Cancel the Funeral: 'Studio 60' Isn't Heading Off Into the Sunset Just Yet

Despite the assurances from those in-the-know around the blogosphere that the struggling freshman NBC hour "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" was mere hours away from cancellation with its low ratings and extravagant $2.5 million-plus per-episode pricetag, the opposite now in fact appears to be true. While not yet official, key industry sources are confident that NBC will, in the next few days, announce the show's pickup for its back nine episodes (giving it a full season complement of 22) in the wake of two consecutive Mondays of upwardly-trending numbers.

I chatted this morning with its producer and chief writer Aaron Sorkin, who thought that word of the show's fate could come as soon as today but likely not until week's end or -- at latest -- next Tuesday. It's thought that NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly was desperately searching for an excuse to renew "Studio 60" -- any sign of life that would indicate even modest traction -- and unofficial word is the show's performance over the past two Mondays has supplied it.

"I'd be very surprised at this point if the show weren't picked up (for the full season) in the next couple of days," noted one source who requested anonymity.

This is naturally music to Sorkin's ears, which have had to endure a running stream of pessimistic pronouncements and predictions over the show's fate since the day after it premiered. Critics, after all, love nothing more than tearing down that which they have built up with glowing praise, particularly when it comes from the writing/production stable of a brand name like Sorkin.

"Hopefully soon people will start paying attention to the show instead of who's making it," Sorkin told me today. "I really look at it as just the cost of doing business. I knew the reaction to the show was going to be a little bit noisier than I'd prefer. But hopefully, we're finally settling in and the audience is seeing the amazing cast and acknowledges the great, committed group of people who are behind this show."

Sorkin insisted that due to the last two weeks of ratings results "we're starting to feel optimistic around here" and reminds us that "The West Wing" also wasn't a hit in its first season. That didn't come until season two.

"But I'm much more comfortable with this feeling (of struggle)," Sorkin said. "It feels like it did when I did 'Sports Night.' 'West Wing' felt starnge to me. This feels normal."

While Sorkin is now confident that the call confirming "Studio 60's" back nine renewal could come any day or hour, he's also convinced that the show's measurement isn't reflective of its actual viewership.

"The Wall Street Journal wrote that when you add in people who TiVo our show and watch it later, our audience grows 18%," he said. "That's almost a full fifth larger. But those people don't get counted and advertisers don't care, because the assumption is TiVo viewers forward through the commercials. But that's still a very significant number for us. It would add close to two rating points to our total. People watch TV differently than they used to, and to be accurate the ratings need to begin taking that into account."

Comments

[Cathy Seipp]

I'm so relieved that it won't be cancelled! Last night I passed out and missed it, waking up sitting at my desk chair five ours after I put a pot of soup on to boil and woked up to a house full of smoke. But the worst thing was I missed "Studio 60"!

[Ozzyols]

This is the news that has made my day.

I am an Australian who has been following Studio 60 from the days when it was going to be called "Studio 7 on the Sunset Strip" so this is exactly what I wanted to hear. (thank you NBC/iTunes!)

As someone who has long viwed the Nielsens as an outdated and out of touch system of audience viewership, I too read the article in which it was proven that their figures were off (with great glee, I might add!)

This is truly brilliant news... I can't wait to get to work tomorrow and tell the other two dozen people I am frantically pimping my iPod to the good news!

[Cecilia Roman]

way to go Studio 60 and way to go Aaron! I thought Monday's episode was outstanding, congratulations and keep up the good work. (and can't wait to see Part II)

[OldOldLady Of The Hills]

I pray this show is not cancelled..For me, it is so far above any other new show---it is "quality" personified in every way---the writing, the acting, the direction and production, are all superb!

[cadavra]

Gee, Roger Friedman was wrong again. What're the odds?

[mike mclaughlin]

Thank you NBC for recognizing that there IS an audience that can "get" the intelligent, witty and always interesting humor of Mr. Sorkin and staff. Preventing more of the "dumbing down of America" is not only a public service, but rest assured that the sponsors of Studio 60 will get my business as a consumer. Please continue to support this quality programming and please pick up the options in future years. It's a quality audience if not a quantity one!

[Erik]

Studio 60 sucks ass. Can't wait until this crap is cancelled.

[mike]

i was hoping nbc would find something better to air rather than continue worshipping at the Altar of Sorkin.

This just isn't that good a show, and certainly, not as good as the hype.

[Jason]

I like Studio 60, though it's not quite as good as I had hoped it would be (but hey, give it some time).

But I'm not buying Sorkin's Tivo argument, unless he can supply a good reason to think that people Tivo Studio 60 more than they do any other show.

Plus, why should the network care? They make zero off of someone who Tivos the show and skips the commercials. So what difference does it make to them if the show's ratings are 'really' higher?

[Ryan]

I, for one, watch all of my TV (including Studio 60) on iTunes, so I'm not surprised that Tivo ratings (and, presumabley, iTunes purchases) aren't counted in Nielsen's but play a role in the series coming back. Hoo-ray!

[Kyle French]

I think that Studio 60 is a great show. Well maybe not yet, but I see hopes for its future. I agree that television should be a medium for intelligence and should not continue "dumbing down America." Lastly, who says TiVo viewers do not watch all the commercials. I know when I TiVo something and as I fast forward the commercials I always watch to see if the advertising is interesting. I think that it is up to the advertisers to change their approach to accomodate the viewers, not the other way around.

[S60PA]

My job lives!

[MZH]

Am I the only person who watches -- and loves -- the show as a satire of liberal self-righteousness?

I thought it was so mind-numbingly self-important and loathesome at first. Now, I honestly love it and laugh SO HARD at it.

I hope it doesn't get cancelled. Where else do you get such an honest look into the way liberals view the world?

[Will]

Studio 60 is terrible. Why is a show that purports to be about COMEDY heavier than a humpbacked whale? Sorkin can't write funny--he can only write deadly serious, self-righteous, morally-uplifting stuff like the West Wing. And that's what Studio 60 is, obviously: the West Wing set in a television studio. So you get a bunch of writers running around acting like the country will be in ruins if they don't write the perfect joke that night. Some of Bradley Whitford's rants appear to have been directly lifted from the last season of West Wing! It's ridiculous, and grating on the viewer.

[Mickymse]

Another TiVo watcher who doesn't get counted and forwards through commercials because they are usually LAME. I am more than happy to stop for a good commercial, though, and give kudos to recents folks like G.E. for responding -- as they did with their "60-second theater" series recently which was aimed squarely at those of us with DVR's.

[Lawrence]

It "appears to be true" and it's "not official yet". So, you, Sorkin and your sources are just speculating, right? There's nothing close to definitive that indicates Studio 60 is coming back yet? Although I wouldn't be surprised if it's announced in the next few days, this prognostication doesn't really amount to much of a story yet, huh?

[Shelley]

If it means keeping Studio 60 on the air, my family will run the television while TIVO is in progress.

Intelligent advertising usually finds intelligent programming. The Apple ads I saw while watching a Tivo'ed Studio 60 is a case in point.

[Chad]

The reason some people do not like this show or think it is not humorous is because they DO NOT GET IT! As the story has pointed out, this show grabs the biggest share of hosueholds with incomes over $75k. It is nice for once to not be forced to watch dumbed-down trailer park cr@p....nad just to make a point to NBC, why not try moving it to a different night so that it is not opposite the ratings juggernaught that is MOnday Night Football?

[rick]

Dear Shelley:
The show is for people who think they're smart. Like you. People who actually are intelligent see through it and find it annoying.

[Chris]

Rick, EXACTLY!!!! That is so true, when I think about the people I know who are watching it. What's not to "get" about the show? You don't have to make 75K or more to "get" it, and you certainly don't have to be a brain surgeon or a Harvard grad. Working in the biz might help you to take a shine to its self-importance, although I work in the biz and the only thing this show is "getting" to me is ON-MY-NERVES!

Even though it was picked up this time around, I seroiusly doubt it will be so lucky next time. I don't see it keeping up what little momentum it has now. I personally won't go back to it unless the scripts smarten up a bit, rather than having the characters talk just to hear themselves talk. It's like you say. It's as though instead of writing FOR the intelligent viewer, they're writing for the average (if that) viewer who wants to THINK of themselves as being smarter than they are. Which is exactly how all the characters come off. For the rest of us among the "75K and over" crowd, it's an insult to our intelligence. Give us a break, Aaron.

[george]

studio 60 has lost me as a viewer.
i'm tired of the constant preaching which cannot get over a boring story line and for once can we knock off the constant christian bashing. i'm not very religious but it got very old and mean spirited

[Gush]

Please don't cancel this literate, funny, interesting show. Perhaps it's too smart for Americans -- but give us a chance to smarten up! Please! At least it's not another fake reality television show or another talk show by an irritating Oprah wannabe...

[AD]

This show is so self absorbed I can't stand it. They walk around like the world is ending if the ratings do not go up. Who cares? The "walk and talks" are stupid and seem lifted straight out of West Wing. The show just raises my blood pressure the longer it is on. There is better stuff out there, and the Sorkin worshipers need to move on. His brand of TV sucks! I love how people who watch it claim it is just too smart for the rest of us. Maybe we aren't pretentious enough to enjoy the preaching and the soapbox that is Sorkin TV.

[lutheranchick]

I don't know if it's smart or dumb. I just like it. I like the characters and the humor and I don't know why that should bother people. Why can't we have an alternative to crime and gore? I'm sure there are enough of us out there who just appreciate witty dialogue and interesting plots. And if you don't think it's witty and interesting, just turn it off. On the other hand, go ahead and keep watching so you can complain about it. Helps the ratings.

[harreec]

Ok, so lots of people seem to like it, lots of people don't.

To be honest I love it. There is no two-ways about it, you may think it's self-absorbed, but think about it...It's set in the world of television. It's a dog-eat-dog world, every character, has to get the best out of themselves, and therefor everyone else. It's not a show for people who "think" they are clever, just strip it down to the bear essentials and everyone will be able to understand it. Granted, there are bits which are pointless, and 90% of people in the world will look at it with a vacant expression when they are talking about interrupting the broadcast and the amount of seconds that are needed, but it's part of it to describe the complications that *could* happen.
If NBC cancel this then they would be making a big mistake, Sorkin et al could take the show to someone else (FOX reference in "The Option Period" anyone?) and then they would have it on air over there at a time period where more people could watch it! (Why would you want to put a show on at the same time as MNF?!?)

[Stephanie]

Okay, what a load of ridiculous comments. No, this show is not the be all and end all, nor is it a pompously self-righteous bag'o'crap. This show is exactly what it was meant to be: a diverting and entertaining way to spend 1 hour of every week.

Those of you out there who feel you're 'above' it all because it's 'posing as an intelligent commentary' should stop watching TV, because you're totally missing the point. TV is ENTERTAINMENT, if you don't find it entertaining, change the bloody channel. Those of us who do see this show for what it is are the lucky ones.

I personally applaud any show that has the balls to address how low-brow TV has become in the past few years. If I have to continue watching people eat eyeballs and drop leaches down their pants I will pull my hair out. Studio 60 is incredibly well written and entirely diverting. It boasts a stellar cast as well as a truly experienced production team.

The show deserves its shot; it has proven itself thus far and I hope it will only get better from here on out. Studio 60: keep doing what you're doing and I will continue to give you my support.

[Midwest Baby Boomers]

We are THRILLED to hear Studio 60 is still alive. We love the fast-paced, witty dialogue, phenomenal cast, and a script that actually expects the audience to be able to think. Tonight's show was the best yet. Please don't drop this show and replace it with another meaningless reality show or a game show that expects an audience to be thrilled by watching a contestant pick a briefcase.

[Swaan Jacks]

I watch a lot of television so I don't get excited about new shows any more. Studio 60 was different. Right off the bat it hooked me and I'm ecstatic that it's sticking around. The writing is better than I expected and I look forward to Sunday nights now and never did before...

[Sonar]

As one of those aforementioned Tivo viewers, I Tivo all of my shows, including Studio 60. I, too, suspect that the show has a lot more viewers than are counted because us Tivo people are disregarded. This show started out painfully slow but has since picked up as we get to know the characters and their situations more intimately. The show is fairly intellectual in that you have to listen to a lot of conversations, it's not the average action program where things blow up and people kill each other. We need more shows like Studio 60. Hey NBC: I WILL NOT WATCH ANY REALITY SHOWS OR ANYMORE STUPID GAME SHOWS, I won't Tivo them. Just not interested. And you'd best believe there are more viewers like me, fed up with insipid crappy programming.

[Adrienne Sumlin]

Thank. Thank you. Thank you. You guys don't know how much this means to me. Studio 60 is my Monday night show, and I would hate to lose it.

Matthew Perry is a great actor, and I would not appreciate his next big show, after Friends, to be a bust, which it's not. Some people are just too critical and don't take the time to really get into the show.

So, again, thank you, and Aaron, I hope this show turns out into what you wanted it to become, the biggest show on NBC.

[robert lewis]

There is no question that the show is preachy and the show often lacks a dramatic enough story line...But it has compelling acting and is entertaining and intelligent...Steven Weber and Amanda Peet more than hold their own with the likes of more touted Perry and Whitford, and surprisingly the comedian Hughley is outstanding..It's great to have supporting, guest actors like Ed Asner and John Goodman, which I'm sure will continue to happen (just like the West Wing)...Maybe the best part of the show is that it is like the West Wing, and like it or not, the show is so much better than the crap heeped on us from all the networks...If Sorkin needs to work on anything, it's the storylines and maybe it's ok for the show to poke fun at things from afar, rather than make it seem like it's life and death for Perry, Whitford and Peet every episode...My vote for Weber for easily the best performer on the show. The guy is simply perfect as a management exec. The conversations between him and the Japanese executive are flat out hysterical and first-rate. Perry's angst though is driving me nuts. Please end the punchless Sam and Dianesque (at least that I could accept and was bittersweet) relationship. That is a storyline that flat out needs re-tooling.

[Richard Hoggatt]

I've kept every episode on my DVR and my wife and I usually watch it twice as there is a lot of subtle wit in each scene that you just don't get on the first pass. The way the show is filmed is cinematic and the detail in the sets is incredible. It's the one show on TV worth watching.

[Mark]

OK, now I'm confused. Is it cancelled or not? What's this Black Donnely business? Is Studio 60 still alive? I certainly hope so.

TV and TV viewership has changed folks. I Tivo/DVR everything and freaking hate commercials. Don't watch a single one unless its a trailer for a movie I want to see or some promo for Sunday's ballgame. However, if you are using a rating system to rub yourself up against other shows, you have to compare apples to apples. If you take Tivo viewership into consideration for Studio 60, you have to apply it accross the board to all shows and then see where it compares.

Now, I don't know if the show's intelligent or whatever and, frankly, I really don't care if its West Wing on the Sunset Strip. I miss the West Wing. The last season was one of the best and left me wanting more. I love Sorkin's style (remember, Sorkin had been away from West Wing for a few years before it closed). His conversational style is the closest thing to David Mamet since David Mamet and as sad as I was to see him go from the West Wing, I was equally as excited to see him resurface with a new show.

Now, I am a staunch Republican and conservative and am not bothered whatsover by the Christian bashing thing. To be honest, for the most part, they are right on the money I'm sad to say. Sometimes, on the show, enough is enough but it IS a TV show remember. And, if a TV show is guiding your personal policy, then you've got some problems. But, if you'll notice, Sorkin has always done an excellent job of poking fun at all sides. The Danny/Harriet banter is amusing and I get a kick out of both sides' digs. And, of the two, who is in constant angst and popping pills and who seems very content with herself and her beliefs? Sorkin - both sides.

Last thing, I LOVE that they bash the Studio Execs and the corporate environment this whole thing has become (Jordan's hammering that VP of Reality Programming chic was great). I think this show is basically Sorkin shooting a big ole middle finger at the Hollywood establishment and their B.S, reality show world. I also think he's satiring himself. He had a bit of a drug problem and was actually asked to leave the West Wing because he continuously turned in scripts late leaving production, location scouting, actors, set/costume designers, etc on the hook waiting for him. Sound like Danny possibly?

OK, I lied. This is the last thing, I promise. Since the show began, I've been fuming about its Monday night slot. The MNF problem aside, I've heard about all the "lose half of Heroes' audience" stuff. My 10 year old nephew watches Heroes. He is not sticking around for any Studio 60. I've watched Heroes a couple of times and its X-Men TV. Its really not bad. I'm not saying that. Its just a different show and the network should do a better job of planning their line-up. Each night should be a progression from the first 7pm show to the last 9pm show in terms of viewer taste. And, if its not, then you absolutely can not fault a show for losing an audience that is just plain different in its make-up among shows. Do you honestly think that, overall, your bank of viewers should be expected to be the same from Heroes to Studio 60?

In short (too late), I sincerely hope this one sticks around.

[Pomp A]

First of all, I haven't seen that good and elegant a show for years. The conversations are clever, the script is good and there is a hell of a acting out there. If you can not get it, do not blame the show like Roger Friedman did and go watch some more cheaters.

This show helped me to keep my expectations up about the quality programming on TV. I can do nothing but hope that we watch danny, matt, jordan, tom and their friends for looong years.

One more thing, do what Aaron Sorkin says and try to look the show as Studio 60, not as Aaron's new child on TV, Geez...

[stgenerations]

So is Studio 60 cancelled or what? E.R. is at least slated to come back according to the NBC website for the show… but Studio 60 (On the Sunset Strip - which has been dropped btw) doesn’t say anything about the show returning in April, like E.R. is?!?!?

I must say I love Matt and Harriett. I love them to death. They are the best examples of the red vs blue states of this country and the show is therapy for the whole nation.

The show is on the wrong channel at the wrong time. The NBC scheduling department is a bunch of assholes to put a show with a largely intelligent and older demographic as it’s target audience on right after a mindless game show and what is basically a bad and terribly slow version of X-Men brought to TV. These two shows cater to less intelligent and younger audiences then Studio 60.

I don’t know when Studio 60 should be on, and it’s probably a mute point anyways since it’s most likely cancelled.

HEY NBC! Make it official already and stop stringing the fans along! If you want someone to sort out scheduling over there you can hire me.

[hector]

Yeah - it's probably a mute point anyway....if you're going to critize Heroes and claim that Studio 60 has a "largely intelligent" audience, then at least have one of those "intelligent" audience members proofread your post....I actually like watching Studio 60 as well, mostly to criticize it's pomposity, horrendous sketch humor and forced dialogue....but I do like watching it, and would hate to see it cancelled.....

[marcy]

Hector......it's "moved point" not mute point..... Go Studio 60! I love this show, full of amazing talent. The dry sense of humour is wonderfully witty!!

[Laura Sparrow]

So what about my Studio 60 fix? When you get in the habit of expecting at least ONE intelligent, witty, and informed show per night, having it disappear is actively painful. Don't tell me my antidote to reality television is fading into the dark. This is the sort of tning that makes people give up on the medium entirely.

[dave mandell]

Actually, Marcy, it's "moot" point.

[Bonnie Howell]

I hope that these comments are passed on to whomever makes decisions at NBC. I found Studio 60 to be one of the best shows out there. It is witty, romantic, sarcastic and everything that a show geared for intelligent adults should be. The writing is phenomenal, the cast has chemistry like you wouldn't believe and the acting superb. How could NBC even think about cancellation. Give this spectacular show some time to build an audience and it will be number one for many years to come! Sincerely, Bonnie Howell

[laura howie]

i live in the UK and have to find ways of watching this show considering it doesnt air here... i seriously dont understand why the ratings are below expected... i watch almost everything that comes on tv and find this is one of the top shows in the same league as prison break and heroes which are known to have unbelievable ratings, i am therefore left in a state of confusion and will be seriously depressed if it gets cancelled

[Kristina]

This news makes me so happy. :) This is the best quality show on TV. You know it is a great show when you look forward to it all week:) It is wonderful and should be given a fighting chance. There is a loyal fan base out there. Studio just needs the opportunity to prove it and I'm glad that they might be getting it. I am so excited!!!

[Lija]

In my opinion, the show is brilliant. And yes, it might not be for everyone, but I'm telling you now that we need shows like this. Stick it to the networks!

[toby]

I live in Ireland and the 1st season has finished, it's now started on channel 4 in england. I think sorkin writes intelligent dramas and gives a unique insight into whatever area he wants to zoom in on. I think s60 is a fresh and interesting approach and view on hollywood and comedy in america. I can understand how some americans don't like it as they probably don't get this intelligent drama. It's not their fault. It's written for a different kind of american. It's not elitist but intelligent, it's not a boring Friends series that way outlived it's use or a dreadful Joey spinoff. I do hope that it does indeed go to a second season given that internationally more and more countries are taking it up.

[charlene range]

studio 60 is the best thing on tv since friends,
please make season 2 cant wait to carry on watching

[Mick]

Does anyone know if there will be a Season 2? because this show is really good

[steffan]

i got the box set, 22 episodes, i ended up skipping work, and watching massive batches, 6 hour speal's, studio 60 hits on way too many levels for the average joe to understand, that would explain the close call cancelation. however, moreover, striking story line, great drama, keeps me hooked, gimmi more sick days off work studio 60. i think the season 2 will be twice as better. good luck guys for teh future.

kindest regards