Watching Studio60

Five questions that popped into my head while re-viewing the second Studio 60 episode, “The Cold Open”:

1. Is there really such a thing as Rapture magazine? A quick Google of the title brings up only references to Studio 60 and “The Cold Open.” If you know of a similar publication that Sorkin was maybe referencing here, mention it in the comments.

2. Did Danny set up the Matt-Jeannie thing to take the temperature of Matt-Harriet? It seemed kind of strange that, when Harriet was obviously upset about Jeannie being at Matt’s house, Danny didn’t say he sent her there. Maybe he really was paying so much attention to Jordan earlier that he didn’t pick up on any of Matt’s concern. Or maybe he wanted to see how things would blow up, and that’s what prompted him to have the conversation with Matt later. They’re in trouble because Matt’s still in love with Harriet, and vice versa, I think.

3. Does Jordan not own a business suit? Hey, I know she’s a maverick and all, and the dress she was wearing later in the episode was businesslike enough. But that shirt and skirt she was wearing at the press conference looked like something I would have worn to high school in the ’70s. Dress to intimidate just a little, lady.

4. Was it a mistake not to show the “Crazy Christians” sketch? I remember when this episode first aired, there was a lot of criticism by those inclined to be critical that we heard oodles about “Crazy Christians” but never actually saw the thing. Personally, my feeling was always the fewer sketches we saw, the better. I know the old adage is “show, don’t tell,” but if it’s Sorkin doing the telling, I’m okay with that. I’m more interested in the behind the scenes than the on the stage, and I’m willing to suspend whatever disbelief is necessary to just accept that Matt’s a genius. Did you feel you needed to actually see what all the fuss was about?

5. Couldn’t they put the Gilbert & Sullivan parody in Sarah Paulson’s range? It seemed a little low for everybody, really. But the fact that she a) had the first solo and b) seemed to be struggling with it and c) is supposed to be an acclaimed singer made Harriet’s performance particularly unfortunate. If Paulson really can’t sing spectacularly, then perhaps a solo singing scene should have been skipped — maybe a case in point for the “I’m okay with telling, not showing” above. And if she can sing, give her some notes she can belt!

[tags]Studio 60, NBC, The Cold Open, commentary