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For those who haven’t heard, “Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip” got a full-season order a few days ago.
And as usual, the Canadians got to see Sunday what the Americans see Monday.
“L-Prime” has this:
What’s it called?
“Nevada Day, Part II”
Who’s responsible?
Teleplay by Sorkin; Story by David Handleman & Cinque Henderson
What does TV Guide say?
Conclusion. Jack has difficulty persuading a Nevada judge (John Goodman) to let Tom out of jail in time for the live taping of “Studio 60”; the romantic tension increases between Matt and Harriet.
What else is TV Guide not telling us?
Again, it’s a technically accurate summary, but it’s a little thin on how those bits inform the actual hour of TV.
Any backgrounders gaining screen time?
Nate Torrance’s Dylan gets a bunch of attention on the actor’s side, while Lucy Davis has her biggest night on the writer’s side, and lo, Dawn fans did rejoice.
Anyone have a lighter week again?
Timothy Busfield is less MIA than last week, despite his sole director’s credit, but all of his 45 seconds or so are fantastic.
Once again: Comedy? Funny?
The biblical cheese idea is fantastic, but the Visa sketch brings act three to a screeching halt.
Does anyone take a big bite out of the speechifying pie?
Harriet and Matt, a little, but what else is new?
Will there be more cries of snobbery/liberalism/general elitism?
A question actually largely addressed by the episode itself, and there’s a (dare I say) touching conceit given to the usual fodder for abuse (the dreaded ‘Middle America’) in the resolution of the Tom mystery.
What’s good?
“It’s a funny name, get past it.”; “… and watching you trip all over it makes me want to hit you with Liberace.”; Cheeses of Nazareth; “I was thinking of getting a bunch of them together in my basement and setting them to work for me as pickpockets.”; Steven Weber being … unkind to electronics; John Goodman, again; hey! There’s Timothy Busfield!; “Wanna talk about it some more?” “No.”; “I’m not white, Darius, I’m English.”; a red paintball; Ed Asner ripping Jordan to pieces; the Thunderdome reference; “Hey, look at that, I’m Agatha Christie.”; “Are we flying as fast as we can go?”; “It’s ok, it’s ok, let it out. Ow! It’s ok.”; Steven Weber, yet again; “Jack, I’m gonna go in, but I could kiss you all over the face right now.”; “There’s a diner in Pahrump, I’ve never tasted food like this.”
Cual no es bueno?
It took a small uptick this week, but I still don’t buy the Jordan/Harriet friendship, as it seems the only reason they’re set up as friends is that they both have two X chromosomes; the big reveal about Tom works well motivation-wise, but the nuts and bolts of the logic don’t add up; the romance thing kinda hits you out of nowhere at the end.
Any shocking, mind-bending, brain-explosdying twists?
Um, some schmaltz is shoved at us pretty quick, but nothing big. You were expecting alien babies maybe?
And perhaps the biggest question of the night: with the recent renewal, will people just shut the eff up and watch the damn thing?
A man can dream, can’t he?
Rating for 1.8 (out of five)
****
“Daniel” says:
What’s It Called?
“Nevada Day, Part 2"
Who Wrote It?
Teleplay by Aaron Sorkin, Story by David Handleman ("Sports Night", "West Wing"), and Cinque Henderson ("E-Ring")
Who Directed It?
Timothy Busfield
What’s It About?
Jordan deals with her quote about not wanting kids; Harriett deals with her apparent homophobia; Matt tries putting a new guy on the News 60 desk; Everyone in Pahrump tries to get back to work
What’s Good About It?
Half-Way House Cafe, Matt disagreeing with Harriett, Jack dealing with the camera, Jack's rant at the end, more arguing with Jack and Dannny, and Jack in general, John Goodman's fixation on Simon's hair, John Goodman in general, the way characters are standing up for each other more, and becoming nicer, more "real" people
"Is Tom in jail in a Marx Brothers' movie?", "Cheeses of Nazareth", "I'm in the middle of an episode of Walker Texas Ranger", "I'm homophobic in the way that makes sense", "Wanna talk about it some more?", "Whaddaya know, I'm Agatha Christie", "We're not being slowed down by the fact that you're making chicken caesar salad for everyone?", "Can't really break a newspaper", "YOU'RE THE ONE WHO STARTLED ALL OF THIS!"
What’s Not Good About It?
For those of you just looking to complain, there's a lot of focus on Christianity's stance on things this week, some people may be unhappy with the resolution on Tom's charges
Rating (Out of Five)
****
10 p.m. Monday. NBC.
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