Wes Mendell
Encyclopedia
Wes Mendell is a fictional character
on the US
television series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
, played by Judd Hirsch
.
of Studio 60. He wrote for many of the great comedy performers, such as the Smothers Brothers
, Richard Pryor
, and Bill Cosby
. While Wes was generally regarded as a good showrunner and a good man, his policies are often stated to run counter to Matt and Danny's. For example, he refused to do a Christmas show while Matt insisted that they do, and he did not approve of Studio 60 staff dating each other, while Matt ultimately dates Harriet and Danny falls in love with his boss, Jordan.
Wes had a heart attack before the start of the 2001-2002 season of Studio 60. While he was recuperating, Danny and Matt had to act as executive producers, forcing them to plan the first show after the 9/11 attacks. The season premiere for the 2001 season featured a sketch that was considered offensive by conservatives who threatened a boycott. Bowing to the pressure, Wes issued an apology from his hospital bed which, in turn, resulted in Matt
and Danny
quitting the show.
By 2006 Wes's power had dwindled and the show's creativity was at an all time low. Furious with the network, and at himself, for bowing down to the FCC
and the religious right, he tries (and fails) to get the last sketch Matt wrote for the show on the air. Refused by the representative from Standards and Practices, who fears it will offend conservatives, he hijacks the live broadcast of Studio 60 and rants an improvised tirade, similar to that shown in the film Network
(which is commented on in the pilot itself), venting against bureaucratic control, the influence of special-interest groups in the censorship of the network, and the nature of the broadcast
industry in general. This results in him being fired which is the catalyst that brings Matt and Danny back to the show.
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 US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television 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 Judd Hirsch
Judd Hirsch
Judd Hirsch is an American actor most known for playing Alex Rieger on the television comedy series Taxi, John Lacey on the NBC series Dear John, and Alan Eppes on the CBS series Numb3rs.-Early life and education:...
.
Personal history
Wes Mendell is the creator and former executive producerExecutive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
of Studio 60. He wrote for many of the great comedy performers, such as the Smothers Brothers
Smothers Brothers
The 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...
, Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor
Richard 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 Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby
William 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...
. While Wes was generally regarded as a good showrunner and a good man, his policies are often stated to run counter to Matt and Danny's. For example, he refused to do a Christmas show while Matt insisted that they do, and he did not approve of Studio 60 staff dating each other, while Matt ultimately dates Harriet and Danny falls in love with his boss, Jordan.
Wes had a heart attack before the start of the 2001-2002 season of Studio 60. While he was recuperating, Danny and Matt had to act as executive producers, forcing them to plan the first show after the 9/11 attacks. The season premiere for the 2001 season featured a sketch that was considered offensive by conservatives who threatened a boycott. Bowing to the pressure, Wes issued an apology from his hospital bed which, in turn, resulted in Matt
Matt Albie
Matthew Albie is a fictional character on the U.S. TV series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, played by Matthew Perry.-Personal history:Matt began working at Studio 60 in 1997, but remained largely anonymous until 1999, when Harriet Hayes joined the cast...
and Danny
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...
quitting the show.
By 2006 Wes's power had dwindled and the show's creativity was at an all time low. Furious with the network, and at himself, for bowing down to the FCC
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
and the religious right, he tries (and fails) to get the last sketch Matt wrote for the show on the air. Refused by the representative from Standards and Practices, who fears it will offend conservatives, he hijacks the live broadcast of Studio 60 and rants an improvised tirade, similar to that shown in the film Network
Network (film)
Network is a 1976 American satirical film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer about a fictional television network, Union Broadcasting System , and its struggle with poor ratings. The film was written by Paddy Chayefsky and directed by Sidney Lumet...
(which is commented on in the pilot itself), venting against bureaucratic control, the influence of special-interest groups in the censorship of the network, and the nature of the broadcast
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
industry in general. This results in him being fired which is the catalyst that brings Matt and Danny back to the show.