Character lacking in Sorkin show

I'm writing a paper for my Critical Methods of Television and Film class (one of three) about certain elements of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, and I had a few thoughts about it which won't make it into the paper. Since I've been re-watching the entire season this weekend, I thought I would share them.

So far, I really like the show. Apparently NBC likes it too, because despite falling ratings, the network renewed the show for one more season. As usual, the Sorkin show is smarter than the average person, making all kinds of references that you'd need a PhD from Harvard to crack. (That probably explains the decreasing ratings.) But for me, I actually like the characters and their typical Sorkinesque dialogue. The veteran actors nicely round out the ensemble cast, and it all seems to work. In style, it's shot similarly to the West Wing, with long shots following the characters as they walk around in the "office", in this case, a television studio.



My biggest problem with the show is the Harriet Hayes character. I don't know if it's Sarah Paulson's acting or the character itself which rubs me the wrong way. The"moral", right-wing, Christian woman who is working in the "heathen's industry" of television, surrounded by drugs and loose people with no morals is a little hard to swallow. (No pun intended.)

Maybe Sorkin and his writing team can't relate to the character because they don't share the same convictions, nor do they know anyone who falls into that belief system. They really did a much better job of writing for Emily Proctor's Republican character on The West Wing who was much more likable and realistic.

Harriet spends every episode defending something that her character feels compelled to do - sing for some right-wing Christan group's charity event, do a lingerie spread in order to appear more sexy, yell at her bosses for doing sketches called "Crazy Christians" and "Science Shmience." Frankly, when Harriet scenes appear, I find myself groaning and wondering what her beef this week will be. The character is really flat, and that's a shame, considering that Sorkin has made his fame creating well-rounded characters who have both flaws and convictions.



Moreover, I can't get into the "lost love" storyline between Matt Albie (Matthew Perry) and Harriet. It's not believable, and I resent the Studio 60 team cramming it down my throat every week. Sadly, I don't care if they get together or not - really I am hoping for the latter - which is the worst possible building block for a TV romance. If the audience could care less about the characters hooking up, perhaps that storyline should be allowed to fade out?

So this is my plea to the Aaron Sorkin team (who, I'm sure are avidly reading this blog every week...ahem.) - please, meet some Republican Christians and befriend them, so that you can create a less annoying character that represents them acurately.

Ed. Note: I, myself, am not a Republican or a Christian, but I know enough of them to realize that they, generally, are not as irritating as Harriet Hayes. Many of them are much smarter than she is too... I'm sure Sarah Paulson would appreciate it if her character had some depth and didn't have to bitch about something lame in every single episode. I'm sick of watching it, so I can't imagine how she must feel. Of course, she is getting a (presumably) phat paycheck every week, so maybe she doesn't mind being the one flat character on the show that is otherwise full of character.