Shows on the lowly art form that is Television, that have the audacity to engage one's brain-- from "My So-Called Life" to "Homicide: Life on the Street"-- never, ever last very long. Or long enough.
I kick myself every time I see this show on Comedy Central, because I never once watched it on ABC-- it's all my fault it was canceled. Well, not really-- what the heck would ANYONE be doing watching ABC in the first place? Especially a show as great as this, sandwiched between what was probably a lame 30-minute sitcom, and a lamer 60-minute pretend-drama?
"Sports Night" is neither of these things-- never have television characters been so real, never have I just sat riveted in front of the TV, taking such wonderful joy and happiness in the dialogue and the way the actors loved to speak it. Knowing there will never be another "Sports Night" episode is like coming to the end of a really great novel-- you carry the story with you, but the characters are gone forever. You miss them, but it is, alas, beyond your control.
Aaron Sorkin, who writes such great dialogue (see also "A Few Good Men," and later, "The American President") created a good and wonderful thing, and I only wish more people had had the courage to follow him. For now, we're stuck with the ridiculously preachy and self-absorbed (but high-rated; go figure) "The West Wing," but that can't go on forever.
If Sorkin CAN go on (and we're rooting for him)-- then I know I, for one, will follow him anywhere.
