NBC Greenlights Sorkin’s SNL-Based Drama

File this one under “no brainer”. NBC announced on Thursday that they have picked up Aaron Sorkin’s hour-long drama Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip for its 2006-07 schedule.

Studio 60, created by West Wing alums Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme, will tell the tale of a “fictional” late night sketch comedy show which just happens to air live on Friday nights. Ha, and you thought it was about Saturday Night Live…fool.

The cast is pretty damn cool. So far Bradley Whitford, Matthew Perry, Amanda Peet, Sarah Paulson, D.L. Hughley, Steven Weber, and Boston-boy Nathan Corddry have all signed on.

You know how I love my dramadys! When you cast naturally funny people in dramatic roles, you know it’s going to be good. That and it’s penned by Sorkin who is an absolute genius with a script.

Did I forget to mention that my inside sources have slipped me the pilot script?! Yup, I’ll be checking it out this weekend and give your my two cents on how the show looks…at least on paper.

Tina Fey also has a SNL-inspired show coming to NBC this fall. You know, because just one isn’t enough. Tina takes a comedic take on the backstage antics. Yeah, something tells me her’s won’t be as edgy seeing that she’s writing a show about HER job produced by HER boss, Lorne Michaels. I have the script for this one too, and I will get it to it very soon.

I’ve also been lucky enough to get some screeners for some mid-summer replacement shows. A full report will be coming soon. My shows are going on summer hiatus but I’m not.

If you work for a network and want to send along some more of your summer/fall shows for me to check out, email me.