Sunday, November 06, 2005

West Wing

I'm watching the first episode of West Wing that I've ever seen. It's the live, limited-commercial-interruption debate between the contenders. I'm not sure why I've never watched West Wing. I love politics and elections and I love to hate some presidents. The debate is great! It's exciting and on-point and I find myself wondering how many Americans are getting a read education right now. Finally learning what CAFTA is? For the first time understanding what universal health care really means? Thinking about policy issues they've never had time for before? I wonder how many more people are watching this debate than watched the presidential debates in 2004. I'd be interested in finding some stats on that after the show. In any case, I vote for Jimmy Smits. Viva la democracia.

5 comments:

kristina said...

that's "real education," not "read."

Erica said...

The West Wing is the greatest thing to have happened to television since Seinfeld. I can't believe that on Wednesday nights in college I was gathering with friends to watch Dawson's Creek instead. But everything happens for a reason--my devotion to Pacey and Joey and the gang meant that later as a more mature and politically aware person, I'd be able to watch President Bartlet and his gang in back-to-back episodes without commercials.

Sarah said...

You should get them from Netflix, and watch them in sequence. You will laugh and cry. And sometimes cry because TV reality is so much better than "real" reality, it really is the best thing to happen to television.
BARTLET 2008!

Sarah said...

"Commander" ["in-Chief"-- that Geena Davis as President] is not as clever or convoluted as "The West Wing," but it taps into the same appetite for a cleaned-up realpolitik - the government we wish we deserved.

NYTimes, November 8th, 2005

Lauren said...

In a moment of weakness, I purchased seasons 1-4 on Amazon this weekend. But they were on sale. It was like magic or something!