Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

[huntergrayson]

I think it's interesting that the devout Christian character is being played by a lesbian. Even if the character is likeable, she still won't win over certain subset of viewers.

Not to get all Sorkin-y, but I think that overestimates the audience in knowing both who Sarah Paulson and/or Cherry Jones even are. What with the typical viewer being "oh, Matthew Perry! And that dude from Wings!," I think Miss Paulson will probably be safe from the wrath of viewers.

Interestingly enough, scuttlebutt on TWoP suggests that her character may be based in part on Kristin Chenowith. Whhaaaaa?

[Atreides]

Aaron Sorkin used to date Kristin Chenowith, a practicing Christian with a capital "C." He pretty much admits that in the Entertainment Weekly Fall TV preview issue. The characters of Matt and Danny are more or less him, as well.

I liked S60 a lot. I love behind-the-scenes Hollywood politics stuff.

[tamaradixon]

huntergrayson said:

I think it's interesting that the devout Christian character is being played by a lesbian. Even if the character is likeable, she still won't win over certain subset of viewers.

Not to get all Sorkin-y, but I think that overestimates the audience in knowing both who Sarah Paulson and/or Cherry Jones even are. What with the typical viewer being "oh, Matthew Perry! And that dude from Wings!," I think Miss Paulson will probably be safe from the wrath of viewers.

Interestingly enough, scuttlebutt on TWoP suggests that her character may be based in part on Kristin Chenowith. Whhaaaaa?

I had no idea she was a lesbian and I consider myself pretty up on things. So there ya go. Cherry Jones I did know about...is she on the show? or dating Sara? (I'm a bit lost)

ETA: d'oh.....sorry just read page 3 and I get the connection now. Thanks!

[huntergrayson]

Hmm, I knew Kristin was on the West Wing a lot but I never knew she dated Aaron. I'm a bit spoilerphobic these days so didn't read many stories in the fall preview issue - guess I should go back and take a look. (I saw her the other day - I think. Girl is tiny!)

Cherry Jones isn't on the show, but she is dating Sarah. I would like her to do a guest spot though since I don't get to go to B'way that much. (But Doubt is coming to LA soon...)

Yeah, I like behind-the-scenes stuff too, it's just when it gets a little *too* meta and solipistic that it irks me. Are the non-Greecie, Defamer-eschewing crowd expected to know all this stuff?

[Deleted]

So, that Aaron Sorkin is pretty damn egocentric, isn't he?

[eveschmeve]

Just finished watching the show. I'll give it a try again next week.

It will be interesting to see what the comedy sketches on the show will be like. If they're bad, I feel like the entire show will suffer, because it will take away the realism. The ones from yesterday were pretty bad... but I understand that they probably should be, because the show is supposed to be of poor quality.

The random Three 6 Mafia appearance was kinda funny.

[indygirl]

Cherry Jones isn't on the show, but she is dating Sarah.

I had no idea that Sarah Paulson was a lesbian--none. Wow. And she's dating Cherry Jones? Double wow.

[huntergrayson]

It will be interesting to see what the comedy sketches on the show will be like. If they're bad, I feel like the entire show will suffer, because it will take away the realism.

30 Rock is apparently going around this by reducing the "show within the show" to almost nothing - which is (allegedly) why Rachel Dratch was recast. I worry that Sorkin might make the sketches very, uh, anvil-ly.

On a non-love life related note - I dunno how I feel about Sarah's character yet. She's supposed to be one of the biggest of the "stars" of the sketch comedy show but, well, doesn't seem too funny. A bit bitchy but not so much with the funny. I wonder how it will be in future episodes - hopefully she'll be expanded beyond the note of "devout yet liberal entertainer."

[Binky]

I'm thinking the show might be less challenging (in terms of the show within a show aspect) if it were, say a news show or primetime drama. But I guess, Sorkin already did Sportsnight and a drama might be too WW incesty.

I'm agreeing that Sarah Paulson didn't seem very funny.

[Ripley]

I did, however, like her speech to that stupid bit player who asked her if she said her prayer wrong: "You had only two lines tonight and you stepped on one of them. So until you either make people laugh or accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior, don't talk to me." I was envisioning Horatio Sanz-Talent in that character's role and chuckling gleefully.

I liked the pilot, and I'm willing to follow along to see where it goes.