'Studio 60' finding favor with a key audience

No, this is not a memo eminating from of Jordan McDeere's office, but instead the title of an article out by the ScrippsNews Service. And while the article seems to lack any nuanced perspective (it maintains that "60" is still a darling of the critics) and full of Sorkin talking points, it does provide this informative little nugget:

However, that does not mean "Studio" won't try to broaden its audience. There are plans to reach out to those of us who don't want so much "insider" stuff in the plots.

This statement makes about as much sense as saying that the biggest issue with "West Wing" was that it was too politically-intelligent or that the worst part of watching "Project Runway" is gaining insight into the creative process.

"60"'s potential lies in that it is in a unique position to critique Television and how it is made. The reason it is bleeding viewers is not because there aren't enough people interested in that premise (the ratings for the pilot would seem to invalidate that theory), but because its portrayal of how television is made is seemingly disconnected from reality. This undercuts the credibility of its critique and makes, in and of itself, for uninteresting television.

Trying to expand the show's appeal (via making it an overt romantic comedy) is not so much a strategy for gaining new viewers as it is for avoiding the existing problems with the show and losing those "key" viewers who have faith in the show's premise. I'm not saying that these two issues cannot be tackled simultaneously but it must be recognized that Sorkin cannot put all his eggs in the romantic comedy basket. (Especially if said basket isn't actually funny or similarly, unbelievable)