Matt Albie
Encyclopedia
Matthew Albie is a fictional character
on the U.S.
TV series
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
, played by Matthew Perry
.
in 1997, but remained largely anonymous until 1999, when Harriet Hayes
joined the cast. The two propelled each other into success; Matt's writing reached a new standard as he tried to impress Harriet and Harriet gained recognition as she received the lion's share of roles in Matt's sketches. Matt was eventually made a co-executive producer under Wes Mendell
's mentorship, while Harriet came to be considered one of the "Big Three" cast members alongside Simon Stiles
and Tom Jeter
.
He and his former friend and rival Luke Scott are seen chugging down Red Bull
s, which they might have both developed a taste for when they shared an office in 1999.
Matt was one of the first people to voice his support for Bill Maher
after Maher's controversial on-air remark regarding the September 11, 2001 attacks
. The network distanced itself from him as a result. Matt still holds a grudge against writer Ricky Tahoe
for telling reporters that "Matt Albie certainly doesn't speak for the cast, crew and staff of Studio 60 whose thoughts and prayers are with the brave men and women who lost their lives on September 11th".
In 2001, Matt quit his job as co-executive producer and assistant head writer of Studio 60 when NBS
chairman Jack Rudolph refused to back him up with advertisers after a sketch of his sparked outrage with conservatives. His friend Danny Tripp
chose to resign as a show of support for Matt, and the two went on to respectively direct and write what would become a critically acclaimed film, Removing All Doubt. In 2006, he won a WGA Award
for the script.
In 2006, Matt and Danny were convinced to return to NBS as executive producers of Studio 60, following Wes Mendell
's on-air meltdown. Matt took over Wes' office at Studio 60, although he would have preferred Danny to have it.
At that time Matt has recently ended a romantic relationship with Harriet, following a fight over her appearance on The 700 Club
to promote her new album of spiritual music. However, Matt, by his own admission, is not entirely over his feelings for her; in "The Christmas Show", he even kisses her. The confusion that the two feel over the status of their relationship builds to a crescendo in "The Harriet Dinner, Part 2", where Harriet decides she is breaking up with Matt 'for good.' This, along with the stresses of writing the show almost single-handed, has led to Matt developing an apparent dependency on prescription drugs.
Though raised Jewish, Matt's religious beliefs are described by Harriet as "East coast liberal
Jewish
atheist
". In "The Christmas Show", Matt ironically observes that he is the only Jew and most fervent supporter of Christmas
among the writing staff. Matt has a nephew who's entering college in the fall of 2007, implying the existence of a brother or sister for Matt. When Matt is bidding in an online auction to go to a dinner honoring Harriet, he asks his assistant, after spending a lot of money, to call his parents and ask for his allowance back. This implies that both his parents are still alive.
actress Kristin Chenoweth
.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
on the U.S.
Television in the United States
Television is one of the major mass media of the United States. Ninety-nine percent of American households have at least one television and the majority of households have more than one...
TV series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip was an American dramedy television series created and written by Aaron Sorkin. It ran for 22 episodes.The series takes place behind the scenes of a live sketch comedy show on the fictional television network NBS , whose format is similar to that of NBC's...
, played by Matthew Perry
Matthew Perry (actor)
Matthew Langford Perry is a Canadian-American actor and comedian, best known for his Emmy-nominated role as Chandler Bing on the popular, long-running NBC television sitcom Friends...
.
Personal history
Matt began working at Studio 60Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip was an American dramedy television series created and written by Aaron Sorkin. It ran for 22 episodes.The series takes place behind the scenes of a live sketch comedy show on the fictional television network NBS , whose format is similar to that of NBC's...
in 1997, but remained largely anonymous until 1999, when Harriet Hayes
Harriet Hayes
Hannah Harriet Hayes is a fictional character on the US television series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, played by Sarah Paulson. The character is loosely based on actress Kristin Chenoweth ;; there is an opinion that she is also at least partially based on former Saturday...
joined the cast. The two propelled each other into success; Matt's writing reached a new standard as he tried to impress Harriet and Harriet gained recognition as she received the lion's share of roles in Matt's sketches. Matt was eventually made a co-executive producer under Wes Mendell
Wes Mendell
Wes Mendell is a fictional character on the US television series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, played by Judd Hirsch.-Personal history:...
's mentorship, while Harriet came to be considered one of the "Big Three" cast members alongside Simon Stiles
Simon Stiles
Simon Stiles is a fictional character on the U.S. television series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, played by D.L. Hughley.-Personal history:One of the "Big Three" cast members of Studio 60, Simon Stiles joined the show in 2001...
and Tom Jeter
Tom Jeter
Tom Jeter is a fictional character on the American television series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, played by Nate Corddry.-Personal history:...
.
He and his former friend and rival Luke Scott are seen chugging down Red Bull
Red Bull
Red Bull is an energy drink sold by the Austrian Red Bull GmbH, created in 1987 by the Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz. In terms of market share, Red Bull is the most popular energy drink in the world, with 3 billion cans sold each year. Dietrich Mateschitz was inspired by an already...
s, which they might have both developed a taste for when they shared an office in 1999.
Matt was one of the first people to voice his support for Bill Maher
Bill Maher
William "Bill" Maher, Jr. is an American stand-up comedian, television host, political commentator, author and actor. Before his current role as the host of HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, Maher hosted a similar late-night talk show called Politically Incorrect originally on Comedy Central and...
after Maher's controversial on-air remark regarding the September 11, 2001 attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
. The network distanced itself from him as a result. Matt still holds a grudge against writer Ricky Tahoe
Ricky Tahoe
Ricky Tahoe is a fictional character on the US TV series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, played by Evan Handler.-Personal history:Ricky came to Studio 60 in the late 90's with his writing partner Ron Oswald. Ricky's relationship with Matt Albie can be described as brittle. Matt has referred to the...
for telling reporters that "Matt Albie certainly doesn't speak for the cast, crew and staff of Studio 60 whose thoughts and prayers are with the brave men and women who lost their lives on September 11th".
In 2001, Matt quit his job as co-executive producer and assistant head writer of Studio 60 when NBS
NBS
NBS can stand for:*N-Bromosuccinimide, a chemical reagent*Nagano Broadcasting Systems, a television broadcasting network in Nagano Prefecture, Japan*The NASCAR Busch Series*A Nash bargaining solution, in economics, a solution to a Nash bargaining game...
chairman Jack Rudolph refused to back him up with advertisers after a sketch of his sparked outrage with conservatives. His friend Danny Tripp
Danny Tripp
Daniel Tripp is a fictional character on the US television series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, played by Bradley Whitford.-Personal history:Danny Tripp was educated at Northwestern University...
chose to resign as a show of support for Matt, and the two went on to respectively direct and write what would become a critically acclaimed film, Removing All Doubt. In 2006, he won a WGA Award
Writers Guild of America Award
The Writers Guild of America Award for outstanding achievements in film, television, and radio has been presented annually by the Writers Guild of America, East and Writers Guild of America, West since 1949...
for the script.
In 2006, Matt and Danny were convinced to return to NBS as executive producers of Studio 60, following Wes Mendell
Wes Mendell
Wes Mendell is a fictional character on the US television series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, played by Judd Hirsch.-Personal history:...
's on-air meltdown. Matt took over Wes' office at Studio 60, although he would have preferred Danny to have it.
- MATT: I’m not taking Wes’s office.
- DANNY: You need it. It’s got room to pace. You’re very active when you write.
- MATT: Listen to me, the man wrote for the Smothers BrothersSmothers BrothersThe Smothers Brothers are Thomas and Richard , American singers, musicians, comedians and folk heroes. The brothers' trademark act was performing folk songs , which usually led to arguments between the siblings...
. He wrote with PryorRichard PryorRichard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor was an American stand-up comedian, actor, social critic, writer and MC. Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful vulgarities, and profanity, as well as racial epithets...
and he wrote with CosbyBill CosbyWilliam Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr. is an American comedian, actor, author, television producer, educator, musician and activist. A veteran stand-up performer, he got his start at various clubs, then landed a starring role in the 1960s action show, I Spy. He later starred in his own series, the...
. He invented Studio 60. He gave me my first job and lost his because he tried to put a sketch I wrote on the air.
- DANNY: That’s not why he lost his job.
- MATT: I don’t care. I’d rather sit in Lorne MichaelsLorne MichaelsLorne Michaels, CM is a Canadian-American television producer, writer, and comedian best known for creating and producing Saturday Night Live and producing the various film and TV projects that spun off from it.-Early life:...
’ office.
- DANNY: Well, Lorne’s office is in New York and he’s still using it. So you’re gonna use this one.
At that time Matt has recently ended a romantic relationship with Harriet, following a fight over her appearance on The 700 Club
The 700 Club
The 700 Club is the flagship news talk show of the Christian Broadcasting Network, airing in syndication throughout the United States and Canada. In production since 1966, it is currently hosted by Pat Robertson, Terry Meeuwsen, Kristi Watts, and Gordon P. Robertson, two of whom will host on any...
to promote her new album of spiritual music. However, Matt, by his own admission, is not entirely over his feelings for her; in "The Christmas Show", he even kisses her. The confusion that the two feel over the status of their relationship builds to a crescendo in "The Harriet Dinner, Part 2", where Harriet decides she is breaking up with Matt 'for good.' This, along with the stresses of writing the show almost single-handed, has led to Matt developing an apparent dependency on prescription drugs.
Though raised Jewish, Matt's religious beliefs are described by Harriet as "East coast liberal
East Coast liberal
The term East Coast liberal is a pejorative stereotype encountered in American political culture.The image associated with East-Coast liberalism is that of a white-collar young urban professional, usually a white male and Protestant, who is college-educated and cosmopolitan.Traditionally, East...
Jewish
American Jews
American Jews, also known as Jewish Americans, are American citizens of the Jewish faith or Jewish ethnicity. The Jewish community in the United States is composed predominantly of Ashkenazi Jews who emigrated from Central and Eastern Europe, and their U.S.-born descendants...
atheist
Atheism
Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities...
". In "The Christmas Show", Matt ironically observes that he is the only Jew and most fervent supporter of Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
among the writing staff. Matt has a nephew who's entering college in the fall of 2007, implying the existence of a brother or sister for Matt. When Matt is bidding in an online auction to go to a dinner honoring Harriet, he asks his assistant, after spending a lot of money, to call his parents and ask for his allowance back. This implies that both his parents are still alive.
In real life
Matt and Harriet's relationship is based on Sorkin's relationship with West WingThe West Wing (TV series)
The West Wing is an American television serial drama created by Aaron Sorkin that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1999 to May 14, 2006...
actress Kristin Chenoweth
Kristin Chenoweth
Kristin Chenoweth is an American singer and actress, with credits in musical theatre, film and television. She is best known on Broadway for her performance as Sally Brown in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown , for which she won a Tony Award, and for originating the role of Glinda in the musical...
.