Sorkin (& recs)

[kangeiko]

So, I just watched the pilot of Studio 60. I'm not sure whether I Liked it or not. On the one hand, having Bradley Whitford + Sorkin dialogue = a happy kangeiko; on the other hand, I found the storyline somewhat predictable. That's what I liked about Sorkin's writing - if you knew your stuff, you might be able to work out how to 'fix' the problem, and then you'd feel pleased with yourself for the rest of the week. Most of the time, though, you'd be several steps behind the wit and cleverness of the characters. The characters didn't stretch me, but the problems stretched me. It's why I think I'm going to have to reserve judgement on Studio 60 until I've seen what Matt and Danny actually do with this show they've regained - thus far, we've just been introduced to them, and not in a way that demonstrates their brilliance and integrity. Indeed, I wouldn't blame some people by being a little put off Matt agreeing to the show and 'talking Danny around', and Jordan in general. personally, I found all the characters charming, even the Evil Exec (i.e. Jordan's boss), HOWEVER, this did not make up for the fact that the big finale - i.e. Matt wrote the Crazy Christians sketch - was telegraphed about twenty minutes before it was revealed. It left the pilot with no real ending, more like a trailing off period.

So, yes, I'm of two minds. I don't think that, plot-wise, it's up to the standard of The West Wing - it didn't involve me that much, and a lot of it was predictable. However, the characters are all engaging and I'm willing to give it a shot.

Something everyone should read:

All Ways by kita0610
B/A/S, hard R, and it's utterly enchanting. It will make your jaw clatter to the floor with just how beautiful it is. Kita had a very light, deft touch to word selection, and her choices in 'All Ways' are both surprising and fitting. Have a read, and don't forget to feedback!

I am writing out my responses to the character love meme in long-hand, and will be typing them up over the weekend. Expect them in the next day or so. If you want to give your favourite character some luuuurve, drop their name here, and I shall deliver the goods.

Comments

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

I didn't see "Matt wrote Crazy Christians" coming. But seriously. 'Crazy Christians'? THAT'S what had the network off the hook? I sort of wanted to whisper in Sorkin's ear that nobody actually CARES whether SNL can air that sort of sketch, because "South Park" and "The Daily Show" have the bases covered, thanks. As a comparison, I was thinking of the Larry Sanders episode where a pre-Daily Show Jon Stewart (as himself) gets in trouble for a Hitler sketch that actually risks offending the audience.

I wonder if Sorkin will acknowledge the extent to which the networks are competing for relevance with basic cable?

Still, I really liked the show, including all the characters, and I haven't been a big fan of Sorkin's previous shows (though I really like your analysis of what made TWW work for you).

[kangeiko]

I didn't see "Matt wrote Crazy Christians" coming. But seriously. 'Crazy Christians'? THAT'S what had the network off the hook?

Not being that familiar with American television other than what's imported to the UK, I have to say that I had to take Sorkin's word for it - although it was something that just sounded wrong to me.

"South Park" and "The Daily Show" have the bases covered, thanks.

Exactly.

a Hitler sketch that actually risks offending the audience.

As an aside, I read a recent op-ed in The Guardian that pointed out the hypocrisy of being so horrified of anything that involves Hitler in the advertising industry - you wouldn't dream of using Nazi Germany as the setting for a make-up advert, for instance - but that the leftist dictators like Mao and Stalin seem fair game (i.e. the recent VO5 advert that involves two Red Guards 'rebelling' by styling their hair).

Still, I really liked the show, including all the characters, and I haven't been a big fan of Sorkin's previous shows (though I really like your analysis of what made TWW work for you).

I have to say, Episode 3 kinda... made it suck just a little. Hmmm. Will hold out for a few more episodes, but then I might cut my losses.

[likeadeuce.livejournal.com]

I liked the second ep considerably less, and didn't even watch the third, I'm afraid. My enthusiasm was very short-lived.

Several people have pointed out the irony that there's probably more high quality television made in the US these days than there has been for a long time, possibly ever -- partly due to writers like Sorkin showing people what could be done with the medium. Obviously, there's still a lot of crap, but it's hard to figure out exactly what Sorkin is flailing about.

[kangeiko]

Obviously, there's still a lot of crap, but it's hard to figure out exactly what Sorkin is flailing about.

Exactly. I watched bits of episode 3, and then sorta... ran out of steam. Honestly, I can't get worked up over the quality of American TV, especially since it seems pretty good from way over here. Now, US politics I could get worked up about... why can't he do something about a bunch of Greenpeace workers, or something? Or Red Cross volunteers? I'd watch that!