While I'm on the subject...

Since I've been posting about the West Wing a bunch lately, I got to thinking about how it would have been a perfect show to have a spin off (a la Grey's Anatomy/Private Practice). I guess it was never tried because Aaron Sorkin was likely too looped on coke to be able to run two shows at once. [Rob Lowe did try to be a senator, I think, in a short-lived show called Lyon's Den, but it was no good -- and not a real West Wing spin-off anyway. I think it was on a different network, and I know it was on a different night with no tie in -- and different characters, etc., etc.]

Although the moment for a true spin-off is long dead, I have a modest proposal for the network execs at ABC. You see, network big wigs, you have already sort of created a little mini spin-off, what with Rob Lowe finally getting to play a senator and run for president and get good ratings. And you seem to have a relatively talented bunch of writers. So, I propose that you hire one more former West Wing-er to make the package more complete (and the homage more striking). My suggestion: woo Dulé Hill away from USA Network's Psych and bring him on as a young speech writer for Senator McDreamy. And maybe set him up as a solid, non-sleezy love interest for Emily VanCamp's Rebecca. (Emily has spooky incestuous chemistry with Dave Annable, who of course plays her half-brother... we need to nip that one in the bud, although apparently they are dating in real life.) Or you could go the other way with it and bring in Janel Maloney as, let's say, another attorney in Kevin's office (and have her fall for Justin). I don't know. But I think a little West Wing blood does a show good (witness, last night's S60.)

Two Redeeming Features

This is the second time this year that I have wanted to (even planned to) really, really love a show and been utterly disappointed. This week's episode of October Road had only two redeeming features: 1) the cat in heat that was meowing outside Nick's window turned out to be Hannah and Sam's cat -- that made me grin -- a relatively clever little detail; 2) the final montage and last scene had GNR's "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" playing behind it -- it was fun to hear something other than the brand new indie/small label rock that gets played (and then promo'd) on One Tree Hill and the O.C. (may it rest in peace).

Other than that, the show was utter disappointment. The writing is forced and poorly delivered. The plot is rather predictable and uninspired. I'll give it just one more episode to redeem itself ... and only because I loved Bryan Greenberg as Jake Jieglski on One Tree Hill.

Have I mentioned that you really ought to be watching Friday Night Lights? Oh, and Brothers and Sisters too.

Why I Love Sweeps

What a good week in TV! This is a post for true TV geeks like me.

Since last Sunday, there have been some big doings in my favorite fantasy worlds on the small screen. Some of the highlights:

• Emily Gilmore made me cry. The show has been such a disappointment this season, but this episode was perfect. Simply perfect.
  
• Meredith Grey went for an unexpected swim. Yikes. I love that this twist was never leaked on the spoiler sites. (I know, it would be simpler if I just didn't read the spoiler sites, but what fun would that be.)
  
• Lucas Scott has apparently written a novel. I want to read it. How cheesy is that?
• An earthquake has obliterated Orange County. Has any other show ended its run by literally blowing up the set? Oh, maybe 24, but I think they actually began the season by blowing up the set! With only two episodes left, Josh Schwartz and co. are going all out!
  
• After more than 12 weeks with the tension lurking below the surface, this week's episode was the first to really explore the racial issues in Dillon, Texas: a white assistant coach said way more than he should have to a crafty reporter and the black players walked off the field in disgust. It was a great way to get the conflict between Riggins and Smash to come to a head without either of them really doing anything wrong.
• There's a couch on Survivor!? Really?
• And finally, tonight, Kitty and the Senator kissed (and more)... and he's running for president. This show has really hit its stride with great characters and great writing. Plus, I love Rob Lowe. (And the line about him always liking Demi Moore was hilarious! Did anyone else catch that?)
  

Another Show to Watch: Brothers & Sisters

The folks over at TV Squad have been complaining loudly this season about the fact that all the new shows on TV have been serialized this year. And a bunch of them failed (e.g., the Nine, Daybreak, Jericho, etc.). The serialized shows are killing TV, they argue, because people can't commit to watching so many shows without missing an episode. You can tune in to CSI one week and then miss a couple weeks, then see it again and you're fine.

But if you take a look at the list of shows I watch over there on the lefthand side of this page, you'll quickly see that I don't subscribe to this theory of TV watching. I watch the shows I watch. I watch them every week. I am not a casual TV watcher. And I have TiVo, so I can still have a social life (not that I really do). I can watch my shows whenever I feel like it and never miss an episode. I watch TV because I love stories about characters that I am interested in. And if I'm interested in a character, why wouldn't I tune in every week to see what happens next?

With everything good on hiatus for about a month this holiday season, I decided to check out something I could stream from ABC. After suffering through some wholly unsatisfying nights of crappy, frequently freezing streams, I finally found some time to watch when everyone else wasn't on-line. And as I suspected, the serialized Brothers & Sisters is good enough to hold my interest for 43 minutes and has enough interesting characters to earn a season pass on my TiVo.

I realize that's not exactly a rave review, but I think this is the sort of show that will get better with time as the characters gel. It's like Everwood for a slightly older crowd -- no teenage characters at all -- which is sort of well... unique ... maybe even refreshing. And Sally Field is simply fantastic. Even Calista Flockhart is really good. I never watched Ally McBeal and was never drawn to Calista in general, but she and Sally have some of the best chemistry on TV at the moment. Who woulda thunk it?

And Rob Lowe starts a regular guest role next week... who could ask for anything more?