First Matt LeBlanc, then Lisa Kudrow, now Matthew Perry gets the axe. It's a rival network reporting it, so take it for what it's worth, but I don't think anybody would report the cancellation of a major network TV show unless their sources were rock solid. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,226092,00.html 'Studio 60’ Cancellation Imminent Sunday, October 29, 2006 By Roger Friedman Here we go: despite receiving an order for three more episodes on Friday, the Aaron Sorkin NBC drama "Studio 60 on Sunset Strip" is about to be put out of its misery. Cast members are already confiding in friends that the end is near. It's likely NBC will pull the plug shortly I am told by insiders. Last week, Studio 60 had 7.7 million viewers. Compare that with competing "CSI: Miami," with 17.5 million. That gap cannot be closed. But 'Studio 60' has trouble internally at NBC, forget its intramural rivals. According to ratings stats, the "Saturday Night Live" behind the scenes soap opera loses almost half the viewers delivered to it a few minutes earlier by another new show, "Heroes," which has become a surprise cult hit. On Monday, 'Heroes' had 14.3 million viewers. The substantial drop off with 'Studio 60' is probably the last nail in its coffin. The order of the three extra episodes is considered by insiders to be a contractual move, and not one based on faith that they will ever be made or aired. The all important demo situation didn't help: 'Heroes' had 15 percent of viewers aged 18-49. Studio 60 had 8 percent. The notion that 'Studio 60' is a big draw for NBC among desirables is, sadly, blown on those stats. ArchiveSorkin and friends will argue that NBC has done something wrong, or that the audience isn't smart enough. Alas, in this case, neither is true. 'Studio 60'—as I wrote on August 7th after viewing the pilot—is just a bad show. There's nothing wrong with the acting, directing, or dialogue writing. But the premise is faulty. No one cares whether a bunch of over caffeinated, well off yuppies, some with expensive drug habits, put on a weekly comedy sketch show from Los Angeles. Even worse: no one cares whether or not the people from the Bartlett White House puts on a comedy show. That's what 'Studio 60' is, essentially: the "West Wing" annual talent show. There's so much earnestness involved in this endeavour, you start to think that nuclear war will be declared if the 'Studio 60' staff doesn't air some joke—usually one we don't hear anyway. The whole thing just feels weighted down and frankly, not entertaining. There is one winner to come out of 'Studio 60,' however: Matthew Perry. In this show he's proven himself to be a star on his own separate from "Friends." His comedic timing and ability to ad lib, toss off lines, and give restrained physical reactions is what keeps 'Studio 60' even remotely interesting. We can only be hopeful that someone comes up with a great new show for him quickly—but a comedy that's funny, not a drama that isn't. NBC will probably fill the lost 'Studio 60' timeslot with 'Deal-No Deal: The Next Generation,' or some such thing. So the losers here will be the audience, which is about to be pummelled by more reality and game shows. It's too bad because around the dial there are good new dramas. Despite its heavy "thirtysomething" feel, "Brothers and Sisters" is worth keeping if only for Sally Field, Ron Rifkin and Rachel Griffiths. (But there a mistake was made, too: killing off patriarch Tom Skerritt in the first episode.) Oh well: I hope Regis is warming up the holiday edition of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." We're ready!
That show sux...Well, Courtney Cox is next with the show on F/X called Dirt...She looked like Skelator when they showed her in the previews...
This SUCKS...I love studio 60...one of the best written shows on TV. Dang.....they cancel too fast these days...Cheers debuted DEAD last.....you have to find your audience. DD
I thought it was a great show.. Excellent acting, dialogue.. I'm going to sound arrogant here, but I think it's not popular because most people fail to realize how good the acting is in this show. Well, that combined with a plot that doesn't really grab anyone.. But still, it's a shame to see to this show go. It was the first time in a looong time I've been impressed by any actor's performance on a TV show, let alone nearly the entire cast.
i watched one episode and thought it was pretty good for network t.v. sounds like it was in a tough time block w/ alot of competition. seems like they could move it to a less competitive spot and it could clean up - there might be some kind of politics involved in the cancellation. as for friends, i liked it for a couple years - the slapstick comedy a'la 3's company or i love lucy was what made the show great. all 6 of them could pull off the physical comedy angle to varying degrees. i came to really hate it though, and can no longer watch at all. all the relationship stuff ruined the show - too much incest among the group.
so i decide to follow a show from the pilot, i like the show, and it seems good, and of course it will get cancelled. granted, i didn't love it or anything, and it's somewhat true that they make a sketch show seem like life or death, but it seemed good enough to get ratings and not be cancelled half a season in. obviously, going up against csi: miami is tough (i watch that every week with a little mnf mixed in and dvr studio 60 because you have to pay more attention to studio 60) but i thought it could compete. i've never seen heroes (except 5 minutes that didn't draw me in) but i don't get how it gets such huge ratings. it seems like 5-10 years ago all the shows i watched were the highest rated shows, but maybe i'm just out of touch with tv now. grey's anatomy, lost, dancing with stars, american idol, csi, i don't watch any of those and they dominate ratings. two and a half men and csi: miami are pretty much the only two big time ratings shows i watch. now they better not cancel jericho before we find out what happens. the writing isn't even that good but i can't stop watching.
Everyone who is talking about the fact that well written shows are being trashed for mindless **** like Deal or No Deal are correct. I'm just glad that NBC is bringing back Scrubs at the end of November... Donald Faison is awesome! <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Gorp4uSTMKc"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Gorp4uSTMKc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
He may have a point as to people not 'connecting' with the premise, but Studio 60 is well written and acted. A very good show. Heroes is almost the opposite; people love the concept/idea, but IMO it is very poorly written and (somewhat) acted. But it is still a solid show. At least one of them is doing well. Still, a shame.
I liked what I saw of the first Studio 60; it showed some promise. But it did feel all to similar to West Wing...and for a dramedy about a SNL style sketch show that probably wasn't a good thing.
Scrubs is good but it seems to have progressively declined as the seasons have gone by. I wasn't a big fan of season 5 at all
"This post really got me thinking. Is JD too much of a wuss or have we, as a society, focused too much attention on the macho ideal that all men must live up to. Should all men have nice bodies and enjoy sports, or is there room in this world for little pansy emo boys whose soul career goal is to prove how cool he is when it comes to obscure music? I think we've all learned something today." P.S. Scrubs is one of my favorite shows ever, I just think the JD character has regressed. Braff says this is last season, but I think the show could go on without him, personally.
Didn't you read the article: There is one winner to come out of 'Studio 60,' however: Matthew Perry. In this show he's proven himself to be a star on his own separate from "Friends." His comedic timing and ability to ad lib, toss off lines, and give restrained physical reactions is what keeps 'Studio 60' even remotely interesting. We can only be hopeful that someone comes up with a great new show for him quickly—but a comedy that's funny, not a drama that isn't. Obviously the good stuff wasn't written, it was ad-libbed by Matthew Perry. As if Aaron Sorkin lets anybody ad-lib on his shows.
there was wonderful acting on this show although that blonde chick that matthew perry's character dated sucked. like really sucked. her character had no life except to make pointless jabs at other characters. i think NBC needs to learn that it's time at the bottom of the heap has come. it's CBS/ABC's time to shine.
