Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

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Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Studio60.jpg
Genre Comedy-drama
Created by Aaron Sorkin
Starring
Composer W. G. Snuffy Walden
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes22
Production
Executive producers
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time37–46 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network NBC
ReleaseSeptember 18, 2006 (2006-09-18) 
June 28, 2007 (2007-06-28)

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is an American comedy-drama television series created and primarily written by Aaron Sorkin. The series was about the production of a live comedy series similar to Saturday Night Live . Produced by Warner Bros. Television, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip ran on NBC for 22 episodes, from September 18, 2006, to June 28, 2007. On May 14, 2007, NBC cancelled the series after one season. It is the only one of the four television shows created by Sorkin not to air for more than one season.

Contents

Plot

The series takes place behind the scenes of a live sketch comedy show (also called Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip or Studio 60) on the fictional television network NBS (National Broadcasting System), whose format is similar to that of NBC's Saturday Night Live . The show-within-a-show is run by executive producers Matt Albie (Matthew Perry) and Danny Tripp (Bradley Whitford). Matt serves as the head writer and Danny produces the show.

Cast and crew

Studio 60 features an ensemble cast portraying the personnel involved in the production of a late-night comedy show.

Major roles

Secondary roles

Guest appearances

Production

Development

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip was tentatively titled Studio 7 on the Sunset Strip during its development stage. The series prompted NBC and CBS to engage in an intense bidding war for the rights to the show in October 2005, with NBC agreeing to a "near-record license fee" in order to obtain the rights. [5] It was the show most anticipated by media buyers prior to the network upfront presentations, according to MediaLife. [6] Among the online public the show was also highly anticipated, receiving the most online "mentions" and the most positive sentiment of any new 2006 show. [7]

Influences on the show

Sorkin drew from his own experience as a writer in creating the characters (the Harriet/Matt relationship was based on Sorkin's relationship with Kristin Chenoweth, who played Annabeth Schott on The West Wing ). [8] In Studio 60's pilot, one of the reasons that Matt and Harriet broke up was Harriet's decision to appear on The 700 Club to support her Christian music album. In 2005, Chenoweth made a similar appearance on The 700 Club, sparking a negative reaction from some of her gay fans because of the views of 700 Club host Pat Robertson. [9] Unlike Matt and Harriet, Sorkin and Chenoweth did not work together on The West Wing. Sorkin left after The West Wing's fourth season and Chenoweth joined the cast during season six.

The Jordan McDeere character was loosely based on former ABC Entertainment President Jamie Tarses, who was a consultant on the show. [10]

The conflict between NBS and the FCC regarding uncensored language of American soldiers in Afghanistan parallels the decision by a small number of PBS affiliates to air the Oscar-nominated documentary Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience in full, despite potentially hefty fines for unedited obscenities used by American soldiers describing their experiences in Iraq. [11]

Following Sorkin's trend of putting real-life behind-the-scenes conflict into the writing of the show, the latter episodes of the series focus on Matt and Danny having to come up with more money for the show. The duo determine that they could raise extra money by remaking the stage as a form of product placement. This mirrors the real-world struggle of the show and its constant attempts to reduce the budget of the show and also generate more money. The new stage and its advertisements would have generated money for Studio 60, the fictional show, as well as the real life Studio 60 program. This last-ditch attempt was not enough to save the show.

Similarities to 30 Rock

Two shows debuting on 2006–07 NBC lineup, 30 Rock and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, revolved around the off-camera happenings on a Saturday Night Live-analogue sketch comedy series. Similarities between the two led to speculation that only one of them would be picked up. 30 Rock co-star Alec Baldwin said, "I'd be stunned if NBC picked up both shows. And ours has the tougher task, as a comedy, because, if it's not funny, that's it." [12] Kevin Reilly, then president of NBC Entertainment, was supportive of 30 Rock creator, writer, producer and star Tina Fey, describing the situation as a "high-class problem":

I just can't imagine the audience would look at both shows, choose one and cancel the other out. In some ways, why is it any different than when there have been three or four cop shows on any schedule, or Scrubs and ER , which are tonally very different? [13]

Evidence of the overlapping subject matter between the shows, as well as the conflict between them, arose when Aaron Sorkin asked Lorne Michaels to allow him to observe Saturday Night Live for a week, a request Michaels denied. [12] Despite this, Sorkin sent Fey flowers after NBC announced it would pick up both series, and wished her luck with 30 Rock. [14] Fey said that "it's just bad luck for me that in my first attempt at prime time I'm going up against the most powerful writer on television. I was joking that this would be the best pilot ever aired on Trio. And then Trio got canceled." [12]

Although 30 Rock's first-season ratings proved lackluster and were lower than those of Studio 60, [15] Studio 60 was more expensive to produce. [16] Studio 60 was canceled after one season while 30 Rock was renewed, and would ultimately last for seven seasons and 138 episodes, the last of which aired during the 2012–13 season.

Episodes

Studio 60 consists of a single season of 22 episodes. Its pilot episode was written by series creator Aaron Sorkin, and directed by executive producer Thomas Schlamme. Its pilot was ostensibly based on Sorkin and Schlamme's experience on The West Wing . [17] Sorkin wrote or co-wrote all of the episodes. Schlamme directed four episodes, a total exceeded only by Timothy Busfield, who directed five episodes and co-directed a sixth.

The series includes two two-part episodes ("Nevada Day" and "The Harriet Dinner") and concludes with a story arc featuring a three-part episode "K & R" (kidnap & ransom) that is capped off with a fourth and final episode ("What Kind of Day Has It Been").

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateGuest host &
musical guest
1"Pilot" Thomas Schlamme Aaron Sorkin September 18, 2006 (2006-09-18) Felicity Huffman
Three 6 Mafia
The executive producer of a late night sketch comedy show sparks a media frenzy when he has an on-air meltdown during a live broadcast. The newly appointed network president, Jordan McDeere, has to scramble to make things right by hiring back two former prized employees to become the new executive producers of her network's flagship program. She hires writer Matt Albie and former sketch producer, now director Danny Tripp, who had both left the show years before on terms that were not amicable. Meanwhile, Matt and ex-girlfriend Harriet Hayes come to terms with having to work on the show together very soon after their breakup.
2"The Cold Open"Thomas SchlammeAaron SorkinSeptember 25, 2006 (2006-09-25) Mark Wahlberg [18]
The White Stripes [19] [20]
Matt and Danny have five days to put together their first show, which is receiving enormous media attention and Harriet tries her best to work with Matt. In the meantime, Jordan puts her new job on the line by facing down pressure due to a controversial sketch amidst criticism from sponsors and affiliates scared of alienating Christians. Also, staff writers Ricky and Ron — who were catalysts to Matt and Danny's initial departure — express their dismay at being made to work for Matt.
3"The Focus Group" Christopher Misiano Aaron SorkinOctober 2, 2006 (2006-10-02) Rob Reiner
Gwen Stefani [19]
A network focus group sends a scare through the company that the ratings success of Matt and Danny's first show might have been a one-time thing. Harriet expresses her jealousy at Matt having spent the night with Jeannie so shortly after breaking up, accusing him of rubbing it in her face. The team is pleased to have had a high rating for their opening week with Matt and Danny's return, but fear they won't retain momentum in the ratings in the follow-up show. Jeannie is disappointed by the focus group's score for her sketch "Commedia Dell'Arte". Matt makes a deal with Jeannie regarding the success of the sketch on the live broadcast.
4"The West Coast Delay" Timothy Busfield Mark Goffman & Aaron SorkinOctober 9, 2006 (2006-10-09)None Featured
Jordan is approached by Vanity Fair columnist Martha O'Dell (guest star Christine Lahti), requesting access to Studio 60 to write a long lead story about the rebirth of the show. Harriet offers Matt a baseball bat she was given by a major league baseball player, unaware that the pitcher had written his phone number on it. When it is discovered that the show has inadvertently plagiarized another comedian's material during a sketch, the team scrambles to break into the taped West Coast feed to correct their error.
5"The Long Lead Story" David Petrarca Story by: Dana Calvo
Teleplay by: Aaron Sorkin
October 16, 2006 (2006-10-16) Lauren Graham
Sting
While the cast goes through rehearsals with Lauren Graham and Sting, Martha O'Dell tries to get the story on Matt and Harriet. Meanwhile, Jordan passes on a lucrative — but tasteless — new reality series.
6"The Wrap Party" David Semel Story by: Melissa Myers & Amy Turner
Teleplay by: Aaron Sorkin
October 23, 2006 (2006-10-23) Lauren Graham
Sting
Continuation of "The Long Lead Story".
A drunken Jordan makes friends with the cast during an after-show party, Danny tries to get Matt's mind off Harriet with the help of three sexy women, Simon makes a plea to hire more black writers and Cal deals with a mysterious man backstage (guest star Eli Wallach).
7"Nevada Day, Part 1" Lesli Linka Glatter
Timothy Busfield
Story by: Mark McKinney
Teleplay by: Aaron Sorkin
November 6, 2006 (2006-11-06) Jessica Simpson [18] [19]
Simpson mentioned as both host and musical guest
Harriet is cited in an interview as being anti-homosexual, though she claims to have been impartial in her comments. This causes a dispute in which Tom injures a man protesting against Harriet. Through a unique series of events, Tom is later arrested. Following this, a variety of cast and staff from NBS travel to Pahrump, a small town in Nevada, to get Tom out of jail in time for his show that night. Guest star John Goodman plays a judge who is not a fan of Studio 60. First part of a two-parter.
8"Nevada Day, Part 2"Timothy BusfieldStory by: David Handelman & Cinque Henderson
Teleplay by: Aaron Sorkin
November 13, 2006 (2006-11-13) Jessica Simpson [18] [19]
Continuation of "Nevada Day Part I".
Jack has to get Tom out of a small town jail to make it back for his show that night as tension heats up between Matt and Harriet. In the absence of Simon to co-host the "News 60" segment, Matt asks Dylan to co-anchor with Harriet, who is surprisingly reluctant to "play" himself before the camera.
9"The Option Period" John Fortenberry Story by: Christina Kiang Booth & Mark Goffman
Teleplay by: Aaron Sorkin
November 20, 2006 (2006-11-20) Jessica Simpson [18] [19]
Continuation of "Nevada Day Part II".
After the show comes down, Matt discovers that Ricky and Ron are planning to leave — and take the writing staff with them — to write their adaptation of their Studio 60 character "Peripheral Vision Man" as a Fox network sitcom. Matt tries to discourage them from going since he thinks their show will fail, but Ricky takes his concern for condescension, claiming Matt is trying to hold him back. Harriet contemplates doing a lingerie photo spread in a magazine, which Tom and Simon advise her against for the sake of her professional image. Jordan and Danny wrestle with budget cuts, as Jordan suggests either adding product placement or firing 15 staff members.
10"B-12" Bryan Gordon Eli Attie & Aaron SorkinNovember 27, 2006 (2006-11-27) Howie Mandel
Corinne Bailey Rae
The cast has to get through the show despite being ravaged by a virus, and Matt has to get through the week with a new and much smaller writing staff. Matt calls for the help of fellow former writer of Studio 60 Andy Mackinaw. Jordan reveals to Danny that she is pregnant. Inexperienced writers Darius and Lucy have a sketch approved to air for the first time, only to have it pulled at the last moment due to its similarity with a real-life hostage situation.
11"The Christmas Show" Dan Attias Story by: Christina Kiang Booth & Cinque Henderson
Teleplay by: Aaron Sorkin
December 4, 2006 (2006-12-04)No Host Featured
A Tipitina Foundation Band
With a holiday show on the horizon, Matt is determined to bring the Christmas spirit to Studio 60. Meanwhile, following a visit to the OB/GYN, Danny has to confront his true feelings for Jordan. Harriett is offered a career changing opportunity. Tom and Simon jump at the opportunity to assist the writing team to write Christmas-based sketches in order to enjoy the company of a certain member of the writing team, however their presence is seen as more of a hindrance by the writing staff. When Danny discovers that band members from various TV shows intend to call in sick in an effort to help musicians who have been homeless since Hurricane Katrina, he takes the opportunity to create an entire band from New Orleans musicians who play a centerpiece on the show.
12"Monday" Lawrence Trilling Story by: Dana Calvo & David Handelman
Teleplay by: Aaron Sorkin
January 22, 2007 (2007-01-22) Masi Oka
John Legend
Seen in "The Harriet Dinner".
The cast and staff come back from their holiday break and prepare for the first show of the New Year with Danny in full pursuit of Jordan. Matt starts bidding in an online auction for a date with Harriet to compete with Luke Scott, a film director interested in Harriet, both on and off screen. Jordan is introduced to Hallie (Stephanie Childers), the newly appointed Vice President of Alternative Programming, but does not get off on the right foot with her, due to referring to her area of specialty as "illiterate programming". Jordan makes a plea for Danny to stop pursuing her, claiming it's embarrassing, however he says that he won't.
13"The Harriet Dinner, Part 1"Timothy BusfieldStory by: Eli Attie
Teleplay by: Aaron Sorkin
January 29, 2007 (2007-01-29) Masi Oka
John Legend
Continued from "Monday".
Danny and Jordan are locked on the roof of the theatre while other members of the cast and staff attend a dinner honoring Harriet, whose relationship with Matt begins to unravel. [21]
14"The Harriet Dinner, Part 2"John FortenberryStory by: Dana Calvo & Mark Goffman
Teleplay by: Aaron Sorkin
February 5, 2007 (2007-02-05) Masi Oka
John Legend
Continued from "Monday".
Danny and Jordan are locked on the roof of the theater while other members of the cast and staff attend a dinner honoring Harriet, whose relationship with Matt begins to unravel. Grammy winner Natalie Cole guest-stars.
15"The Friday Night Slaughter"Thomas SchlammeStory by: Melissa Myers & Amy Turner
Teleplay by: Aaron Sorkin
February 12, 2007 (2007-02-12) Peyton Manning
Manning mentioned as host on outside billboard
Diana Valdes (played by musician Gina La Piana)
another replacement for The White Stripes
Jennifer Love Hewitt
mentioned as host in 1999 flashback
N'Sync
mentioned as musical guest in 1999 flashback
Matt remembers how he and Harriet first met in 1999, and struggles to garner memories of a fired writer from Cal and Danny. In the aftermath of his argument with Harriet, he begins taking drugs. Tom and Dylan spend the episode lobbying to prevent their sketch from being cut between dress rehearsal and airtime. "Tim Batale", the name of the writer that Matt remembers from his early days of working at Studio 60 (but nobody else can), is an anagram of "Matt Albie".
16"4 A.M. Miracle" Laura Innes Story by: Mark McKinney
Teleplay by: Aaron Sorkin
February 19, 2007 (2007-02-19) Renée Zellweger
[18]
Matt is stuck on a Wednesday night with writer's block and also has to contend with a lawyer named Mary Tate (guest star Kari Matchett) who is investigating a sexual harassment claim while Harriet continues shooting her movie. In addition, Jordan and Danny enter into a contest to see who would make the better parent.
17"The Disaster Show"Thomas SchlammeStory by: Chad Gomez Creasey & Dara Resnik Creasey
Teleplay by: Aaron Sorkin
May 24, 2007 (2007-05-24) Allison Janney
Macy Gray
Allison Janney, as herself, is the guest host of a show that goes haywire when the propmasters and cue card workers stage a last minute wildcat strike. While the show is on, a bomb threat referencing a Muhammad sketch threatens the building. Matthew Perry, Amanda Peet, and Bradley Whitford do not appear in this episode.
18"Breaking News" Andrew Bernstein Aaron SorkinMay 31, 2007 (2007-05-31) Jenna Fischer
Gran Bel Fisher
Jordan experiences an emergency with her pregnancy during the live show when she suddenly cannot feel her baby kick. However, an even larger emergency is unfolding for Tom, whose brother is involved in a hostage crisis. Amidst all this, Matt's pill use gets discovered as he deals with the continuous presence of Mary Tate.
19"K&R, Part 1"Timothy BusfieldStory by: Mark Goffman
Teleplay by: Aaron Sorkin
June 7, 2007 (2007-06-07) Jenna Fischer
Gran Bel Fisher
Continuation of "Breaking News".
Jordan is rushed into surgery as the situation with Tom's brother grows more grim. It is discovered that the cause for Jordan's concern is a nuchal cord. While resting in the emergency room, she suffers spasms indicating eclampsia. Treated initially with magnesium sulfate (also called Epsom salts), it leaves the doctor with no choice but to proceed with an emergency caesarean section. This leads Danny to propose to Jordan on the spot, which she accepts. Matt and Harriet respond to Tom's situation in different ways, one with hope, the other with prayer. Flashbacks have Wes ill and interim show heads Matt and Danny forced on the difficult task of heading the show's first post-9/11 episode.
20"K&R, Part 2" Dave Chameides Story by: Jack Gutowitz & Ian Reichbach
Teleplay by: Aaron Sorkin
June 14, 2007 (2007-06-14) Jenna Fischer
Gran Bel Fisher
Continuation of "Breaking News".
The situation with Tom's brother continues to drag on through the night. After a news anchor describes the relationship between the brothers as "estranged", Simon lashes out harshly at the media. At the hospital, Jordan's baby is delivered, but the situation worsens as Jordan begins bleeding internally. Mary Tate counsels Matt that if Jordan were to die, Danny would have no rights regarding Jordan's child. Flashbacks depict Danny and Matt fighting with network brass over a yet-to-be-aired, post-9/11 sketch depicting the relationship between Hollywood and the White House.
21"K&R, Part 3"Timothy BusfieldAaron Sorkin & Mark McKinneyJune 21, 2007 (2007-06-21) Jenna Fischer
Gran Bel Fisher
Continuation of "Breaking News".
Jason Alexander
Sheryl Crow
The host and musical guest on the show in the flashback scenes.
Jordan's internal hemorrhaging has stopped, but her prolonged exposure may have led to a bacterial infection, leaving Harriet and Danny feeling helpless to do anything. Jack tries pressuring Simon into releasing a written apology to the media, which he firmly refuses to do. The military gains information that the terrorists may have executed one of the airmen, leading Mary Tate's K & R efforts to go forward. In addition to this, Mary Tate begins to draw up the paperwork that can make Danny the baby's legal guardian in the event of Jordan's death. Flashbacks reveal that Matt and Danny aired a sketch displaying the dubious relationship between the White House and Hollywood five weeks after 9/11, a sketch that angered many viewers. When Matt refused to release any apology, Jack threatened to fire them. This lack of principle led Matt and Danny to quit the show. Martin Sheen voices a conservative talk show host.
22"What Kind of Day Has It Been" Bradley Whitford Aaron SorkinJune 28, 2007 (2007-06-28) Jenna Fischer
Gran Bel Fisher
Continuation of "Breaking News".
This series finale episode shares the title of the first season finales of both of Sorkin's two previous series, Sports Night and The West Wing as well as the series finale episode of his show to-follow The Newsroom . The long night for the cast finally comes to an end: Jordan, Danny, and the newborn finally become true family, Simon agrees with Jack to apologize for his harsh remarks, and the relationship between Matt and Harriet begins a new chapter. Most importantly, Tom's brother and his comrades are successfully saved and delivered into American hands. The final image in the show's run is the entire cast of Studio 60 looking back on the day's events, ready to start all over again come Monday.

Reception

Critical reaction

Television critics named Studio 60 their "Best Overall New Program" in a poll conducted by Broadcasting and Cable, [22] based on the pilot episode. In their 2006 year-end issue, the New York Daily News listed Studio 60 as number 6 on their best "Series of the Year" list, and it was also listed in best standout performances as number 9 for Matthew Perry. [23] Glenn Garvin of the Miami Herald named Studio 60 as number 2 on his list of best "Series of the Year." [24] Studio 60 earned a collective rating of 75 out of 100 based on 33 reviews by TV critics and received 8.2 out of 10 from 276 votes by users on Metacritic. [25]

The pilot was seen by an average of 13.4 million total viewers in its initial airing on NBC, although it experienced significant viewer falloff from the first half-hour to the second half-hour, [26] and the second episode's Nielsen ratings were down by 12% from the pilot. [27] The erosion continued through episode 5, with a 43% viewer drop off from its premiere, but subsequently leveled off.

On October 27, 2006, NBC gave a conditional "vote of confidence" by ordering three additional scripts on top of the initial order of 13. [28] Despite the order, Studio 60 performed poorly in the ratings, which led to speculation that the network was seriously considering canceling the show.

Gossip blogger Roger Friedman of Fox News reported on October 30, 2006, that cancellation of the show was imminent. [29] This was denied the next day by an NBC representative who stated that the show "is profitable at this point" and that rather than a cancellation, it is more likely that the show's time slot will change. [30]

On November 9, 2006, NBC announced that the show had been picked up for a full season, citing its favorable demographics as the reason. According to NBC's press release: "Studio 60 has consistently delivered some of the highest audience concentrations among all primetime network series in such key upscale categories as adults 18–49 living in homes with $75,000-plus and $100,000-plus incomes and in homes where the head of household has four or more years of college."

In its December 17, 2006, issue, Time listed Studio 60 as one of "5 Things That Went From Buzz to Bust", sharing the distinction with other "phenomena that captivated the media for a spell, then turned out to be less than huge." [31] Entertainment Weekly named Studio 60 the worst TV show of 2006. [32] Comedy writers were largely disdainful of Studio 60, with comments like "People in television, trust me, are not that smart", "[Sorkin] wants to get big ideas across and change people's minds. No comedians work that way. They go for the laughs first and the lesson second", and "[ Saturday Night Live ] is so dark, they could never show what actually happens there." [33]

The New Yorker described the short-lived Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip as a show people loved to hate-watch, as "it was bad in a truly spectacular way—you could learn something from it, about self-righteous TV speechifying and failed satire and the dangers of letting a brilliant showrunner like [Aaron] Sorkin run loose to settle all his grudges in fictional form". [34]

On July 19, 2007, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced their nominations for the 2007 Primetime Emmy Awards. Studio 60 was nominated in five categories. The pilot episode earned three nominations: Outstanding Directing (Thomas Schlamme), Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series, and Outstanding Casting in Dramatic Series. Both John Goodman and Eli Wallach were nominated Outstanding Guest Actor in Dramatic Series. [35] Studio 60 Emmy nominations surpassed several other shows, such as Friday Night Lights and Dexter, which got two and three, respectively. The show also tied with CSI and 24 .

U.S. scheduling

On December 2, 2006, NBC announced that Studio 60 would be sharing the Monday at 10 p.m. timeslot with The Black Donnellys ; as a result, Studio 60 was on hiatus from December 4, 2006, to January 22, 2007. [36] It then ran non-stop until February 26, 2007, when it was scheduled to take another hiatus. [37]

On February 13, 2007, NBC announced that Studio 60 would go on hiatus one week early, and that the last episode would air on February 19, 2007. This was at least partially due to the show's delivering its lowest ratings to date on the Monday preceding the announcement. [38]

During the hiatus on NBC, The Black Donnellys (premiered February 26), Thank God You're Here (premiered April 9), The Real Wedding Crashers (premiered April 23, after Thank God You're Here moved to Wednesdays), [39] [40] and Law & Order: Criminal Intent (aired its last two episodes of the season starting May 14) occupied the Monday 10 p.m. time period.

On April 2, 2007, NBC announced that Studio 60 would not reclaim its Monday at 10 p.m. time slot at the conclusion of The Black Donnellys run and that The Real Wedding Crashers , a reality show based on the popular movie, would occupy the timeslot from April 23, 2007, through the end of the TV season. However, on April 26, NBC announced that Studio 60 would return from its hiatus on Thursday, May 24, at 10:00 p.m.

Studio 60 was canceled on May 11, 2007, during the NBC upfront presentation. [41]

After cancellation

In a 2011 reference to the cancelled Studio 60, Aaron Sorkin appeared in "Plan B", a fifth-season episode of 30 Rock ; he played himself, depicted as looking for work alongside an also-struggling Liz Lemon. He refers to his achievements, such as The West Wing and The Social Network, but when Liz Lemon mentions Studio 60, he quickly replies, "Shut up!" During the March 2012 promotion of Bent , an NBC romantic comedy series starring Amanda Peet, Peet commented on what the issue was with Studio 60, saying it was "too expensive and there was too much anticipation. I guess all together we seemed like this arrogant monolith, but individually, none of us felt very arrogant." [42]

In later years, the show gained more positive recognition, [43] with critics praising Perry's performance in particular following the actor's death. [44] [45] Writing in The Guardian, Jack Seale said Perry "was better than anyone at nailing Sorkin’s turbo-speed dialogue and adept at finding subtler, gentler notes in the gaps between the lines than was possible in a sitcom. But the soul of Perry’s performance was in its closeness to his own personality." [46]

Television ratings

Chart showing ratings, 18-49 ratings, share and viewers for the show. Studio 60 Viewership.png
Chart showing ratings, 18–49 ratings, share and viewers for the show.

U.S. ratings

Weekly rankings based on Fast National ratings. [47] [48] [49] [50]

Season One (2006–2007)
#EpisodeAir DateRatingShare18–49 DemographicViewers
(in millions)
Rank
1"Pilot"September 18, 20068.6145.013.14# 22
2"The Cold Open"September 25, 20067.5124.410.82# 33
3"The Focus Group"October 2, 20066.0103.58.85# 47
4"The West Coast Delay"October 9, 20065.893.88.66# 51
5"The Long Lead Story"October 16, 20065.383.17.74# 55
6"The Wrap Party"October 23, 20065.183.27.72# 60
7"Nevada Day (1)"November 6, 20064.883.37.67# 56
8"Nevada Day (2)"November 13, 20065.083.27.58# 58
9"The Option Period"November 20, 20064.783.17.17# 60
10"B-12"November 27, 20064.883.37.27# 60
11"The Christmas Show"December 4, 20064.983.07.33# 52
12"Monday"January 22, 20075.383.27.25# 48
13"The Harriet Dinner – Part I"January 29, 20074.873.06.86# 53
14"The Harriet Dinner – Part II"February 5, 20074.673.27.00# 59
15"The Friday Night Slaughter"February 12, 20074.372.86.39# 68
16"4AM Miracle"February 19, 20074.172.66.10# 63
17"The Disaster Show"May 24, 20072.751.73.90# 76
18"Breaking News"May 31, 20072.951.64.08n/a
19"K&R"June 7, 20073.151.74.35# 66
20"K&R – Part II"June 14, 20073.061.74.25n/a
21"K&R – Part III"June 21, 20073.051.84.42# 53
22"What Kind of Day Has It Been"June 28, 20072.752.04.20n/a

Key: Rating is the estimated percentage of all TVs tuned to the show, share is the percentage of all TVs in use that are tuned in. Viewers is the estimated number of actual people watching, in millions, while ranking is the approximate ranking of the show against all prime-time TV shows for the week (Monday through the following Sunday).

While the show premiered with high ratings, there was a large drop during the second half. This trend continued through nearly every episode of the show.

Seasonal ratings

Seasonal rankings (based on average total viewers per episode) of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip on NBC: [51]

Note: Each U.S. network television season starts in late September and ends in late May, which coincides with the completion of May sweeps.

SeasonTimeslot (EDT)Series PremiereSeries FinaleTV SeasonRankViewers
(in millions)
18–49 Rating/Share
(rank)
1 Monday 10:00 P.M. (September 18, 2006 – February 19, 2007)
Thursday 10:00 P.M. (May 24, 2007 – June 28, 2007) [52]
September 18, 2006June 28, 2007 2006–2007 #618.53.6/9 (#41)

DVR ratings

On December 29, 2006, Nielsen Media Research reported the results of having, for the first time, monitored viewers who use a Digital Video Recorder to pre-record shows for later viewing. According to the Nielsen numbers, adding these viewers increased Studio 60's ratings the most in percentage terms of all network shows. These ratings, called "live plus seven", include all viewers who use a DVR to record the show and then watch it within a week of its initial airing.

According to Nielsen, Studio 60 added nearly 11%, or almost a million viewers, to its total every week as a result of these "live plus seven" viewers. [53]

According to Medialife Magazine, "The live-plus-seven-day rating for NBC's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is 136% higher than its live rating in DVR homes." [54]

Awards

Wins

2006
2007

Nominations

2006
2007

Home media

DVD release

On June 27, 2007, the day before the airing of the show's final episode, Warner Home Video announced an October 16 release date for the Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: Complete Series DVD set. [55]

Alternative availability

NBC made the pilot episode of Studio 60 available on DVD to Netflix subscribers on August 5, 2006. The DVD also includes the pilot episode for Kidnapped , another show which aired on NBC in the fall and also got canceled. AOL also premiered the first episode of Studio 60 in its entirety on its online television channel.

The pilot episode was screened to the general public for the first time at the 31st MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival, a British industry and media event held annually over the August bank holiday weekend (August 25–27, 2006). The pilot episode was screened outdoors on a "giant billboard style screen" in Conference Square, next to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. [56]

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<i>The West Wing</i> American political drama television series (1999–2006)

The West Wing is an American serial political drama television series created by Aaron Sorkin that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1999, to May 14, 2006. The series is set primarily in the West Wing of the White House, where the Oval Office and offices of presidential senior personnel are located, during the fictitious Democratic administration of President Josiah Bartlet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Sorkin</span> American filmmaker (born 1961)

Aaron Benjamin Sorkin is an American playwright, screenwriter, and film director. Born in New York City, he developed a passion for writing at an early age. As a writer for stage, television, and film, Sorkin is recognized for his trademark fast-paced dialogue and extended monologues, complemented by frequent use of the storytelling technique called the "walk and talk". Sorkin has earned numerous accolades including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, five Primetime Emmy Awards, and three Golden Globes.

<i>Sports Night</i> American dramedy television series (1998-2000)

Sports Night is an American television series about a fictional sports news show also called Sports Night. It focuses on the friendships, pitfalls and ethical issues the creative talent of the program face while trying to produce a good show under constant network pressure. Created by Aaron Sorkin, the half-hour prime time comedy drama aired on ABC for two seasons, from September 22, 1998 to May 16, 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Schlamme</span> American director

Thomas David Schlamme is an American television director, known particularly for his collaborations with Aaron Sorkin. He is known for his work as executive producer on The West Wing and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, as well as his work as director on Sports Night and The Americans.

James Edward Burrows, sometimes known as Jim "Jimmy" Burrows, is an American television director. Burrows has received numerous accolades including 11 Primetime Emmy Awards and five Directors Guild of America Awards. He was honored with the Directors Guild of America Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015 and NBC special Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows in 2016.

Nathan Harris Corddry is an American actor and comedian best known for his roles as Adam Branch on Harry's Law and for his role as Gabriel in the first two seasons of Mom. He has also guest starred on series such as Law & Order: Criminal Intent, The Daily Show, United States of Tara, 30 Rock, and New Girl. He also played Private First-Class Loudmouth in the HBO miniseries The Pacific and Tom Jeter in Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. In 2019, Corddry played engineer Larry Wilson in the Apple TV+ original science fiction space drama series For All Mankind. In 2021, Corddry had a recurring role in the TV adaptation of Paper Girls playing Larry Radakowski.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What Kind of Day Has It Been</span> 22nd episode of the 1st season of The West Wing

"What Kind of Day Has It Been" is the 22nd episode of The West Wing, the season finale of the show's first season. It originally aired on NBC on May 17, 2000. Events circle around the attempted rescue of a US fighter pilot in Iraq, and the president taking part in a town hall meeting in Rosslyn, Virginia. The episode was written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Thomas Schlamme. "What Kind of Day Has It Been" is also the name of the first-season finales of both the series Sports Night and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, as well as the series finale of The Newsroom, all of which were created by Aaron Sorkin. It was also a quote by Leo in the fourth-season episode "Commencement" in the situation room. Sorkin claimed that he took the phrase from Robert Whitehead, lead producer of Sorkin's A Few Good Men, who used to start meetings at the end of rehearsal days by asking this question.

<i>30 Rock</i> American television sitcom (2006–2013)

30 Rock is an American satirical sitcom television series created by Tina Fey that originally aired on NBC from October 11, 2006, to January 31, 2013. The series, based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live, takes place behind the scenes of a fictional live sketch comedy show depicted as airing on NBC. The series's name refers to 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, where the NBC Studios are located and where Saturday Night Live is written, produced, and performed. The series was produced by Lorne Michaels's Broadway Video and Fey's Little Stranger, in association with NBCUniversal.

Walk and talk is a storytelling technique used in filmmaking and television production in which a number of characters have a conversation while walking somewhere. Walk and talk often involves a walking character who is then joined by another character. On their way to their destinations, the two talk. Variations include interruptions from other characters and walk and talk relay races, in which new characters join the group and one of the original characters leaves the conversation, while the remaining characters continue the walking and talking.

The pilot episode of the American television sitcom 30 Rock premiered on October 10, 2006, on the CTV Television Network in Canada, and October 11, 2006, on NBC in the United States. The episode was directed by Adam Bernstein and written by Tina Fey, the series' creator, executive producer, and lead actress.

"Jack the Writer" is the fourth episode of the first season of the American situation comedy 30 Rock, which aired on November 1, 2006, on the NBC network in the United States, and on November 1, 2007, in the United Kingdom. The episode was written by Robert Carlock and was directed by Gail Mancuso. Guest stars in this episode include Katrina Bowden, Keith Powell, Maulik Pancholy, Tom Broecker, Jonathan Lutz, James Anderson and Sharon Wilkins.

"Pilot" is the first episode of the television series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. The episode was first aired in the United States on the NBC network on September 18, 2006. Written by series creator Aaron Sorkin, and directed by executive producer Thomas Schlamme, the episode introduces the chaotic behind-the-scenes depiction of a fictional Saturday Night Live type show also called Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.

<i>The Office</i> (American season 2) Season of television series

The second season of the American situation comedy television series, The Office, premiered in the United States on NBC on September 20, 2005, and ended on May 11, 2006. The season had 22 episodes, including its first 40-minute "super-sized" episode. The Office is an American adaptation of the British TV series of the same name, and is presented in a mockumentary format, documenting the daily lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictitious Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. The season stars Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, and B. J. Novak, with supporting performances from Melora Hardin, David Denman, Leslie David Baker, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Flannery, Angela Kinsey, Oscar Nunez, and Phyllis Smith.

"The Collection" is the third episode of NBC's second season of 30 Rock, and the twenty-fourth episode overall. It was written by producer Matt Hubbard and directed by producer Don Scardino, and first aired on October 18, 2007 in the United States. In the episode, Jack Donaghy hires a private detective, Len, to investigate his past; Angie Jordan asks Liz Lemon to help her watch Tracy Jordan ; and Kenneth Parcell attempts to help Jenna Maroney gain weight by insulting her.

"The Fabian Strategy" is the first episode of the fifth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock, and the 81st overall episode of the series. It was directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller, and written by series creator, executive producer and lead actress Tina Fey. The episode originally aired on NBC in the United States on September 23, 2010. Guest stars in this episode include Mario Brassard, Matt Damon, Jan Owen, Paula Pell, and Jeffrey Schara.

<i>Heroes</i> (season 1) Season of television series

The NBC superhero serial drama series Heroes follows the lives of people across the globe who possess various superhuman powers as they struggle to cope with their everyday lives and prevent foreseen disasters from occurring. The series premiered on American and Canadian television on September 25, 2006. The first season, which finished 21st of 142 American primetime television programs in Nielsen ratings, was released on DVD and HD DVD on August 28, 2007. The Blu-ray was released on August 26, 2008. Within the seasons of the show are "volumes", which allow the writers to focus on shorter story arcs. The first season comprises a single volume of 23 episodes called Genesis, which is also the same title of the show's pilot episode.

<i>The West Wing</i> (season 4) Season of television series

The fourth season of the American political drama television series The West Wing aired in the United States on NBC from September 25, 2002 to May 14, 2003 and consisted of 23 episodes.

Pilot is the pilot episode of the television series Sports Night, written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Thomas Schlamme, which premiered on ABC in the United States on September 22, 1998. The pilot introduces viewers to a varied group of personalities working on a fictional late-night American sports show called Sports Night, on the CSC network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sitcoms in the United States</span> Broadcast genre; recurring cast comedy

Situation comedies, or sitcoms, have long been a popular genre of comedy in the US, initially on radio in the 1920s, and then on television beginning in the 1940s. A sitcom is defined as a television series featuring a recurring cast of characters in various successive comedic situations.

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