Big Screen Little Screen

In a survey of 66 national television critics, Aaron Sorkin’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (NBC) came out on top as the Best Overall New Program on the broadcast networks, with ABC’s comedy Ugly Betty in second place. Something akin to The Ugly Duckling meets The Devil Wears Prada, Betty features a bespectacled, braces wearing, fashion backwards young woman who starts on the bottom rung of a New York fashion magazine.

Studio 60 marks writer and creator Sorkin’s return to television since leaving The West Wing after four seasons. It chronicles the struggles of a writing staff for a SNL type late night show. Often referred to as NBC’s other “behind the cameras” series - 30 Rock, written by and starring Tina Fey, along with Alec Baldwin, was voted 2nd in Best New Comedy, behind Ugly Betty.

In the Best New Drama category, ABC’s The Nine was handed the top spot. Seemingly looking to dip into the same audience pool as Lost, and making liberal use of flashback sequences, the hour-long series follows the lives of nine people in the aftermath of becoming unwilling participants in a 52-hour hostage situation following a bank robbery.

Full results here, along with a guide of new shows that are already available for preview, one way or another. Plus, Entertainment Weekly’s fall TV preview, for broadcast networks.

Next week I’ll list my picks for most anticipated shows this fall, for both new and returning series. Also next week - film picks for the second half of 2006.

Tags: studio 60, ugly betty, 30 rock