Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

A lot of clips and trailers are available for Studio 60 and, I'd presume, the rest of the new fall lineup at nbc.com, so I might suggest checking them out. There's also been a few more promos out there on the TV screens as well so be watching for those. Obviously we're in a Studio 60 dry spell as preproduction things like casting, scheduling and the work have been done but the show's also not currently airing. So, in short, be prepared for a slow-news-couple-of-months.

Sides for the character of Jeannie, who looks to be a major player in the show, part of a triangle between Harriet, Matt and herself, are available on both http://http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/SunsetTalk/ and http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/AaronSorkin/files/

Enjoy!

Jeannie should prove to be an interesting recurrer. Not entirely positive her role in the show, she's definitely a writer, but she might be a performer as well... She and Matt seem to have a bit of an early Josh/Donna relationship (except they're already sleeping together), whereas his relationship with Harriet is more one of equals. Not sure who I'm going prefer Matt with.

Also, some new information.

• Danny is apparently regarded as smarter than Matt, although he doesn't know as much about commedia dell'arte (which I suggest everyone learn about, since I'm a big commedia dell'arte fan and am glad Sorkin referenced it!)
• Matt went to Cornell.
• Episode two starts on the Sunday following the infamous Friday that takes place in the pilot it continues on until the following Friday I believe.
• Host: Mark Wahlburg, Band: The White Stripes (iffie host, good band, imo) Who knows if this'll remain. Obviously the band for the pilot episode in the first draft, Counting Crows, didn't turn out to be the band, even though the host, Felicity Huffman, did.

Now that the upfronts are over with reviews of various series have blasted the 'net, and The Futon Critic's review (seen here at http://www.thefutoncritic.com/rant.aspx?id=20060605) is just the latest in the batch of them. The general perception in the different reviews I've seen seems to be thus:

Pro:

• The writing, both dialogue-wise and story-wise, is excellent. This was likely to be expected. Sorkin being the king of witty banter.

• Terrific acting from Whitford, Perry, Weber and Peet in particular.

• A good blend of comedy and drama.

• Sorkin is able to bring his trademark idealism to a setting that might not seem as able to mesh with the concept. While Washington was probably a better playground with which to use idealism, Hollywood apparently works well too.

Con:

• It might be seen as a little too "insidery" and certain aspects of how Hollywood is run might not be explained to those not in the know.

• There is some talk that Sarah Paulson doesn't exactly work as Harriet Hayes.

• Not super laugh-out-loud funny (this is what did Sports Night in) but then again, we must remember it's not, strictly speaking, a comedy.

• Might take itself a tad bit too seriously?

Anyways, let's hope it overcomes it's weaknessess and plays to it's strengths!