Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (TV Series) The Cold Open (2006) User Reviews

Pilot=good, Cold Open=brilliant

[El_Monty · 8/10 · 26 September 2006]

The premiere of Studio 60 was pretty good, but there were a lot of things we've seen before from Aaron Sorkin. The Cold Open, however, was brilliant from start to finish. Perhaps it's because we didn't need the setup or the characters introduced and Sorkin could concentrate on character development and plot. In any case, it was tightly written and very clever. The writing quality was especially noticeable following the premiere of Heroes which, in comparison, felt heavy-handed, cliché-ridden, and forced. Sorkin has a formidable challenge with Studio 60. Not only does he have to write for his own characters, he also has to write comedy for the show-within-a-show. And if he keeps it up as well as he did here, we will be highly entertained. If only SNL could have clever (and funny) writing like this.

That was impressive

[jkm822 · 9/10 · 25 September 2006]

I didn't think they'd be able to top the first episode. Well, maybe they didn't TOP it; that opening with Judd Hirsch is pretty un-toppable. But I've got to say... this show just keeps getting better. It's so nice to see a show that doesn't assume its audience is a bunch of morons; it's nice to be given credit for having both intelligence and a sense of humor. I wish more TV could be said to be heading the same way. Here's hoping it keeps up the good work. Also... can I say three cheers for not just teasing me with the "Modern Major General" send-up? I was so afraid they were going to go to the credits without showing that. Woo-hoo!

When it was good, it was very good

[studioAT · 10/10 · 27 September 2016]

On the back of a superb pilot episode 'Studio 60' continued to be on brilliant form with this first proper episode.

The first half of 'Studio 60' was when it was at its best, mainly because it stuck to its premise. Behind the scenes of a late night comedy show. There wasn't as much emphasis on love lives or Sorkin's go to option - politics. It was just a show about putting on a show.

I love the pace of this episode, the witty banter between characters. Sorkin didn't have to prove that Matt could write the perfect cold open, he could have just led us to believe that he was a genius. But this is Aaron Sorkin, of course he shows us.

The chemistry between Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford again makes the show.

The show that is finding its way...

[Mike-on-TV · 8/10 · 25 September 2006]

The show behind the show, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip continues in episode 2 with elaborate histories of the actors and writers behind it. So what's the outlook for stars in the next 2 years? I wonder how many people will notice that this is a serious drama that is only set in a comedic environment. With only a few little laughs here and there for Matt Albie and Danny Tripp and even fewer attempts to be funny (even though there are many opportunities for a chuckle) Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip enforces the audience to believe in the seriousness of the show (in the show). We see how important scheduling and time constraints are to the producers. Perhaps this is a sympathy technique from the NBC creators and writers to get us to accept that this series could possible not go anywhere. I enjoyed episode 2 for a few reasons. Firstly the opening sketch written by Matt Albie was phenomenal and very appropriate considering the explosion by the former executive producer, Wes Mendell in the episode prior (which by the way I found more like a scene out of the movie The King of Comedy than the numerously referenced, Network). The singing by the (character) actors was a little off but the lyrics were bang on and appropriately generated a laugh out load reaction for me. I accepted it as a possible real sketch on Saturday Night Live. I think the real life produces of the television show are looking for it to be funny only when the camera is on the actual show within the show. That's the only way I can put it. I also had a good time with the relationship between Ms. McDeere and her counterparts at the NBS. She plays a pro and she seems to be ahead of the game. I find though, when she isn't, she still can use her youthfulness and down to earth reception to sell the ideas she supports. I think it's a job well done here. But where the series will go begs another question. Like: Who will they kill off for the season finale? For this review and more please visit www.mikeontv.com