I never thought I'd say this, but "The West Wing" is back from the brink, and quietly putting together a very good season. It's managed to escape the irrelevance that plagued the show following Bush's election and 9/11, and is putting a storyline together for its fictional presidential campaign that actually could be more interesting than the real-life 2004 campaign, while also letting tensions between the different longtime characters slowly build to a boil. I just hope the people in charge have the good sense to let those two storylines reach a crescendo, and then immediately end the series.
That said: When the producers hired Kristin Chenoweth as the show's new press secretary, they did realize that she's about two feet shorter than Allison Janney, right? Their scene together tonight was like watching Shaquille O'Neal guarded by Earl Boykins.
Posted by Stephen Silver at January 5, 2005 10:08 PMJimmy Smits is a old time hottie...if he were to take over for the West Wing, that is def. enough to make me an avid watcher again...
Posted by: A at January 5, 2005 10:48 PMI agree that the story line is better this year than the past year or two. Smits is a great actor, and he will add a lot to the show as a presidential contender.
I think that the show is on a comback, but it up against some tough company (Alias,). The storylines are more engaging, and they are bringing in some big time actors with big time names (Smits, Alan Alda).
They did have that story line about an asteroid ready to wipe out the earth a few weeks ago, however...
I did find myself tuning away to ND-Seton Hall, however. Go Irish!
Posted by: John B. at January 5, 2005 11:12 PMIf this is something that happened in the latest episode of WW, please don't say... but unless I missed something, Kristen Chenowith wasn't Press Secretary yet.
I fully agree with you, it had slipped the last two seasons (especially after Sorkin left), but West Wing is once again my favorite show.
Posted by: James at January 6, 2005 01:17 PMbecause I know you were on the edge of your seat... my others became American Chopper on Discovery Channel and Good Eats on the Food Network. I can't get enough of them.
Oh yeah... I also can't get enough of West Wing reruns on Bravo. I probably watch two episodes a day now. lol
Posted by: James at January 6, 2005 01:19 PM