NBC's `Studio' fails to reveal dramatic ratings

Chicago Tribune ^ | October 18, 2006 | Phil Rosenthal

[RayChuang88]

NBC ripped up its fall schedule shortly after unveiling it to advertisers last spring to protect the network's hefty investment in Aaron Sorkin's "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip."

It looks as though the fourth-place network has been ripped off to the tune of $3 million an episode.

The most-hyped show of the new TV season has become the biggest disappointment. "Studio 60" is a bust.

The drama about backstage intrigue at a "Saturday Night Live"-esque show from "The West Wing" auteur Sorkin that NBC outbid its rivals to land, is dying like one of those mirthless "SNL" sketches shoe-horned in just before the closing credits.

It's not entirely clear why, though viewers historically have not swarmed to inside showbiz dramas. It's also possible they've found Sorkin's tale of how a big-shot heroic writer deigned to return to network TV a tad smug. The allegedly brilliant work his fictional alter ego churns out seems very ordinary indeed.

[RayChuang88]

Besides the obvious problem with Sorkin's liberal views that are turning off too many viewers, NBC is realizing that they are suffering serious viewer losses to ESPN's Monday Night Football telecasts, which completely overlap the over-air network prime time schedule in the more populous Eastern and Central time zones. NBC will either not renew the show beyond the original 13-episode order or they will eat the cost of the show and hope ratings improve after the end of the NFL season.

[Disturbin]

... is dying like one of those mirthless "SNL" sketches shoe-horned in just before the closing credits

Have there been any good SNL sketches in the last several years?

[Lucky9teen]

I was channel surfing the other day and scrolled past this POS show and stopped briefly, but long enough to hear them totally bashing christians. Typical NBC show....I'm glad it's tanking.

[SevenofNine]

Ray be honest it suckssss

BIG TIME

[Pete]

Too bad, so sad.

[Always Right]

How about coming up with a nice family show that promotes decent family values?

[SevenofNine]

You know what show really tanking is ER

And I hate to say this but Law and ORder mothership on Friday night

BOTH OF THEM I think problem is that new Lady Cop who replace Dennis Farina character she dont' smack chat enough

[SevenofNine]

Actually there was American Dreams that came out few years ago back in early 1990s I Fly way based in 1960s

NBC doesn't get it at all they like Hollywood bimbo who don't realize who career is over

[Lucky9teen]

ER started tanking when they brought the whole "lesbian" thing in AND changed ALL the main characters that were originally on the show.

[fatnotlazy]

I keep saying over and over: Thank Gawd for my DVD/VCR player.

[MAD-AS-HELL]

I wonder if this will cause Sorkin to back to the crack pipe?

I hoped this would fail just because it has that arrogant lib Bradley Whitford in it.

[fantom]

I think NBC will stick with this loser. They owe sorkin big . West Wing was a hugh money maker. The bigger problem beyond the out of date political agenda , is , these people are not funny , they are retreads . No one cares.

[SevenofNine]

I think start tanking when that they brought that Christian bashing in ER that reason why

That what I think I think you are right it start really sucks when lesbian came in

Come think of it BRAVO TV is part of NBC/Universal so to bring the gay audience they need shake up its primetime schedule to get BRAVO TV viewer to watch its programming

One of those weird Hollywood tied in

[LWalk18]

I never understood why they thought people would be interested in the imagined behind the scenes activity of a show that hasn't been funny in years. I haven't watched SNL in 5 years, why would I want to watch a show about it? Nevermind two shows, if you count the other show 30 Rock.

[TChris]

The drama about backstage intrigue at a "Saturday Night Live"-esque show from "The West Wing" auteur Sorkin that NBC outbid its rivals to land, is dying like one of those mirthless "SNL" sketches shoe-horned in just before the closing credits.

Could it be that most people couldn't care less about Hollywierd backstage life? What a bunch of self-absorbed nitwits.

[BurbankKarl]

I was visiting some friends who were watching Studio 60....I thought it was garbage. I didnt get any of it.

[TomGuy]

I watched about 30 minutes of the first epi, lost interest fast.

But it isn't the only season casualty. Smith is already gone, after 2 epi's aired.

Kidnapped has been told to finish the plot, as they are soon to be gone.

Vanished and Justice are questionable. They don't seem to have found an audience.

Jericho and Heroes touted as the hits of the season, so far. Heroes needs to tighten its plotline.

The 9 is questionable.

Not sure of the ratings, but I like Shark.

[Mister Baredog]

I wonder if this will cause Sorkin to back to the crack pipe?

When did he stop???? LOL

[gridlock]

I saw the preview for this, and I have to say I was never even tempted. An Inside Baseball look into the workings of obnoxious TV programmers strikes me as very low on my list of things to do. Somewhere between tile grout cleaning and root canal surgery.

The fact that the cast was full of retreads, who looked like they were just rehashing their old characters in a new setting, didn't help. I found them obnoxious before, so why should I like them now?

Now it looks like they are going to Double Down with 30 Rock. That grave ain't quite deep enough, boys! You better keep digging!

[reagan_fanatic]

Just stopping for a millisecond on the BRAVO channel will turn your shirt pink.

I avoid it at all costs.