Same here…I thought she was fantastic. A spine made of thin steel, but she’s not overbearing or pushy. I didn’t expect to like her, but I really did.
We watched this the other night - both of us really liked it, and I’m really looking forward to seeing if they keep up the momentum in the second episode.
E.
I think I’ll just have to watch a few episodes and see how she plays out.
But from the pilot, it seemed, she said and did all the right things, but there was just nothing in her personal presence which, so to speak, commanded my obedience.
This made me half-consciously wonder, most of the time, “So, why are these other characters taking her seriously?”
-FrL-
Well, she stood up to Steven Weber pretty well. I think part of it was just that most of the characters weren’t featured…the only actors who really had much screen time were Bradley Whitford, Matthew Perry, and Sarah Paulson. I think Nate Cordry had what? One line?
That’s not a complaint, of course, it’s an ensemble show, and just one episode, and you can’t really significantly develop every character every episode.
Only Mostly Dead and I watched it the other night. I’m waiting to give my verdict on it until I see at least 3 episodes. Pilots never really do it for me. I need to see the characters in action in something other than exposition/introducing themselves.
See, I don’t think the character is conceived as a “Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead” take-charge Alpha-leader type. I think they respect her because she gets results, but her style is to nudge & collaborate, not dominate & rule. Her soft-spoken exchanges are still to-the-point, no-nonsense, cut-through-the-crap pronouncements. As a woman, though, she’s often going to be looked down upon (note the Weber character) and have her decisions questioned, but I think Peet (an actress I’ve never been impressed with in the past) exuded a very casual self-confidence that I found very believable for a character who’s probably gotten used to being underestimated (and also gotten used to proving people wrong).
I wasn’t overly impressed with the Pilot. I am perfectly willing to accept that is because it’s a pilot of an ambitious large-ensemble cast show, and there wasn’t much more time than to say “here are three or four major characters in the cast. Glimpses at the rest, who you’ll see more of in the coming episodes.” Case in point:
Who are the Big Three on the show? I got the Christian Chick, obviously. Otherwise, who? DL Hugley? He looked to be the stage manager/audience warmup, not an actor on the show. Nate Corddry? I guess maybe, but we just saw nothing of him. The other guy playing a very smarmy Dick Cheney (more so than Dick Cheney plays a very smarmy Dick Cheney)? I didn’t notice him at all, except for that ten seconds of the “opening sketch.”
That being said, I think the show has potential, once the perfunctories are out of the way. The mood setting cinematography was great, the dialogue was snappy, and the actors we did see did a good job*.
*Except I will agree with Frylock that, while Peet played her character decently enough, there was no fire behind it. The character just doesn’t seem like a leader, even a “nudge and collaborate” leader.
Yeah, like I said, I should probably withhold my judgment til I’ve seen a few episodes. I can easily imagine my impression coming to match yours and others’ on this thread in the future.
-FrL-
Ironically, I had just watched 1976 “Network” for the first time about a week before I saw any news on Studio 60.
At that time, I was hoping, praying for a Remake of Network. – As a Movie.
I know that today, the major construct of “Network” has become so self serving, that no Production House will attempt it again, and no network will back it. Then again, most production houses own networks… or vice versa…
For the show it self, I don’t know how it will work, but I hope “Network” gets a resurgence in popularity from it.
Bump:
I saw the pilot via the Netflix advance (I agree that this is a clever technique that ought to take off).
I loved it. Unreservedly.
I don’t watch a lot of TV; it takes a lot for something to get added as a TiVo season pass. But based on the strength of the pilot, I’m giving this a whole half a season before I decide whether to pull the plug or stick with it.
And I’m really hoping they surprise us by having Judd Hirsch suddenly reappear for some reason.
Great writing, great cast, good stuff.
I saw the pilot about a month ago. I didn’t care much for it all. I think Sarah Paulsen’s character was very poorly written. But the big problem was Amanda Peet. She had no presence on screen. I couldn’t believe her as a network president at all.
The show has the potential to be very preachy.
That’s the most common criticism I’ve read – both here and in ivylass’s thread – but I gotta say, I’ve seen the pilot 3 times now and I still like both Amanda Peet and her character. 
I’m with you on Sarah Paulsen’s character, though … I’ve felt like something was “off” with her each time. Maybe (hopefully) it’s just pilot-itis.
Doesn’t almost every show? 
I agree with Misnomer. I have no problem accepting Amanda Peet as a young Turk in the television industry. At the banquet, Ed Asner read off an impressive resume for her, and it seems completely plausible that she could fit the bill.
As for being “too pretty”, well, so what? Are you who are against her feel that maybe the role should have been filled by Betty Suarez? That a good looking woman can’t be competent, even excellent at her job in television? C’mon, the industry is chock full of pretty people, and not all of them are vapid.
I wasn’t exactly thrilled by the pilot, but I felt the same way about West Wing the first season, so I will keep watching.
Thoughts:
Interesting having Brad Whitford play the character with the drug problem after playing goody-two-shoes Josh on WW
Harriet Hayes is a whiny annoying shrew…don’t like her and don’t think she will grow on me
Loved Ed Asner’s cool square glasses!!!
I’m looking forward to getting to know the cast of the “show”. I’m intrigued already by D.L. Hughley’s character.
I like it, but I am reserving judgment until I see a “typical” episode.
I also thought Amanda Peet’s character was well-done. I’ve known a few people who lead like that - it’s not the strength of character that commands respect, it’s the strength of ideas.
My only real concern is if Sorkin does what he did oin West Wing - anyone who disagrees with his point of view is a troglodite easily quashed by his mouth-piece’s logic. I got tired of all West Wing Republicans being played as Snidley Whiplash, and I hope he doesn’t turn anyone religious into Cletus the Slack Jawed Yokel. sorkin can be very preachy.
Why are you intrigued by that character?
-FrL-