'Studio 60' - on the air

[ALIASd]

AOL Debuts Studio 60

Source: AOL LLC

September 11, 2006

AOL has teamed up with Warner bros. Television and NBC to offer the exclusive online debuts of the highly anticipated new series "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," from Aaron Sorkin, and "Twenty Good Years" as a promotional viewing opportunity, available commercial-free on AOL.com before their network premieres. The shows will be available in their entirety on AOL.com for one week prior to their network broadcast, with "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" going live today at 3 p.m. (ET) and "Twenty Good Years" on Wednesday, October 4. The series, produced by Warner Bros. Television, will make their respective debuts on NBC on Monday, September 18 and Wednesday, October 11.

"We see this offering as a continuation of Warner Bros. Television Group's firm commitment to our broadcast partners to explore advantageous marketing opportunities that generate excitement and achieve content accessibility for all potential viewers," said Lisa Gregorian, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Marketing, Warner Bros. Television Group.

"We're pleased to be offering consumers the chance to view two of our most highly-anticipated shows ahead of their broadcast premiere," said John Miller, Chief Marketing Officer, NBC Universal Television Group. "This partnership with AOL allows us to continue our aggressive online preview campaign and ensures an enormous number of users will have an opportunity to sample our product."

"Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" is the latest creation from writer/producer Aaron Sorkin, who tackles the rarely seen world of network television, along with acclaimed director/producer Thomas Schlamme and a phenomenal ensemble cast. When the beleaguered executive producer of a long-running late-night sketch-comedy series interrupts the live broadcast and has a "Network" moment on the air, the industry, the media and the viewers are galvanized. Into this melee steps shrewd and self-confident network president Jordan McDeere (Amanda Peet), who squares off against the chairman (Steven Weber) and rehires a brilliant, unpredictable writer/producer team (Matthew Perry/Bradley Whitford)--which had left the show years ago under a cloud of controversy--to bring it back from the brink. This daring drama literally goes behind the scenes to expose the politics, personalities and pandemonium of producing a flagship series on a major television network. D.L. Hughley, Sarah Paulson, Timothy Busfield, and Nate Corddry ("The Daily Show with Jon Stewart") also star in the series created by Sorkin. Schlamme and Sorkin serve as executive producers. The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television.

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=16435


MONDAYS at 10PM

http://www.studio60theseries.com/

Matthew Perry returning to NBC - 1/27/06

http://www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18638&highlight=matthew+perry

[ALIASd]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air

Saw it. LOVED IT!

The cast is a dream, the Special Guest Stars were terrific choices.

As were the locations:
The "Studio 60" front facade is actually a CGI-enhanced version of one of my favorite former work homes, CBS' Columbia Square at 6121 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood.

The entrance and parking area belongs to The Palladium on the next block, and the show's fictional network NBS is across the street at the HOB (House of Blues corporate offices) home.
(BTW - the bldg. also has a fun bar located there, The Well).

Can't wait for the season to start, enjoy!

Here's the special Pilot preview link:

http://television.aol.com/feature/fall_tv/studio-60-on-the-sunset-strip

[lisaboo]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air

Just set my DVR to Series Record for the show!

[ALIASd]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air



Bradley Whitford, left, and Matthew Perry try to revive an "SNL"-like show.
Sep. 15, 2006

Studio 60 on Sunset Strip

By Barry Garron
The Hollywood Reporter
September 15, 2006

Bottom line: Aaron Sorkin's show-within-a-show is a show of brilliance.
10-11 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 18
NBC

"Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" is on the air. Gentlemen, start your TiVos. The season is under way.

Actually, several new fall series already have begun, but the launch of "Studio 60" -- an ambitious and hugely entertaining drama -- somehow tells us that the new fall season truly has begun.

In case you've just awakened from a coma, this drama is about a previously fired producer-director team (sort of like exec producers Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme) who are hired to revive a legendary but fading weekly sketch comedy series (sort of like "Saturday Night Live").

It might just as easily have been titled "Aaron Sorkin's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" because his fingerprints are everywhere. The dialogue, spoken with Sorkin's unique and lyrical cadence, rails against two of his favorite topics: the mediocrity of much of TV and the hypocrisy of the religious right. Many of the cast members are recognizable from previous Sorkin series and, for good measure, there's a showrunner struggling with a persistent coke addiction.

In the opening scenes, the producer of this fictional comedy show (guest star Judd Hirsch) wages a losing battle to include a comedy sketch likely to offend the religious right. "Living where there's free speech means sometimes you get offended," he protests, to no avail. Frustrated, he takes to the stage while the show is on the air and urges viewers to switch the channel.

The outburst occurs just as new network president Jordan McDeere (Amanda Peet) arrives at NBS (National Broadcasting System, which is sort of like, well, you get the idea). Her answer is to rehire the team of writer-producer Matt Albie (Matthew Perry) and director-producer Danny Tripp (Bradley Whitford), both of who were axed from the show four years earlier. They take the job, albeit with some reluctance.

Sorkin has figured out that the best way to defend himself from inevitable charges of liberal bias is to co-opt his critics by having characters that, at least in theory, represent an opposing point of view. Hence the presence of Harriet Hayes (Sarah Paulson), a "Studio 60" cast member who also is a fundamentalist Christian, and McDeere, a network exec with brains and guts (though the glamorous Peet is not an obvious choice for the role). Even so, that likely won't be enough to placate those who take umbrage to Matt's calling Pat Robertson a hypocrite. But, then, some of the pleasure of watching a Sorkin show is the occasional controversy it generates.

There are more than a few well-made dramas this season, but "Studio 60" -- with its intelligent dialogue, ironic humor, brilliant acting and Schlamme's inspired direction -- lays claim to being the most exciting new show of the season. If it doesn't bash the time period competition and restore some of the lost luster to NBC, it would be both a shame and a wonderful source of material for Sorkin's next show.

STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP
NBC
Warner Bros. Television
Credits:
Executive producers: Aaron Sorkin, Thomas Schlamme
Co-executive producer: Eli Attie
Producers: Mark Goffman, Dylan Massin, Patrick Ward
Creator: Aaron Sorkin
Director: Thomas Schlamme
Director of photography: Thomas Del Ruth
Production designer: Kenneth Hardy
Casting: Meg Liberman
Cast:
Matt Albie: Matthew Perry
Danny Tripp: Bradley Whitford
Jordan McDeere: Amanda Peet
Jack Rudolph: Steven Weber
Cal Shanley: Timothy Busfield
Harriet Hayes: Sarah Paulson
Simon Stiles: D.L. Hughley
Tom Jeter: Nathan Corddry
Wes: Judd Hirsch

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/reviews/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003122580

[sir clinksalot]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air

So when is it starting? Next Monday??? It's an absolutely awesome cast. Steven Weber is great. And Judd Hirsch, back on TV!!!

EDIT ... nevermind. Saw it in the post. Monday Sept 18. It helps to read sometimes.

[ALIASd]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air

10-11 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 18
NBC

or on AOL.comright now!

[Neon Cactus]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air

And if this is a good show, maybe NBC will try to revive the real SNL.

[sediment]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air

And if this is a good show, maybe NBC will try to revive the real SNL.

That will be difficult. Tina Fay is working on a show similar to Studio 60 called 30 Rock. She's typecast as the headwriter of a live variety show in New York, presumably shown on Saturday nights.
She was the only reason for me to watch the last few seasons. TiVo'd it and went right to the Update.

[ALIASd]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air

She's typecast as the headwriter of a live variety show in New York, presumably shown on Saturday nights.
She was the only reason for me to watch the last few seasons. TiVo'd it and went right to the Update.

30 Rock - NBC Wednesday 8PM

Two years after Saturday Night Live's head writer and ''Weekend Update'' anchor struck a deal with NBC to create and star in a behind-the-scenes sitcom about a late-night variety show, the network bought a similarly themed series from Aaron Sorkin called Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.

http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,1516176_3|116731||0_0_,00.html

If it doesn't fly she can blame and fire herself. SNL will miss her dearly.

[sediment]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air

I'm a little concerned about a show that parodies the inner workings of a show that parodies others.

Has SNL jumped the shark so badly (for about the third time) that it can be parodied? By its own network?
I can't wait to see the parody on SNL of 30 Rock. That would be, like, so surreal (a word that has jumped the shark, btw).

[ALIASd]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air

Lorne Michaels gets paid either way I'm sure, but it does make you wonder how much longer SNL can stretch.

And back to 'Studio 60' - this just in:
Does this get written into the series, or does she stand behind counters alot?



FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2006 04:20PM EST
By Liza Hamm
People

Benioff and Peet Photo by: DENNIS VAN TINE / LFI

Syriana, The Whole Ten Yards and Something's Gotta Give, and Benioff, 36, who wrote the screenplays for 25th Hour and Troy, announced their engagement last July.

Next up, Peet will costar in the new NBC series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Benioff has two movies, The Kite Runner and Alpha, due out in 2007.

http://people.aol.com/people/article/0,26334,1535478,00.html

[ALIASd]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air

'Studio 60': Work never looked so fun

Updated 9/17/2006 11:38 PM ET

NBC
Former Studio 60 writers Danny Patte (Bradley Whitford, left) and Matt Albie (Matthew Perry) are brought back to run the show; Jordan McDeere (Amanda Peet) is their new network boss.

ABOUT THE SHOW
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
NBC, Monday, 10 ET/PT
* * * * (out of four)

By Robert Bianco, USA TODAY
September 17, 2006

Sometimes, where you're going is less important than who's taking you there.
So it doesn't matter if you have only limited interest in what goes on behind the scenes at a TV show. What matters with Studio 60 is that it stars Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford and Amanda Peet; it's directed by Thomas Schlamme; and it's written by Aaron Sorkin. And they're all at the top of their games.

Teeming with rich characters and terrific actors, brimming with wit, drama and unexpected urgency, Studio 60 brings its workplace to full, immensely entertaining life. But then, what else would you expect from the team that gave us Sports Night and The West Wing?

Their latest series is set at an SNL-type sketch show (though you may well feel you're actually backstage at Wing). Already in decline, the fictional Studio 60 is pushed over the edge by the live Network-like rant of the show's founder (Judd Hirsch).

In rushes the new president of "NBS" entertainment, Jordan McDeere (Peet), who was brought in by network head Jack Rudolph (Steven Weber) to right the ratings ship. Her idea: Bring back the brilliant writer/director team Jack forced out, Matt Albie (Perry) and Danny Tripp (Whitford).
Almost instantly, the news that Matt and Danny might return leaks to the show's director (Timothy Busfield) and its three stars: Simon (D.L. Hughley), Tommy (Nathan Corddry) and Matt's ex-girlfriend Harriet (Sarah Paulson). Their reactions are mixed, for reasons that become clearer next Monday.

As is usual with Sorkin, information about these characters and their relationships is parceled out in fits and starts so that we discover things piecemeal, as we might in real life. And, as usual, the lines sparkle even when the writer indulges his fondness for big set speeches.
There are times when Studio 60 is a little too self-important and self-referential. (It's impossible not to read Sorkin into Perry's character.) But while it is interested in the issues that are faced and stirred up by TV, it is definitely not a show about show business. This is a beautifully acted drama about the conflicts, pressures and joys that arise when people come together at work. In short, it's about life.

Who can't identify with that?

http://www.usatoday.com/life/televis...tudio-60_x.htm

[Neon Cactus]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air

That will be difficult. Tina Fay is working on a show similar to Studio 60 called 30 Rock. She's typecast as the headwriter of a live variety show in New York, presumably shown on Saturday nights.
She was the only reason for me to watch the last few seasons. TiVo'd it and went right to the Update.

I don't watch much anymore. It's just too painful. When they can't even be funny with Steve Martin hosting it, just not a good sign.

They do these all star reality shows, they need to do an SNL all-star show for one season with a cast of Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman, Eddie Murphy, Dana Carvey, Mike Myers, Martin Short, Billy Crystal and Jon Lovitz. Not like any of them are doing much in the movies anyway. Although Chevy might kill himself doing the fall in the first show. But if someone like Murray objected to it, all Lorne would have to say is "Really, Bill? Garfield 2?"

Then get some good hosts lined up...Steve, Buck Henry, Tom Hanks, Elliott Gould...Did I mention we'd have to dramatically increase the budget this season???

[figment1986]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air

Can't wait to see this show tonight...

right up my alley... lol

[GoofBall]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air

First off, I saw the show last night and absolutely loved it. I'm excited to have another show like 'Sportnight' on the air. I forgot how much I'd missed Matthew Perry and his ability to get away with being a smart ***. I'm excited to watch this show for a long time.

Secondly, I just hope they don't go to overboard on making fun on Christians. So far, so good for me, but I can see Sorkin's hatred for the religious right getting out of hand so much that I lose interest in the show. To Sorkin's credit, he's created two supporting roles that will stand up to him on the show, but they're not entirely the stars. I'm not a fundamentalist Christian, but I do go to church every Sunday and I do take offense to my religion made fun of in a blasphemous light. I don't think they did last night -- I also believe that Pat Robertson is a bigot -- I just hope they continue to walk that tightrope just right.

Overall, I loved the show. Can't wait for next week.

[ALIASd]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air

Glad to hear you enjoyed the show.
As you may or may not recall the pilot episode of 'The West Wing' also featured a religious-right subplot, used as a set-up for introducing President Bartlett. It's a great lightning rod for debate, drama and humor. But not enough to frame the entire series around. Hollywood can provide more than enough material for that.

[ah schucks]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air

I rented the pilot weeks ago, I loved it but I have to say I hope they get Judd Hircsh to re-appear and even join the cast, his rant was the best part of the show next to Perry's performance!

[figment1986]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air

Wow! Love this show...

And it makes me see a fictionalized view of the other side, which im studying to be around as well...

("Roll the VTR!!!" "I can't, he's the one who tells me that...

Ready VTR...


Roll VTR": Boom! show's slate pops up.... brilliant trasition...)

[jurgenb52]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air

So happy to have both Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme back together and working on TV. The episode was great, a series premiere, but still great.

I can't wait for a few episodes down the road where the characters are a little more fleshed out and they can walk down a long corridor of the west wing and..... I mean studio 60 building, and just let the wit go back and forth.

[sir clinksalot]

Re: 'Studio 60' - on the air

Me and me shipmates just watched the show, it was good, we won't sack the ship just yet. Arggh.