Posted on 10/14/2004 10:22:12 AM PDT by ejdrapes
With Bartlet term's end in sight, producer thinks of future LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- The prospect of a change in the White House tends to draw a strong reaction, pro or con. Not from "The West Wing" executive producer John Wells, though. He seems unfazed by the coming end of Democratic President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet's tenure -- and maybe even a Republican successor. "We were a year and a half into the administration when we started the show," Wells said of the NBC drama entering its sixth season. "We have term limits in this country and so, on our electoral schedule, Bartlet's second term would end a year from this coming January." That fact foreshadows a hybrid season when "The West Wing" returns Wednesday (October 20, 9 p.m. EDT). Bartlet (Martin Sheen) grapples with his legacy while others fight for the chance to replace him. Among them are contenders played by two familiar actors: Jimmy Smits ("NYPD Blue"), who's a potential Democratic candidate, and Alan Alda ("M*A*S*H") vying for the GOP nomination. Also in the running is Vice President Russell (Gary Cole), with talented staff member Will Bailey (Josh Malina) at his side. Could Wells envision "The West Wing," if re-elected by NBC to a seventh season, with a Republican president? "I really could," he told The Associated Press. "What we've tried to put forward in the Bartlet administration is a Democratic presidency that was a bit of wish-fulfillment of what you'd really want your Democratic president to be. "I don't think there's any reason you wouldn't want to see that show with a Republican."Will 'The West Wing' go Republican?
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Yeah...and monkeys might start flying out of my butt.
NEVER watched it, never will.
Alan Alda has already played a Republican in some detective movie. It's what he does when he wants to play an ultimately evil character.
I still won't watch this trash.
Oh yeah. Alan Alda as a Republican. THAT would be a fair portrayal. He'd probably have the guy sitting in the Oval Office eating babies and stomping kittens while getting on the "red phone" and calling down nukes on refugee camps full of starving Rwandans.
}:-)4
My only fear is they will show the Republican the way THEY see Republicans.
No.
Regards, Ivan
Alan Alda as a Republican...BAAAAARFFFFF!
Get Fred Thompson!!!
Will I care?
Will they rename it to "The East Wing" ?
Alda also played the evil CEO that pushed his employees to death white-water rafting to keep them competitive in "White Mile"
They could have Sandra Bullock as the president and I still wouldn't watch it.
I can see the show going "republican" insofar as Alan Alda will play a bumbling idiot who needs to learn how wrong he is every week from some "wise" democrat...
Just like Clinton, I bet Bartlet won't go away quietly.
Hell, maybe he'll pull an FDR...
Exactly. Every episode would be about some secret scheme to starve the elderly and install a theocracy. No thanks. If I want to see grossly unfair portrayals of Republican positions, I'll watch the mainstream media.
Alan Alda as the Republican nominee? Eeeeewwwww! Must confess I have never watched this show.
"NEVER watched it, never will."
"Ditto."
Double ditto!
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