(posted on 7/20/2010)
"THE WEST WING"
Some of you know that my current occupation is teaching computer lab at an elementary school. It is a job I love and I am sure I will talk about it more in the future. However, this has given me what is essentially a summer of "free time." I actually don't watch a ton of television. I'm usually watching movies if I am watching something. I do, though, have a few shows I love; "Breaking Bad", "Mad Men", "Top Chef" (the ONLY "reality" show I watch), and until a few months ago, "24" and "LOST". There also isn't much new programming on during the summer, so I decided to check out a few shows from the past on DVD that I have always wanted to see. "The West Wing" is one of those shows.
I am halfway through the fourth season and I can easily say that it is already in my Top 10 TV shows of all-time. (That is actually a list I will post in the future) It is rare to find the perfect combination of writing and acting. Nowadays, you can pretty much only find that on pay cable channels like HBO or on AMC. Let's start with the cast first...
There is not one weak member of what is most definitely an ensemble cast. There is not one star of this show. I have read that when it was initially being put together, the Rob Lowe character was supposed to be the center of the show but that quickly went away with the creation of the other fascinating characters. This supposedly led to his exit after season 4 and thus the biggest mistake of his career. He was tremendous in this show and I have never said that about "Brat Pack" member Lowe. (Sorry! I digress...)
We'll start with the President since the show is called "The West Wing." If politics was all show, then Martin Sheen would be my choice for president in real life. (I realize politics may be all show but lets not start that barn fire here!) The poise and power he brings to the role is engulfing. He IS the president and you never question that. When his character shows his humanity and weakness, it makes the audience believe in him even more. It reminds us that even the President of the United States is human.
Then there is his staff; Allison Janey as press secretary C.J. Craig, Richard Schiff as Communications Director Toby Ziegler, Rob Lowe as Deputy Communications Director Sam Seaborn, Dule Hill as the President's body man Charlie, John Spencer as Chief of Staff Leo McGary and Bradley Whitford as Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman. I mention Whitford last because, to me, he is the one I am most drawn to and find the most entertaining. My point is, though, that I believe every one who watches this show has their character/actor they feel that way about and it is always different. I also want to make a separate mention for Dule Hill who has developed into an impressive, admirable and complex performance. I could write a blog post about each and every character (and aspect) of this show but I will spare you. Look for my "West Wing" fan blog soon!
What truly lifts this show above the rest is its writing. Aaron Sorkin is the master of intelligent, yet accessible writing. He also perfected the "walk and talk", meaning when dialogue is done while the characters are walking through the halls of the West Wing. I have heard people say that this is a unique aspect of "Entourage". PLEASE! It is completely lifted and done no where near as well. It may not sound like much but until you watch it and know what it takes to film ANYTHING, you probably think I am being extremely nerdy and over the top!
The other effect the show has had on me is that it has led to me become more interested and involved in politics. I am still not a fan of the current state of our political world but I have realized that I have no right to complain unless I am trying to do something about it. Now I just wish there was a show that made me feel that way about the church like "The West Wing" does about politics. (Sorry "7th Heaven". Not even close.)
I am not only at the midway point of the fourth season but it is also the midway point of the series. I am tremendously excited to see where it all goes. This is one of those shows that defines balance. Every aspect is done well with effort and thought. It makes the negative side of my mind wonder how shows like "Two and a Half Men" and "Grey's Anatomy" can be near the top of the ratings while shows like "Deadwood" and "Arrested Development" barely get three seasons.
"The West Wing" will hook you from the beginning. If you don't like it early, then you are not going to ever get on board but my guess is that pretty soon you'll be wondering who "President Sheen" will be up against in the 2012 election and what will have to be done to keep him in office.
