… here's the question: Did the cold open live up to the hype? I mentioned before that I didn't think it was all that good, and I still don't think so. I mean, an edgy and contemporary show — and it supposedly wows the crowd with a riff from Gilbert & Sullivan? That cuts into the credibility of the piece; if the sketch wasn't really great, we probably shouldn't have seen it at all. Then again, I have heard conflicting opinions at work — pro-sketch and anti-sketch. Any thoughts out there?
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First I gave it two seasons, max. Now, maybe just one. It ain't good, folks.
I loved it! I immediately thought of Sports Night as I watched — the writing was clever and sarcastic and kept me entertained. And then I watched Heroes on tape and gave Studiio 60 more extra credit. Heroes was stupid. It reminded me of that show that started last year with a 2 hour pilot — supposedly about creatures/aliens out there — and it did not last long. So I give Studio 2 thumbs up.
Not a great sketch. Not a great episode. Still excellent potential. I'm still too busy referring to the leads as Josh, Chandler, Miss Isringhausen and such.
It did make me think about the final SNL of the 1980-81 season. The terrible (TERRIBLE!) first season with a new cast replacing the originals which resulted in something akin to a public outcry for a merciful death. That show was mostly recast, had a new producer, and was promoted as an attempt to save the show. I remember it as not incredibly funny, but as being inspired and energized enough to hope they'd get another shot. They did.
I really have to disagree, I LOVED it. Gilbert & Sullivan was used in The West Wing as well, and frankly I think that NBC needs to simply be targeting that demographic instead of trying to consistently point out how "hip" this show is. I actually had to listen to the song again to catch a few of the lines, but I absolutely loved it. This show will be on my watch list as long as it is on.
The problem with the show isn't just that particular sketch.The problem is that none of the fictional cast members, who are supposed to be comedic talents, are funny or engaging.
This is especially true of the blond female lead who, as a fictional character, doesn't strike me as either particularly talented or earnestly religious (a clumsy theme that's not working either).
I liked it. I liked the whole episode, and I'm very picky about what I call good television. This is the best new show of the season. It'll be around for several seasons. Just look at the ratings.
I enjoyed it and thought it was cute. Then I had a conversation with my husband about it and realized this well-educated man had no idea they were doing a riff on a famous song. It got me thinking about how many people out there know enough about musicals and G/S to recognize the (not great) joke to begin with.