That Weird Show
That Weird Show
I continue to be told by friends and acquaintances that I need to get into the habit of watching The West Wing (1999), that I would really enjoy it, it’s so well written that it’s natural to form an addiction to it regardless of one’s party affiliation.
Huh.
Lookee what I found, clips and everything.
I’ll have to agree, it’s “well-written” in the sense that whoever wrote it, clearly enjoyed writing it. It’s “well-acted,” too, in the sense that the actors really enjoyed doing the acting. But how do you get addicted to this?
What a colossal amount of mental masturbation on the part of the people producing this strange show. It’s like, if I made a habit out of watching it, the producers should be digging into their pockets for some money they can pay to me.
I’m sure some will think the above is a critique against the show for failing to uphold my personal beliefs. Well, guess what. I just got done watching a clip of some Dr. Laura Schlessinger doppleganger being picked apart…by the designated picker-aparter, President Jehosephat whatzisname. And, ideologically, I was on the President’s side, never having had much sympathy for bible fundamentalists, or for Schlessinger for leading people astray with her degree in Physiology. The clip soundly addresses these two of her vices. But guess what? I didn’t find it satisfying, in any way, shape or form.
The problem seems to come up, when I actually think.
Does anyone think the real Dr. Laura would sit there like a quaking wallflower, wilting beneath the stern and oh-so-witty — and non-stop — lectures of President Jezebel whozeewhatzit? Does anyone seriously envision such a thing even for a moment? Yeah, sure…a lot of people would like to see it. But if you don’t really think it would go down that way, I fail to see what’s fun about it.
This show seeks to elect Democrats, something that apparently was easy to do before 1999, when it came out. Since that year, it doesn’t seem to be possible. Hmmm. You know, maybe it doesn’t matter whether I can bring myself to appreciate it or not. I’m like the hog farmer feeding the swill to the pigs. I don’t care what the pigs see in it, just keep the crap comin’.
Update 7/2/06: The West Wing may very well have the funniest thread on all of Jump The Shark, at least, a close second to Dukes of Hazzard. A few examples (to the implied question of “When, if ever, did this show ‘jump the shark'”)…
So far, so good. I rarely watch one-hour shows but this one has got great pace and a good balance of drama and humour to tie it together. I plan on riding this show out until it hits the ramp.
What a leftist, liberal, unfunny piece of shit this is!All anybody does is talk at a jackrabbit pace w/o saying anything noteworthy, while racing down halls or around a room. SHUT THE F**K UP and say SOMETHING!!!Also, even tho I’m a fan of Martin Sheen the actor, I dont want a real life left wing libby running my country-its bad enought we have two faced f**kin Clinton there, and god forbid we have red Gore taking over! Plus this show sucks a big one, as Kirstie Alley used to say about what she did to her husband! Of course, this is by the same assholes who gave us Sports Night, which sucks MAJOR wad! All this needs is Fat Rosie O’Donuts appearing, and since she agrees to all this damn propaganda shit on here, its only a matter of time til Masive JTS moment!
It’s a well written and well thought out show that brings out the ire in folks like the gentle person above. It’s real enough that the haters of righteousness are as offended by it as they are by real politicians who don’t share their prejudices.
To the previous poster, this is the same guy who posted the one before yours. I’m standing by my assessment of this show as “The LEFT Wing”, cause I still say this is a bunch of left wing, pinko liberal crap that Hollywood likes to shove down every Americans ass each and every week! Of course, your butt buddy Clinton loves this and its producers, so all must be fine with network TV! As Rob Lowe’s movie character,the young no#2 in Austin Powers, he should “Liquidate” this piece of SHIT ASAP! I’ve said my piece!-for now!
This show will likely NEVER jump the shark. Some episodes have been less than stellar, but in general, the writing, storylines and the ACTING cannot be beat. Rob Lowe has acquitted himself of everything bad anyone’s ever said about him; I’ve always been mad for Martin Sheen (ever since “The Execution of Private Slovik”); Allison Janney is wonderful; I could go on… The only character I’m not crazy about is Josh. He’s smart, but he sometimes comes off as smarmy and obnoxious and he treats his secretary like crap… This week’s episode that featured Stockard Channing was WONDERFUL. The last scene with her and Martin Sheen battling in the Oval Office was brilliant.
May I correct myself as to what my previous post said. I was NOT insulting Rob Lowe the movie actor-he’s done many fine roles, but I was merely praising his finest role, as the young Number 2 in Austin Powers 2-the Spy Who Shagged ME! Him, as that role, should have begged Dr.Evil to liquidate this piece of Shit for… one Million Dollars! And then I would have said “Yeah, Baby!!!”
To the insult slinging repeat poster above: Your confusion about your sexual preferences (and your transference to others about same) aside, this show is a wonderfully written drama that repeatedly takes unexpected and interesting twists in the name of both reality and good storytelling. Check your politics at the door and you might recognize this show for the class act that it is.
To the previous poster, I cant help not checking my politics at the door when I watch this show because..its a political show, DUMBASS! And its still a liberal, leftist piece of shit! Anytime the networks want to put on a funny, conservative point of view, Hollywood shuts it down faster than you can say Jack Robinson. But when an unfunny piece of shit lik this comes on, the liberals in H’wood praise the shit out of this boring assed shitfest! But enjoy it anyways, cause not many others are, as the ratings point out!
Previous poster: It’s responses and writings like yours that make what was once a fun web site about television into one of far too many places on the web where typed anonymous insults become far easier to come by than a rational defense of an idea. You don’t like the show? Don’t watch it. You want to insult me? Come over to my house and say what you have to without the cloak of anonymity. Anything else isn’t worth the time of day.
I like The West Wing. Even though I don’t agree with the politics I enjoy the stories. The guy who plays Josh does an outstanding job. I hate that bastard! Or should I say I love hating him. The only character I really dislike and would replace is Josh’s secretary. I don’t like the writing for her and I don’t like the actress. She talks too fast and just doesn’t add anything to the show. Can’t believe I actually like Rob Lowe’s acting now… whodathunkit!?
To the poster two before this-Yes, I’m the poster three before this! You dont like my rantings, DONT f**kin read them! You still got a problem, I will GLADLY come over to your house-just leave your email and address to the home site of this webpage, and if you live near me, I will DEf stop over for a little “Chat” I live in NJ, and if you’re far from me, you can send me a plane ticket, cause I’d LOVE to do some “Convincing” about this fuckin totally shitty show! Otherwise, respect my opinion of this crappy program. I have a right to voice my opinion, and if it differs from yours, then thats all the better-I’m sure you dont like quality, funny comedies that I like, and thats what makes the world a better place! So, unless you’ve learned to accept a varied view then yours, I guess we’ll be doing some dancing soon! Cant wait to meet you!
To the New Jersey Nothing; I respect you’re opinion only slightly more than I respect the person belching it, which is astounding when you try to quantify not at all. You’re just another inadequate person who prefers hating life to living it, so good luck on your meager existance.
To the poster who is insulting NJ-bug off! Just because someone has a different view of yours about this show, doesnt mean you have to insult him AND NJ! I dont like this show at all, and I do think its a tad leftist for me and my tastes, but I wouldnt threaten saomeone or insult his state! Why dont you “Bug off!”
And it just goes on and on like that. It seems these two guys, it should be obvious who I’m talking about, are authoring between them maybe 90% of the posts on the thread, in places. Oh, and in fair disclosure, neither one of them is me.
I do find it additionally amusing the idea that anyone would try to turn anyone else on to this show by saying “check your politics at the door.” What the hell could that mean? How do you check your politics at the door, when the people making the show are willing to do anything but?
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[…] This summer I had commented on that silly episode of The West Wing from October of 2000 when the show’s writer, Aaron Sorkin, decided to properly skewer Dr. Laura. He chose to do this the way he skewers everybody else, as I understand it: To position a ridiculous caricature of the chosen target opposite the blisteringly self-important Martin Sheen, and construct a highly improbable “dialog” between the two, most of which is worked over by Sheen himself, rushing through his pre-constructed lines at a jackrabbit pace. […]
- House of Eratosthenes | 12/22/2006 @ 05:25