Blast from the Past: Presidential TV Shows!

It's President's Day, and I have a surprise day off from work. So, woohoo, right? But what am I going to do for Blast from the Past this week? And even though I'm off from my regular job, I had quite a bit of weekend part-time work, so I'm brain fried. But how about this? How many TV Shows were there about the President of the United States, and/or the White House? Surprisingly, quite a few. . .


1. The West Wing (1999-2006) - Obviously, this is (so far) the most successful of the bunch. It was supposed to be just about the President's staff, but Martin Sheen was so good at being Josiah "Jed" Bartlett, he became an integral part of the show.

2. Hail to the Chief  (1985) - An attempt to do a sitcom about the first female president (Patty Duke) failed, but maybe Hillary Clinton can pull it off for real in 2016?



3. Mr. President (1987-1988) - Even with the gravitas of George C. Scott as the president, a comedy about the White House just didn't seem to take. It featured Madeline Kahn though, and for that it's worth remembering.

4. The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer (1998) - A comedy about the Lincoln White House? Yes, that happened, with Chi McBride as the president's valet, and Dann Florek as Abraham Lincoln.



5. Commander in Chief (2005-2006) - Another series, this time a drama, about the first woman president, with Geena Davis. A good show, with a West Wing vibe about it, but it didn't work.

6. That's My Bush! (2001) - A comedy about George W. Bush sounds like a match made in heaven, particularly with South Park's Trey Parker & Matt Stone at the helm. But, it was very early in Bush's run (there would be much more fodder later), and if it had taken off, they would have had to deal with September 11 and the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. A little heavy, don't you think? Featured Timothy Bottoms as Dubya.

It's worth pointing out that there are currently three shows about the executive branch on television at the moment, 1600 Penn with Bill Pullman as prez, The First Family with Christopher B. Duncan, and Veep with Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Vice President. But those shows are not a Blast from the Past, and frankly, this week's edition was laborious and time consuming. So, though there may be more examples of White House-centric television, we're going to have to leave at at six for now!

Happy Monday and happy President's Day!

President Bartlett Stumps for President Obama

As a huge fan of both The West Wing and Martin Sheen, I was happy to see this.

In Case You Missed It: President Bartlett's Advice to President Obama

A long time ago, when Rahm Emanuel was still working for President Obama, I wrote a post saying that Emanuel should be fired, and Aaron Sorkin hired in his place. If you ever watched The West Wing or The American President, you'll know why I say that. Now, maybe you can't compare fictional White Houses to the real one. But what if one of the characters from the fictional TV White House could converse with the real Obama? What might Obama learn? 

The article is immensely well written, and I of course read the Bartlett parts in Martin Sheen's voice. How could you not?

[Excerpt]

Two Presidents, Smoking and Scheming

The lights from the presidential motorcade illuminate a New Hampshire farmhouse at night in the sprawling New England landscape. JED BARTLET steps out onto his porch as the motorcade slows to a stop.

BARTLET (calling out) Don’t even get out of the car!

BARACK OBAMA (opening the door of his limo) Five minutes, that’s all I want.

BARTLET Were you sleepy?

OBAMA Jed —

BARTLET Was that the problem? Had you just taken allergy medication? General anesthesia?. . .

Read the rest (it's terrific), here: New York Times

Hat tip to Zaki's Corner for the reminder to post this.

In Case You Missed It: The Political Ad by The West Wing Cast

Bridget Mary McCormack is running for Supreme Court Justice in the state of Michigan. We wouldn't know about that, except that her sister was an actress on The West Wing, who got together with much of that cast (including Martin Sheen!), and filmed an ad for her. Such a thing could come off cheap, tacky and embarrassingly. . .except for the fact that it is brilliant! I now am sad that I bailed on TWW after season five or so. Maybe I need to go watch them on Netflix. If you ever liked the show, watch the ad. And maybe you should also look into the non-partisan part of the ballot. . .

Kathryn Joosten Dead at 72

So sad. Image from source.

Oh, this one is sad for me. I fell in love with Kathryn Joosten when she played Mrs. Landingham on The West Wing. Though she was only on for a couple of years, she made an indelible impression as the president's assistant. After they wrote her off, she landed on her feet on Desperate Housewives as the irascible old lady down the street. A bit part became a central character, whose death scene was the center of the finale of the 8-season series. Joosten may not have become an actress until her forties, but she made a lot of people happy later in life. Like I said in the Richard Dawson installment, I'm not religious. . .but if there is anything to "life after death?" I hope Kathryn Joosten has a very happy one.

[Excerpt]

'Housewives' actress Kathryn Joosten dies

Kathryn Joosten, a character actress best known as the crotchety, yet loveable, Karen McCluskey on "Desperate Housewives" and the president's secretary on "The West Wing," has died. She was 72. . .

Read more at: The Hour 

Lawrence O'Donnell's Last Word on Keith Olbermann's Departure

Having inherited Countdown with Keith Olbermann's time slot after eight years, Lawrence O'Donnell, host of (the now awkwardly named) The Last Word was obligated to say something. I'd be shocked if there weren't restrictions on exactly how much he could say, but what he said was pretty great. I liked The West Wing analogy.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Aaron Sorkin Takes on Sarah Palin

Image from Screen Crave

Here's another quickie post while I manage my recovery. I love Aaron Sorkin's writing, and continue to be impressed by the man himself. I suggested here on the blog that President Obama ditch some of his "insider" advisers, and bring on Sorkin, as a speech writer if nothing else.

[Excerpt]

In Her Defense, I'm Sure the Moose Had It Coming



"Unless you've never worn leather shoes, sat upon a leather chair or eaten meat, save your condemnation."



You're right, Sarah, we'll all just go f*ck ourselves now.

The snotty quote was posted by Sarah Palin on (like all the great frontier women who've come before her) her Facebook page to respond to the criticism she knew and hoped would be coming after she hunted, killed and carved up a Caribou during a segment of her truly awful reality show, Sarah Palin's Alaska, broadcast on The-Now-Hilariously-Titled Learning Channel. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Rachel Maddow Interviews Alaska's Joe Miller

Score one for Rachel Maddow, considering that after her last interview with a Republican (Oregon's Art Robinson) didn't go so well. I figured it would be a looong time before she got another chance. This one plays like a scene from The West Wing, with Rachel interviewing Miller while they walk. He's probably just trying to get away from her, which he ultimately does. But I don't think anyone could say that she didn't give a fair interview.

Nightline Profiles Aaron Sorkin

I've said in the past that the White House should hire Aaron Sorkin as--if nothing else--a speech writer for President Barack Obama.  Obama needs a "President Andrew Shepherd" or "President Jed Bartlett" moment now more than ever. ABC's Nightline ran a profile of Sorkin on the eve of his Facebook movie, The Social Network's release.  In it, I'm more convinced than ever that Democrats should tap this man's brain.  His comments on Sarah Palin, and the rest of the GOP clown car are spot on.

Does President Obama Have His Mojo Back?

President Obama gave a barn burner of a speech on Wednesday, and it's about time.  Where has this guy been?  To paraphrase The West Wing, it's long past time to "let Obama be Obama."  Oh, and maybe to hire Aaron Sorkin?  Just sayin'. . .

My Idea: Fire Rahm Emmanuel, Hire Aaron Sorkin!

Image from source, Wikipedia

In his never-ending quest to be liked by everybody, President Barack Obama is instead turning both conservatives (who have been lock-stepping against him since day one) and liberals against him. Conservatives will oppose Obama no matter what he does, which should be clear to the man by now. Liberals are pissed because Obama just won't show enough oomph, won't fight for what he promised, and is too willing to compromise away liberal ideals in his futile attempt to get some sort of nominal "bipartisanship." It just ain't gonna happen.

Given that this is only Obama's first year of his first term, the damage isn't undoable. But it will be if something doesn't happen fast. My idea? Fire White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel--the man many progressives cite for some of the bizarre actions of the White House--and replace him with Aaron Sorkin. Yes, the creator and writer of The West Wing and the popular movie, An American President. I know he had a little "issue" with some illicit drugs (mushrooms and the like), but if he can write a speech like this for Obama? Holy smoke. That is what we need as a country, a Sorkin moment. At least hire the guy for some kick-ass speeches.

Now, I'm not talking specifically about the content of "President Shepherd"'s speech, more of the tone and tenor of it, the forcefulness. Even I thought the bit about guns was over the top. But if Obama returned to the tone of his campaign, if he figgin' laid down the law, said he was scrapping the current bill, demanding one that is "Medicare for everyone," through reconciliation. . .and demanded no less. Well, then we'd really have something.

Obama Gets Advice from The West Wing's Jed Bartlet

Image from source, Wikipedia

The West Wing was, at least in its first five seasons or so, one of my favorite TV shows. It depicted an idyllic world, where the President of the United States (POTUS, as they taught us), was competent, thoughtful, and really believed in putting the people first. Since it started in 1999, when President Clinton was still President, it only presented a minor departure from reality.

But the difference between the fictional President Jed Bartlet (played wonderfully by Martin Sheen), and the real life President George W. Bush (played by an overgrown frat boy), was extreme to say the least. Bartlet was a Democrat, but partisan squabbles were very low on the show's radar. The President and his staff were always at great pains to do what was right by America. The same couldn't be said for W.

Maureen Dowd wrote a column this weekend, depicting a hypothetical discussion between Barack Obama and Jed Bartlet. It's funny, and what's more, rings true. Not true only in the sense of today's political reality, mind you. It rings true to the character Aaron Sorkin created in Bartlet. I don't know how much of this column is Dowd, and how much is Sorkin, but I could actually see and hear Martin Sheen in my head. Great writing. Enjoy.

[Excerpt]

Aaron Sorkin Conjures a Meeting of Obama and Bartlet

BARTLET: Senator.

OBAMA: Mr. President.

BARTLET: You seem startled.

OBAMA: I didn’t expect you to answer the door yourself.

BARTLET: I didn’t expect you to be getting beat by John McCain and a Lancôme rep who thinks “The Flintstones” was based on a true story, so let’s call it even. . .

Read more at: New York Times