A Tribute to Great Television: The West Wing (1999-2006)

Four years after Aaron Sorkin brought audiences into the Oval Office in the film The American President, he created a television series that followed the President's communication team with the television series, The West Wing.  Over the years the show evolved, and became one of the greatest ensembles of all time.

In the beginning the show centered on Sam Seaborn played by the ever talented Rob Lowe.  Sam was the Deputy White House Communications Director, and we saw how he interacted with fellow communications staffers, and a little bit more about his love life; he dated a call girl, and a classy one at that in season one, House's Lisa Edelstein.  Throughout the the first season the show began to evolve, and as Sorkin realized the power of his ensemble, and Commander in Chief, the direction of The West Wing changed ever so slightly.

How could Sorkin centralize this show on Sam when you had Martin Sheen as President Jed Bartlett?  I love Rob Lowe, and he was great in the show, but this ensemble led by Sheen is one of the best.  Eventually Rob Lowe left because of the lack of screen time, and this was a central reason, which created a dispute between he and Sorkin, but beyond this little moment the show kept its central and original cast mainly intact.   Moria Kelly was another original cast member, who played Mandy Hampton.  Unlike Lowe's Sam who was missed Mandy seemed to have a strong purpose in the beginning but as the first season wrapped; she seemed to lose purpose, and even her chemistry with Sam was not enough.

Beyond the rotating cast, the show's central players were some of the best in television history.  Press Secretary and eventual Chief of Staff Claudia Jean (C.J.) Cregg was always my favorite character.  Allison Janney is one of the most brilliant actors; she has this natural talent which blends humor and drama effortlessly.  John Spencer's Leo McGarry was always a close second for me.  Leo was the ever doting Chief of Staff to the President throughout most of the show, but in the last two seasons ran for Vice President with Jimmy Smitts character Matthew Santos.  There was always humility with Spencer's portrayal of Leo; he was a man who struggled with alcoholism, but was the resident support system for everyone.

Talking about this show without mentioning Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford), Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff), Donna Moss (Janel Maloney), Charlie Young (Dule Hill), Abigail Bartlett (Stockard Channing),  Kathryn Joosten (Mrs. Landingham), and the many recurring characters Amy Gardener (Mary Louise Parker), Danny Concannon (Timothy Bussfield), Zooey Bartlett (Elisabeth Moss), Senator Arnold Vick (Alan Alda), Annabeth Schott (Kristin Chenowith), and I could go on and on.  This show created some of the most amazing characters, moments, speeches, and of course the famous walk and talks.

There is obviously one character missing from my line-up above, and that's because like with most the Commander in Chief is in a category of their own.  Martin Sheen does an amazing job portraying President Jed Bartlett, and the fact that he never won an Emmy for this role is a crime.  Sheen represents what many would call the a "New England elite" but his Jed Bartlett is one of the most grounded educated religious men to sit within the Oval Office, I swear I realize he was not real.  Watching him curse God in church after Mrs. Landingham has died, or putting a reporter in her place when she has not stood when he enters the room.  Yet there were moments when you were able to see the President struggle through the hard times, like during an assassination attempt, covering up his M.S., his daughter being kidnapped, and of course re-election.

The show covered many different topics, and I always wonder how, and if Sorkin would have to adapt the show with the birth of more social media, but The West Wing is a classic.  The show sits within a pantheon tied for the most Emmy wins in the Best Drama category with Mad Men, L.A. Law, and Hill Street Blues.  If you have not see all seven seasons of this show, or stopped towards the end, go back and re-visit the White House, and become inspired by the great writing, and incredible political revelations.  Heck go back, or watch because you want to root for Donna and Josh.  This show inspires me to be my best self, and that is poetic within the television world.  The clip below is my favorite from the series.

Best Presidents in Movies/TV

Josiah 'Jed' Bartlett (played by Martin Sheen)-The West Wing-Jed Bartlett is everything I want in my President; he is wise, funny, but down to earth.  Although the President lied about his disease, as far as fake Presidents go he would be at the top of my list.  Sorkin has created two great Presidential characters in his time (one listed below Michael Douglas) and both of them have their similarities, but Jed Bartlett almost this mythical evolution of a character, and we get to see him evolve throughout the show's entire history.  The clip below is one of the reasons I admire him.

David Palmer (played by Dennis Haysbert)-24-24 had a lot of Presidents, Charles Logan, Wayne Palmer (brother), Allison Taylor, but you never forget the first.  While Charles Logan was the the most intensely crazy, Palmer was always the sound leader you wanted running the government.  David Palmer had to deal with a Lady Macbeth type wife, who tried to control everything from behind the scenes.  Palmer (the first in office) was the first, and best President on this show!

Laura Roslin (played by Mary McDonnell)-Battlestar Galactica-From Secretary of Education to President, Laura Roslin had the fight in her to make her one of the strong television President's I have ever seen, while battling cancer.  With little training this woman helped bring together civilization in the fight against the cylons, brilliant leadership.

Dave Kovic/Bill Mitchell (played by Kevin Kline)-Dave-What if you were a stand in for the President at events because you look like him; he has a heart attack, and then his staff asks you to secretly replace him?  This wonderfully charming film shows what happens when a regular guy (with common sense) steps into the oval office.  Kline is his usual charming self, and he takes on this role with great aplomb.

Andrew Shepherd (played by Michael Douglas)-The American President-Before there was Jed Bartlett, Aaron Sorkin wrote the character of Andrew Shepheard, a widower who courts a woman while President of the United States.  Both of his Presidents are liberal man, namely Democrats.  One of the best roles in his career, Douglas gets the opportunity to give great speeches about why history matters, and what role government plays within our system.  Brilliant character!

James Marshall (played by Harrison Ford)-Air Force One-Get off my plane!  The most bad ass President to grace either television or film.  Marshall takes on Russian hijackers of Air Force One on his own.  Harrison Ford is one of the coolest men, and no one has ever made the Presidency look so tough.

Thomas J. Whitmore (played by Bill Pullman)-Independence Day-Taking on an alien invasion gives you a few points in the tough department as well.  The clip below says it all about Pullman's President Whitmore;he is the kind of man you want leading you to battle in one of those tricky situations.

Television and Film Characters that I Wish I Could Date

Tonight while watching Parks and Recreation my crush on television character Ben Wyatt was furthered; he is one of the most adorkable characters on television.  This made me think about the other television and film characters that would be worth dating, or based on their character that I would like to be with.  This had nothing to do with looks although all of these guys are pretty darn attractive too.

Ben Wyatt (played by Adam Scott) Parks and Recreation-The man who started the list; he is smart, funny, dresses up like Batman, what more could I want?

Tom (played by Joseph Gordon Levitt) 500 Days of Summer-A hopeless romantic who even though there is a bit of an obsessive behavior, he a great funny guy, who likes The Smiths.

Noah (played by Ryan Gosling) The Notebook-He built her a house; he read to her everyday in the nursing home (while older), he climbed a Ferris Wheel to sit next to her, this guy has a crazy side to him, but wow is he the ultimate romantics fantasy.

Lloyd Dobler (played by John Cusack) Say Anything-Holding a boom box (yes a boom box not a ipod home) over your head and playing "In Your Eyes" nuff said.

Christian (played by Ewan McGregor) Moulin Rouge!-Love is many splendid thing, love lifts us up where we belong; he sings, and falls for a whore.  Christian has the soul of a poet, and there is something beautiful about his belief in love.

Sam Seaborn (played by Rob Lowe) The West Wing-A smart, sarcastic, political strategist who works in the White House, who wouldn't want to be with him?

Ferris Bueller (played by Matthew Broderick) Ferris Bueller's Day Off-He breaks all the rules, does what he wants, and still is a great guy, where are the real Ferris Buellers ?

Ben Bruckner (played by Robert Gant) Queer as Folk-The professor with the pecs of steel. I love Ben; he is one of the good guys on this show, not only does he stand up for his man, but he is one of the best boyfriends I have seen on television.

Hubbell (played by Robert Redford) The Way We Were-Your girl is lovely Hubbell, five of the most heartbreaking words ever spoken on film.  Hubbell is the jock, the boy next door, and has this soft beautiful side on the inside.

Marshall Eriksen (played by Jason Segel) How I Met Your Mother-Marshall has always been the perfect best friend, and husband, although he is a little (or a lot) awkward, he still is one of the best guys.

Newsroom Pulses with Energy as Aaron Sorkin Creates Another Brilliant Television Series

The Newsroom is a new series on HBO from Emmy and Oscar winner Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, The Social Network).  The Newsroom centers on Will McAvoy who has a minor freak out while speaking in front of a group of college students.  McAvoy is surrounded by two other television journalists, one liberal and one conservative arguing while he is called "the Jay Leno of news" who sits in the middle and does not take a position.  A young college sophomore steps up to the microphone, and asks "in one sentence or less why do you think America is the greatest country in the world?"  The liberal pundit states diversity while the conservative pundit states freedom twice.  Will states "the Jets" but is goaded and goes off on a tirade against the young lady about the problems with the news and America.  Jeff Daniels who plays McAvoy gives one hell of a speech, and his performance throughout the episode proves this show has a fire that can't be put out like in the gulf.

As Will returns back to work he finds out or notices that most of his staff is missing, and the newsroom is empty.  Will is sent up Charlie Skinner's office (Sam Waterson), and he tells him that his executive producer is leaving his show and taking his crew.  Soon Bill finds out that his ex-girlfriend Mackenzie MacHale (Emily Mortimer) who was having visions of before he went on his tirade will be his new executive producer.  As Mackenzie and Will meet up for the first time a news story breaks about an explosion in the Gulf of Mexico and two things happen the show flashes a date stating that is back in 2010 and they are delving into the BP oil crisis, and the show takes off like a rocket.

The interesting diference is that many critics were harsh on this show saying Sorkin missed, and hit a sour note.  I fervently disagree.  Emily Nussbaum writes the following to close out her piece entitled "Broken News":

“The Newsroom” is the inverse of “Veep”: it’s so naïve it’s cynical. Sorkin’s fantasy is of a cabal of proud, disdainful brainiacs, a “media élite” who swallow accusations of arrogance and shoot them back as lava. But if the storytelling were more confident, it could take a breath and deliver drama, not just talking points. Instead, the deck stays stacked. Whenever McAvoy delivers a speech or slices up a right-winger, the ensemble beams at him, their eyes glowing as if they were cultists."

Quantifying this show naive bordering on cynical is way off track, and if you read the entire article you can that Nussbaum has an axe to grind, one which she will use on Sorkin's head.  One of Nussbaum's major complaints is the misuse of a quality ensemble.  Nussbaum states that ensemble is filled with three minority characters whom Sorkin like in his other show Studio 60 are underdeveloped.  I know most television critics get the first few episodes, but the focus of the show is the dynamic between Will and Mackenzie, and the message of telling the truth and honest journalism.

Sorkin may have his own axe to grind, but within that framework he's stating a message, and most of the reviewers are not listening to the message.  This show centers on a broken government with a population as divided as during the days of the Civil War and the people who have the responsibility of bringing the news to the masses.  Will is walking away from "being Jay Leno" and moving towards being more than just a run of the mill anchor.  The beginning of the episode is his own homage Peter Finch's "I'm mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore" from the film Network (1976).  The Newsroom's first episode proved to be an impeccably written and directed show, that will hopefully continue to challenge the political structure, and the way media outlets operate.  Bravo Mr. Sorkin.

In Memoriam: Kathryn Joosten

While I was away I saw one of my favorite old broads passed away, Kathryn Joosten.  Joosten had lung cancer, and died on June 2nd. Most people including myself felt as though she has been around Hollywood for years, but her start did not come until 1992 when she was discovered ironically at Disney (because I was there when she passed away).

Although Joosten's career was short, and filled mostly with smaller roles; she made quite an impact in the world of television.  Joosten started out in small roles on shows like Roseanne, Just Shoot Me, Frasier, Seinfeld, Murphy Brown, and many more.  In 1999 she had a big break where she played Mrs. Landingham the personal secretary to the President in the television series The West Wing; she played the role for two years and was one of the most beloved characters on the series.  This role opened the door for larger guest starring roles, on shows like Grey's Anatomy, and Scrubs.  Joosten's second major role was as a recurring character on Desperate Housewives.  Joosten played the sassy but love able Karen McCloskey.  Joosten won two Emmy Awards for this role in Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.

Joosten will be missed; she was beloved, and even though she wasn't around long she starred in over 20 television series and her death will leave a massive hole in the television landscape.

My Favorite Thanksgiving Episodes

Thanksgiving is that time of year when everyone goes home to spend time with their families or avoids their families like the plague an attempts to make on their own with their friends. This is one of the best times of the year where there are numerous holiday episodes.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday with the great food, and its also because it is close to my birthday.  Here are some of my favorite Thanksgiving episodes.

1-Friends-This is the show that had a special Thanksgiving episode almost every season.  This show did Thanksgiving episodes best.  In the shows first season the thanksgiving episode "TOW Underdog Got Away" the six characters all made plans separately but Rachel could not get away and others plans got ruined so they all ended up spending their first Thanksgiving together.  The second season there was no Thanksgiving episode, but then in the third season they competed for the Gellar cup, and in the fourth season had Chandler sitting in a box because he betrayed Joey.  The best Thanksgiving episode ever is in the fifth season of Friends in an episode entitled "TOW All the Thanksgiving Flashbacks" is where we get to see fat Monica again, Chandler losing a toe, Phoebe's past lives, and Joey putting a turkey on his head.  The Thanksgiving episodes continued, but this one was the best.

2-The West Wing had two wonderful Thanksgiving episodes "Shibboleth" and "Indians in the Lobbey."  The better of the two is seasons two's "Shibboleth" and the best story was watching CJ (Allison Janney) having to help pick a turkey for the President to pardon.  Every year at Thanksgiving time the President pardons a turkey.  I love this episode!

3-Will & Grace also had two great Thanksgiving episodes "Homo for the Holidays" and "Moveable Feast."  The best episode among the two is "Homo for Holidays" where Grace and Will talk to Jack's mom and find out that Jack has not only never come out to her, but he has told her that he has dated both Karen and Grace.  This episode has one of my favorite lines in the entire history of the show, which came Karen.

GRACE: Hmmm. Well, you've come on a good night. Jack's mother is going to be joining us, and she doesn't know Jack's gay.
KAREN: How could she not know? What is she, headless?


4-Gilmore Girls-If anyone can eat four Thanksgiving dinners its Lorelai and Rory Gilmore.  In "A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving" Lorelai and Rory start their day at Sookie's and get to see Jackson deep fry a turkey, then they head to the Kim's for tofurkey, then onto Luke's diner for their almost double date Thanksgiving, and they end their night at the Gilmore's mansion.  There is nothing better than a smart witty Thanksgiving.

5-How I Met Your Mother-This show like Friends did a good job of navigating the world of celebrating Thanksgiving with Friends.  In season one we get to watch Barney work at a soup kitchen, and find out he is only doing it because he was court mandated.  Then after each season we get into the world of the Slap Bet.  The Slap Bet Episodes are great!  they focus around Thanksgiving but also on a bet that Marshall has made with Barney, and Marshall gets to slap him for losing the bet.  


I love the more modern Thanksgiving shows.  They do not focus as much on dealing with family, but are more about making Thanksgiving a time where you can spend this holiday with people you love who you want to be around.