Rnd1 Heat 11: Studio 60 v The X-Files

[Jedi Shrimper]

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (GlasgowSUFC)
v
The X-Files (Rusty Shackleford)

 

[OldBlueLady]

Sorry Rich, don't know your one at all, but did like the earlier X Files.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

I've never watched Studio 60, and I'm sure it's a fine piece of entertainment, but I can't imagine anything matching the sustained brilliance of The X-Files. Nine seasons of conspiracy theories, alien abductions and simmering sexual tension between Mulder and Scully, coupled with the genius of The Lone Gunmen made me an avid fan. Brilliantly acted, scripted and directed, The X-Files was a true cultural phenomenon and still stands up today as a groundbreaking landmark series.

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is an American dramedy television series created and written by Aaron Sorkin. It takes place behind the scenes of a fictional live sketch comedy show (also called Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip or Studio 60) on the fictional television network NBS (National Broadcasting System), whose format is similar to NBC's Saturday Night Live. The fictional show-within-a-show is run by head writer and executive producer Matt Albie (Matthew Perry) and executive producer Danny Tripp (Bradley Whitford).
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip aired on NBC from September 18, 2006 to June 28, 2007.

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

The X-Files

The X-Files (abbreviated to TXF or just X-Files) is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. It first aired in September 1993 and ended in May 2002. The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans (e.g., "The Truth Is Out There", "Trust No One", "I Want to Believe") became pop culture touchstones in the 1990s. Seen as a defining series of its era, The X-Files tapped into public mistrust of governments and large institutions, and embraced conspiracy theories and spirituality as it centered on efforts to uncover the existence of extraterrestrial life. The series also spawned a spin-off show The Lone Gunmen). The X-Files also had a crossover with another Chris Carter show Millennium.
In the series, FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) are the investigators of X-Files: marginalized, unsolved cases involving paranormal phenomena. Mulder is a believer in the existence of aliens and the paranormal, while Scully, a skeptic, is assigned to make scientific analyses on Mulder's discoveries.[1] Early in the series both agents become pawns in a larger conflict (termed the "mythology" or "mytharc" by the producers), and come to trust only each other. They develop a close relationship, first starting as platonic relationship and later developing into a romantic relationship at the end of the series' run. In addition to the long-term story arc, "monster of the week" episodes made up roughly two-thirds of the series. In such stand-alone X-Files episodes, Mulder and Scully investigated bizarre crimes with few long-term implications on the storyline.

 

[Napster]

Just saw Small Potatoes and Synchrony at the weekend. Some of the best telly ever.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Just saw Small Potatoes and Synchrony at the weekend. Some of the best telly ever.

I think 'Small Potatoes' might have been my favourite of the 'Monster of the Week' episodes - they pitched it perfectly when making these episodes less than 100% serious. 'The Post-Modern Prometheus' was another favourite of that genre.

 

[Interpol Shrimper]

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is an American dramedy television series created and written by Aaron Sorkin. It takes place behind the scenes of a fictional live sketch comedy show (also called Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip or Studio 60) on the fictional television network NBS (National Broadcasting System), whose format is similar to NBC's Saturday Night Live. The fictional show-within-a-show is run by head writer and executive producer Matt Albie (Matthew Perry) and executive producer Danny Tripp (Bradley Whitford).
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip aired on NBC from September 18, 2006 to June 28, 2007.

An absolute travesity that the US network cancelled this show, Sorkin was told halfway through Season 1 it would be the last and so he pulled out all the stops to end the show with a bang. It is written in a very cutting, sarcastic style and brought into play a number of ideas Sorkin and his production team had in mind for their previous legendary show The West Wing. The 2 leads Whitford & Perry proved here they've got more in their reportoire than the characters they were both previously famous for.

The ongoing romantic storyline between Whitford and Amanda Peet as well as Perry and Sarah Paulson builds the whole series to a tension. Another storyline I've mentioned on another thread is when another of The West Wing's alumni, Alison Janney comes to host the latest show and her on-screen chemistry with Timothy Busfield.

As I'm not confident of success (my first choice was swiftly taken by MtS) I'm not going to go into reams of arguments as to why this was one of the best ever US TV dramas. Let me just say that whether the show prevails or not over The X Files (not looking likely as at 1030am), that those of you who haven't seen it will give it a try either via DVD or 4OD. Honestly it is 20 hours of pure TV gold...(oh & Lucy Davis is in it a lot too ;))

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Will definitely give Studio 60 a tumble Rich, sounds more than decent.

 

[jassyfa1]

Studio 60 is available for those with virgin media, who use the TV on control button. I recommend it.

 

[Napster]

As an aside, the man who wrote Small Potatoes, (which was the first X-File he wrote), went on to write more X-Files, and write/produce The Lone Gunmen, and write/produce Breaking Bad. He also wrote Hancock, but no-one's perfect.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

As an aside, the man who wrote Small Potatoes, (which was the first X-File he wrote), went on to write more X-Files, and write/produce The Lone Gunmen, and write/produce Breaking Bad. He also wrote Hancock, but no-one's perfect.

'The Lone Gunmen' spin-off wasn't in the same class as the original series but it deserved more than its one (abbreviated) season. Did you see any of it Naps?

 

[Napster]

'The Lone Gunmen' spin-off wasn't in the same class as the original series but it deserved more than its one (abbreviated) season. Did you see any of it Naps?

Caught a couple of episodes. Big fan of Frohike.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Caught a couple of episodes. Big fan of Frohike.

Melvin = Legend

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

Glasgow, Studio 60 on Sunset Strip is added to a growing list of shows I want to see from this competition, however my vote has to go to the X-Files.

I'd never have described myself as a massive fan of the X-Files but looking back I tuned in every week, so obviously I was. Plus it had Miss Anderson in it...

 

[Napster]

 

[Numphgirl]

X Files all the way

 

[Interpol Shrimper]

X Files all the way

There's seemingly a lot of sci-fi wierdos on here...:scared: