I honestly thought that by the seventh episode of producer/writer Aaron Sorkin’s backstage drama “Studio 60,” he might choose to start backing off the over-the-top religious rhetoric of past storylines just a wee bit. Shows you just how much I know. Last night’s episode made clear that Sorkin has no intention of letting up any time soon on dramatizing the conflict–perceived and imagined–between conservative Christians and the Hollywood community.
Yes, in the episode last night “Studio 60″ head writer Matt Albie throws Jesus right into the middle of another controversy when he writes a sketch in which Jesus Christ becomes the network standards and practces guy–the person who is responsible for deciding what content makes it on the air and what is inappropriate to say on air. Of course, the network executives want the sketch pulled, but that’s the least of their problems. Harriet has gotten into a confrontation with a gay guy who is upset over her comments in the press about homosexuality. This, in turn, leads to fellow cast member Tom defending her and ultimately winding up in jail in Nevada.
Yep, at every turn in these events, Jesus was in some degree responsible for the action–and last night’s epiosde was only the first episode of a two-parter.
Unlike some of my fellow Idol Chatter bloggers, who love to wax poetic about the show, “Studio 60″ for me is rapidly becoming the one show I love to hate. Yes, the show is, without question, unlike anything else on the tube these days. Yes, I still tune in every week brimming with curiousity over who Sorkin will skewer this week–with no regard to the falling TV ratings. But in spite of great acting and some occasionally brilliant moments of dialogue, I am becoming increasingly agitated with the fist-pounding, brow-beating nature of Sorkin’s efforts to dramatize his perspective of the ongoing “culture war” of our society.
Worst of all, Sorkin is beginning to fall back on simplistic answers in his presentation of such issues. In a conversation I can’t actually imagine ever happening in real life, Matt Albie tells ex-girlfriend Harriet that our culture is divided simply because “People like you think that people like me hate people like you. And people like me, well, we hate people like you.” That’s an oversimplisitc, cynical anaylsis not worthy of a Sorkin drama–even if perhaps the point was to show Albie’s great intolerance in the light of Harriet’s tolerance.
posted November 8, 2006 at 12:19 am
Actually, the quote was something closer to “People like you think that people like me think you’re stupid. And people like me, well, we think you’re stupid.” That’s not quite it, but it was about intelligence not hate. And I think that it’s pretty true. Not that religious people are actually stupid, but that indeed many atheists believe it to be true.
posted November 8, 2006 at 2:39 pm
Oh Lord! I want so bad to be a real writer I love Studio 60 and I am a Christian. How awesome is this writing and story line. We look so often to our priest, rabbis and guides to find our truths and yet here is Sorkin leading us through the desert and beyond the promise land. What greatness is this parable. Our life is bettered enriched to see and experience how real fake characters live out this ideology. Steven Weber is under-rated and Matt P. (he lets me call him that) is in the role of his life. This was the quintessential episode of what we (the public ) love about this series/ drama . HEY! NBC!!! Relax it is solid, fun, inspired and sharp( cutting-edge ) writing. Somebody needs to discover me!!!
posted November 8, 2006 at 3:10 pm
I agree that Sorkin is very much in danger of becoming “Johnny One Note” and gets preachy on this point. But it was an interesting twist to have the Christian the target of intolerance from the gay guys who were genuinely obnoxious when they confronted her and even more belligerently hostile than they were accusing her of being. While I am pro-gay rights, I have certainly met gay people who were anything but tolerant or open-minded. Self-righteousness is far from the sole province of fundamentalists. Sorkin is at his best when he points out the self-righteous hypocricies on both sides of such issues. In some ways this most recent episode demonstrates both the best and the worst of the show.
posted November 8, 2006 at 5:04 pm
Atheists will stop thinking Christians are stupid as soon as Christians stop acting superior to us because they “believe” so strongly that they’re willing to ignore mountains of scientific evidence. If someone came up to you and said they didn’t believe in gravity, you’d think they were stupid, right? Well, that’s what we think of people who don’t believe in evolution.If you don’t think there’s a culture war in this country, you’re not paying attention. Gay marriage, abortion, stem-cell research, abstinence-only sex education and many other issues have been hijacked by the religious right. Movies and television can show gratuitous violence constantly, but show simulated sex in any position besides missionary and you get an NC-17 rating. There’s definitely a culture war here, and so far your side is winning. After yesterday’s election, though, maybe we can even the score on some issues.
posted November 9, 2006 at 9:25 am
I love Studio 60, it’s one of the best shows on tv. The writing is incredible and the actors are superb.>
posted November 10, 2006 at 3:36 pm
Didn’t anybody out there get that the whole entire last episode was about the last days of jesus’ life when he was arrested and brought before the roman court? That tom was jesus, simmon was Judas, the judge was Pilot, the young asian girl was mary magdalene. The run through of the sketch was the last supper. The entire show was a rather incredible take on the real story of jesus, not mocking or funny at all. If you stood back and looked at the real story being told, it was sobering and touching. I can’t believe that people are paying attention to the silly little sketch and not seeing the other story.