Is Studio 60 Finally Settling Into a Groove?

Studio 60 Settling Into A Groove?

I've been a fan since the first episodes, and a worrying, wondering type of parent as well.This is what happens to me when I take a liking to a marginal series. Of course, this one didn't come out of the blocks like a marginal series. It is well produced, with Aaron Sorkin and a cast of mid-level heavyweight actors full of talent and light on big star name-splashing crap to take away from what was being produced.

What is being produced is a smart, frenetically paced drama wrapped around a Saturday Night Live type television show, it's producers, actors, and power-wielding corporate executives. I've always liked Matthew Perry's characters, both in movies and on "Friends". This character, Matt, is an executive producer, he is smarter, more passionate, and tougher than "Chandler", with writing talent and some people skills. The show revolves around him and his best friend, Producer Danny, played by one of the other talented actors, I've read he comes from "The West Wing", all I know is that I like him here. The rest of the cast is strong too, and also come with great pedigrees, I'm not trying to belittle them, it's just that they are not what could be the problem with this show.

After the first episode of this show, it was my favorite this season. After the second, it gained even more steam. Then they lost me a little. It was around the same time that the ratings were bringing up rumors about cancellation that the scripts went to a way too somber tone. This is a drama but it should be rooted around it's core, a comedy, and thought provoking pieces are best placed carefully. A side plot about a black-listed actor from the McCarthy witch hunt era fell flat with me and many,calling on the dogs. Still, I rooted for it.

It quit being appointment TV for a few weeks, when one episode just didn't air and the next two, a two-parter with John Goodman as a back-desert judge, seemed to be all over the place. I watched it on DVR and it wasn't bad, and then, this Christmas episode once again shows why there is promise and the always lurking black holes it threatens to fall into.

We have witty and touching banter between Matt and Harriet, his once and probably future love. Where at first the interaction between these two seemed to be contrived, they are now developing chemistry. It is now possible to see them as having been a couple, without having to be told. There is a burgeoning romance between Danny and Jordan, the embattled Network head. This hasn't turned into a show about romance, but these little plot sidelines help with the other heavy tones. The heavy tones are a steady, drumming battle with powers that be over censorship. I'm sure tat being talented writers and all, it is not an accident that this plot line seems to be a nagging pain in the neck. This seems like a theme that should be recurring, not constant.

What also worked was the snippets of skits that make you wish that these guys were writing for SNL instead of whoever has that gig now. A takeoff on Dateline's sexual predator series where they catch Santa coming down the chimney? That was funnier than anything I saw on SNL last week alone. Okay, the bar is not exactly high anymore at SNL, but that's another show I can't give up on.

Network television is a wasteland of reality shows and mostly very bad sit-coms, I'm hoping "Studio 60" sticks it out. The last rumors I read say that it got picked up for the season, which seems to correspond with an upgrade in the scripts. I guess the writers decided to quit using their time sending out resumes and started developing their characters. There are those out there just waiting each week to chew episodes to little bits, and a devoted cheering blog , I'm hoping these things even out.

Paint Jack Black Done?

I liked Jack Black even before it was cool. He was hilarious playing bit parts like the record store reject in “Hi Fidelity”, a scene stealing, cool, geek, funny man. I loved the guy, but has the act ran a little bit too long. After suffering through a few too many of his latest comedies, I’m wondering when he is going to deliver. After this latest flop, “Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny”, might be out of fans in the movie development business too.

This last week, he’s done a PR blitz, from Letterman to “Saturday Night Live”, as a musical act, he did everything he could to keep his movie from going to the second run theatres in it’s third week. It wasn’t enough to keep him in the top ten this week. He is getting dusted by the likes of “Borat”.

Is he just too weird for the mainstream? Or does he take it too far, like I’m inclined to think. He reminds me of Robin Williams in that he is an incredibly funny person but possibly too frenetic to run free of rein. He is much better to let making the most of his small moments as a supporting character. Still, I thought he would come up with something so well envisioned that it would be one of those great comedy moments.Much like I have seen Borat described in reviews.

I didn’t even make it through “Shallow Hal”, and his preening rocker schtick was old already in “School of Rock.” I am going to wait until video, which could be before Christmas, for “Tenacious D” and “Nacho Libre” might not get a chance with me until it is on USA or TNT, which could also be before Christmas.

Jack, if you’re out there, I’m a big fan, but pull it together dude. I love the whole fact that you make it cool not to take care of ourselves or change clothes or shave and stuff like that, but to make it work, you have to be funny. I don’t think Gene Simmons would have done the power strum or stuck his tongue out as many times as you did on your SNL gig. Could you guys have least done one of your funny rock songs? The two “Puff the Magic Dragon” knock-offs didn’t do it for me.

I’ll be waiting eagerly to see what develops, but not at the box office line. Am I just too old to get it? If so, the entire United States agrees with me. On Letterman, Jack and his sidekick didn’t have any clips from the film aired, and made outright fun of how bad the movie was doing. First, they said it would come back and be a “cult” movie, which very well be where it makes it. There is a niche for movies that just don’t get through to anyone the first time around, and with cable channels, it is possible to exploit that niche. Really, how else do movies like “P.C.U”

Call Off The BCS, We Don't Need It This Year

Okay, we all know what everyone does at this time of year when their team is vying for a bowl game, the Ultimate college bowl game. Every year since they started the BCS, college football has not only proven that we need that game, but that even this added, privileged game wasn't enough.
"We need a playoff system!" We all cry.

Well, what now? Who needs another game to prove who is the best team in College football? Only one team has walked the walk and talked the talk all season, wire to wire, head of the pack, however you want to call it. I'm not even an OSU fan, but there is no ignoring the facts.

Ohio State is best and any system that doesn't anoint them is flawed. Football being a game capable of wielding victorious underdogs they could still lose in the title game, but I wouldn't bet on it. This should be the first title game that is off the boards in Vegas, and if by some miracle they do lose, the should have to be beaten twice, like in a double elimination tournament.

Looking at the scenario now, hate to say it but Florida should be going to that unnecessary 'title' game, to be thwacked on National TV, the Craig Ehlo's* of College football, spending a night getting posterized by the champions. It won't be a game it will be a crowning ceremony, and Florida will look like bigger idiots than they made Arkansas look in the SEC Championship.

Still, they deserve it, in accordance with what I perceive as the NCAA BCS crazy-ass rules that apply. Don't tell me Michigan does, please. Unless you're from Michigan, you have no excuse for even thinking so, zip it! Michigan had their shot, and it's not like they didn't know it then. This is college football, no do-overs!

USC shouldn't be able to slip in the back door like some last minute slime-bucket sneaking into the prom and getting made King. Just sit this one out, Hollywood. Thankfully, they did everyone a favor a dropped duke againce UCLA. Even the PAC-10 has those conference rivalries that come back to haunt you.

I'm not a Notre Dame fan, but I was hoping that somehow the Golden Domers would work their way into the title game. The stage would be set. Everyone in the country would get a little bit of what they want. ND fans would get a lottery ticket one punch KO dream of a chance. The rest of the country, who seem to loathe ND more than any other college team, could watch them get pummeled. Unfortunately, ND couldn't take down USC, or Michigan, or much of anyone except the service academies to warrant even a heavily biased BCS selection.

So it's Florida, good old reliable, semi-pro Florida, the classy program in the state for a change. Pack your bags Gators, make sure to take advantage of the gift bags and the sweet food spread, after this it's to the NFL for all of you and you won't be posturing for your last game of the season anymore.

When they modify the system again, they should make sure to put in a clause about years like this, where the National Champion can be announced in November. Instead of going on and pretending that they matter, the Bowl games can just revert to what they were before, pageantry.

*yes, the Craig Ehlo reference is old and regional, but I just can't let go.