Wind-down of Studio 60... very sad

I became hooked in the Fall on a new NBC show, Studio 60..  It’s another behind the scenes of a Saturday Night Live type production.  Some of my favorite actors were cast, and I especially like the exploration of one character, Harriet, who portrays a Christian actress trying to live out her faith in this edgy environment.  She’s actually a likable character!  And the other characters can’t really figure her out.

My favorite episode reminded me of the work creative artists and pastors do to prepare for every Sunday, every 7 days.  The producers of the show have a room with a bulletin board and colored cards, showing all the ideas in progress.  In that very same room, a large digital clock counts down the days, hours, and minutes till the next show!  Oh how so many of us can relate to that ticking clock…the pressure, the unavoidable deadline, the decisions of what to cut and what to add…it can make you crazy!  Yet every week, the same creative team starts all over.  They take down the colored cards, look at a blank bulletin board, drink a whole lot of coffee, and try to imagine another show.  Meanwhile, that digital clock just keeps counting down.

Last night, one of the 6 remaining episodes of Studio 60 aired.  I’ve never been one to protest a show’s cancellation, I guess because I never thought it would do much good.  The ratings never climbed out of the basement, even though the show was created by Aaron Sorkin and company of West Wing fame.  Just goes to show that even the best people don’t always have a success that connects.  But I will miss these characters, and the opportunity to identify every week with what they’re up against.  I’m hoping for a last minute resurrection, but since that’s not likely, I’ll just have to fully embrace the final episodes…

Comments

[Shaula]

My favorite show of the year. I too loved the ticking countdown and can relate being married to a pastor who feels that pressure looming every week. I was also intrigued by the way everyone perceives Christians on the show. The "Crazy Christian" sketch may not be popular with Christians, but it's important for us to see how we are viewed by those who don't follow Christ.

[Jonathan Napier]

Nancy,

My wife and I also loved the show. We loved the story of Matt and Harriet. We are very sad to see it be cancelled.

BTW, I was at your "Message" breakout at the Orange Conference. It was great.

[Robert Pooley]

I'm with you on this one... hate to see it go... seems like this was one that they could've invested a little time in... gave it a chance to percolate... for people to have time to find it... but I guess that's TV.

[Kirk Longhofer]

The episodes for the past two weeks have been some of the best television ever, ever produced. Jericho? Ok, but West Wing is far, far superior.