Continuing A Theme
(That of finally seeing programmes I've heard a lot about which finally made their UK terrestrial debut.)
Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip kicked off on More Four last night, and I liked it a lot. It screams "created by Aaron Sorkin" in its plotting, the way the characters are introduced and interact, and in its entire feel. The Mrs has never been able to get into The West Wing because of a resistance to the political setting it's all about, but may give this a go.
Weirdly, I think I can see its setting in the world of TV may be Studio's biggest barrier to engagement, and is quite likely part of the reason it didn't take off in the US. It feels ever-so-slightly smug - there's a hint of "look at us, we're self-aware enough to put ourselves under the microscope". And although it's obviously important to see this as its own entity and not view it through a West Wing filter, it's unfortunate that the character I always found most smug and least likeable in TWW is one of the leads in Studio.
But - I liked the set up, I like more of the characters than I was expecting to, and I'm looking forward to the rest of its unfortunately limited run.