"West Wing" Realism

An all-new episode of NBC's "The West Wing" was on tonight, and as much as I enjoy the show, some critics say it's slipped because creator Aaron Sorkin has depended too much on stories from real life for screenplay ideas. I agree. Instead of using his imagination to create an alternative universe for the administration of President Josiah Bartlet to thrive in, Sorkin and his writers concoct episodes right out of the headlines. Injecting such realism into "The West Wing" is beginning to grate on me, because ever since it first premiered way back in 1999, the show's appeal mainly has been that it presents an alternate universe where we have the kind of President I wish we had. Instead we get replays of the Clinton administration and variations on the Dubya White House. Hopefully, the long sabbatical afforded to Sorkin by the holidays and the opportunity for fresh stories created by Rob Lowe's departure will shake things up a bit.

Meanwhile, a new political drama called "Mister Sterling" debuts on Friday, also on NBC. What I know about it is that it stars Hollywood child Josh Brolin and Broadway babe Audra McDonald, and it's about a politically independent appointee Senator who's an honest man. Finally - a break from reality! :-)