NBC's New Shows for the 2006-07 Season

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Drama

Premise: The offstage drama and network politicking involved in a long-running, "SNL"-like sketch comedy show.

First Impressions: The show's cast is already joking about lowering expectations, and some of the chatter after NBC's presentation was that the pilot didn't live up to the hype. We don't agree. The show is hardly flawless -- it felt a little claustrophobic at times, and it takes a very jaundiced view of show business, as opposed to the idealism of Aaron Sorkin's last show, "The West Wing." But the dialogue crackles, and it's hard not to think that Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford won't make for an enjoyably watchable pair at the center of the show. NBC will have to work, though, to make sure viewers understand the differences between this show and Tina Fey's "30 Rock."

Stars: Matthew Perry ("Friends"), Bradley Whitford ("The West Wing"), Amanda Peet ("Syriana," "Something's Gotta Give"), Steven Weber ("Reefer Madness," "Wings"), D.L. Hughley ("The Hughleys," "Weekends at the D.L."), Sarah Paulson ("Deadwood"), Nathan Corddry ("The Daily Show"), Timothy Busfield ("The West Wing"), Evan Handler ("Sex and the City"), Carlos Jacott ("Being John Malkovich")

Studio: Warner Bros. TV

Producers: Aaron Sorkin ("The West Wing," "Sports Night"), Thomas Schlamme ("The West Wing," "Jack & Bobby")

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