RoR: Forum

Post 40

Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 10:11am

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Pardon me for flogging a dead horse, but if you are interested in the show, there are two websites that are pretty good.

This the best fan website:
http://westwing.bewarne.com/

This is the official company website:
http://www.nbc.com/The_West_Wing/index.html

Post 41

Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 6:57pm

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Last week, April 6, marked the end of the current season. CNN posted this on their homepage that morning:

"NBC renewed the show for next season, noting it draws one of television's most affluent audiences for sponsors. "

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/06/apontv.westwing.ap/index.html

We do not have broadcast, cable or dish, but the fourth season is now out on DVD and we have been renting them.

Post 42

Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 10:06pm

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Who will be the next President? Will we again have a Democrat, or will we have a Republican?

In case you didn't guess, I love the show, despite disagreeing with many of the policies promoted. The creators of the show have successfully created a fictional world that is exciting and engaging and inspiring.

John Link

Post 43

Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 10:34pm

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The show has been criticized as being out of touch with current political trends, as well as recent floundering in popularity. With Aaron Sorkin stepping down for John Wells, hiring right-wing consultants like Kenneth M. Duberstein and John Podhoretz, and the market-sound tendency to pander to the largest audience, I predict things will be getting much more republican in the next season.

You knew Smits would win the Democratic primaries last season, he's got 'protagonist' written all over him. While electing Alan Alda next season would move the show to a more politically current environment, this would preclude scrapping the current cast as well as compromising the producers' leftist visions. So, I'm guessing NBC will let the Emmy-winning writers have their way and we'll see Smit's Santos in the oval office.

Post 44

Thursday, May 19, 2005 - 11:49am

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My bet is that the entire next West Wing season will be a hugely entertaining battle between Jimmy Smits and Alan Alda from the party conventions up to election night with lots of twists and turns.

Just like the delightful and surprising last few minutes of the last episode this year.

Actually my reason for hoping it's Alan Alda is not political agreement but entertainment. I think Hawkeye has more depth and ability and interest as an actor than pretty boy Smits, who does somber intensity but not much else. Alda would be more interesting to watch for a year. And I say that even though I realize that I'd lose spouse Teri Polo along with Smits so I'm thinking with my aesthetic gland instead of my $%#@.

In either case, I'll try to not miss an episode. The writers aren't as good as Sorkin, but they are still almost as good and interesting as the "Gilmore Girls" writers.

Phil

Post 45

Thursday, May 19, 2005 - 8:48pm

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During the latest season, advertised as a year of changes, I seriously wondered whether Josh would end up working for Vinnick (Alan Alda) after he had that private meeting with Vinnick in his office, and after Leo said to go with the man that is the smartest, this right after Vinnick was seen on TV (that's "on TV on TV") looking very smart and very able to win.

I don't think it is at all a sure thing that Santos is going to win. Vinnick looks very good, coming across very principled and very strong. Besides, it would be quite a change to kick the Democrats out of the West Wing, wouldn't it? I hope that the creators of the show will challenge themselves with that.

John

P.S. By the way, how do I get my picture included with my posts? I don't see a place to upload it in my profile.

Post 46

Thursday, May 19, 2005 - 11:39pm

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You have to email your picture to the admin, adding some helpful info like your login ID and member number.

You're right about Alda, they paint him nicely for a republican. If you remember John Goodman's character was favorable as well. But while they're happy to play to both sides, I can't see them switching horses midstream. From what I know of producers, their productions tend to form a part of their identity, and a change in the production usually requires a change in the producer. Could be wrong here of course, but I'm stickin' with Jimmy Smits for Prez.

Post 47

Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 10:27pm

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Bridget Armozel posted this YouTube link to a classic scene:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5-zhNiGlogQ

President Bartlett shreds a "Dr. Laura" radio character.

The scene stands on its own, of course.

Context comes from understanding that the White House has just ordered the assassination of the Kumari foreign minister (the king's brother) because he is a terrorist linked to deaths and a plot to blow up the Golden Gate Bridge. Fine, as far as that goes, it is nonetheless hard to deal with: it contravenes international law; it leaves the U.S. open to retaliation. The main characters are having a hard time reconciling this open murder with their lifetimes of professed beliefs. Meanwhile... life must go on... and the President hosts a group of radio people, among them, Dr. Jacobs. When President Bartlett enters the room, she remains seated, which draws the President's attention.

My wife and I bought each other and the house the first five seasons of The West Wing. We watch them when we need a lift.

Post 48

Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 12:29pm

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My friends who know my passion for Capitalism are surprised that I am so fond of West Wing. I tell them that the particular politics are an accidental characteristic in this show. The real theme is a celebration of intelligence, good will and optimism - all enthusiastically in pursuit of what they sincerely believe to be good and right (and having fun on the way).

I dearly want to find entertainment that values intelligence and is intelligently produced. West Wing makes intelligence a major value that is joyously, openly and enthusiatically celebrated.

I think the producers and writers were very intelligent themselves to never make the show about a liberal (or conservative) theme. They weren't trying to proseletize for a political position but rather for a kind of person they wanted to see - intelligent, energetic, optimistic, honest and caring.

I don't know exactly when a person "should" dislike a show because a particular is in opposition to importan beliefs. But I'm very happy that I can keep watching my DVD's of West Wing in celebration of those more fundamental human traits. And it's sad that others got hung up on the particular political party or storyline's details to the degree that they missed the real theme.

Post 49

Monday, April 16, 2007 - 7:25pm

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The real theme is a celebration of intelligence, good will and optimism - all enthusiastically in pursuit of what they sincerely believe to be good and right (and having fun on the way).

Art is more important than politics (or anarchy). We could watch the show together, Steve, and never mention medieval Iceland. (Do you like beer?)

Post 50

Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - 5:09pm

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The man who writes and creates the show, Aaron Sorkin, has also done "Sports Night" and currently "Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip".

He is a master at creating witty, intelligent, alert, lively characters and great, snappy dialogue. His characters are also all good people, not slimeballs or retards. [Oh, I'm sorry...was that politically incorrect??]

There's a lot of humor in Sorkin's shows, but it's intelligent humor not toilet humor or let's-videotape-the-dog-farting reality TV.

I can't wait for Studio 60 (sort of a backstage look at a Saturday Night Live type show and its writers, actors, and producers) to come back off hiatus so I won't have my remaining brain cells destroyed by PussyCat Dolls have a gum chewing contest part six.

Post 51

Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - 6:35pm

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Philip,

We will have to get some beer and see if Michael would enjoy Studio 60 - I think he would, I sure have.