Witty dialogs, credible situations, attaching characters, excellent actors, great mise en scene : "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" had everything to be a major hit on television. Except that it isn't neither a fantastic/sci-fi/teenager project, neither a show about doctors or cops, but about the reality of the world of television, and it may have been a little to intelligent, witty and realistic for TV.
Matt Alby (Matthey Perry, who plays what a realistic Chandler could have become if he had kept writing) and Danny Tripp, now famous writer, director and producers for the big screen (a little bit like, say, Soderbergh and Clooney) have to come back to the TV weekly show as executive producers, writer and director, that make them famous. The show used to be sarcastic, critical and funny, but the deterioration of the audience's needs (in the producers'mind at least) this last years make it just like another mediocre and consensual show. They'll have to fight the executives of the major that produces the show, the internal conflicts that prevent it from being good, and the clock in order to give "Studio 60" all it's glorious past again.
The story is quite passionating, and you really learn how a TV show is made while watching it. Aaron Sorkin really share his knowledge here and all the situations seem sincere and true. But don't get me wrong, it's far from being a documentary : the more you go in the series, the more the situations could become unpredictable and even absurd (see for instance the "Nevada Day" episode, with the great John Goodman in a great part). So, you'll also get your part of surprises, action and comedy. And of course, like in every show, the personal life of the characters become as important as their work, and you'll also get your part of romance, betrayals, quiprocos and love stories.
But after a promising first season, I've heard that the show have now been canceled. I've always thought something was missing in the show (surprise, maybe, all this is too well crafted ?), and I was waiting for the second season to see if this sentiment will be erased. But now, I guess I'll just miss the show. The last five episodes, witch formed the final arc, are quite disappointed, for they're way too dense, with flashbacks and multiple resolutions, as if everything has to be told in five hours. This five hours could have been a great second season in my opinion, and it's really a shame it won't be. But at least, if you've learn how a network works while watching this show, you won't be surprised it's been canceled.
Matt Alby (Matthey Perry, who plays what a realistic Chandler could have become if he had kept writing) and Danny Tripp, now famous writer, director and producers for the big screen (a little bit like, say, Soderbergh and Clooney) have to come back to the TV weekly show as executive producers, writer and director, that make them famous. The show used to be sarcastic, critical and funny, but the deterioration of the audience's needs (in the producers'mind at least) this last years make it just like another mediocre and consensual show. They'll have to fight the executives of the major that produces the show, the internal conflicts that prevent it from being good, and the clock in order to give "Studio 60" all it's glorious past again.
The story is quite passionating, and you really learn how a TV show is made while watching it. Aaron Sorkin really share his knowledge here and all the situations seem sincere and true. But don't get me wrong, it's far from being a documentary : the more you go in the series, the more the situations could become unpredictable and even absurd (see for instance the "Nevada Day" episode, with the great John Goodman in a great part). So, you'll also get your part of surprises, action and comedy. And of course, like in every show, the personal life of the characters become as important as their work, and you'll also get your part of romance, betrayals, quiprocos and love stories.
But after a promising first season, I've heard that the show have now been canceled. I've always thought something was missing in the show (surprise, maybe, all this is too well crafted ?), and I was waiting for the second season to see if this sentiment will be erased. But now, I guess I'll just miss the show. The last five episodes, witch formed the final arc, are quite disappointed, for they're way too dense, with flashbacks and multiple resolutions, as if everything has to be told in five hours. This five hours could have been a great second season in my opinion, and it's really a shame it won't be. But at least, if you've learn how a network works while watching this show, you won't be surprised it's been canceled.