Studio 60 Fodder

Studio 60: Nevada Day, Part I

We open on Tom. He's in jail. Danny, Jack, and Simon are all with him. In Nevada. Who walks in but... John Goodman! He's playing a judge. A surly, unhappy judge. He doesn't like their television program -- it's condescending and smart-ass.

Tom's under arrest for assault and battery, possession of drugs, and other charges. Simon steps in and says that it was his marijuana Tom was carrying -- Tom was wearing Simon's jacket. This pleases Judge Grumpypants even more. Danny prods Tom to explain the story to the judge.

The (back)story starts with Harriet Hayes. She was asked about her position on gay marriage. She said it was something for smarter people to decide. "The Bible says it's a sin, but it also says, 'Judge not lest ye be judged,'" she said... But the only printed the first half of her answer.

Meanwhile, Ed Asner's character is introducing a very important Japanese gentleman to Jack. Ed's trying to score a big deal in Japan. And the Japanese gentleman's daughter/translator happens to be a big fan of... Tom Jeter.

Matt and Danny have a debate over network Standards and Practices. The debate leads Matt to an idea for a sketch -- Jesus himself as the head of S&P.

We cut to the Studio 60 cast rehearsing the sketch. Since they're only able to use the word "Jesus" or "Christ" when talking about Jesus Christ, the skit has the actors addressing complaints directly to Jesus -- "Jesus Christ, it's hot in here!" This, so far, is the single funniest sketch we've heard about on Studio 60.

Harriet and Tom leave the dinner and get accosted by some fans on the sidewalk. Except they're not fans -- they're offended gay men, upset about her comments in the paper. Tom's trying to keep the men back; they're getting too close to Harriet's face. Simon comes out to help and escorts Harriet to the car. Tom is still trying to keep the men back, and accidentally knocks one over. He even check to make sure the guy's okay, before he too hops in the car and drives off with his castmates.

After the commercial, we're back at another rehearsal of the "Jesus Christ" sketch.

Back at the jail, the judge is criticizing Jack for allowing such a sketch on the air. Danny says they're pulling the sketch anyway; Jack says they're not. Simon again points out that it was his joint that Tom was caught with. Tom points out that he, in fact, is still under arrest. These John Goodman scenes have a distinct "My Cousin Vinny" feel to them.

Back at the rehearsal, Tom's complaining about his Jesus costume -- it's too flimsy, and the studio's cold. Too cold. Simon gets tired of Tom's complaining and hands him his jacket. Uh-oh!

A security guard comes in and finds Tom -- there are two folks in the lobby who need to see him: It's two detectives. They claim not to want to, but they cuff him and take him in for booking.

Jack and Jordan have an impromptu meeting. It's boring. Only key point: Jack mentions the Jesus sketch, and says that he's going to tell Studio 60 to cut it. Bet he'll change his mind!

Back at the studio, Danny comes to the set and sees no one around. The new writer Matt and Simon hired last week is there, and he updates Danny on Tom's arrest. Simon enters and explains the issue about the joint in the jacket pocket, the incident with the three gay men, and then other key point: Tom's being taken to Nevada, because he has an outstanding warrant from some unpaid speeding ticket he once got there.

Jack, around this time, is telling that important Japanese guy's daughter that she's about to go meet Tom Jeter. Jordan calls Jack in his office to update him on the situation. And the episode's title is finally explained: Today is a holiday called Nevada Day, meaning there are no judges working today, and Tom'll be stuck in jail through the weekend. Jack, however, has connections and says he'll get a judge called in. Bet that'll piss off whatever judge was out celeb-- OH! THAT must be why John Goodman is a Cranky Pants! And when Jack tries to break the news to the Japanese man and his daughter, she insists that her father's plan stop in Nevada first, so that she can meet good ol' Tom.

Which brings us to Pahrump, Nevada.

Tom, we learn, got a ticket for going 120mp that he says he forgot to pay. And when Tom spots a basset hound in the jail that he goes to pet. The dog starts barking a lot... We get it. It's a drug dog.

Danny and Jack talk on the plane flight to Nevada. Jack tells Danny to cut the "Jesus" sketch, and then changes his mind. The reasons why aren't really important or interesting, but Jack does say one interesting thing -- namely, that he doesn't think Jordan is going to make it anymore.

Matt meets up with Harriet and discusses the fact that they'll need to write an alternate show, in case Tom can't come back for tonight's live broadcast. No mention of who the host is this week, and way he, she, or other cast members couldn't shuffle around to fill in for him.

Once Jack, Simon, and Danny show up, Simon asks Tom if he's told the police why he was speeding that day. Tom says he hasn't, and he doesn't want Simon to explain either. But of course, WE are curious.

Back at the studio, the cast works on this bizarrely necessary "alternate" show. Seriously, they can't shuffle actors around? Every actor is in every skit? No one else can play Jesus?

We don't know the answer the any of these questions yet. Because the episode, dear friends, is To Be Continued...

I will say this: Sorkin hits a high note with this episode. It over-generalizes its characters -- they're a bit broad for my tastes when it comes to Angry Gay Men or Small Town Law Enforcement -- but this is a tightly-written, entertaining episode that has me anxious for next week's part two.

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Tags: studio_60 tom_jeter john_goodman

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Posted by Lex on November 6, 2006 11:01 PM
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