Life Behind the Scene

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is the newest show from acclaimed writer Aaron Sorkin, who also created Sports Night, and The West Wing. To tell you the truth, Sorkin may be the best writer in the industry. The format of the show is very similar to West Wing, where the drama and story line are brought up through constant dialogue between the characters. Story takes places behind the scene of a sketch show called Studio 60 on the sunset strip, kinda like Saturday Night Live. Story revolves around how writer Matt Albie and his best friend/director Danny Tripp are dealing with their new position as the executive producers of the show, after resigning from the show 6 years ago. I'm not going to say much about the story, so let's just say it's pretty much West Wing on Hollywood.



Sorkin still works with his buddy director, Thomas Schlamme, in most of the episodes. Actually the relationship between the character Matt Albie, who's a writer, and Danny Tripp, Matt's best friend and director, are based on Sorkin's friendship with Schlamme. Studio 60 may as well be Sorkin's most personal work. Many of the elements of the show are loosely based on Sorkin's experience in real life. Matt Albie's relationship with the star of the show, Harriet Hayes, are reported to be a reflection of Sorkin's love life with Kristin Chenoweth, a star of West Wing.

The bad news though, the show is being cancelled only after its first season. The ratings were low and continued to decrease throughout the season. I, myself, honestly enjoyed the show. But apparently not the other people. They say the show is far too complicated and overly smart for a writer of a sketch show. I personally think it was not a problem whether they think the show is too smart or not, it's a matter of taste. People didn't enjoy the show because it isn't made as a comedy, but rather a drama. And Sorkin also add some controversial stuff in the show. He made a perspective on how he views christians, network executives, and war of terror. These are sensitive subject for most Americans. As a result, many will think the show is unpatriotic. Sorkin, for better or worse, is a concerned American. He writes from his heart. I acknowledge his effort on this show. The show is an honest take on how someone would voiced his opinions and concern on real world situation, whether it's just on working environment, or even a personal principle. Look at the scenes between Matt and Harriet when they were discussing about Christianity. And look at the scenes between Matt and Danny when they confront the network executive on how they wrote a sketch about the war. They were all pure thoughts, pro and contra of people opinions.

For me, the show has many great moments and a great cast to support the story. Matthew Perry, Chandler Bing on Friends, played really well as Matt Albie. Danny Tripp is played by Sorkin's regular, Bradley Whitford. But i should say i am impressed with Sarah Paulson who played devoted Christian and the star of the sketch show, Harriet Hayes. There is so many layers to this character, and Paulson succesfully gets into the character. The rest of the character include Amanda Peet, as Danny Tripp love interest, and Timothy Busfield, as the crew of Studio 60.

Despite the good writing and good cast, the show has its flaws. Entering the midseason, the episode began to get slow. There are some episodes that are just plain boring. And the on-off relationship between Matt and Harriet are getting nowhere. Luckily, Sorkin
quickly lead the show to get back on track. The last story arc, episode 19-22, are just great. There are many funny moments, and smart dialogue.

Like it or not, Studio 60 has provide a good look at Hollywood production of a sketch show, and even more importantly, it shows how people (of Hollywood) are viewing the situations of the world. For me, i choose to like the show, no matter how bad the ratings were, no matter how bad people are talking the show. Studio 60 is one of a few good shows on TV.