“Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” was Aaron Sorkin’s first project after wrapping seven seasons of his hit political drama, “The West Wing.” The series, which was inspired by the behind-the-scenes world of a weekly sketch comedy show like “Saturday Night Live,” was actually one of two similar premises to premiere in the fall of 2006. Less than a month after “Studio 60” debuted on the network, NBC released “30 Rock,” Tina Fey’s sitcom take on the same idea. “Studio 60” lasted for one season before being canceled in early 2007. Meanwhile, “30 Rock” ran for seven seasons, wrapping in January 2013.
Sorkin took a more personal approach to “Studio 60” than he did with “West Wing,” basing Matthew Perry’s character Matt Albie — the show’s head writer — on himself. Sarah Paulson’s character, Harriet Hayes, was based on actress Kristin Chenoweth, whom Sorkin dated on and off after his 2005 divorce.
“Friends” had only been off the air for two years when “Studio 60” premiered and Perry originally turned down the role. But Perry was Sorkin’s only choice to play the part of the outspoken, troubled writer, and Sorkin refused to take no for an answer. One of the chief commonalities both Sorkin and Perry shared with the character is a history of drug dependence — as the 22-episode season progresses, Matt Albie is shown to have an issue with prescription pills, an addiction that Perry also faced. Sorkin struggled with drugs throughout the ’90s and was arrested in 2001 when he was found with marijuana, magic mushrooms, and crack cocaine.
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