"Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" The Christmas Show (2006)

Director:

Daniel Attias

Writers:

Aaron Sorkin (creator)
Aaron Sorkin (teleplay)

TV Series:

"Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (2006)

Original Air Date:

4 December 2006 (Season 1, Episode 11)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Danny helps Jordan with her pregnancy--but what ulterior motives does he have? Meanwhile, Matt tries to put together a Christmas-themed show without being too L.A.-phony, and Harriet gets a movie offer that could advance her career.

Plot Keywords:

Television Flop | Television | Television Studio | Homosexual Subtext | Actor Shares First Name With Character

Cast

Matthew Perry	...	Matt Albie
Amanda Peet	...	Jordan McDeere
Bradley Whitford	...	Danny Tripp
Steven Weber	...	Jack Rudolph
D.L. Hughley	...	Simon Stiles
Sarah Paulson	...	Harriet Hayes
Nathan Corddry	...	Tom Jeter (as Nate Corddry)
Timothy Busfield	...	Cal Shanley
Mark McKinney	...	Andy Mackinaw
Merritt Wever	...	Suzanne
Lucy Davis	...	Lucy Kenwright
Columbus Short	...	Darius Hawthorne
Nate Torrence	...	Dylan Killington
John Mahon	...	George
Josh Stamberg	...	Luke Scott

Company:

Shoe Money Productions

Trivia:

The Guest host is not named in this episode. The Guest Musical Act were performers from New Orleans.

Goofs:

Factual errors: During a meeting, writers are debunking various Christmas traditions and beliefs. One of the writers refers to the "Immaculate Conception" as being the same as the "virgin birth." The "Immaculate Conception" is Catholic dogma that refers to the conception of Mary, not Christ. It claims that Mary was conceived without "Original Sin" and has nothing to do with the virgin birth.

Quotes:

Matt Albie: Hang on, I've got a note for you from dress.
[pulls Harriet around the corner and kisses her]
Matt Albie: [pulls notebook from his pocket] Use your downstage hand to reach for the glass in Nancy Grace.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs "Dateline NBC" (1992)

Soundtrack:

O HOLY NIGHT

Finally working as it should

I've stuck with this show because I loved the West Wing and kept wanting a replacement. This episode finally pulled all the pieces together into what we came to expect from these actors and writers. The comic banter sets the pulse of the show and the dramatic punches, even when expected, were truly punches. It could have gone either way with the chairman and they could have dragged out the romantic links for way too long but they didn't. The tribute to New Orleans was well set up and executed - brought me to tears. I can't wait for the second half of this season. If you gave up on this show early on, give it another try. You might have to review a few episodes to catch up but it's worth it. PLEASE keep up the good work and keep improving.