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Intelligent television unfortunately doesn’t have a market in today’s reality-crazed age. A reasonably intelligent show that doesn’t require you to dial in to kick some ass off the show and ‘end his dreams’ or that gives you free cash for making random guesses or that doesn’t require you to suspend your disbelief (24 and Heroes) will probably not succeed. Don’t get me wrong, I love 24 and Heroes and have admitted to following American Idol too but to balance the destruction of my brain cells, I like shows like Studio 60 too. It was the only seemingly interesting show on TV that in addition to casting Mathew Perry and not reminding me of Chandler, also had dry sarcastic humor that I love. The other show with a similar kinda humor fortunately remains popular.
When Studio 60 came back on after the holidays, I remained optimistic that it would at least last the season. But today onwards, the show is suspended and is pulled off the air. In its place, another show - The Black Donnelys - makes its debut. There is no telling if the remaining 6 episodes which have been shot will be telecast at all. Heck, if they offer them on iTunes, I’ll gladly snap it up.
The show was always in danger of being pulled and the petition to save it has been around right since the first episode. I know, the market decides the fate of most television shows but it is unfortunately that we don’t seem to appreciate quality. Aaron Sorkin’s comeback [after The West Wing] is deemed a failure. By market standards. Not by me. But who cares for me?
Technorati Tags: Studio 60, NBC, Aaron Sorkin, television, drama
by Patrix | on Monday, February 26th, 2007 at 9:00 pm | 
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February 27th, 2007 at 5:37 am reply
have you watched brothes and sisters? it is a family drama type thing that airs after desp housewives on ABC @ 10pm sundays.. I had seen a few of episodes in the beginning, remember it being nice..
February 27th, 2007 at 9:21 am reply
Sqrl, I remember seeing it once sometime back…too much dramebaazi. Reminds me of my own family (don’t we all?) and why would I want to see that again? :)
February 27th, 2007 at 12:53 pm reply
it’s a sad day for the fans of good writing.
if only some operating model like that of HBO could help, quality/niche shows suffer due to the common denominator techniques ruled by market.
February 27th, 2007 at 1:59 pm reply
I’m sorry but I dont agree with you on Studio 60. I thought they were trying to be “too cool” and that was a big turn off for me. I gave up after a few episodes. On a different note, have you noticed how all shows involving actors from Friends seem to be destined for failure - Joey, Studio 60 and, most likely next in line, Dirt (Courtney Cox).
February 27th, 2007 at 2:26 pm reply
Studio 60 was dead boring actually (IMO). The problem seemed that they tried to target the series towards intelligentsia, but failed to deliver on scripts. I think what did it in was its length. Perhaps studio 60 would have been a better series had it been just half hour show, allowing the writers to pack in wit and less of fillers.
S
February 27th, 2007 at 4:55 pm reply
Prashanth, Thanks to being a paid channel, HBO’s dramas are of superior quality and also because they aren’t subject to the FCC regulations that basic networks operate under.
Santosh, unfortunately we have to disagree here although cannot explain exactly why I loved the show. Perhaps I identify with that kinda humor.
Suyog, well, it may not have the crisp storyline (heard of) of Sorkin’s other drama, The West Wing, I could see potential of developing the characters later in the future. You may be right about the length but then half hour shows are usually reserved for sitcoms and not dramas.
February 27th, 2007 at 7:59 pm reply
I haven’t watched Studio 60, but I know how it feels to pull out an intelligently crafted show. Arrested Development is one such casualty of Fox’s many atrocities. Family Guy is another example of a show that so nearly got pulled off for good. Turns out, (buoyed by record DVD sales)it was the only show to be brought back because of its fan base.
And in case you haven’t seen Arrested Development, I have the entire series in DVD print. You’ll understand what brilliant comedy is. :)
P.S: I thought Heroes was very good this week, the episode further perked up the show with new character twists. And this weeks 24 also livened up a season that started getting a wee bit sluggish. (Hell, any amount of character development in 24 is considered blasphemy!)
February 28th, 2007 at 9:56 am reply
Intelligent comedies died with ‘Frasier’ (even though it became weak in the last few seasons). And yeah - Arrested Development was brilliant.
February 28th, 2007 at 9:57 am reply
Aww, I feel bad. I’d known right from the beginning that it was one of the black sheep in the new shows, so it had my support for 2 or 3 episodes, but somehow the change of time and school did not allow me to see it anymore. Plus a one hour show is boring. But I do feel bad for it…
February 28th, 2007 at 11:52 am reply
Piker, I haven’t seen Arrested Development but I did hear lot of buzz about it. Probably, I’ll borrow your DVD set someday. I cannot imagine they thought of pulling Family Guy. That show is awesome.
24 unfortunately is a bit sluggish this season and not as gripping as previous seasons were. I hope it picks up.
Bongo, True. When it was good, Frasier was really good. Nothing on NBC after the Friends-Frasier completed their run.
Sampada, yeah! it’s better you didn’t invest your time in it. Heroes would have better staying power.