Faith in Studio 60

I confess. I am one of the few television viewers who has enjoyed the NBC show, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, this season. Part of it is because I love the smart-alecky way Aaron Sorkin writes. Part of it is because I love the multi-layered inside showbiz-political-corporate intrigue kind of story. I also like the way that a Christian voice is portrayed in a pretty authentic way.

Most of us Christ-followers would wish that we could be like the Harriet Hayes character. She stands up for her faith, by golly, even while making fun of herself and the rest of us as we hypocritically wend our ways through life. She also is in love with the non-believing Jewish head writer-executive producer of the show.

Okay, enough exposition, let me get to the point. The show is finishing out its run with the shows that were in the can before it was canceled earlier this year. Harriet and Matt have been breaking up and getting back together all through this season and apparently for the "eight" years that they have known each other and argued about Harriet’s faith.

However, when one of their co-workers’ brother’s life is threatened by captivity in Afghanistan, Harriet’s response is to drop to her knees and start praying. Wow! there was something awfully courageous, dignified and brave about that moment. It was moving. Maybe it’s because it has been a while since I have been in enough trouble that I dropped to my knees and cried out to God. But seeing her praying on prime-time TV just sort of undid me.

The characters dialog of faith, concluding with the non-believing Matt throwing up his prayer, with eyes pointed up, "Okay, show me something here," was just too good to miss. I was inspired.

Alright, I’ve decided. I’m going to take a page from Aaron Sorkin’s book. I’m going to tie another knot at the end of my rope and hang on a little while longer.