Studio 60 Episode 1.05 "The Long Lead Story" Review

I may have been totally wrong about this show. I still have a lot of issues with it. Still with the cloying soap opera moments. Still with the not-funny funny stuff. There are no deep truths to this show. It's all surface. We're still on the first layer of the onion. I've seen blogs with more insight into the workings of US network television than this show.

But maybe that's Sorkin's game. Maybe that's the point of this show. Don't forget it's on a major US network. And don't forget that in the opening episode Judd Hirsh went on a Paddy Chayefsky rant. If some less than Sorkin's talent had tried to sell this show to NBC they would have laughed. NBS? Please. Sorkin was the in position (I think) to do whatever he pleased. And now either, a) he's having to pull all his punches or b) he's building to something (hopefully b.).

This episode has Jordan passing on a (I thought) funny idea for a reality show in favor of a show it's creator wanted to take to HBO. This is a show that itself should have been on HBO. Curb Your Enthusiasm or Entourage do this sort of thing much better. I only hope that Sorkin starts to get some of the ol' zing, some fire in the belly.

Otherwise it's a class act. Very well shot (it looks like something Altman would have shot) - it's nicely textured and layered and the cast continue to impress. Despite my joking of Matthew Perry the other week, he really is the heart and soul of this show. And Aaron... could you keep up with the guest stars please? It's not every day you get to see Christine Lahti, Ed Asner plus Sting singing.