If there’s one thing that Ben Silverman has taught us during his first season as NBC President, it’s that he isn’t one for re-inventing the wheel. KNIGHT RIDER! AMERICAN GLADIATORS! ‘CELEBRITY’ APPRENTICE! Who says television networks need to air original content?
Yet rather than continue to kick a guy when he’s down. This TV Addict is going to take the high road and offer to lend a hand as we inch closer and closer to the launch of the new fall season.
Mr. Silverman, how would you like a show with a built in audience of desirable demographics, a proven concept, a familiar brand and a cast that the public is already in love with?
Now I know what you’re thinking. Madison Avenue buzz words already fooled you once [see: the disastrous ratings of myspace darling QUARTERLIFE]. But trust me. This idea is a winner.
As you’re undoubtedly well aware, American is in middle of quite possibly the most captivating race to the White House in its history. People of all ages have been swept up in Hillary vs. Obama fever making politics once again ‘cool’.
With that in mind, this TV Addict would like to propose that it’s time to bring back THE WEST WING: The Santos Years, or The Santos Administration. I’ll leave it up to your marketing wizards to figure out what title sells.
Not only will a Matthew Santos Presidency resonate with a country that seems ready for change. The final few episodes of THE WEST WING’s fantastic seventh season offered up the ideal set-up for a newly re-energized White House.
Virtually the entire Santos administration [with the exception of Jeneane Garofalo who will be busy protecting American interests from terrorists over on 24] including Jimmy Smits, Bradley Whitford, Teri Polo and Janel Moloney are available. Add in a few good-looking (yes, this is still NBC) and idealistic young White House staffers and the story-lines practically write themselves. Or if they don’t, the TV Addict can be reached here.
So Ben [can I call you Ben?], before you consider re-imagining the classic NBC series MANIMAL, why not take a moment, think about THE WEST WING: THE NEXT GENERATION and utter three simple words. “Yes we can.” 