Watching Studio60

So did you re-watch Studio 60 with me last night? Well, actually, I didn’t watch it last night; because I am a lightweight and a lazybones, I was falling asleep when I should have been firing up the DVD. But I watched it this morning, and will be writing my recap and other material for posting throughout the week. Today, though, I just want to share some thoughts on re-viewing.

The thing that really struck me about the show this time around is what a great buddy comedy it was. With all the to-do about backstage showbiz, and the Matt-Harriet love-hate relationship, and the beginning of a spark between Danny and Jordan, and the social commentary about the state of TV today … with all of that going on in the episode, and all the critical second-guessing that would be done about how the show matched up with Sorkin’s love life and personal vendettas … the thing that really knocked the pilot out of the park for me was the relationship of Matt and Danny, and the way it was brought to life by Bradley Whitford and Matthew Perry.

There were two scenes that really touched me as a portrait of their friendship. The first was their very first scene, surprisingly far along in the episode, when they’re sitting around the table at the Writer’s Guild dinner. With the way Matt cracks a joke and Danny helpfully explains it to everybody else, they’re like an old married couple. Even as Matt’s fairly actively making a fool of himself, Danny looks at him with such bemused affection, ready to step in to prompt or clarify. They’re a team, both professionally and personally.

Then later, almost at the episode’s end, comes that scene in half a taxicab when the two come to terms about their new job. Despite all that’s going on and at stake, Matt pauses to ask Danny if he’s okay. Matt’s been such the screw-up all night, it’s nice to see him take a serious moment and worry about his friend. Then it’s back to making jokes and making plans for their show, in the theater where they will be living.

Lots of pilots crash due to the extreme weight of exposition they need to deliver to get a show premise going. This one, I think, did pretty well. Simon’s warming up of the audience gave some exposition about the theater gracefully. Matt and Danny’s history of the show was worked in throughout without being dropped in a clump, as was Matt and Harriet’s history and her Christian faith. Jack having to explain to some dumbo who “The Big Three� are was a little clumsy, as was the toast that listed Jordan’s resume and summed up her situation.

But I loved the character set-up for Cal, done so quietly and efficiently – the way his reaction to the sketch being cut (“It never had a chanceâ€?) followed by his resigned put-down of its replacement (“I’m sure making it longer was the missing ingredient to making it funnyâ€?) characterized him quickly as someone who knows what needs to be done, but doesn’t necessarily like it. That makes his control-room battle — holding out because he wants to let Wes tell the truth for as long as he can, while legitimately fearing for his job in the wake of Standards and Practices pressure – both believeable and heroic.

I really enjoyed the pilot again, even though I’ve seen it enough that I could practically recite the big lines with the actors. It’s good stuff, and such a promising beginning. Tune in tomorrow for a full recap, and later in the week for memorable lines and five questions raised.

Studio 60, NBC, Pilot, commentary