Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 18, 2006
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 329 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 271 out of 329
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 329
  3. Negative: 40 out of 329
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User Reviews

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  1. JeffJ
    Sep 30, 2006
    5
    This show has a cast of actors I really like. I like that Matthew Perry was given a chance to show he has acting abilities far beyond the character of he played on "Friends". I like that they pulled in DL Hughley and brought in Ayda Field from "Blue Collar". In short, this ensemble, to me, really blends well. There are some weaknesses. The most obvious weakness, and illustrative of This show has a cast of actors I really like. I like that Matthew Perry was given a chance to show he has acting abilities far beyond the character of he played on "Friends". I like that they pulled in DL Hughley and brought in Ayda Field from "Blue Collar". In short, this ensemble, to me, really blends well. There are some weaknesses. The most obvious weakness, and illustrative of others, is the anti-Chrisitan theme. Attacking Christians right out of the starting gate shows how myopic the creators and writers are. First, they got Harriet's character all wrong. No dedicated Christian would be doing and saying the things her character does. Harriet resembles a "cultural Christian", not a real Christian (you can find them all over the place in "flyover country"). But then, the creators and writers have their own prejudices, and most likely do not know many real Christians. Even if one disagrees with Christianity, and many do, it is worth finding out what they are really all about before trying to portray them. I can only hope future episodes provide some correction. When I watched the first 2 episodes, it was like watching monkeys at the zoo. Thinking that all around them is all there is, the monkeys are oblivious to the larger world around them. They marvel at the people who watch them, without understanding. The creators and writers of this show attack Christians as if they are some mentally ill little group of oddballs. Like the monkeys in the cage, they think their own little Hollywood world is all there is that matters. They forget the larger world their sponsors deal with has tens of millions of those "crazy Christians". I am hoping they have a plan whereby they start off with this typical narrow minded anti-Christian bigotry, and during the season, come around to a realization by some of the characters that what they were doing was no different than other forms of bigotry - doing to Christians what they would never do to blacks, women, Muslims, or Jews. It is good enough to keep watching, but if the anti-Christian storyline goes unabated, then say goodbye to this show after one season. You don't insult tens of millions of people who buy your sponsors' products and stay on TV for very long.… Expand
  2. BrianM
    Oct 11, 2006
    5
    I don't get it. The show is a TV show about a TV show. They give us nothing to relate to since iit to "insider" that most people don't understand or care about the show. The show is a SNL format (not new), the characters are not relatable. And the story line is the same. Crisis to write the show, personal melododrama (same thing over and over). I like the cast. The premise and I don't get it. The show is a TV show about a TV show. They give us nothing to relate to since iit to "insider" that most people don't understand or care about the show. The show is a SNL format (not new), the characters are not relatable. And the story line is the same. Crisis to write the show, personal melododrama (same thing over and over). I like the cast. The premise and writing sucks. It is West Wing Meets SNL. Both of which have outlived their cleverness. The only bright spot was Kristine Lahti in a tight dress.… Expand
  3. PaulaB
    Oct 31, 2006
    6
    I know it's not fair to compare West Wing to Studio 60,but West Wing had me on the first episode. I'm still wating.
  4. RobC
    Sep 20, 2006
    4
    The "mad as hell" takeoff was a nice touch, but the first ep went downhill from there, with more of the same overwritten Sorkin dialog. There's nothing fresh here, just another rant platform. I was hoping for the next Great Leap Forward, but alas, this ain't it.
  5. Gmartinez
    Sep 20, 2006
    5
    A great new show. But why the reference (in a casual, derogatory manner, to " Jesus Christ as your personal savior..."? and the shtick about Pat Robertson and his " faithful who have nothing but their faith to hold on to.." as they huddle in their single wide trailers. (My edit.) Shame, shame.
  6. dalee.
    May 27, 2007
    5
    failed to to keep my attention
  7. HopefulViewer
    Oct 19, 2006
    4
    Loved West Wing, love Sorkin, this show....ew. Lots of interesting potential, really like Amanda Peet's character. But a big part of the show is caring about the relationship between Matthew Perry and his ex, and there's no way I can care about her. She's just...flat. Absolutely flat. So I don't have much hope for this show lasting, which is a shame.
  8. MD
    Oct 9, 2006
    5
    Studio 60 is one of those shows that has an okay premise, but thinks it has an amazing one, and as a result takes itself way to seriously. It feels somewhat like they are trying to toot their own horn, if you will, like, look how talented and incredible we comedy folk are! As if they are saving the world with each script they write or something... (I like a good laugh as much as the next Studio 60 is one of those shows that has an okay premise, but thinks it has an amazing one, and as a result takes itself way to seriously. It feels somewhat like they are trying to toot their own horn, if you will, like, look how talented and incredible we comedy folk are! As if they are saving the world with each script they write or something... (I like a good laugh as much as the next person but, let's get real, the world would not end without this show...) Also, the writing is so slick and witty sometimes that it feels artificial, like some Neil Simon plays often come across. It is hard to connect and be engaged by artifice. The pilot itself discusses this phenomenom when Harriet asks Matt why this one joke didn't work. And he says something like it didn't work because, "you were asking for the laugh. The first time you just asked them to pass the salt." That what it feels like with this show sometimes--they are ASKING for the laugh, and not just being funny. And the result is a feeling of plastic humor, well-crafted but not alive. If the show could find some humility, reality, and humanity, you could turn their very legitimate talent into something worth watching more than a few minutes at a time.… Expand
  9. richards
    Sep 25, 2006
    4
    Not living up to the hype. Basically a very indulgent Aaron Sorkin mash...I'm giving up on it after two episodes.
  10. S.L.O'Robot
    Sep 26, 2006
    5
    Nice cast, and the show looks great. Bores me to death, beyond that. Fast talk does not always equal snappy dialogue (ever sat through an episode of "Gilmore Girls"? Then you'll know what I'm talking about). I would say Sorkin's past his prime, but his body of work has been so consistently overrated that I'm not sure where the prime ends/begins. And let me say the Nice cast, and the show looks great. Bores me to death, beyond that. Fast talk does not always equal snappy dialogue (ever sat through an episode of "Gilmore Girls"? Then you'll know what I'm talking about). I would say Sorkin's past his prime, but his body of work has been so consistently overrated that I'm not sure where the prime ends/begins. And let me say the following for those who never had the temerity to say it: "Sports Night" was just plain awful.… Expand
  11. JudyW
    Oct 23, 2006
    6
    I'm so disappointed in this show. It's not a "page turner" like West Wing was. It just doesn't compare. We don't care about the characters or the plot. I think Sorkin and Schlamme should create a new show and a new role for Bradley Whitford as a detective -- or a lawyer--or even a doctor. And we need more appealing characters like "President Bartlet," Matt Santos, I'm so disappointed in this show. It's not a "page turner" like West Wing was. It just doesn't compare. We don't care about the characters or the plot. I think Sorkin and Schlamme should create a new show and a new role for Bradley Whitford as a detective -- or a lawyer--or even a doctor. And we need more appealing characters like "President Bartlet," Matt Santos, Mary-Louise Parker, Emily Proctor,etc,etc...and more dramatic stories, which just isn't possible with this kind of show.… Expand
  12. PeterJ
    Oct 29, 2006
    5
    Another reason why credits are full of crap. This show was average at best, and is now cancelled! Thanks for playing. I used to think higher scores on Metacritic was a good thing, now I am convinced otherwise.
  13. GaryM.
    Sep 16, 2006
    5
    To tell the truth, I'd rather watch "30 Rock."
  14. thecody
    Sep 25, 2006
    5
    super pretentious. really does come through on the "snl meets the west wing" promise.
  15. PeterW.
    Dec 2, 2007
    4
    I really wanted to like this show, but it is unbearably preachy and weighed down with its own pomposity. So much potential. Only this show could make me tune out Amanda Peet. Glad it's gone.

Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Best TV Season of 2006
4
#4 Most Discussed TV Season of 2006
29
#29 Most Shared TV Season of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 33
  3. Negative: 1 out of 33
  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Barry Garron
    90
    There are more than a few well-made dramas this season, but "Studio 60" -- with its intelligent dialogue, ironic humor, brilliant acting and Schlamme's inspired direction -- lays claim to being the most exciting new show of the season.
    Read full review
  2. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: Gloria Goodale
    100
    Sorkin brings the same intensity and political sensibilities to the story.
    Read full review
  3. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Nancy DeWolf Smith
    60
    Here's hoping that the strong whiff of sanctimony in the pilot of "Studio 60" is blown away by fresh air in future episodes.
    Read full review
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