Shelving, Studio 60
Some of you may remember that last week my shelf was collapsing. To be honest, it had probably been collapsing since… the day of its last collapse. I think that was about 3 years ago. And the mini earthquake we just had was a blunt reminder that I should probably start taking things down again. It was time… to get the correct drywall screws.
While I was removing things, I came across bunches of scripts from projects past, including lots of plays, films, my entire collection of Gilmore Girls scripts, guest spots… and this little collection here.
It shouldn’t be difficult to make out the logo of NBC’s most talked about show from the 2006-2007 television season. That’s right, these are scripts for five episodes of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (originally titled Studio 7 on the Sunset Strip). I was actually only in four of these. I was supposed to be in all 5, but there ended up being a conflict in shooting days with Gilmore Girls.
“Wait a second Cabrera! Studio 60 was my favorite show! I loved that show. I cried when they took that show off the air. And I don’t remember you being on it!” Well, you probably blinked or sneezed. Because I was there. I was one of the writers in the writers’ room with a total of (correct me if I’m wrong) 8 lines in those 4 episodes.
As sometimes happens in Hollywood, I came into the role with high expectations about how it might grow over the season(s). I imagined eventual, juicy dialog with Matthew Perry over why a sketch wasn’t working; scenes storming through the halls of The Studio, side by side with Bradley Whitford or Tracy Morgan- yeah, I know he wasn’t, but I imagined him anyway, okay. I’m not ashamed to say I was thinking big. And I’m sure other actors, cast in similar roles, thought the same. We were on Studio 60, after all! That name alone meant things were gonna be great.
But alas, it was not to be.
And as I looked at these five scripts, I felt like they really captured best my feelings working on that show; perhaps even more they reflected the shows own journey and fate. On the left are episodes 2, 3 and 4. Bad ass looking scripts, neatly bound, prominently displaying the Studio 60 logo, shining with a hope, glory, and pride. The second two are from late in the season, after… well, things didn’t go the way they were expected. Neither are donning that beautiful, card stock cover with logo. One is blue, and the other is a collection of acts, each stapled in the upper left corner.
Kelly on 15 Jan 2009 at 10:58 am #
I was also waiting for the background writers to get more air time. Especially once I noticed Lucy Davis was among you.
kelseroo on 15 Jan 2009 at 11:14 am #
All acting parts are important- even the small ones:-)
John Cabrera on 15 Jan 2009 at 12:19 pm #
Yeah, Lucy is a sweetheart. We did at least one episode together. I remember she and I talked about the word ‘Rubbish’ for a while. I can’t remember in what context, but I remember it was funny.
Dodie on 15 Jan 2009 at 3:16 pm #
I seem to have the worst luck with shows–first my love of Studio 60 and now Pushing Daisies…why is it all the well written shows get the ax?!? oh well…maybe there will be something amazing and original again soon…stupid Hollywood…
Dave Dzambo on 15 Jan 2009 at 3:54 pm #
Thats pretty sweet. I freakin’ loved that show and was so angry when they took it off. I would have killed to be on it too…but alas, you def. rocked the writers room.
Patrick on 15 Jan 2009 at 4:22 pm #
Lucy was hot too!! LOL
I have told you numerous times that this really is one of my all time fav shows, and was seriously pissed when NBC pulled it (especially replacing it with The Black Donnellys!!!!).
If you ever want to do some housekeeping, I would be more than happy to take those scripts off you hands
John Cabrera on 15 Jan 2009 at 5:17 pm #
Patrick, well I’m not ready to get rid of those scripts just yet, but I do have an extra pre-shooting Gilmore Girls script I could see giving away. Perhaps to a random follower on Twitter. I also have an original copy of “Studio 7 on the Sunset Strip” (the pilot) that doesn’t really hold much meaning to me. Hmmmm.
Krystal on 15 Jan 2009 at 5:56 pm #
I remember spotting you my first time through! I was also disappointed you didn’t get more dialog. But you made me smile either way.
Aimee on 15 Jan 2009 at 7:23 pm #
GAH! You would have to give the GG script to someone on Twitter! How ’bout one of your FB friends, hmmm? One who holds Gilmore Girls near and dear to her heart, owns all seven seasons and actually attempted to watch every single movie mentioned in the span of said seasons?!
(!!!)
ANYway, I admittedly never watched Studio 60, but after reading the props people here have given it, I do believe I’ll rent it on the ‘flix and give it a gander.
Bird on 15 Jan 2009 at 7:30 pm #
I loved that show. I was so disappointed when they canceled the show.
Vanessa on 15 Jan 2009 at 8:01 pm #
How fitting for you to play a writer. I liked Studio 60! They even had a GG reference on there… the episode with Lauren Graham (as if I had to clarify that for you). That one stayed on the DVR for awhile. We all have smaller parts we play in life, but they do all fit together to make the whole. And, you made people remember you as one of those writers in the room. That is awesome… I’m just saying. Thanks for sharing your Studio 60 memory.
itzel on 15 Jan 2009 at 8:07 pm #
I was totally thinking “mmm I dont remember you on the show”, i guess I’ll have to rewatch it. I was a fan of studio 60 and really don’t get why they keep canceling good shows. How come reality shows like Dancing With The Stars keep getting more seasons? Money is money right? And about that pre-shooting GG script, i wanna be that lucky twitter follower that gets it, hehe, one of my favorite shows ever. And, after all, that’s where I first met you and your work =)
Erin on 16 Jan 2009 at 9:54 am #
Well, I recognized you on S60 right away. I thought, “Dude, it’s Brian! With the deviated septum!” Studio 60 and Gilmore Girls are my two favorite shows of all time, which means I’d officially like to say “WTF?!” to 30 Rock’s continued (and utterly baffling) success. Theives.
Erin on 16 Jan 2009 at 9:55 am #
Um, I mean, “Thieves”.
@kate1976 on 16 Jan 2009 at 5:15 pm #
Since I came to Gilmore Girls late, I actually recognised you on GG from Studio 60 – a show I loved and which I wished had lived a bit longer. And about that GG script – how does a random Twitter follower get in the frame for such a thing?!!
Kate on 18 Jan 2009 at 7:14 pm #
I’ve never seen 60, so I’ll have to catch up on that if they run it on hulu.com or something
Cinzia on 19 Jan 2009 at 4:11 am #
Studio 60….I love that show! We were talking about it a while ago when I confessed my passion for Matthew Perry that I find an extraordinary actor. Studio 60 (surely better than Studio 7) is arrived in Italy for the very first time some months ago so, I was finally been able to watch it and see you also in this role (this week they will air the last 2 episodes where you are in K&R – Part 1&2). About the show, as I’ve said, I like it very very much, it’s brillant and interesting. I’m really sad that they don’t renewed it for a new season but these are things that happen with tv shows. Lots af good shows, with amazing concepts and dialogues got canceled. Even the show that are more appreciated sometime doesn’t have the end they deserve….I don’t write names but I think you understand which show I’m talking about. Fans like me can express their dissappointment but, then, they have only to deal with it. About the scripts, for me, it’s amazing just see them in a picture, I can’t imagine how would be have them so, I suggest you to keep them also because I don’t think they take lots of space
and, in a way or in another, that has been part of your life. You’ve been all those characters and lived all those experiences. As, some other said before, each and every character, and every role is important and gave you the opportunity to live that experience so, keep them….as a little remember of that part of your life. Thanks again for sharing this with all of us!
Anonymous on 21 Jan 2009 at 2:16 am #
Perhaps I was blinking through the whole show, because I have no idea what it is! I wonder if we even got it in Australia?? Anyway, it’s always good to think big and be optamistic in my opinion. People didn’t get to awesome places by thinking small and negatively. I was thinking about that a lot today coincidently!
I bet it was all still an amazing experience.
John Cabrera on 21 Jan 2009 at 4:35 pm #
Cinzia, oh don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t part with anything of sentimental importance to me. I’m very proud of my involvement on Gilmore Girls and treasure my collection of scripts. I also have a place in my heart for Studio 60, as short as my involvement was. I don’t think I could ever part with those scripts either. But I’m not an overly sentimental person, and I’ve given away things to fans here and there over the years.
Aimee, I just said Twitter because I mostly think in tweets these days lol. But I just meant an online fan of the show. Not exactly sure if, when, or how I would do something like that.
Cinzia on 24 Jan 2009 at 4:46 am #
I perfectly understand but….I am thos kind of person and this is the reason why I wrote that
. I’m sure that you made lots and lots of people, the happiest person in the world giving them those stuff about their favourite shows. I’ve been always attracted by the scripts because I love understand how a show is developed and I’m always ask how actors can remember all those lines, especially Lauren that have so many things to say in each episode. It’s really impressive. About Studio 60, the other day I finally saw you in the last two episodes, the K&R which I was talking about in previous post and was amazing to see you in another role, sitting theren there exchanging some lines with Matt (Perry or Albie, choose you XD). I love that show too and it’s a shame that it has not been renewed. I found it brilland and funny, and, as I’ve said before, I like to see how a show is developed with all the ‘behind the scenes’ thing. I’m sorry about the fact that this part fail you expectaction but, also if it was a smal part, you were there and you were great and this is the most important thing! 
Girlonthepark on 30 Jan 2009 at 12:22 pm #
Just linked here from twitter and freaked out when I saw your shelf pic contained Y:The Last Man and Runaways.
What other comics are you into? I just started reading in the last couple of years or so and I’m always looking for recommendations.
John Cabrera on 30 Jan 2009 at 12:40 pm #
GIRLONTHEPARK, pick up The Sword by the Luna Brothers if you haven’t already. I think you’ll dig it. And if more BK Vaughan is what you’re looking for, grab the graphic novel The Pride of Baghdad.