8.7/10722 votes#1 - Pilot
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 9/18/2006
When the Executive Producer of sketch show 'Studio 60' has an on-air meltdown, new network president Jordan McDeere hires Danny Tripp and Matt Albie to replace him and save the show.
Director: Thomas Schlamme
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
8.7/10500 votes#2 - The Cold Open
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 9/25/2006
Now that they're on board, Matt and Danny try not to crumble under the pressure of putting on their first big show, where the stakes are outrageously high. Also high are the number of complaints the network is getting over the "Crazy Christians" sketch, which Jordan defends to Jack.
Director: Thomas Schlamme
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
8.3/10402 votes#3 - The Focus Group
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/2/2006
A scare is sent through the company by a focus group that Matt and Danny's first show rating success might not carry on during the rest of the season.
Director: Christopher Misiano
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
8.6/10414 votes#4 - The West Coast Delay
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/9/2006
Matt fabricates a response to a gift sent by one of Harriet's fans while the show attempts to recover from 90 seconds of questionable material. An article about the show is approved by Jordan.
Director: Thomas Schlamme, Timothy Busfield
Writer: N/A
8.1/10359 votes#5 - The Long Lead Story
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 10/16/2006
During cast rehearsals with Lauren Graham and Sting, a reporter attempts to get the real story on Matt and Harriet. Meanwhile Jordan passes on a tasteless new reality series.
Director: David Petrarca
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
8.5/10390 votes#6 - The Wrap Party
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 10/23/2006
A drunken Jordan makes friends with the cast during an after-show party, Danny tries to get Matt's mind off Harriet with the help of three sexy women, Simon makes a plea to hire more black writers and Cal deals with a mysterious man backstage.
Director: David Semel
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
8.5/10371 votes#7 - Nevada Day (1)
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/6/2006
Studio 60 staff must travel to Nevada to free Tom from jail in time for the show. Meanwhile, a judge who doesn't care for the show complicates matters.
Director: N/A
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
8.4/10351 votes#8 - Nevada Day (2)
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/13/2006
Jack pleads with the local Nevada judge to free Tom so he can make it back to the Friday night show. Meanwhile, tension heats up between Matt and Harriet on the set.
Director: Timothy Busfield
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
8.2/10307 votes#9 - The Option Period
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 11/20/2006
Word of Ricky and Ron planning to leave the show along with the writing staff causes trouble at Studio 60. Meanwhile, Harriet considers doing a sexy lingerie spread in a magazine and Jordan and Danny wrestle with pending budget cuts.
Director: John Fortenberry
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
8.3/10335 votes#10 - B-12
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 11/27/2006
A virus threatens the staff while Matt has to cope with a reduced writing staff. Jordan tells Danny a little secret which could affect the whole NBS network.
Director: Bryan Gordon
Writer: N/A
8.9/10479 votes#11 - The Christmas Show
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 12/4/2006
With a holiday show on the horizon, Matt is determined to bring the Christmas spirit to Studio 60. Which works romantic wonders for him. Meanwhile, Danny has to confront his true feelings for Jordan.
Director: N/A
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
8.1/10304 votes#12 - Monday
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 1/22/2007
Danny continues his pursuit of Jordan while Matt competes on an online bid for a date with Harriet. Jack and Wilson must deal with their pending situation about Macau, while Jordan meets with Hallie Gallway regarding a new reality show pitch.
Director: Lawrence Trilling
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
8.1/10299 votes#13 - The Harriet Dinner (1)
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 1/29/2007
Danny and Jordan cannot get down from the roof of the theater; staff members attend a dinner honoring Harriet; Harriet and Matt's relationship begins to unravel.
Director: Timothy Busfield
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
8.3/10305 votes#14 - The Harriet Dinner (2)
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 2/5/2007
Danny and Jordan cannot get down from the roof of the theater; staff members attend a dinner honoring Harriet; Harriet and Matt's relationship begins to unravel.
Director: John Fortenberry
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
8.1/10317 votes#15 - The Friday Night Slaughter
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 2/12/2007
Matt takes a stroll down memory lane and recalls how he met Harriet.
Director: Thomas Schlamme
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
8.2/10303 votes#16 - 4am Miracle
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 2/19/2007
Matt is stuck on a Wednesday night with writer's block and also has to contend with a young lawyer who's investigating a sexual harassment claim while Harriet continues shooting her movie. In addition, Jordan and Danny enter into a contest to see who'd make the better parent.
Director: Laura Innes
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
8.2/10316 votes#17 - The Disaster Show
Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 5/24/2007
Allison Janney, as herself, is the guest host of a show that goes haywire when the propmasters and cue card workers stage a last minute wildcat strike.
Director: Thomas Schlamme
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
8.4/10322 votes#18 - Breaking News
Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 5/31/2007
During a live show, Jordan has problems with her pregnancy while an even bigger problem is in store for Tom. Meanwhile, Matt's rampant pill use is discovered by a member of staff.
Director: Andrew Bernstein
Writer: N/A
8.3/10297 votes#19 - K & R (1)
Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 6/7/2007
Jordan is rushed into surgery as the situation with Tom's brother grows more grim.
Director: Timothy Busfield
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
8.3/10268 votes#20 - K & R (2)
Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 6/14/2007
Tom's Brother is still captive; Simon talks to the press; the lawyer talks to the ransom liaisons. Matt flashes back to 9/11 censorship. Jordan has her baby.
Director: N/A
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
8.4/10278 votes#21 - K & R (3)
Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 6/21/2007
The long day's journey into night continues as we learn more, in flashback, about how Matt and Danny came to be fired. Jack tries to convince Simon to apologize for his statement to the press. Matt continues to explore paying a ransom to free Tom’s brother over the objections of Captain Boyle. Harriet sits with and act as a distraction for Danny who is keeping vigil for Jordan at the hospital.
Director: Timothy Busfield
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
8.9/10392 votes#22 - What Kind of Day Has It Been
Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 6/28/2007
Danny, Jordan, Tom, and Simon's long day finally comes to an end. Meanwhile, Matt and Harriet have a new start in their relationship.
Director: Bradley Whitford
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip Season 1
Every episode of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip Season 1!
A behind-the-scenes look at a fictional sketch-comedy TV show.
Genres:ComedyDrama
Network:NBC
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Pilot" is the best rated episode of "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" season 1. It scored 8.7/10 based on 722 votes. Directed by Thomas Schlamme and written by Aaron Sorkin, it aired on 9/18/2006. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "The Cold Open".