Only 7 weeks to enjoy those 7 boxed sets?
@asfarasiknow (3340)
Bournemouth, England
December 1, 2016 4:55pm CST
The US Presidential inauguration is, as always, on 20 January and, even though I live in the UK, it will have an effect on me.
You see, I consider 'The West Wing' to be one of the finest TV series ever made. Gripping, moving, funny, strong (but often flawed) characters, great writing and acting. I have all 7 series on DVD.
But, whether you love or hate Donald Trump, you have to admit that he's about as far removed from the fictional President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet as any leader could be.
Which means I only have just over 7 weeks to enjoy these wonderful programmes before they lose all credibility.
Please note: responses and comments do not have to be in the form of walk-and-talk (West Wing viewers will know what I mean...)
8 people like this
6 responses
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
3 Dec 16
I've honestly never watched it, but have no idea why.
2 people like this
@asfarasiknow (3340)
• Bournemouth, England
3 Dec 16
I'd recommend it. I never watched it while it was on but then a newspaper gave away a free DVD of the first episode and that got me hooked.What's fascinating is how known details of various Presidents' lives are written into Bartlet's story: FDR, Kennedy and Reagan to name a few.
1 person likes this
@asfarasiknow (3340)
• Bournemouth, England
3 Dec 16
@teamfreak16 It got perhaps slighty soapy after about the third series when Aaron Sorkin took more of a back seat due to, er, personal issues, but nevertheless maintained a really high standard.
I've never watched the equally-acclaimed Breaking Bad to make a comparison.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
3 Dec 16
@asfarasiknow - I've heard nothing but good things about it.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
4 Dec 16
The West Wing was very much written to echo real world politics in its own time-period, including 9/11 - it still has much to say on US politics now over a decade later
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
5 Dec 16
@asfarasiknow Trump is unlikly to show any finesse or skill at all - he'll just bully his way to whatever he wants
1 person likes this
@asfarasiknow (3340)
• Bournemouth, England
5 Dec 16
@arthurchappell All trust is now in those checks and balances
1 person likes this
@asfarasiknow (3340)
• Bournemouth, England
4 Dec 16
I was thinking more about the character of the President himself. I can't see Trump having many Bartlet-type qualities. And any Leo, CJ, Josh or Toby-like advisors (if that party had any) probably resigned when they saw who their party selected.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
17 Dec 16
It is like a comedy show here for some. Each day is a new laugh. Although, some just shake their heads at what we see in the news.
1 person likes this
@asfarasiknow (3340)
• Bournemouth, England
4 Dec 16
Very high quality. If you like the first episode then you'll probably get hooked on it. The dialogue is very fast and episodes repay repeated viewing - there's always something you missed the first time around.
@asfarasiknow (3340)
• Bournemouth, England
1 Dec 16
Another good series - although the 1990 BBC version had a number of plot differences from.the audiobook.
1 person likes this
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
1 Dec 16
@asfarasiknow Never thought about getting the audiobook version, that's an idea - depending on the narrator.
1 person likes this
@asfarasiknow (3340)
• Bournemouth, England
1 Dec 16
@pgntwo It was so long ago when I listened to it that I had to look it up. It was the late Paul Eddington - and I managed to listen to the whole thing without once thinking of Jim Hacker, a testament to his versatility.
1 person likes this
@Martyn20 (3)
• Burgess Hill, England
6 Dec 16
Once I had got over the shock of election night I fell into somewhat of a dark place, just very, sad and disolutioned with the world and what America had just done to it.
Like you I sought refuge inside 'The West Wing', without Josh, Donna, Toby and Sam I am not sure I would have got through.
Sadly though Bartlet is such a good President it just makes the thought of Trump standing on the Capital steps on the 20th January even more unbelievable and terrifying, no way does he belong there or anywhere near.
@asfarasiknow (3340)
• Bournemouth, England
8 Dec 16
I know. I live thousands of miles away but I was surprised at just how depressing I found that result.
