Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (TV Series) The Wrap Party (2006) User Reviews

What A Deft Tango of Today's Pressing Challenges

[shemuses · 10/10 · 23 July 2007]

Having been a follower of Sorkin's work for some time, I found this episode to have encompassed and sensuously moved through some of the most important human rights issues of our day. Our families are divided over fears of terrorism and how to deal with it, and that is brought out with the visit of parents with a son defending freedom in Afghanistan to their son who brings joy through laughter (both ways to compensate our fears). Eli Wallach turns in an Emmy nominated performance as a decorated WWII veteran who, after serving his country and almost losing his life is rewarded with being labeled a communist and prevented from pursuing his profession (and his love) as a comedy writer. The sexism and prurient idolatry of sports figures that spurs hope that Sorkin reaches a feminist audience, as well as delving into our personal issues of insecurity through Jordan's character. Strong women have few friends seems to permeate. Underlying as a wonderful promenade is the race card, played deftly and with truth by D.L. Hughley who convinces Matt to consider adding a person of color to the writing staff, the subsequent disappointment of the targeted talent and the delightful surprise that follows manages to demonstrate another hope that all the CNN special stories can't seem to touch. If I were able to nominate an episode of any television drama this season for best writing, acting, directing it would be this one. I can't manage to erase it off my DVR.

A 'developing' episode

[studioAT · 5/10 · 29 October 2017]

While not the best episode of the show it does still have its moments, and it is almost as if Sorkin is using it as a way of fleshing out some of the characters.

So we get a Tom heavy story line, with him guiding his parents around the studio, and also setting up the 'brother at war' aspect that will become more prominent later.

We also see another side to Jordan, in the sense that she wants to fit in with other women. As other reviewers have said, this is a bit of a change to the character, but Amanda Peet plays it well.

It's also nice to see Simon being fleshed out in his story with Matt, and also Cal too.

All in all there's a lot going on in this episode, and while it's probably one you could skip if you wanted, it is useful because it establishes the cast a little bit more. All of these actors could carry their own show, but the fact that they are all in the same place makes 'Studio 60' all the more special.

This episode is a huge disappointment

[steve-3182 · 1/10 · 23 October 2006]

Jordan seemed totally out of character. Weak, insecure, dumb. Nothing like what she's been in previous shows. Tom's back story could have been interesting -- how his comedic sense emerged from a life in Ohio under a strait-laced father. Instead, he delivers a history lesson. And of all the cast members to pair up with Eli Wallach, wouldn't Tom, with his appreciation for comedy and comedians, have been a natural? At least he might have explained the Clifford Odets reference that probably sailed over the head of any viewer under 70. Last criticism: At the outset it seemed like the episode was going to set up the three bimbos as a main story line. That fell flat right away, so the trio disappeared. Good riddance. Only Simon's back story, his confrontation with Matt and their interplay at the Improv rang true; that's the only story line that sounded like something Sorkin wrote. The first five episodes hooked me and I will keep watching the show, but this week's show not only wasted my time, it insulted my intelligence.