This show needs to stop telling us how great it is (seriously, every other scene is about how Matt Albie is the bestest writer ever, or how Sarah Paulson's Harriet Hayes is the most talentedest performer ever, or how Studio 60 is the greatest show ever), and focus on actually being great.
There's a point here, but also a counterpoint.
The point about constant self-promotion is warranted. It's classic "tell, don't show." And it's annoying.
But here's the thing. Sarah Paulson isn't Eddie Murphy. She does a couple mean impressions and she's a natural on camera, but she's not a comic genius, and you can't just throw her out there and have her be a comic genius. This was going to be a problem no matter who was playing the role. On the same level, Aaron Sorkin is a GREAT dialogue writer, but he's a shitty sketch comedy writer (although the most recent sketch, the Nancy Grace one, was tolerable).
So, the "they're the bestest ever" syndrome is permissible - to an extent. They're starting to gradually phase out the telling us of "these are
( ... )
I agree that it was fine for the first couple episodes to establish that these are talented performers by having other characters talk about it, but they're still doing it, and it bugs. It bugs me more when they keep talking about how great Matt is, because it comes off as Sorkin telling us how great Sorkin is (since Albie is his surrogate). Also, because the sketch scenes have often been weak, we have less and less proof of Matt's excellence.
As for the Nancy Grace sketch, I'll admit that it may have been funnier if I ever watched the real Nancy Grace. But it still sounded too long and dialogue-heavy, which I think has been the problem with most of the sketches they've shown us. What works great in Sorkin's dialogue for his characters behind the camera doesn't work for sketch comedy.
I personally hate the character of Harriet. She comes across as too perfect and too smug, granted I have not seen this week's episode yet, but it would take quite a lot to turn my opinion of her around.
Also, I feel the show peeked in the first 10 minutes with the network guy's speech and it is slowly going downhill. It's not a good sign when that happens. I dont think this show will last past the first season.
Finally, we should open a discussion like this for Veronica Mars Season 3. Just a thought. :)
I was thinking about waiting until the first six episodes of this season of Veronica Mars before doing them, as I believe they'll have dealt with the first arc by then.
Personally, much like mbright220 I can't really stand the character of Harriet. Nor do I see any chemistry whatsoever between her and Matt Albie, and it's certainly not an onscreen romance of the "will they ever again?" variety.
I thought the Nic Cage impersonation was pretty good, but most of the show-in-the-show stuff is passable at best. A lot of times I'm watching this show and thinking that Sorkin has seen your West Wing LJ icon about them being the Most Important People in the World or whatever it says. It's feeling a bit over-inflated and bloated on it's own excesses right now.
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There's a point here, but also a counterpoint.
The point about constant self-promotion is warranted. It's classic "tell, don't show." And it's annoying.
But here's the thing. Sarah Paulson isn't Eddie Murphy. She does a couple mean impressions and she's a natural on camera, but she's not a comic genius, and you can't just throw her out there and have her be a comic genius. This was going to be a problem no matter who was playing the role. On the same level, Aaron Sorkin is a GREAT dialogue writer, but he's a shitty sketch comedy writer (although the most recent sketch, the Nancy Grace one, was tolerable).
So, the "they're the bestest ever" syndrome is permissible - to an extent. They're starting to gradually phase out the telling us of "these are ( ... )
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As for the Nancy Grace sketch, I'll admit that it may have been funnier if I ever watched the real Nancy Grace. But it still sounded too long and dialogue-heavy, which I think has been the problem with most of the sketches they've shown us. What works great in Sorkin's dialogue for his characters behind the camera doesn't work for sketch comedy.
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If Aaron Sorkin wrote a show about baseball...
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Also, I feel the show peeked in the first 10 minutes with the network guy's speech and it is slowly going downhill. It's not a good sign when that happens. I dont think this show will last past the first season.
Finally, we should open a discussion like this for Veronica Mars Season 3. Just a thought. :)
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I thought the Nic Cage impersonation was pretty good, but most of the show-in-the-show stuff is passable at best. A lot of times I'm watching this show and thinking that Sorkin has seen your West Wing LJ icon about them being the Most Important People in the World or whatever it says. It's feeling a bit over-inflated and bloated on it's own excesses right now.
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