The hopes and dreams of ratings laggard NBC rest on the shoulders of Aaron Sorkin and his new fall drama “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” an ensemble project set behind the scenes at a sketch comedy show.
The creator of “The West Wing” spoke candidly with critics Friday about the anxiety and the burden that ride shotgun with great expectations, of being the Series That Everyone Expects to Become a Humongous Hit (and nothing less will do).
But first, he had to contend with what was a minor faux pas, by his own admission, in light of his drug woes of several years back.
Headlining a panel that also included co-stars Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford, Timothy Busfield, Steven Weber and D.L. Hughley, he referred to TV’s influence on society — particularly that of reality TV — this way: “I think it’s bad crack in the school yard.” Whoops.
Sorkin, immediately: “Why did I use that word?”
Whitford, in response: “I have no idea.” The room erupted in laughter.
Sorkin, about 20 minutes later: “I will go person to person, giving each of you $100 if we can just get that crack quote out of the papers tomorrow. It’s an expression I meant nothing by. And with all of the mental preparation I did for this panel, that I was actually able to say that is beyond belief.”
On the more important topic of “Studio 60″ and all of those high expectations at NBC, Sorkin said the show is so eagerly anticipated as a network savior that not only has there already been a backlash against it in buzz circles, there’s already been a backlash against the backlash.
“We kind of maxed out on the pressure we put on ourselves because we want it to be good,” Sorkin said. “We hear the same things that you do and we understand that NBC has high hopes for the show — and that’s something to be proud of.”
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