Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip - The Complete Series [DVD]

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• Mad Men - Complete Season 1 [DVD] [2007] DVD ~ January Jones

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• Damages - Season 1 [DVD] [2007] DVD ~ Glenn Close

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Aaron Sorkin, bless him, believes that "the people who watch television shows aren't dumber than the people who make television shows." He also believes that "quality is not anathema to profit." He puts these idealistic words into the mouth of Jordan McDeere (Amanda Peet), the new, impolitic NBS TV president whose first order of business is to revitalise the network's cash cow, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, a long-running live late-night sketch-comedy series reeling from the Howard Beale-esque on-air meltdown of its creator (Judd Hirsch, alas, limited to the pilot episode). With this Upstairs/Backstage look at Studio 60's tumultuous network politics and stormy personal relationships, Sorkin, the creator of Sports Night and The West Wing, once again tried to raise the bar of prime time fare. That he didn't quite clear it makes this one-season wonder a fascinating object lesson of great hopes and dashed expectations. Studio 60 was perhaps the most hotly debated series of the 2006 season and, love it or hate it, all its strengths and flaws can be savoured and savaged anew with this complete-series set. Pretty much above reproach is the ensemble. Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford head the cast as comedy writer Matt and executive producer Danny, former Studio 60 hands whom Jordan brings back to "save" the show. Steven Weber co-stars as network chairman Jack Rudolph, who clashes with Jordan over reality programming (he wants it, she doesn't), is embroiled in network negotiations with China, and must fend off angry affiliates offended by such sketches as "Crazy Christians." Jordan contends with becoming tabloid fodder after her ex-husband leaks scandalous details of their past. Meanwhile, Matt, a sardonic atheist, is in a whole Ross and Rachel thing with Harriet (Emmy nominee Sarah Paulson), who is devoutly religious and the show's galvanising star performer (she does do a mean Holly Hunter). Studio 60 has much to say about comedy in wartime, the divided states of America, the creative process, and patriotism. Some of it is deftly handled, some of it is ham-handed and some of it patronising. Most of it is delivered in Sorkin's signature chock-a-block style and with walk-and-talk urgency. But even at its most maddening, there are enough riveting moments (a performance by displaced New Orleans musicians in "The Christmas Show"), jaw-dropping developments ("I'm coming for you, Jordan," warns Danny, suddenly-turned romantic stalker), and indelible performances (John Goodman's Emmy-winning turn as a plain-speaking Pahrump, NV judge not impressed with the Hollywood types before him in the two-part "Nevada Day") to make Studio 60 a series worth revisiting, if only as a guilty pleasure. The pilot episode commentary by Sorkin and director Thomas Schlamme, as well as a behind-the-scenes featurette, were produced before the show was canceled, robbing this series' fervent fans of the opportunity for some closure. --Donald Liebenson

DVD Description
Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip is brought to you by Emmy Award-winning writer/producer Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, A Few Good Men), sharing his vision of the rarely seen world of US network television. Studio 60, a fictional TV Show, is losing viewers fast. Enter Matt (Matthew Perry, Friends) and Danny (Bradley Whitford, The West Wing) as two fresh-faced writers, and a feisty new network president (Amanda Peet, A Lot Like Love) ready to save the show from being taken off the air. Complete with Sorkin's trademark sarcasm, sharp and witty scripting, Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip showcases the talents of its tight ensemble cast, including Emmy Award-nominated Sarah Paulson (Down With Love), Steven Webber (Single White Female) and a host of celebrity cameos (Felicity Huffman, Lauren Graham, Sting, and many more).

Stills from Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip

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44 Reviews 5 star:  (29) 4 star:  (8) 3 star:  (5) 2 star:  (2) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.5 out of 5 stars (44 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   112 of 120 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Sorkin is genius, Studio 60 is brilliant - but it does have one major flaw..., 20 Aug 2007 By  Anonymous (Swansea, Wales) - See all my reviews In this review I will frequently refer to 'Aaron Sorkin'. Sorkin is the writer/creator of this show, and he also wrote the mega-hit 'The West Wing' Firstly if you liked 'Sports Night' or 'The West Wing' then this is an essential purchase. Aaron Sorkin is in my opinion the best writer in the world and he proves it again with this show. The dialogue is witty, back-and-forth and yet somehow always seems real. Sorkin has an uncanny ability to throw out one-liners and insert jokes into a script, and it doesn't seem forced. I'm sure we have all seen shows where the characters interact with each other through a series of one-liners and the show seems fake because of it. Sorkin always makes you believe that you are behind the scenes, watching regular people doing an extraordinary job. This is evidenced here. The acting is superb, Perry is a revelation. Whitford and Peet are their normal brilliant selves, and Steven Weber's performances were a very welcome surprise. Hard to believe he was the same actor who played the ir-responsible brother on 'Wings'. All of Sorkin's shows are superbly acted and this is another example. On top of an incredible core cast, there are an array of guest stars. Judd Hirsch, Allison Janney, Sting & Jason Alexander to name but a few. Honestly up until this point, i'm sure it sounds like a perfect show - but there is a problem. Matt (Perry's character) is sold to the audience as the best writer in Hollywood. He is the funniest guy in America and the only person who can save an ailing sketch show from being cancelled. He takes over the show along with his best friend and producer Danny Tripp(Whitford). This was big news and there is a lot of pressure on their shoulders to prove that they are deserving of the praise being given to them. This is an excellent premise for a show, and is something different. Up until this point the show is a 5 star television classic. Now onto the major flaw I mentioned in the title, this is such a big flaw that IMO it is the reason the show got cancelled. The sketches we see are painfully unfunny and quite frankly it shatters the entire illusion of the show. There are episodes where you watch 40 minutes of a great writer preparing this brilliant sketch, then when you see it performed at the end of the episode.... To call it underwhelming is to be kind. As I said it shatters the entire illusion. When you watch 'The West Wing' you believe that you are watching the most powerful man in the world struggling with decisions that can affect the course of history. It is 100% believable. Now imagine if in every episode The President ultimately made the wrong decisions at the end. That is what Studio 60 is like, instead of feeling like you are watching a comic genius constructing a piece of comic art, you feel you are watching a hack who has an undeserved reputation. This is such a shame, because everything else about the show is so very good. The worst part is that i'm sure by hiring one or two writers with history of writing a sketch show, that this could have been easily avoided. Here is another problem, although it isn't that big of a deal. Sometimes Sorkin takes the situations way too seriously. Sometimes I felt like yelling at the screen that they only work at a comedy show. You'd think you were watching the West Wing sometimes, they take it so seriously. Matt Albi honestly thinks that he has a duty to the American public to make them laugh and to help them through their tough times etc it is at times ridiculous. I know I have spent a lot of time criticising Studio 60, but I do love the show. It was brilliant and didn't deserve to be cancelled. It should have been allowed the chance to mature, very few shows hit the ground running. I recommend this show to anybody - especially Sorkin fans, but sometimes the show has believability issues. Nevertheless this was the best show on tv in 2006, and it's a damn shame we'll never see any more. I'd just like to add that Sorkin knew that the show was cancelled, and as such there is a fitting finale, everything is resolved. You won't be left on a cliff-hanger or anything, as is sadly so often the case with other cancelled dramas. Comment Comments (6) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   30 of 33 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars WHY WAS THIS CANCELLED?????, 4 Oct 2007 By  Mondler (UK) - See all my reviews I'll be honest, i was concerned that this would be another forgettable series of fake one liners and pointless story lines but...well....i was suprised. This show was acted out brilliantly by all he characters and the chemistry between them is amazing. Yet again though they cancel a show because it's not broad enough and doesnt appeal to the masses who would prefer to watch a fake painted backdrop and faceless characters batting forgettable one liners between one another. This show did make you feel you were getting a privliged behind the scenes view of a sketch show. I love how the writing was quick back and forth that at times seems ad-libded and the performance of Matthew Perry is fantastic (Chandler Bing is dead) I hope that the networks see sense and relaunch the show because seriously, how can a show like Will & Grace go on for a long as it did???? it still baffles me. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   21 of 23 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars If you liked the west wing..., 2 Aug 2007 By  Mr. D. M. Barnes (Grantham, Lincs, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    If, like me you were a fan of the West Wing you will love this show! The writing is fast paced and the storylines are gripping; much the same as the west wing. The humour is sometimes a little too fast paced and you may miss it but will howl even more on repeat viewings. Watch out for cameos from some of Aaron Sorkin's previous shows and appearances from other great guest stars. The main cast are simply excellent. This is Mathew Perry's best performance since Chandler, and Bradley Whitford's performance, although playing a similar character to Josh Lyman in the West Wing is also superb. That is to take nothing away from the other main cast members who have great chemistry throughout. The only negatve comment about this show it that this is the one and only series. The storylines that Sorkin and co were developing needed much longer to flesh out, but on the whole, great viewing. I look forward to Sorkin's next project! Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 44 customer reviews...		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Why did they pull this? I am a big West Wing Fan and bought this on the strength of that incredible series. The Sorkin trademark of a tight, intelligent script with wonderful character interplay... Read more Published 3 days ago by Ben Bottle 3.0 out of 5 stars IT'S NO WEST WING!!! Brilliantly written, but flawed. The characters are well drawn and interact extremely well. The dialogue is intelligent, thought provoking, fast and snappy. Read more Published 27 days ago by John Cotter 5.0 out of 5 stars Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip - The Complete Series [DVD] Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is a fascinating look at what happens behind the scene of a live television... Read more Published 1 month ago by L. Johnston 5.0 out of 5 stars Superb show The drama in Studio 60 is equally as engaging as its comedy. The opening scene in the very first episode depicts what kind of show Studio 60 is. Read more Published 2 months ago by D. Harris 5.0 out of 5 stars one of the very very best... this may actually be my all-time most favorite tv-show. as mentioned in many other reviews here, it is awesome, writing, cast and production. Read more Published 2 months ago by D. Binder 3.0 out of 5 stars I understand why the show was cancelled Good authors tell stories about their characters. Bad authors tell stories about themselves. The same is true for television show scriptwriters. Read more Published 3 months ago by Mr. Peter R. Carswell 2.0 out of 5 stars Am finding it difficult to get into this I have had this set for over a month and still have only viewed a few episodes. It has not yet sparked interest with me. Read more Published 3 months ago by Latedeveloper 4.0 out of 5 stars Class entertainment Being a huge fan of the west wing I couldn't wait to see this series. I wasn't disappointed. The dialogue is razor sharp and the series deals with a number of important issues... Read more Published 3 months ago by J. Reed 5.0 out of 5 stars Damned Fine Television! In the words of the immrtal Private Frazer on Dad's Army - "We're all DOOMED..." Thinking about it logically - a fantastically funny series that continually pokes fun... Read more Published 4 months ago by Mr. M. Poole 5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant! Studio 60 is a brilliant series. I had never seen this show before I brought the box set, but its great, I really enjoyed it. I can't believe they aren't making another series! Published 4 months ago by Coatesey Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews › See all 44 customer reviews...

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