Monday, April 17, 2006
Fey vs. Sorkin
There seems to be a little bit of friction between those behind "The Unnamed Tina Fey Project", formerly known as Friday Night Bits, and "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" according to a recent New Yorker. Both shows feature a very similair premise (although Fey's is a sitcom, while Studio 60 is a drama.) and since both are being done by NBC, its looking likely that there will be only place for one on the Fall Schedule (read: Studio 60 will be the only one on the fall schedule.) Lorne Michaels, executive producer of the show and Alec Baldwin, star of the show, don't seem to be taking this rivalry very well, although Tina Fey herself has been very magnanimous.
I got to say, having read the scripts for both, Sorkin's is, of course, the far better one. But I do love Tina Fey (she and Darrel Hammond are the only ones I like on SNL anymore) so I wish her show well, and hopefully NBC can find a place for both. Thoughts? Comments?
// posted by Chris M. @ 6:49 PM 
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Looking at the two pics you posted of them, it seems they both need some tooth whitening...
Are you honestly saying that there is a chance that Studio 60 will NOT be on the fall schedule?
E.
Are you honestly saying that there is a chance that Studio 60 will NOT be on the fall schedule?
E.
I read both pilots and I honestly found Sorkin's to be much funnier. But I think its also smarter. Fey's seemed over the top at times. Though, both shows would be an added improvement to the CRAP that NBC has been airing lately. It's no wonder their ratings are in the toilet.
# posted by 
: 9:16 PM
: 9:16 PM
If michaels or baldwin want to be angry at someone, they should be angry at parent NBC. Wasn't NBC planning to debut Fey's show this past mid-season?
# posted by : 11:09 PM
: 11:09 PM
Are you really sure it's a fait accompli that Studio 60 will have a slot on the schedule? Sorkin's racking up some major money on the cast for the show, and I imagine Fey's show will be less pricey. Remember, in Hollywood, it's all about the Jack.
Eliza, in fairness, I think Sorkin needs the whitening more, based on the pics.
Anyways, Sorkin's is expensive. But Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan and Rachel Dratch probably aren't uber-cheap. Plus, I'm fairly sure West Wing's budget was more than this, as needed in that kinda show. Studio 60 will likely be much cheaper.
Plus there's the fact that Sorkin's is so much better and has a much more reliable executive producers and actors. Whatever problems were had with Sorkin, everyone at NBC knows... he can make a show. From the press, and from actions by NBC itself, it seems clear if only one gets a spot, it'll be Studio 60.
Anyways, Sorkin's is expensive. But Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan and Rachel Dratch probably aren't uber-cheap. Plus, I'm fairly sure West Wing's budget was more than this, as needed in that kinda show. Studio 60 will likely be much cheaper.
Plus there's the fact that Sorkin's is so much better and has a much more reliable executive producers and actors. Whatever problems were had with Sorkin, everyone at NBC knows... he can make a show. From the press, and from actions by NBC itself, it seems clear if only one gets a spot, it'll be Studio 60.
The other thing to consider, of course, is Sorkin's experience writing television shows. Tina Fey is used to writing for SNL, which is completely over-the-top (and that's how her script read to me).
I think there's potential for NBC to have both shows as they are going to be completely different. Studio 60 is an ensemble drama, while Fey's feels like it's leaning on the lead character.
And, we should take her show with a grain of salt anyways. She's a visual writer, not to mention that it's the pilot. Sorkin is the only writer I can think of who can completely craft a show in the pilot. He adjusts a little later on, but most shows have to dramatically change things. I'll tune in for Fey's show to watch the pilot, and then maybe a few weeks down the road to see how things have changed.
I think there's potential for NBC to have both shows as they are going to be completely different. Studio 60 is an ensemble drama, while Fey's feels like it's leaning on the lead character.
And, we should take her show with a grain of salt anyways. She's a visual writer, not to mention that it's the pilot. Sorkin is the only writer I can think of who can completely craft a show in the pilot. He adjusts a little later on, but most shows have to dramatically change things. I'll tune in for Fey's show to watch the pilot, and then maybe a few weeks down the road to see how things have changed.
# posted by : 9:14 PM
: 9:14 PM
I haven't read the Tina Fey pilot, but I did read the Studio 60 script, which I thought was very good. You have to consider the fact that Studio 60 got a blind 13 episode comitment from NBC, so if one were to get picked up, it would be, in all probability, Studio 60, because they invest something like $3million in the pilot and garunteed 13 episodes, which they will probably extend to 22 or 24.
Plus, NBC probably doesn't want to mess with the return of Matt Perry.
Plus, NBC probably doesn't want to mess with the return of Matt Perry.
# posted by : 11:18 PM
: 11:18 PM
The media is creating the rivalry. Both shows are only concentrating on their own product. They're both too good and smart to play that game.
# posted by : 1:23 PM
: 1:23 PM
Man.... LOTS of anonymous'
Anyways, the media may well be crafting the conflict, certainly Fey and Sorkin appear to be amicable about the thing. But Lorne Michaels and Alec Baldwin don't appear to be. Michaels has gone so far as to refuse to let Sorkin watch a week of SNL preparation.
Anyways, the media may well be crafting the conflict, certainly Fey and Sorkin appear to be amicable about the thing. But Lorne Michaels and Alec Baldwin don't appear to be. Michaels has gone so far as to refuse to let Sorkin watch a week of SNL preparation.
Well, a source at NBC even said that the studio would never air a drama and a comedy set in the same place. Considering that Lorne Michaels has worked at NBC for a long time I can see why he'd be upset.
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# posted by : 2:41 PM
: 2:41 PM << Home
