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 ...
I don't know.... Sandra Bullock as President.... I might watch then.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! ack... ack... water please.
Superior insight, FRiend. That is precisely how every TV show devolves with their conservative or Republican characters. Good point!
I would watch, if they replaced West Wing with Gunsmoke reruns.
Yeah, Alan Alda as a Republican. I bet his character is a rascist, bigot, sexist, etc.
Love Gunsmoke.
He was a GOP President, I believe, in Canadian Bacon.
The show as it stands now is interesting from a background perspective as well as a character study. The portrayal of behind-the-scenes wheeling and dealing, backstabbing, covering one's backside, and well as straightforward negotiations and above-board interactions among individuals is kind of fascinating and interesting from an academic perspective. All that would change if they tried to portray a Republican administration, because they'll do their darndest to show it in an unflattering light.
If I recall, alda was also the evil politico, National Security Advisor Alvin Jordan, in the who-done-it-madcap-thriller-wesley-snipes-action-flick "Murder at 1600".
Fred. Thompson.
It will go Republican, then they will get this bigoted idiot Republican President........
Me neither. I switch the channel the instant I realize what is on.
Hasn't Bartlett been in office now for something like ten years?
Yeah, I bet. Particularly if that Republican were Alan Alda.
>>> Yeah...and monkeys might start flying out of my butt.
I think the show is probably eager to throw in some scandal. You think Alda is going to play an honest Republican. My bet is he gets elected on the show and the next three years is full of scandals and such.
They've had 7 years of making their guys look wonderful, now they are going to take a few more to make conservatives look like evil and dangerous hypocrites.
Sure they will.
Be prepared to see them portray the new Republican administration as "Hitler's Nazi's: The Early Years".
Besides, I think this would be great for their ratings.
>>> 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
Worse than that, I bet he will be a closet queer, or at least cheating on his wife with other women, while they show him out giving speeches on family values. Mark my words ....
She'd probably be "President Lucy-something".
The Left Wing doesn't come in on my Dish.
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