history of the Studio with his parents. I also found the interaction between Tom and his father interesting and the part where he gives his dad the record of Who's On First felt good.
As I write this, I realize that it does sound quite boring, but for some reason it left me with a good feeling and I enjoyed the experience. I'll keep watching the show, but we'll see where it goes.
Matt hired the comedian for a number of reasons: Simon hit a nerve, the jokes were well-conceived but poorly delivered (especially for a show like Studio 60 or the Daily Show, where a lot of the comedy goes for shock appeal), and - most of all - he's tired of carrying the show himself. There's what - twenty people on the writing staff, and it's one guy doing it all.
Jordan is interesting to me as an illustration of how far ballsy behavior can get you, and the insecurity that lies beneath. She hasn't stopped being the dynamic executive - her determination to not back down with the new show is an example - but lately we've been seeing her more in private...perhaps appropriately, as more of her private life is coming into public scrutiny. I really like the moments when she hesitates over a drink, because she's been accused of having a drinking problem which she may or may not actually have, but then drinks anyway. It feels real.
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