Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: Drama Says Goodbye — What Might Have Been?

Tonight, NBC will say goodbye to Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip with an episode entitled “What Kind of Day Has It Been.” Studio 60 is the third series from creator Aaron Sorkin and show producer Thomas Schlamme. Not coincidentally, both The West Wing and Sports Night also ended their first seasons with episodes of the same name.

NBC had very high hopes for Studio 60 this same time last year. Unfortunately, many critics and viewers were lukewarm to Sorkin’s return to series television and the show was in jeopardy almost from the beginning. Sorkin was aware that Studio 60 probably wouldn’t be returning for another season well before the finale was shot. For this reason, we’ll probably get some sense of closure tonight. What would a second year have held?

Our best chance to find out is coming on October 16th. Warner Home Video has just announced the release of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip – The Complete Series on DVD. The set will include all 22 episodes on six discs as well as a new behind-the-scenes featurette. As well, some of the episodes will include commentaries by Sorkin and Schlamme. With any luck, the creative pair will give us some insight on what might have been. Stay tuned!