In Which I Gripe About TV

Lately, Matt and I have been watching a show called "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip." An Aaron Sorkin creation from 2006-07, you probably haven't heard of it. It's a drama chronicling the production of a late-night sketch comedy show a la SNL. I described it to Matt as what "30 Rock" would be if it were a drama. In fact, the two shows came out around the same time, but clearly, only one of them made it. "Studio 60" was cancelled after one season. Here is an analysis:

Things "Studio 60" had going for it:

• It's an Aaron Sorkin project. You may remember a little show called "The West Wing." You know, the one that ran for 7 seasons? Yeah, same guy created "Studio 60."
• It aired on Bravo in the timeslot directly following "Project Runway." Truth be told, this is why I caught it, as at the time I was heavily into "Project Runway." We'd seen advertisements for the show all before and during "PR," and it piqued my interest. In essence, it benefitted from being that show that follows the one you care about, because it's still on while you're talking to your friends about which designer SHOULD have won (a.k.a. NOT Jefferey). Fortunately for S60, it was a good show, so it caught and held my interest after said conversations were finished.
• It featured Matthew Perry. Ok, so this might not have universal appeal, but it kept me interested, because who wasn't hoping for the F-R-I-E-N-D-S to make something of themselves post-2004? But even if Matthew Perry wasn't your cup of tea, S60 had a pretty stellar cast otherwise--Bradley Whitford, Amanda Peet, Steven Weber, Ed Asner, D.L. Hughley, Mark McKinney...most people like at least one of those actors.
• It was a GOOD SHOW. Well-written, well-acted, interesting plotlines, focused on relevant issues of the day, funny.

Nevertheless, in spite of all these things, "Studio 60" was axed.

What was working against S60:

• It was on a cable network. Shows, especially scripted shows, have to work hard to succeed on a cable network. Sitcoms and dramas that make it onto broadcast television get watched. Cable shows, not always.
  
• Not only that, but the cable network S60 was on was Bravo. What other scripted shows are on Bravo? I can't even think of one. You hear Bravo and you think "Project Runway, "Top Chef," "Millionaire Matchmaker," and the like. Generally good television (except for those godawful Real Housewives) but mostly reality stuff. Looking at it that way, S60 didn't stand a chance.
• It's not entirely Bravo's fault, though, because there were very few scripted shows from that period that lasted ("30 Rock," interestingly, being a notably exception). The most popular show at the time was "American Idol"; plus all the other shows already mentioned, plus crap like, "So You Think You Can Dance." S60 didn't have a chance.
  
• Like all the shows that don't look like they're going to make it, the airtime of S60 got moved around and around, and most people, like me, couldn't keep track of when it was on. Not only that, but there was a huge gap between February and the end of May, which likely lost the show the few viewers who were able to keep track of it.
• I would also speculate that the show's liberal politics might have kept it from finding followers, which is interesting, since a large part of the plot of the show is how the liberal politics of the show-within-the show (also called "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip") are potentially off-putting.
  

Honestly, it's really among the best shows I've seen. While there is a fair amount of drama (a kidnapped airman in Afghanistan, a high-risk pregnancy, etc.) it is mixed so seamlessly with humor that it still feels real. I think it is unfortunate not only for the actors of the show--who all deserve excellent careers--but for the American viewing public that the show got cancelled. At any rate, if you can find it to watch, I highly recommend it.