tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post115879838265536223..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Studio 60/the ClassBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1159809800878416802006-10-02T10:23:00.000-07:002006-10-02T10:23:00.000-07:00Whaledawg:Garsh, I hope my readin' box on this her...Whaledawg:<BR/><BR/>Garsh, I hope my readin' box on this here computer said things right. Since I live between the coasts, I'm not really able to understand what you're saying. <BR/><BR/>I wish I could move to one of them coasts so I could make a visit to the 700 Club. Does it have one of them rope lines?<BR/><BR/>Maybe you could educate this dumb hick midwesterner about these things.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1159662671756539082006-09-30T17:31:00.000-07:002006-09-30T17:31:00.000-07:00I liked Studio 60.I enjoyed its fast pace and the ...I liked Studio 60.<BR/>I enjoyed its fast pace and the fact that it didn't dumb down its audience.<BR/>So what if it was "inside" because I may be a hick girl from Tennessee, but ... umm ... I got it.<BR/>I have watched both episodes and I dug it.<BR/><BR/>Incidentally, first time here. I like it too.Newscomahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06314104886871823355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1159594519486714502006-09-29T22:35:00.000-07:002006-09-29T22:35:00.000-07:00Where has Ken gone? Is he vacationing in Bermuda w...Where has Ken gone? Is he vacationing in Bermuda where they have the shorts of the same name? <BR/><BR/>He better not have quit blogging because of you anonymous Bushlovers because the liberals will rise up, sometime after noon of course, and crush you into mush like organic tofu!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1159525397742553742006-09-29T03:23:00.000-07:002006-09-29T03:23:00.000-07:00I was a lifelong goper, until Bush. I thought Clin...I was a lifelong goper, until Bush. I thought Clinton was the epitome of the sleazy southern pol - and he is!<BR/><BR/>But Bush is such a caricature of all that offends me that I done with national politics until the parties self destruct. I voted Perot Perot Buchanan - but I'm pro choice.<BR/><BR/>As to Studio 60 - I loved it. I watched two episodes now - and find myself enjoying more network television than ever. I am hooked on Medium, House, So You Think you can Dance [my daughter competes in ballroom dance] and now Studio 60.<BR/><BR/>I won't waste 3 minutes on something like the Class. I hated Friends - and saw Frazier only occasionally - although I've read all three of Joe Keenans terrific novels -- when are we going to see Gilbert, Philip and Claire on the big screen?<BR/><BR/>I hope I added a little something to the demographic mix here... I am a 58 year old female entrepreneur, some college, 3 kids. <BR/><BR/>The only reality TV I have ever liked were the Ballroom Dance shows - because 3 generations can all watch and enjoy together. <BR/><BR/>I hope that if writers see these comments they might understand a little more about who lives in fly over country.<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>I never watched the West Wing because I found it too preachy, and self absorbed. TheAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1159477450621582182006-09-28T14:04:00.000-07:002006-09-28T14:04:00.000-07:00Studio 60: I'm one of the flyover people. I'm not ...Studio 60: I'm one of the flyover people. I'm not involved in the industry. And I did like this show. It *may* be insider, but in the same way His Girl Friday may be considered (considering the time!). I like the density of each scene. There was something happening in each plane as you looked into the screen. Sometimes it was just moss, like in the alley when people across the street got into their car. Or walking across the set. It kind of reminds me what scifi prop designers do with adding nondescript bumps and bulges to spaceships. Also, little things like the Chomsky quote over the clock (ok, Groucho, or some Japanese guy, but the connection was Chomsky because of language - and Groucho because of, well, language). That's not insider that's smart. Although the reference to Paley might have been...James Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11044138738167839637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1159394866297334002006-09-27T15:07:00.000-07:002006-09-27T15:07:00.000-07:00"Unless it's going to incite terrorists, who gives..."Unless it's going to incite terrorists, who gives a shit?"<BR/><BR/>Well, wasn't the point that the CC sketch would incite terrorists of the Falwell, Robertson, Dobson variety?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1159381630062441822006-09-27T11:27:00.000-07:002006-09-27T11:27:00.000-07:00Two thoughts on the actual topic:1. I think one o...Two thoughts on the actual topic:<BR/>1. I think one of the problems of Studio 60 is not it's insider-ness of the lack of gravitas inherent in a show about show biz. For me, the elephant in the living room is that it's a show about comedy that isn't funny enough. All of these wacky comics and writers and none of them all all that funny. Did anyone think the big G&S song and dance number was all that funny? Aren't these guys supposed to be the essence of funny? Not, say, the essence of sincere, or flippant, or somewhat snarky?<BR/>2. I can't stand the lingering shots of Amanda Peete and Matt Perry after the other has left. It's too 3d grade. We all know there is going to be sexual/romantic tension with Amanda -- that's why she's so hot for heaven's sake. It's almost like a thought bubble should appear -- "Hey, he's really interesting/Hey, she's really interesting."<BR/><BR/>C'mon.James W. Pharohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04973590650085722342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1159323916595428982006-09-26T19:25:00.000-07:002006-09-26T19:25:00.000-07:00Racism on the Class?1. Yearbook/class photo has a ...Racism on the Class?<BR/>1. Yearbook/class photo has a couple of black kids in it, but none on the show...? <BR/>2. Opening scene 2nd week... big laugh is nurse's one of them funny accents.<BR/>Result: Deleted show from my TiVo.<BR/><BR/>P.S.: Studio 60 does not have the gravitas of west wing, but heck I loved SportNight. Will stick around. Heroes better than I thought it would be, by the way. And they don't use foreign accents as the basis to generate laughs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1159320947406848122006-09-26T18:35:00.000-07:002006-09-26T18:35:00.000-07:00Friends was not 'the first show with no “grown up”...Friends was not 'the first show with no “grown up” authority figures.' That was The Monkees, all those decades ago. And it seems like others are having the same thoughts about Studio 60 as am I: the West Wing was about the freakin' presidency. Studio 60 is about television. Who really cares?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1159153517514385192006-09-24T20:05:00.000-07:002006-09-24T20:05:00.000-07:00thought studio 60 was great. Plus 19 million aint ...thought studio 60 was great. Plus 19 million aint so bad. <BR/><BR/>class was mediocre at best. I'll give it one more episode.<BR/><BR/>- AllenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1159026094870029522006-09-23T08:41:00.000-07:002006-09-23T08:41:00.000-07:00Ken, I like your closing point about us unknown gu...Ken, I like your closing point about us unknown guys getting a shot. Sometimes it feels we couldn't get read if we wrote it on a billboard over the Santa Monica Expressway. I didn't get to see Studio 60 and only saw Class because Tivo had it as a commercial-free feature. I thought it had funny moments, but I will likely choose to tune into the incredulous drama of Fox's Prison Break... so won't see the Class unless they last long enough to go into summer reruns.Dwaconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07544514023626682777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1158980501707253802006-09-22T20:01:00.000-07:002006-09-22T20:01:00.000-07:00Walking when talking is a cheat., It's eye-candy d...Walking when talking is a cheat., It's eye-candy directors can fall back on when nothing interesting is going on. Too many directors are moving the camera too damn much. You can get seesick (intended) watching some shows where the directors are showing off and getting in the way of the story (or covering if there isn't one).<BR/><BR/>I saw "My Dinner with Andre') 3 times. It was, and still is, an interesting conversation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1158944533676101842006-09-22T10:02:00.000-07:002006-09-22T10:02:00.000-07:00I'll agree with some previous posters and say that...I'll agree with some previous posters and say that The West Wing was about as inside as it gets. There were certainly times people didn't know what the heck was going on on that show politically, but still tuned in for the good story, acting, and dialogue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1158940220835390232006-09-22T08:50:00.000-07:002006-09-22T08:50:00.000-07:00What NBC didn't consider was the fact that even Th...What NBC didn't consider was the fact that even <A HREF="http://imdb.com/title/tt0200276/" REL="nofollow">The West Wing</A> never had great numbers. The West Wing was only on the air because they sold it as the way to reach a rich, liberal audience (the liberal part wasn't sought after, but that's how it worked out).<BR/><BR/>They had a point, educated and wealthy people don't traditionaly watch a lot of network TV so it was a good way to reach that group. Did you ever notice how many Lexus commercials were on The West Wing?<BR/><BR/>But those limousine liberals were really into the idea of that show. They liked the concept of this ideal liberal president and his smart crew fighting the good fight every week. They aren't interested in TV fighting the good fight. They don't think it can be a tool for educating people, as the premise of <A HREF="http://imdb.com/title/tt0485842/" REL="nofollow">Studio 60</A> states (and I have to agree with them).<BR/><BR/>And for anyone who thinks for a second there is a chance this show may attract a mainstream audience, all I have to say is <B>they broke up because she went on the 700 club</B>. To anyone outside of Hollywood that's simply insane. You're just going to have a real hard time selling a world where that makes sense to anyone who lives in America between the coasts.<BR/><BR/>Regarding the walking/talking shots:<BR/>It's kind of a cheat. Any scene you write should have the characters doing <I>something</I>. Two people standing there talking is boring. Having them walking is a way of making it more visually interesting, more dynamic and at the same time you don't have to put any more effort into the writing.Whaledawghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17451394136036202696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1158926942941796362006-09-22T05:09:00.000-07:002006-09-22T05:09:00.000-07:00I love it when people take Bush insults personally...I love it when people take Bush insults personally.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1158924122469216932006-09-22T04:22:00.000-07:002006-09-22T04:22:00.000-07:00Amanda Peet? Sorry, not acting, but one ongoing re...Amanda Peet? Sorry, not acting, but one ongoing re-use of few gestures she learned to employ for everything possible: Sideways glance one direction, then sideways glance the other (variant - sudden turn to glance over her shoulder and back with some "thought") eyes set to "intensity" as if like looking at someones skin for pores, and - the important one - constantly smirking. <BR/><BR/>I think "inside" is too easy for dismissing Studio60. Like, what, the Korean war was open to all to understand? Or a Mafia family? <BR/><BR/>TV / Celebrity is closer to Politics than not. And what about the success of such shows as Larry Sanders - which I use to just bring me to the point, it aint the show, its the choice of network. <BR/><BR/>The West Wing was popular because it fantasized what at least half of the U.S. actually WANTED - a real (Democrat) President that cared, could do things, a younger generation in politics who we could imagine possible to believe in, etc. and Lily Tomlin for gods sake! It could transmit ideological fantasyland in a time of dire requirement for one. Parallel World.<BR/><BR/>Studio 60? If it only refers to Saturday Nite live, sure, too inside. But anyway it belongs on HBO. Period. Allow it to find an audience there while it steps "outside" of the Legacy networks logic, to then comment on them more freely.<BR/><BR/>And HBO could use some shot in the arm as well. It had Larry Sanders, a much more subtle - and comedy at that - work than anything Studio60 will aspire to, but the match could have worked. <BR/><BR/>As for the characters - sorry, but Peet again - is unbelievable ("I want to thank the caterers"... WHAT!? obviously she is doing the drugs at that exclusive party) and her character is a pivotal role apparently. Get someone real and it would have worked. THAT is what made West Wing casting possible to watch. Peet is no exec. At least TAKE OFF YOUR COAT.<BR/><BR/>As script/cast, we get it - maybe its the pilot, but so many characters basically telegraphed what they will "stand for", in case the dumb network audience cant grasp it. And did it TWICE in case one missed it the first time. <BR/><BR/>Studio 60 was great, and should work, but if it doesnt work it sort of proves its point at the same time - the Legacy networks are not capable any longer of really delivering something and investing in it. <BR/><BR/>Best ending? The show fails after six episodes, and is picked up by HBO to do it right.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1158912251901429732006-09-22T01:04:00.000-07:002006-09-22T01:04:00.000-07:00Gosh, all I was going to do was chime in with a "s...Gosh, all I was going to do was chime in with a "so how do I get my ass kicked by a bunch of models with briefcases?" Come to find that you hollywood types are Serious People debating non-model bush.<BR/><BR/>Eh well, glad I tracked you down Levine. You still owe us for big wave dave.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1158893379218711842006-09-21T19:49:00.000-07:002006-09-21T19:49:00.000-07:00Of course, we will REALLY get to see what Sorkin i...Of course, we will REALLY get to see what Sorkin is made of when facing the issue of Amanda Peet when she is great with child (something one never had to deal with when your lead character was the President).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1158887350162598782006-09-21T18:09:00.000-07:002006-09-21T18:09:00.000-07:00I think the real point is that Ken has this blog a...I think the real point is that Ken has this blog and he pays the electric bill every month. I'd say he hates Bush, but imagine what a comedy writer could do with <I>that.</I>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1158884520153248222006-09-21T17:22:00.000-07:002006-09-21T17:22:00.000-07:00"Nepositsm" ? Yikes! Now it looks my college educa..."Nepositsm" ? Yikes! Now it looks my college education is fake as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1158884334047845772006-09-21T17:18:00.000-07:002006-09-21T17:18:00.000-07:00There's nepostism in Hollywood, therefore Bush's f...There's nepostism in Hollywood, therefore Bush's fake education is valid, and he isn't an evil puppet of the extreme right, murdering people around the globe, raping the environment, and still unable or unwilling to catch Osama? (Daddy is, after all, in business with the Bin Laden Family.)I fail to see how the nepositsm in Hollywood excuses Bush for anything. Nor do the sins of Teddy Kennedy excuse Bush for anything. And I wouldn't vote for Sam Goldwyn to run the country either. However Alina's points are extremely well-taken.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1158871870950537872006-09-21T13:51:00.000-07:002006-09-21T13:51:00.000-07:00I have a son who is a freshman in a private colleg...I have a son who is a freshman in a private college in TX and a daughter who is a senior in high school (gearing up for college). I recently read that Ivy League classes are not more difficult than classes at any other college or university. It is harder to get into Ivy League schools - that's where daddy's money comes in handy. To me a Yale or Harvard degree should not be valued higher than any accredited state university.<BR/><BR/>1LAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1158862336920799992006-09-21T11:12:00.000-07:002006-09-21T11:12:00.000-07:00How long will they continue to use this stupid gim...How long will they continue to use this stupid gimmick of WALKING while talking? Apparently one can't have a conversation unless walking down corridors, making a right, making a left. Wow! It started with Hill St. Blues, I think, then West Wing and now Studio 60. I, for one, am SO tired of it. Love your blog Ken, can't recall how I stumbled upon it, but I must start my day with it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1158857676380130382006-09-21T09:54:00.000-07:002006-09-21T09:54:00.000-07:00This is way off-topic but... my husband has an MIT...This is way off-topic but... my husband has an MIT degree in nuclear engineering, not bought and paid for by Daddy's money, believe me (I know, because we're still paying off the student loans)... That said, his grasp of the English language is... well, awful. His writing, grammer and spelling is atrocious and he can't get three words out without an "uhm" in between.<BR/><BR/>That said, he is the most brilliant man I've ever met. And I'm not just saying that because I sleep with him. I sleep with him, in fact, because I believe that.<BR/><BR/>So, Bush or no Bush, being articulate is one sign of intelligence, but its not the whereall endall.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1158852373278039702006-09-21T08:26:00.000-07:002006-09-21T08:26:00.000-07:00and still display the basic ignorance even of the ...<I>and still display the basic ignorance even of the English language</I><BR/><BR/>Have to laugh... makes me think of Sam Goldwyn. No dummy, that one. Sharp as a whip.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com