The West Wing Jumps the Shark
Today I am mourning the demise of The West Wing on NBC.
The West Wing, in its first seasons, was a gripping show that wasn’t afraid of using actual adult vocabulary. It was so refreshing to watch a program on a regular basis that didn’t dumb language down for the average viewer. No, it wasn’t the secrets of the universe revealed, but you have to admit that it had a damn sight more mental requirements than, say, Punk’d Goes Completely Dumbass Stupid. (Dude! No WAY dude! No WAY!)
Unfortunately over time the program’s writers have run out of things to say. I mean, once you’ve seen Jed Bartlett agonize over terrorists two or three times, you’ve kind of seen it. In fact my theory is that now that Jed’s turn in office is over, nobody gives a crap. Who knew Martin Sheen would be so many people’s idea of the perfect Commander in Chief?
The West Wing served as a balm for those of us appalled by the current republican swing in the white house and beyond. (NOOK-LEE-ER!It’s NOOK-LEE-ER!) It was like a soothing reassurance that somewhere people in the world understood why we objected so vehemently to the current administration’s approach. Something would happen on the news and two weeks later on the West Wing you’d see Jed Bartlett explaining to someone why it was a completely dumbass idea in full, properly pronounced sentences. I think all of us who are democrats were able to breathe a little thanks to the show.
So I love some West Wing.
Unfortunately the show has been sinking fast in the past year and a half. The drama has gotten so DRAMA and the staff switch was so bizarre (CJ as COS?? From press secretary? What the fun?) it’s lost its punch. The original cast that had such great chemistry has scattered and when I watch the new season I spend my time missing Josh and Toby and Sam and the weekly poker game.
This week, on The West Wing, there is a special event:
THE DEBATE
8pm 2005-11-06 ALL NEW!
THE WEST WING GOES LIVE –In a first for NBC’s “The West Wing,” the Emmy Award-winning series will broadcast a live episode featuring a debate between presidential candidates Congressman Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits) and Senator Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda). Two live versions will be telecast, one for the East Coast and another for the West Coast. TV-PG
I heart Jimmy, and I love Alan. I still love the cast, particularly Allison Janney and Dule Hill. In fact, that character is one of the reasons I’m so enamored of the name Charlie.
I don’t know what it is that the show has lost, but unfortunately it’s gone. As evidenced by their “Live: From New York! It’s Saturday Night!” gimmick which is one of the sure signs of a show who’s options are not getting picked up the next year unless they get the ratings through the roof.
It hardly ever works.
RIP TWW, see you in cable TV reruns.
2 Comments
We are HUGE WW fans but have had to rely on DVD’s since it’s not shown in Vietnam. Am in the middle of Season 5 and can already tell that it’s not as good as the earlier seasons because we’re not keen to watch it every night. What a shame because West Wing is one of the most intelligent shows I’ve ever watched.
It’s so sad when good shows get just too rediculous or too redundant or too whatever. I like good TV, and there’s so little of it out there.