“The West Wing” last night had some zing to it that I haven’t felt in a long time. My love for Allison Janney (C.J.) continues unabated. And I agreed with John when he said that Bradley Whitford (Josh) acts drunk in every one of his scenes. I miss Ainsley Hayes, and Christian Slater is a poor substitute as a conservative foil. But overall, I think the show is back in the groove.
My pop culture prediction, as if it mattered or anyone cared, is that the campaign manager in Orange County, Will Bailey, will replace Sam as the White House speechwriter after Sam pulls out his once-in-a-lifetime victory. The new guy seems to have a nice low-key manner, to replace Rob Lowe’s odd smugness. The audience wins.
And you know he’s bringing Winnie Cooper with him. Awww Yeeeah. Did I hear that she and Will are siblings, or did my creative hearing make that up? How will Winnie make time for acting while perfecting mathematical theorems and such?
Here’s my prediction: in four years when the POTUS can’t run again, up steps Congressman Seaborn. Waddayathink?
Also, I think that Christian Slater will overcome *his* odd smugness and be a worthy advisary. With Donna’s help, of course.[Insert 70’s porno music here.]
The best thing about Will Bailey is that his actor (who’s name escapes my mind) was also on Aaron Sorkin’s glorious (though ill-fated) Sports Night, as Jeremy.. (Sorkin has used a number of the same actors from Sports Night to fill in various West Wing roles and I’m psyched every time).
It’s a lot like the war in Iraq: not if it’ll happen, but when.
My problem with Will Bailey actor from Sports Night and also WW is that he spits out the witty lines a mile a minute and it just ends up not being very believable. It’s that whole Sorkin dialogue problem that just doesn’t quite come off right at times. Sports Night suffered from it… too busy being cute and witty to be real.
I don’t see it as a problem, television and movies are hyperfocused looks at the world most of the time, I’d rather have every character be articulate and witty than have the cheesy punchlines of 98% of the shows around.
bradley whitford is a friend of doodles, she went to high school with him