"Studio 7 On The Sunset Strip."
Those of you who've read this site from the beginning know that in the pantheon of television creators, I believe Aaron Sorkin occupies a very small plateau. If he just created "Sports Night," that would be enough to secure him a devoted fanbase. But then the man went on to create and write almost all four seasons of "The West Wing," crafting some of the most legendary hours of television in history. (Please see my earlier argument that "Two Cathedrals," the second season finale, is the second-greatest dramatic tv episode of all time.)
Recently, the man set off a bidding war for his new hour-long drama/comedy (I refuse to use dramady), the aformentioned 'Studio 7.' NBC won, and has agreed to produce an unprecedented thirteen episodes. All based on a single spec script. Sorkin will co-produce the series with his directorial partner, the legendary Thomas Schlamme (or as we in the Sorkin obsessed fanbase call him, Tommy! Schlamme!)
The premise is simple enough: the high drama of 'West Wing' with the backstage antics of 'Sports Night,' all set at a long-running sketch comedy show in Los Angeles.
In short: Sorkin takes on SNL.
I've read some of the sides. They're brilliant. Bill Simmons, the best sports writer today, agrees with me.
Set your TiVos now. Sorkin and Schlamme are back, and you're not going to want to miss it.
3 comments:
Looking forward to this as well..West wing hasn't been the same since Sorkalamme left.
I have never cared for the West Wing, but I liked sports night. Our friend Bud though is a good judge of TV, which is why we wanted him invovled in the first place.
The idea of taking on a sketch comedy show is very interesting though, and I am sure it will be funnier than anything SNL has done in the past 5 years. Jeez that show sucks now.
The interesting thing about 'Studio 7,' is that it's not just about SNL (because, honestly, that's what it is), but it's also about the state of TV itself. You really get a sense that Sorkin shares the characters' dismay, and yet, optimism at the state of TV. It's also pretty blatant in "naming names" a la Fear Factor and "Who Wants to Marry A Millionare."
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