STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP

I thought I was in for a trainwreck before watching the new NBC drama STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP, writer Aaron Sorkin's follow-up to THE WEST WING. Well, the pilot proved me wrong.

Now this is only the pilot, so things could get better or worse, but STUDIO 60 is something fresh. Its a television show with guts, brains, and exceptional dialogue. This could have been (and was) expected from Sorkin, who won five Emmys and was nominated for another four before leaving THE WEST WING.

Above all else, 60's pilot was a wake-up call to the TV business. The story is about an SNL-like variety show on the fictional NBS network. STUDIO 60 is NBS's biggest show, but these days its crappy, good-for-nothing, set-it-and-forget it comedy, and nobody knows it more than producer Wes Mendell (Judd Hirsch). He pulls a NETWORK to the surprise of everyone, and goes on an improvised rant about the 'pornographization' of network television these days, and calls for America to turn off their TVs. How ballsy was it for Sorkin to indict the real world's standards for television, and blast the producers who are financing his show by including 'worm eating' (FEAR FACTOR) and 'who wants to screw my sister' (WHO WANTS TO MARRY MY DAD) in his fulminations.

Writer/director team Matt Albie (Mattew Perry) and Danny Tripp (Bradley Whitford) are hired to take over the show in a scramble by the new president of the NBS (Amanda Peet, who is suprisingly good in a role that requires a lot of confidence). Art imitates life here, as Danny is a cocaine addict, and in a way is forced into taking the job (Sorkin's long-time directing partner Thomas Schlamme is a recovering drug addict himself).

Even when the show starts to slide off the rails a bit (Perry was a little too lackadasical and loosy-goosy at times), STUDIO 60 hits its target through great writing and acting by a terrific, sprawling ensemble cast (D. L. Hughley, Sarah Paulson, Steven Weber, Timothy Busfield, and Nathan Corddry are also along for the ride). Again, there has only been one episode, but as pilots go, this is the best of the season, and the best overall since LOST.