The TV Addict 

This Sunday, NBC plans to air the first episode of THE WEST WING, before they air the series finale. Let me say how dissappointing this is to a long time WW fan. I own the DVDs, I don’t need to see the pilot episode. I would have much preferred a retrospective hour featuring cast interviews, favourite moments and clips. Way to drop the ball NBC.

To balance the above negative, here’s some positive NBC news. They officially picked up Aaron Sorkin’s latest show, STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP. Sorkin truly is one of TV’s most gifted writers, and with an all-star cast lead by Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford, the show cannot be bad!

If you’re going through Aaron Sorkin withdrawl, check out the pilot of his ABC masterpiece SPORTS NIGHT. The show features a pre-Desperate Felicity Huffman and a pre-Six Feet Under Peter Krause. It was one of those incredible shows that deserved a far bigger audience. Check it out below:

Introducing WEST WING 90210 – a fictional look at good-looking white house staffers dealing with balancing work and love in the country’s capitol. Will CJ choose an offer from the President-elect over love? Will Will & Kate ever be happy (does anyone even care?) and will Toby escape a prison sentence by receiving a Presidential Pardon that he hasn’t even asked for? Find out next week in the final episode ever of THE WEST WING!

All joking aside, while last nights episode of THE WEST WING was enjoyable overall, it wasn’t what I was expecting to see for the second to last episode ever. Apparently, working in the most important office in the Country isn’t enough for our leading men and woman – they have to be ‘romantically happy’. Thus, by the end of the series, our leading cast will all end off in ‘happy relationships’, which really isn’t a problem for me, except for the fact that for the entire series, the plots were 90% focused on the work side of the West Wing, rather then the character’s personal lives.

That said, it was really nice to see CJ choose love and start to mend her friendship with Toby. I guess I’m just a sucker for a happy ending. It’s going to be hard to say goodbye to the show next week.

Okay, this will no doubt ‘out’ me as a massive geek (as if having a TV blog wasn’t nerdy enough!), but as Mrs. Santos was meeting her White House staff, who wasn’t humming in their heads… ‘Cecille will pick out your clothes… your bath is drawn by Mrs. Grier’. If that reference has gone over your head, your childhood lacked one of the greatest American movies ever. Moving on, last night’s WEST WING was another fantastic episode. It really was fascinating to see how Vinick was dealing with essentially becoming a footnote in American history. The writers have given us some nice insight into what it may have been like for Gore, Kerry or the countless losers of American Politics. Throughout his entire run, Alan Alda has portrayed Vinick with class and dignity. He definitely would have made a fantastic President, has the writers decided to go in that direction. Only two episode remain. It’s going to be hard to say goodbye. Let me close with this. I firmly believe that the West Wing will be revitalized in a few years with a new cast of characters. You heard it here first, WEST WING: THE NEXT GENERATION – Coming Fall 08!

I am enjoying the WEST WING way too much! Literally, after each scene in last night’s episode, I’m yelling things at my TV. DONNA’S ULTIMATUM (you go girl!), SAM’S BACK! I LOVE LOU! THE FIRST LADY OFFERING DONNA CHIEF OF STAFF! SANTOS/BARTLETT WORKING TOGETHER! (saw that coming a mile away by the way!) The show is firing on all cylinders, and once again I find myself wishing the show would continue. How great would it be to see all these idealistic young (naivé) men and women try and navigate the shark infestested waters of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? (Josh’s assistant better get a job in the West Wing). With only three episodes left, it’s going to be really hard to say goodbye.

I was prepared for tears. I had the kleenex ready. I knew what I was in for. A funeral, never fun to watch – even a televised one. But let me say this, I didn’t exect to be watching this evening’s WEST WING with a huge smile on my face. I almost felt guilty. All of my favourites were back. Danny Concannon, Amy Gardner (the unbelievably sexy Mary Louise Parker), Ainsley Hayes (Emily Proctor taking a break from CSI), Zoe, Joey Lucas, Leo’s daughter (I’m blanking on the name) and all of the great White House secretaries. It was so nice to see everyone back together, it was almost a reunion special, except for the fact that every once in a while I had to remember that I was supposed to be sad. Not to beat a dead horse, but the episode really was a celebration of Leo’s life – Leo would have had it no other way.

From a critical perspective, it has been really interesting to see how the show’s writers have dealt with John Spencer’s death. I think they’ve handled John Spencer’s tragic passing with dignity and class. I do often wonder though, how would the show have ended if Leo hadn’t died?

One other WEST WING tidbit, I’m loving what I’m coining ‘Pennsylvania Avenue 20500′ CJ and Danny, Josh and Donna, Will and NSA chick. It’s so nice to see everyone ending off on a happy note!

[Spoiler Alert] If you TiVo’d or PVR’d last night’s WEST WING, and actually don’t know how it ends, stop reading now! Seriously, you really can’t guess who won?

An interesting tidbit from the NY Times. They report that a Matt Santos’ win was not 100% until John Spencer died. Reports the New York Times:

After Mr. Spencer died, executive producer Lawrence O’Donnell said in a recent interview, he and his colleagues began to confront a creative dilemma: would viewers be saddened to see Mr. Smits’s character lose both his running mate and the election? The writers decided that such an outcome would prove too lopsided.

You may remember last year that Alan Alda suggested the election be put up for an online vote. “Why leave it up to a couple Hollywood writers?” he asked.

Personally, while I believe Alan Alda and the West Wing writers did a great job in portraying both sides, I was always rooting for the Santos Campaign. If only for Josh, Leo, Donna, Lou and the rest of our Democratic gang. Are you happy with our ‘new’ President?

I just finished watching last night’s WEST WING. Simply put, the episode was incredible. From start to finish, I was riveted. The show is winding down so well that it’s such a shame it’s ending. A few observations:

1) I’m loving all the young interns – bucking for jobs in the White House. Why not WEST WING: THE NEXT GENERATION? Why does the show have to be cancelled?

2) Josh & Lou are great together, i smell spinoff!

3) How bad do I feel for CJ, she’s reached the pinnacle of her career (assuming she doesn’t run for President), what’s next for her? How do you go from Chief of Staff to a meaningless CEO?

4) Nice to see the writers haven’t forgotten about Charlie, he had more lines this episode then he has had the entire season.

5) How dare the writers waste the valuable few episodes we have left on supporting players Will and NSA chick who’s name I have fogotten – we really don’t care about them!

6) I’m a Josh & Donna shipper!

7) The ending was so sad. I’m dreading next week’s episode. Leo McGarry will be missed.

I wonder if Sam will be back to step up to the Vice Presidency?

Sunday night used to be my favorite night of TV. There was ALIAS, The Simpsons, Desperate Housewives (in it’s glorious first season) and so much more. Yet lately I have found that Sundays have been so boring I’ve almost turned to reading (gasp!) – No Alias, No West Wing, unwatchable episodes of Desperate Housewives and endless annoying specials (Sscars, Superbowl, I’m a TV fanatic, who cares about football?!)

Fast forward to March 12 (tonight!). What a great night of TV. It started off with the WEST WING. I’m so happy that it’s back, while at the same time I’m so sad, as I know there are very few episodes left. I LOVED SEEING JOSH AND DONNA FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGE their LOVE FOR EACHOTHER. The interesting thing is that the writers would have never allowed J & D to hook up except for the fact the series is ending. I’d also like to point out that whenever John Spencer is on the screen, I am sad. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but John Spencer is one of three celebs that I’m actually sad to have seen die (along with John Ritter and Phil Hartman).

“It’s time we faced reality, we’re bad people who don’t deserve to be parents.” I don’t think I’ve enjoyed an episode of Desperate Housewives this much since last season. Gabriel and Carlos were so FUNNY trying to get a baby. I was also intrigued (for once) with the Paul/Zac/Mike storyline. Susan’s story was dumb as usual, but the nurse was pretty funny!

Grey’s Anatomy, I LOVE IT. But to be honest, I just finished watching the season 1 DVD’s and I can’t watch season 2 until I’ve seen it in order. Hopefully it will be up on iTunes soon!

Finally there’s BIG LOVE. I PVR’d (or TIVO’d) it and will watch it tomorrow. There is only so much TV I can watch in one night. My eyes are pretty much going to burst out of their sockets. So that’s all for now, and to all a goodnight.

It’s Official, or at least according to tvguide.com and ew.com! Rob Lowe, the West Wing’s Sam Seaborn is returning to WW for the series finale. While WW has definitely improved since the introduction of the election storyline, the show has never been the same since Rob Lowe (and Aaron Sorkin) left the series a few years back. I’ll miss the weekly drama of the West Wing, but look forward to the show going out with a bang! Also joining the show for the finale are fan favourites: Mary-Louise Parker, Anna Deavere Smith, Emily Procter, Marlee Matlin, Gary Cole, Tim Matheson, Timothy Busfield and Annabeth Gish.