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Reviewed by Anonymous November 3, 1999
With each episode, the West Wing becomes more and more a former Clinton staffer's television dream. Who would have thought we'd be witness to the glamorization of the mundane day-to-day work of the White House -- with no sex, scandal, or subpoenas to speak of? Who would have expected this weird weekly offering from Hollywood - with the writers eloquently championing the core democratic issues for which those of us actually in the White House were fighting? First they were promoting the protection of refugees; then gun control; and now this week they are touting the use of sampling in the US census! Not only that, but they are advocating a policy of saving social security over the GOP strategy of using the budget surplus for tax credits. West Wing is putting out there for debate a whole host of issues that never captured the public imagination. Ironically, Hollywood is doing a better job of it than any policy consultant. Frankly, I was impressed with the timeliness of the census issue and the surplus discussion. It proves the producers are doing their homework, and in doing so, gives the show a legitimacy it seemed to lack at first. Being this topical and current is a bit problematic, however, as absolute accuracy becomes crucial. The writers did a good job this week of presenting these complex issues fairly well, but by setting out to explain the more arcane, complicated political issues, the show sets itself up to interpret things unfairly or incorrectly in the future. So long as they stuck to the more obvious issues, they couldn't be accused of propagandizing. But hey, I confess. I'm all for the attempt; particularly if it helps the Democrats take back control of the House of Representatives and sends Gore or Bradley to the big house. Of course as a counterpoint to the realistic policy angle of the show, we are constantly subjected to an inaccurate, nostalgically rosy picture of a West Wing that not only works together, but plays together, dines on presidential chili together, and now chugs beer together in a Georgetown bar. If only . . . . The one other utterly ridiculous aspect of the show only turned more absurd this week. The name of the show should be changed to: "The West Wing: A Party of Five." The way in which every single policy matter --from the largest to the most trivial -- is handled by the same four staffers each week is laughable. I recognize the constraints of producing a television show and maintaining the continuity of its characters, but other shows -- E.R. for example -- do a great job of at least giving the viewer glimpses of new faces and the constant impression of other characters doing some of the key work. The notion that Mandy -- the DNC-paid media consultant - would be negotiating with members of Congress in the Roosevelt Room on appropriations is absolutely inane. A more harmless piece of absurdity is the social aspect of the show's West Wing culture. A few weeks ago we saw the Papa Walton President (Martin Sheen) cooking chili for his inner circle of advisors/pals. This week had Josh, the Deputy Chief of Staff, C.J. the Press Secretary, and Sam the Deputy Press Secretary taking the President's daughter, Leo's daughter and the presidential aide, Charlie, out for beers. Enough already with the tight-knit group. I'm not saying that the real West Wing isn't a social place. It is. But to put it very simply: Chelsea has her own set of friends. And to put it even more simply: that's fortunate for her. |
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