While I like the concept, I think it only works in a fast-paced work environment like the White House. Being one of the first examples, this scene isn't exactly fast-paced. It's really a walk-and-talk for the sake of itself. Luckily, it got better.
@@partyguy101ify Andrew, my comment is 3 years old, so understandably, I had to watch the scene again just to see what it was about. And having watched it, I've gotta say...you couldn't be more wrong. More than in any other instance, the 'walk & talk' here is integral to the action of the scene. It's a perfect meeting of form and function, and absolutely required as a narrative device. What is Macy's object? TO SHOW THEIR USELESS, CONDESCENDING ASSES OUT. And he wants to do it without them knowing what he's up to. So he tells them a parable about the creative process before finally insulting them and (to their astonishment) giving them the boot. All accompanied by a shit-eating grin. It's perfect.
I completely agree that the walk and talk was critical here. Otherwise it would have been a dry delivery of exposition ending with "get out of my conference room," which would have been far less convincing. Sam had to own the studio execs, so he got them to follow him and listen to his rant with the payoff being before they knew it he's literally showing them the door. This drives the point home that these execs know they are outmatched and make it more likely they leave quietly. Plus it cleared the room for the final payoff of the episode where he goes back to confront the crew and opens up a little bit: "Where's J.J?" "They're gone. Look, I don't have to like you. You don't have to like me. I have two priorities. The first is to get from the beginning of the day to the end of the day without having a drink. The SECOND... is to raise this show's ratings to the point where it's no longer in danger of what almost happened here today. Trust me. I won't make fools out of you." This pre-dates my favorite walk and talk and is around the same time frame as my second favorite. The first is near the opening of the movie Serenity, where nearly the entire ship set is viewed in one long scene that introduces all seven characters all over the ship (actually there's a single break simply because the upper and lower decks were two separate sets). The second was in around season 3 or so of Stargate SG-1, where exposition is delivered by two characters while walking from the gate control room to the briefing room up a spiral staircase. In the Stargate example, a cameraman had to manhandle a still-cam keeping the characters in frame while walking backwards up a narrow spiral staircase and around to the other side of the conference table and keep it all smooth (there's only so much a still-cam is going to compensate for). Both scenes were technically amazing shots.
"And if you think I'm just mouthing at you, you should ask around about me. I have absolutely no conscience about these things." I don't know how many times this very quote has come up in my life. Gold.
I have quoted the line more than once, "if you ever disrespect him in my presence again, I will rededicate the rest of my life to ruining the rest of yours."
@@StepMiles-kx2cv I like another line of his from Sports Night which went something like this: "You may think that because I am nodding I am listening to what you are saying. I'm not, it's just something I do to be polite.".
HablaCarnage63 It may not be realistic as dialogue goes but sure sounds like the speech you would give after two years of careful thought and a time machine.
I think there was a greater point to the entire scene. And at that time, at that moment, 99% of us got the point, and didn't give two flying fucks whether or not the facts were 100% historically accurate. Who cares? It wasn't the point. The point was that everyone should stay within their wheelhouse of knowledge, and simply let good people with expertise in other areas handle those areas. And that is the key to success.
This was such an awesome show! And it was yet another, in a long list of great dramas, that did not really get a chance to fully develop before it was cancelled after two seasons. Like a lot of behind the scenes style dramas, it did not have amazing ratings out of the gate. But, in true Sorkin fashion, the concept was strong, the stories were solid, the dialogue was awesome and thought provoking, and the cast was stellar. Seriously, it had some mega A list actors, and a veritable diamond mine of some of the best character actors in the industry. It is one of the very few shows where I actually bought the boxed set.
One snowy day I watched 4 movies that had William H Macy in a supporting role. He played a different type of character in each and was brilliant in all of them.
Poor Tommy Schlamme! He creates these absolutely masterful Walk and Talks and Aaron Sorkin gets all the credit! Even Aaron, when asked, always says "That was all Tommy" when talking about the origin of Walk and Talks.
Wow people hate, this was great, memorized monologues like its a bad thing? You mean not as spontaneous as real acting, such as a Broadway show that is 100 % memorized... it was well written, well produced, thought provoking, fun, funny, sad, happy, real .. a great show that I wish was still on..
I loved recognizing him when I did a rewatch (sharing the entire show with a friend this past year). I actually let out a shriek of happiness realizing who it was. Tim is a terrific actor, so it was fun to see him move on to success. Meanwhile, I can't say enough about how amazing William H. Macy was here (and I wished so much that Sam had shown back up at the end of S2).
I wish the clip ran to the end of the episode. Earlier Isaac told Sam he was going to be in the control room watching a color test instead of attending this meeting because, in his words, “I feel like doing something that has something to do with television.” Of course this means Isaac heard Sam tell off the network stooges. Sam goes through the control room where Isaac is still sitting and they have a nice moment. Then Sam goes back to the conference room, hints to the staff that he just rescued them from disaster, and please take him seriously. It’s a great five minute stretch of television.
macy is a force of nature. what is the (hbo i think) cable show he did last couple of years where he has kids & a drinking problem, & the scripts were over the top...the one i saw they drove him to canada passed out, & he got tied to joan cusack's bed~ 'shameless' i think. brilliant acting. as good as the mamet play/movie he did with dustin hoffman...good for you jody.
He had the chance to keep it going on another network, but he didn't want to divide his time and focus between two shows... this one and the one he was developing at NBC, a little show called The West Wing.
Another very good Sorkin show is Studio 60 on the sunset strip. One season. Nowhere near as good as this and WW but worth a watch if you haven't watched it.
The ratings weren’t very good, partly because the show was really hard to promote. It was kind of a comedy and kind of a drama and you didn’t actually have to know about sports to understand the show, which is great, but try explaining all that in a 15-second promo during Monday Night Football or The Practice.
@jimbopumbapigsticks from wikipedia: Swan acknowledged that Edison had anticipated him, saying "Edison is entitled to more than I ... he has seen further into this subject, vastly than I, and foreseen and provided for details that I did not comprehend until I saw his system".
You weren't intended to like him, that was the point. I didn't like his character at all until this scene because at first I thought he couldn't possibly be the expert that he claimed to be. But this scene revealed that indeed he was and it was brilliant.
If you are watching this from Parma about flooded basements respond with a thumbs up and a reply with the street you live on that has inhabitable homes that I'll get the money to fix the pandemic in Parma
@jculver1674 "It's like watching a bunch of college students in grown-up bodies." Couldn't have been said any better, well done. I love how everyone has to walk as they deliver their speeches, too. lol
Kind of undermines the point when you can't get the facts right. I know Americans like to think they invented everything first, though. Like claiming Edison invented the light-bulb when it was Joseph Swan.
That's Aaron Sorkin for you. His characters are all smug, pretentious faux-intellectuals in love with the sound of their own voices. It's like watching a bunch of college students in grown-up bodies.
What’s wrong with being educated/smart? What’s wrong with good dialogue? What’s wrong with walking? Damn if this is criticism then Sorkin is batting a thousand. Great show!
One of the first examples of the celebrated Aaron Sorkin 'walk & talk', and a demonstration of the talent of two geniuses: Sorkin and William H. Macy.
While I like the concept, I think it only works in a fast-paced work environment like the White House. Being one of the first examples, this scene isn't exactly fast-paced. It's really a walk-and-talk for the sake of itself. Luckily, it got better.
@@partyguy101ify
Andrew, my comment is 3 years old, so understandably, I had to watch the scene again just to see what it was about. And having watched it, I've gotta say...you couldn't be more wrong. More than in any other instance, the 'walk & talk' here is integral to the action of the scene. It's a perfect meeting of form and function, and absolutely required as a narrative device.
What is Macy's object? TO SHOW THEIR USELESS, CONDESCENDING ASSES OUT. And he wants to do it without them knowing what he's up to. So he tells them a parable about the creative process before finally insulting them and (to their astonishment) giving them the boot. All accompanied by a shit-eating grin. It's perfect.
@@rickrose5377 I can understand that point of view. 🙂
I completely agree that the walk and talk was critical here. Otherwise it would have been a dry delivery of exposition ending with "get out of my conference room," which would have been far less convincing. Sam had to own the studio execs, so he got them to follow him and listen to his rant with the payoff being before they knew it he's literally showing them the door. This drives the point home that these execs know they are outmatched and make it more likely they leave quietly. Plus it cleared the room for the final payoff of the episode where he goes back to confront the crew and opens up a little bit: "Where's J.J?" "They're gone. Look, I don't have to like you. You don't have to like me. I have two priorities. The first is to get from the beginning of the day to the end of the day without having a drink. The SECOND... is to raise this show's ratings to the point where it's no longer in danger of what almost happened here today. Trust me. I won't make fools out of you."
This pre-dates my favorite walk and talk and is around the same time frame as my second favorite. The first is near the opening of the movie Serenity, where nearly the entire ship set is viewed in one long scene that introduces all seven characters all over the ship (actually there's a single break simply because the upper and lower decks were two separate sets). The second was in around season 3 or so of Stargate SG-1, where exposition is delivered by two characters while walking from the gate control room to the briefing room up a spiral staircase. In the Stargate example, a cameraman had to manhandle a still-cam keeping the characters in frame while walking backwards up a narrow spiral staircase and around to the other side of the conference table and keep it all smooth (there's only so much a still-cam is going to compensate for). Both scenes were technically amazing shots.
"And if you think I'm just mouthing at you, you should ask around about me. I have absolutely no conscience about these things." I don't know how many times this very quote has come up in my life. Gold.
I have quoted the line more than once, "if you ever disrespect him in my presence again, I will rededicate the rest of my life to ruining the rest of yours."
@@StepMiles-kx2cv I like another line of his from Sports Night which went something like this: "You may think that because I am nodding I am listening to what you are saying. I'm not, it's just something I do to be polite.".
That is my absolutely favorite scene from Sports Night, and that show had a lot of them.
HablaCarnage63 It may not be realistic as dialogue goes but sure sounds like the speech you would give after two years of careful thought and a time machine.
If dialogue on tv was realistic, the shows would be terrible lol. We don't get to carefully script our perfectly worded responses.
I think there was a greater point to the entire scene. And at that time, at that moment, 99% of us got the point, and didn't give two flying fucks whether or not the facts were 100% historically accurate. Who cares? It wasn't the point. The point was that everyone should stay within their wheelhouse of knowledge, and simply let good people with expertise in other areas handle those areas. And that is the key to success.
This was such an awesome show! And it was yet another, in a long list of great dramas, that did not really get a chance to fully develop before it was cancelled after two seasons. Like a lot of behind the scenes style dramas, it did not have amazing ratings out of the gate. But, in true Sorkin fashion, the concept was strong, the stories were solid, the dialogue was awesome and thought provoking, and the cast was stellar. Seriously, it had some mega A list actors, and a veritable diamond mine of some of the best character actors in the industry. It is one of the very few shows where I actually bought the boxed set.
I didn't know anything about this show before watching this clip. It seems well written, and William H, Macy is a damn treat to watch perform.
It's worth a watch if you can download it.
One snowy day I watched 4 movies that had William H Macy in a supporting role. He played a different type of character in each and was brilliant in all of them.
I've never heard of this show in my life but I love this actor and I love Adam Savage who pointed me to this show.
Poor Tommy Schlamme! He creates these absolutely masterful Walk and Talks and Aaron Sorkin gets all the credit! Even Aaron, when asked, always says "That was all Tommy" when talking about the origin of Walk and Talks.
When legend becomes fact, print the legend.
Aaron Sorkin loved his walk and talk scenes
One of my fav show..great video.
I love that even when I don't entirely understand what I just watched, it's still enjoyable.
my favorite show of all time and my favorite scene of all time......if you disrespect Issac in my presence again............awesome.
I'm still waiting for my hoodie that says "I Make Gass Tubes "
Wow people hate, this was great, memorized monologues like its a bad thing? You mean not as spontaneous as real acting, such as a Broadway show that is 100 % memorized... it was well written, well produced, thought provoking, fun, funny, sad, happy, real .. a great show that I wish was still on..
I loved that scene.. I could watch it again and again.
Aaron Sorkin went on to write a stageplay about/called "The Farnsworth Invention"
The best TV dialogue ever.
If Dr. Johnny Fever was a sober ratings consultant, he'd be Sam Donovan
it's the well memorized monologues that made it great
View from Above the writing and execution made it great.
I can watch this scene everyday
If I'd have realized Tim DeKay was in this scene when I met him two years ago, I wouldn't have asked about 'White Collar'. Damnit.
Before his amazing season of Carnavale. Another crazy-great show.
I loved recognizing him when I did a rewatch (sharing the entire show with a friend this past year). I actually let out a shriek of happiness realizing who it was. Tim is a terrific actor, so it was fun to see him move on to success. Meanwhile, I can't say enough about how amazing William H. Macy was here (and I wished so much that Sam had shown back up at the end of S2).
Greatest tv dialogue ever!
I wish the clip ran to the end of the episode. Earlier Isaac told Sam he was going to be in the control room watching a color test instead of attending this meeting because, in his words, “I feel like doing something that has something to do with television.” Of course this means Isaac heard Sam tell off the network stooges. Sam goes through the control room where Isaac is still sitting and they have a nice moment. Then Sam goes back to the conference room, hints to the staff that he just rescued them from disaster, and please take him seriously. It’s a great five minute stretch of television.
The best show ever.
Except for the homeless man in the hungry and The Hunted. This by far is my favorite scene from Sports night
macy is a force of nature. what is the (hbo i think) cable show he did last couple of years where he has kids & a drinking problem, & the scripts were over the top...the one i saw they drove him to canada passed out, & he got tied to joan cusack's bed~ 'shameless' i think. brilliant acting. as good as the mamet play/movie he did with dustin hoffman...good for you jody.
@Michael Malone That was David Threlfall (rather than William H. Macy) in Shameless.
Classic Macy
I wihs the end was "thanks for coming, good meeting"
Still can't figure out why this show got canceled.
It was too good and pure for this world. I treasure the two seasons we got. (sniffle)
He had the chance to keep it going on another network, but he didn't want to divide his time and focus between two shows... this one and the one he was developing at NBC, a little show called The West Wing.
Another very good Sorkin show is Studio 60 on the sunset strip. One season. Nowhere near as good as this and WW but worth a watch if you haven't watched it.
The ratings weren’t very good, partly because the show was really hard to promote. It was kind of a comedy and kind of a drama and you didn’t actually have to know about sports to understand the show, which is great, but try explaining all that in a 15-second promo during Monday Night Football or The Practice.
@jimbopumbapigsticks from wikipedia: Swan acknowledged that Edison had anticipated him, saying "Edison is entitled to more than I ... he has seen further into this subject, vastly than I, and foreseen and provided for details that I did not comprehend until I saw his system".
The only scene I liked William H Macy in Sports Night.
You weren't intended to like him, that was the point. I didn't like his character at all until this scene because at first I thought he couldn't possibly be the expert that he claimed to be. But this scene revealed that indeed he was and it was brilliant.
I thought it was Jim Bob
I think you're looking for "Edmond..."
Congratulations, jimbo, on completely missing the point.
niiice
If you are watching this from Parma about flooded basements respond with a thumbs up and a reply with the street you live on that has inhabitable homes that I'll get the money to fix the pandemic in Parma
Relative of yours?
Is that Patrick Burke from White Collar?
Gogoroth2 Peter Burke
And yes.
John Logie Baird invented the TV.
Baird's system was mechanical, not electrical. It was clever, but ultimately a dead end.
@jculver1674
"It's like watching a bunch of college students in grown-up bodies."
Couldn't have been said any better, well done. I love how everyone has to walk as they deliver their speeches, too. lol
Kind of undermines the point when you can't get the facts right. I know Americans like to think they invented everything first, though. Like claiming Edison invented the light-bulb when it was Joseph Swan.
That's Aaron Sorkin for you. His characters are all smug, pretentious faux-intellectuals in love with the sound of their own voices. It's like watching a bunch of college students in grown-up bodies.
Lemme guess - never went to college and wish you had?
Got a master's degree, actually. Any other ad hominems you want to try to make?
What’s wrong with being educated/smart? What’s wrong with good dialogue? What’s wrong with walking? Damn if this is criticism then Sorkin is batting a thousand. Great show!
Was Sports Night ever funny? Everyone speaks in well memorized monologues?
I don't get what was so great about this show...