'Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip' Gets Full-Season Pick-Up (Just Like I Told You 2 Days Ago!)

Dang, it's nice to be right. Once. As I was pretty much promising on Tuesday, NBC today gave a full-season pickup order to "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" that will take it through the end of the 2006-2007 TV season next May. NBC Entertainment chief mucky-muck Kevin Reilly made the announcement via a press release mere minutes ago.

This is an expensive decision for NBC to have made given the show's somewhat steep $2.5 million-plus per-episode pricetag. Reilly deserves credit for staking his reputation on what remains an unproven entity, even if -- in Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme -- it has one helluva pedigree.

Here's that press release (and please, never doubt me again -- or at least, not until another several hours have passed):

NBC GIVES FULL SEASON ORDER TO CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED NEW DRAMA 'STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP' FOR 2006-07 

BURBANK – November 9, 2006 – NBC has renewed its critically acclaimed, first-year drama "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET) for the remainder of the 2006-07 season, it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment.

"I am pleased to show our support for this outstanding and ambitious effort from executive producers Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme," said Reilly. "From the start, they have delivered the superb show that we wanted. The critical support has been rock-solid and there is a passionate core audience. We can't wait for what's going to come in the remainder of the season."

"Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" is averaging a 4.0 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49 and 9.8 million viewers overall (through November 6) and has increased its rating week-to-week in 18-49 with each of its last two telecasts. "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.

Emmy Award-winning executive producer-writer (NBC's "The West Wing") Sorkin and Emmy-winning executive producer-director ("The West Wing") Schlamme returned to television this Fall with this crackling take on the drama behind the humor of producing a popular, late-night comedy sketch show, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip."

Sorkin lays bare the backstage politics, romances and delicate balance between creative talent, on-air personalities and network executives in an instant text-messaging world. Prominent are Jordan McDeere (Amanda Peet, "Syriana"), a savvy new network entertainment chief who inherits a massive public relations disaster on the series -- even before she starts her first day -- and Matt Albie (Matthew Perry, "Friends") and Danny Tripp (Bradley Whitford, "The West Wing"), a brilliant creative team that she wants to resurrect the program.

Also playing crucial roles are the sketch-comedy series stars Harriet Hayes (Sarah Paulson, "Down With Love"), Simon Stiles (D.L. Hughley, "The Hughleys") and Tom Jeter (Nathan Corddry, "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart"), their normally cool-headed director, Cal Shanley (Timothy Busfield, "thirtysomething") as well as supreme network honcho Jack Rudolph (Steven Weber, "Wings").

The series is a production of Warner Bros. Television.

Comments

[cadavra]

I wonder if this was done as a bitch-slap to all those naysayers who were predicting imminent cancellation. Oh, well, any road that gets you there is the right one.

And ABC not only ordered the back nine on MEN IN TREES but is moving it to Thursdays at 10:00. My two favorite new shows picked up and the Dems retake Congress. Best. Week. Ever.

[Hollywood Coaching]

Glad we'll get the full season out of this. Last week's 1st part of a two part episode felt like we were back in the hands of a great tv storyteller. feels like sorkin is getting comfortable with his characters and finding the edge. I love this show!

[OldOldLady Of The Hills]

Oh Yes! I am as happy as a pig in shit! (Can I say shit on your blog, Ray??? Well if not you can cut that word...!)

This is almost better news than the Democrats winning the House & The Senate!
Three Cheers and a Bottle of Champagne for NBC and you, Ray!
Truly, I am thrilled.....LOVED that first part of the two-parter...!

[Bruce Barber]

This is AWESOME NEWS!

I applaud the NBC executive(s) that decided to give this smart and funny show a chance to find an audience.

Sounds like something "Jordan McDeere" would do...

(And I agree-- can't wait to find out what happens next in Pahrump, Nevada!)

http://www.pahrumpnv.org/

[brutony]

WORST week ever! Besides the Demoncraps upset and questionable overtaking of our Congress, this piece of shit-I guess if Ray can say shit, I can too-gets renewed, when great shows such as Smith dont? It goes to show you that you dont need ratings to make it on network TV, only friends in high places, and in Sorkins case, the HIGH has a double meaning, lol! WORST WEEK EVER!

[brutony]

BTW, to quote a fellow Republican about these last elections-WE'LL BE BACK! However, I dont think Studio 60 will be for next year! Yous guys won this battle, but not the war!

[UrBestGirl]

I can take or leave Studio 60 at this point, but I can't get over the fact that someone out there is actually watching MEN IN TREES. Seriously?

[Theodora]

LOL Ray...

I guess I'll have to share my "I'm So RIGHT" medal with you... Do you suppose there's enough room on it for the engraving???

Now --if the network nitwits would only stop overpromoting things...............

[Dan]

With each viewing Monday I'd comment to my girlfriend, this show is far too intelligent and the humor is so good it's over my head half the time and the male leads arn't bumpkins. Studio 60 will be cancelled. So good to hear otherwise. Now give it a second season.

[kieran]

ive just wached the first season on dvd and thought it it was pretty good maybe not as good as the west wing but good and was checking online to see if there is a second season or wether there not bothering coz it flopped in america

[Naysayer]

Later replied the brash naysayer:

TAPS.....