Having heard such lavish praise of this curtailed series, I finally got a chance to see the first 5 episodes.Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is a show about a comedy show. Where the drama of producing a comedy show is some-what interesting, it is clear that the "so-called" genius who is brought in to save the show is not producing anything funny. The snippets of the ensemble of "comedians" performing their sketches are simply not funny and at times rather pathetic.It feels like the show wants to gloss over the comedy show scenes as quickly as possible because they know they are not funny.So we are told that ratings are up and everyone is happy because the show is so funny! Proof of this we are never shown. I think more time should have been given to actually making the "real" comedy scenes funny, so that the cast of "comedians" could be convincing at what they purport to portray.The casting is rather dubious. Matthew Perry is excellent in his role and within seconds Chandler is a forgotten performance but Sarah Paulson, cast as the popular Christian comic, is totally unconvincing and miscast. Apart from an enormous and immobile top lip that often obscures the lower one, she has absolutely no comic timing or charm what so ever. It is hard to believe that this boring and rather irritating actor could have been given such an important and pivotal role. Also there is simply no chemistry between her and Perry. Amanda Peet is charming but unconvincing as a tough TV executive. The rest of the cast are reliable if slightly uninteresting. The dialogue of the drama sequences is too scripted and snappy. People make mistakes, think about what they are about to say. Because these characters work in television does not mean they all speak at a rapid pace without pause or error. More believable casting and more attention paid to the quality of the comedy sequences could have helped this rather listless and unconvincing show.

The Sorkin Suck-In. You know, when one episode of a show written by Aaron Sorkin simply isn't enough? When you realise the reason the DVD boxed set was invented? Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip doesn't have the ontological weight of The West Wing but it does deal in those things that Sorkin honed to surgical perfection in the first few series of his political drama - the emotional punch of friendship and doing the right thing.Of course, this being a series about a TV studio there are some great plot threads about the business (Sorkin's own business), it's quirks and dilemmas. This is also a series conceived, produced and played out entirely in the shadow of the American invasion of Iraq - Iraq, not Afghanistan - and consequently struggles artfully but with pro-liberal bias against the political folly of the Bush-period administration and it's neo-conservatism.The cast is uniformly excellent, with the possible exception of the British newcomer Lucy Davis, whose dry-slurry delivery doesn't always suit the (fast) pace. The principal duo of Bradley Whitford and particularly Matthew Perry have outstanding vehicles and make them their own; Sarah Paulson is also difficult to fault in a rich but tricky role. Above all the direction, stamped with the imprint of Thomas Schlamme (but shared between three) works hand-in-glove with the text to create something exciting and substantial.This single series never got a second season. Three reasons? It couldn't survive comparison with The West Wing. It was too personal a vehicle for the disappointment of a writer aghast at his country's involvement in ill-conceived military campaigns abroad. As a result of the second reason it burned up its entire sui generis material in its one enjoyable but self-contained run. 7/10

I'm a person that has to have noise. I go to school with some of the noisiest people ever, and as such I have learned to concentrate best by having noise. Whenever I want to do something I throw on An Episode of Friends or West Wing, sometimes even Frasier when I get tired of the other two. I'd do the same with House if I had any to throw on.All of those shows mentioned above are shows I love, but I don't have to watch any of them. When I put Studio 60 on, though I send up watching it, whether I want to or not. I have to play from beginning to end, and when the last episodes come up me and my parents end up watching K&R all the way through.Studio 60 is not the show that will bring viewers to the promise land of TV watching, but it's enjoyable. It's smart, and fun, and engaging. Do you need to suspend your belief sometimes? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes.Studio 60 is a show about the behind the scene of a late night comedy show. It's not meant to show the comedy. Unfortunately viewers believed that the sketches scene had to be funny, and that there needed to be more sketches, but that wasn't the point.I understand why it was canceled, but that doesn't mean I like it. every time I watch I wish I could see more. I want to know more about the characters. I'm dead certain that, if the show could have stuck ti out for a year or two, that Andy would have gotten a love interest, and Jack would have too.What's so wonderful about Aaron Sorkin is that is he can make you believe in the good of people. He doesn't write bad guys well. If there are bad guys, they end up good. His writings inspire hope. Why was West Wing a hit? because he made people believe that a good man could be president. What's so magical about Stuio 60? He makes you believe that there can be Studio executives, and Broadcasting execs who are good ,and want to make programming that is more than about making money.I have a depressing history teacher who knocks me for a loop constantly with her hypocritical talk about politics. On 9/11 she depressed me particularly bad. I got home, watched West Wing's Isaac and Ishmael, and then played Studio 60.Studio 60 is an antidote for depression of me. It's not a perfect show, but I do love it, and I'm glad I about the box set.

The best written show since the West Wing was taken off the air was the highlight of last years TV. Although Heroes is fantastic this show made me sit up and take notice.With some fantastic actors both new and familiar to us in the UK not sure about the US, and some great story lines this show could have gone from strength to strength. It took the West Wing 7 seasons to make me cry and even that was based around an actual death of a cast member but the Studio 60 finale is a thing of beauty. It is all you'd want in a programme heart felt, funny and good actors turning in great performances.This is the perfect starting point for anyone wanting to start looking at the works of Mr. Sorkin it's not as heavy as the West Wing but every bit as brilliant. I already have the DVDs and the finale again got the best of me.You'll laugh, you'll cheer and you should cry unless you're made out of stone or something.