Pilot

Season 1, Episode 1, Aired
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Episode Summary

The once great sketch comedy show 'Studio 60' is suddenly close to cancellation due not only to its less than stellar on-air product, but another, more unexpected type of action, its Executive Producer's on-air mental meltdown. So enter NBS Chairman of the board Jack Rudolph and a new network president, looking to put her mark on the struggling network, Jordan McDeere. This results in the re-hiring of Danny Tripp and Matt Albie to replace the former Executive Producer and hopefully save the show.moreless
9.2
out of 10
EPISODE RATING: Superb
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Cast & Crew

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Fan Episode Reviews (43)

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  • Executive Producer meltdown ala "Network", A new network president with brains, the hiring of the new producer/writer team, all seem a rather pat scheme. Yet Aaron Sorkin again makes it smart and sassy.moreless

    9.8
    "Superb"
    By kjoyner, Nov 21, 2010 Report Abuse
    I did not expect to enjoy something that is loosely based on Saturday Night Live, which is a show I do not like at all. This is a great show. I am especially impressed with the ability of Matthew Perry. His ability seems to have really matured since \"Friends\". This show almost fills the huge void that has been left from \"the West Wing\"
    I like the snappy dialogue and the portrayal of what a network with a spine and respect for the viewers could be like.
    I am now keeping my fingers crossed that this \"smart\" show will me supported by the network and allowed to develop its audience and therefore stay on the air for a long time.moreless

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    2 0

  • One of the best pilot episodes I have ever seen. What a great choice for the cast.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By MrsMattAlbie, Nov 21, 2010 Report Abuse
    What an absolutely amazing pilot, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's usually really hard to enjoy a pilot episode, as you're still trying to learn who is who and who does what, but as expected, Aaron Sorkin did an outstanding job. I already love the chemistry between Matt and Danny, and I cannot wait to see more of their friendship during this season.
    A phenomenal creator, A wonderful cast, fantastic writers, amazing directors this show has it all!

    Give this show a chance, you'll love it.moreless

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    2 0

  • It's been a long time, long time since they canceled Studio 60 on Sunset Strip.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By ZapperLife, Nov 21, 2010 Report Abuse
    How they could cancel this show after only one season is beyond me, and after watching the pilot again today I keep asking myself that very question. How could they?

    The pilot is a 'who's who' in character actors able to handle well scripted sharp dialogue.

    I've never denied my admiration for Aaron Sorkin. Sports Night was good, Th West Wing was great and Studio 60 on Sunset Strip is so easily recognizable within the shape Sorkin molds the scripts, the dialogue and the clever wit rarely seen in other shows.

    So when Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford are cast in the leading parts we're in for a treat. Add the likes of Busfield, Peet, Weber and Paulson, and Sorkin have once again an ensemble working his magic. The likes of Felicity Huffman and Judd Hirsch guest appearing in the pilot doesn't exactly hurt either, and all together it's nothing short of a superb pilot.moreless

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    1 0

  • To start describing TV as "lobotomized" and "eating worms for money" is brave and catching and puts the standard high. Because now we expect from the who that it'll not be the same.moreless

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By vajka, Aug 10, 2008 Report Abuse
    After this sharp start, the story gets a little low as we get to know the characters meanwhile the enjoyment is still up thanks to the funny lines. 1. Stories
    a) Matt and Danny
    We are put in the middle of this net of relationships that hold the characters together. We get to know some basic qualities all around the great friendship of Matt and Danny. How people feel towards them, why they left, where are they now. They are good and well-described characters. b) Matt and Harry
    Having a romantic line with the "I love you, I love you not" relationship of Matt and Harry, is aimed to keep female audience and I think it works. Their difference in opinion is quite important to keep them away, while it's also shown that the feelings (at this point from Matt's side) are not over. c) The executives
    It's not clear for me who is who. If Jordan's president then who's Jack? Why is he rivalling with her? Otherwise, Jordan is funny and likeable but the fact that she's always smiling is a little irritating. d) The big three
    Again, I have no idea who they are, why are they so important. We can only get to learn that they are close to each other. 2. Characters
    I've got the feeling that the characters are a little one-sided. Good friends, great professionals, bad professionals - everyone is either good or bad. One exception is Wes, whose both sides are introduced to us. 3. Why I'll watch again? Because I want to see how they'll reach the high bar.moreless

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    0 0

  • What a great choice of dialogue in this well scripted pilot!

    9.3
    "Superb"
    By super_friend21, Jul 27, 2007 Report Abuse
    I had to watch this when I heard Matthew Perry was starring in Studio 60 because he was so funny in Friends so I wasnt surprised when I found myself enjoying it. I know he is no longer 'Chandler' so I wont talk about Friends, I'll talk about Studio 60. Great charactrs and a great plot even if Matthew Perry was only in half the episode! The once great sketch comedy show 'Studio 60' is suddenly close to cancellation due not only to its less than stellar on-air product, but another, more unexpected type of action, its Executive Producer's on-air mental meltdown. So enter NBS Chairman of the board Jack Rudolph and a new network president, looking to put her mark on the struggling network, Jordan McDeere. This results in the re-hiring of Danny Tripp and Matt Albie to replace the former Executive Producer and hopefully save the show. Cant wait for next episode.moreless

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    0 0
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

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    • The show within a show premiered in 1986. Edit
    • While "host" Felicity Huffman is practicing her monologue, the words she is saying do not match the words on the cue cards. Edit
    • Nate Corrdry become 1 of 3 DAILY SHOW alums to be on a show currently on NBC. Steve Carell and Ed Helms (The Office). Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • Matthew Perry and Amanda Peet previously worked together in The Whole Nine Yards and its sequel The Whole Ten Yards. Edit
    • This episode won the 2007 Banff World Television Festival Award for Best Continuing Series. Edit
    • This episode was nominated for the 2007 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directorial Achievement In Dramatic Series, and, for Outstanding Cinematography For A Single-Camera Series. It also got the following nominations in 2007: -Writers Guild Of America Award for Best Episodic-Drama. -Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series-Night. -Art Directors Guild Award for Excellence In Production Design In A Single Camera Television Series. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Matt: I'm the only sane person I know. Edit
    • Wes: Who's it going to offend? Huh? Tell me. Jerry: Wes. Wes: Just give me the names. Jerry: People who, religious people. God Wes, and you knew that when you... What do you want me to say to the 50 million people who are going to go out of their minds as soon as it airs. Wes: First of all, you can tell them that we average 9 million households, so that's at least 41 million who are full of crap. And the second, you can tell them that living where there is free speech means sometimes you get offended. Edit
    • Felicity Huffman: I need the very slutty dress, and somebody else to wear it. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Hannah Harriet Hayes. Coincidentally, there was an American film and theatre actress named Helen Hayes, a devoted Catholic, named The First Lady of the American Theatre. Edit
    • Several references are made about both "Network" and Paddy Chayefsky. "Network" is a film written by Chayefsky featuring Peter Finch as Howard Beale, an anchorman who, when firedfor poor ratings, lets loose on the air spouting, "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!" Edit
    • Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is a scripted parody of the backstage life of NBC's wildly successful sketch show, Saturday Night Live. Edit

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Pilot

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