NBC’s “The West Wing” has been canceled.
That means no more quality drama or quick-witted banter.
No more semi-realistic display of the goings-on in the realm of the American president.
Friends have opined that they don’t watch “The West Wing” because of its liberal leanings.
It enrages them to sit and see left-wing causes proffered as “the right thing to do.”
It’s even been suggested that most people don’t read the newspaper or watch Fox News and learn what they know about politics from shows such as this.
I don’t disagree.
The show’s liberal agenda conflicts with my conservative philosophy, too.
But that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy quality television, and that I should throw my hands up in disgust because the guy playing the president on TV proposes a national healthcare system or because Republicans are portrayed as evil.
I appreciate “The West Wing” for its snappy exchanges and realistic depiction of what it might be like on the inside; that’s rare in network television.
Besides, I enjoy, as an added bonus, getting the benefit of a peek into the minds of liberal Hollywood writers and producers.
Adding insult to injury, “The West Wing” got cancelled while ABC’s “Commander in Chief”,by contrast, one of the most unrealistic and uninspiring productions on the prime time schedule,still clings to life.
In fact, this new show is probably a big part of why “The West Wing” is being cancelled.
People watch what’s new and novel and not necessarily what’s good or authentic.
It is not that “Commander in Chief” has a woman at the helm that makes it unrealistic. It’s the fact that she was the Independent vice president to a Republican president. It’s the fact that she selects an Arab Street-sympathizing Democrat as her vice president.
The show talks down to viewers as if they don’t know China is run by an oppressive communist regime.
If it survives to a second season, I still will watch “Commander in Chief” because I can’t get enough D.C. drama.
But I will be rolling my eyes,not only at the liberal agenda, but at the crappy acting and dialogue.
Probolsky is president of Probolsky Research and contributes to the flashreport.org.
