Sorkin’s re-crack on “Studio 60”
Not one to let a good line go to waste on just a room full of TV critics, Aaron Sorkin decided to use a comment he made at the Television Critics Association press tour last July in tonight’s episode.
When presenting “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” to critics, you know what Sorkin was told: Do not talk about drugs. Do not talk about drugs. And finally, do not talk about drugs.
Because, as anyone who cares to know already knows, Sorkin got in a bit of a mess a couple of years ago when he was caught with drugs at the Burbank airport.
When asked last July how he felt about reality programming, Sorkin said “I do think that television is a terribly influential part of this country and that when things that are very mean-spirited and voyeuristic go on TV, I think it’s bad crack in the school yard.”
The bad crack line was used word-for-word by Jordan McDeer tonight when describing why the network executive refused to buy a reality program that tries to break up a happy couple.
Of course, last summer Sorkin would have done anything to take that line back.
Including bribing critics.
“Seriously, I will go person to person, giving each $100 if we can just get the crack quote out of the papers tomorrow,” he sort of pleaded.
Apparently after thinking it over, Sorkin decided it wasn’t such a bad line after all.
Abigale said,
October 17, 2006 at 9:04 am
After the crack “crack” last summer, I was completely convinced that Sorkin had scripted it ahead of time, and was delighted that he got a chance to use it in front of such an appreciative audience. His bribing comments later on sounded entirely too self-promoting to me, and guaranteed the crack “gaff” wouldn’t die too quickly.
So, not surprised to hear he reused the line in script.
Susan said,
October 17, 2006 at 9:49 am
He’s an amazing writer, but seeing the look on his face when he made the comment I don’t think he planned it. But once the comment started a running gag, he went with it. And I’m delighted he got a chance to use it in front of a larger audience.
mo said,
October 17, 2006 at 9:57 am
vs. good crack on the playground?
Erin said,
October 17, 2006 at 4:26 pm
That was by far the biggest laugh the show got out of me last night, when Jordan said the “crack” line. My boyfriend didn’t get it and I tried to tell him about the press conference but apparently my sense of humor truly is my own. 🙂
I might be alone on this, but honestly, I think last night’s episode was the best yet. What little background we got came up because of a reporter’s questions, not an unneccesary speech (a la Ricky’s speech to Simon about doing the news). Hopefully it just goes up from here!