Breaking up is a wretched thing to do. The act can take years, after much pain, suffering, hand-wringing, labored conversations and, quite often, the substitution of a younger, more comely alternative.
After four years and a mere nine episodes this season, plus the jettisoning of creator Aaron Sorkin, NBC’s “The West Wing” is, sadly, losing its appeal. It’s jowly, saggy and darker–literally, as if it were lit with 40-watt bulbs.
We’re thinking of voting it out of office, in favor of Fox’s delicious, delightful, California-sunny and Arnold-confident soap “The O.C.,” which airs at 8 p.m. Wednesdays, the same time NBC’s “West Wing” delivers gloom and doom on the Potomac.
That show now lacks its trademark smart banter. No series, except for Sorkin’s marvelous, short-lived “Sports Night,” did the walk-and-talk repartee better.
“The West Wing” is preachy and high-minded. Life is already preachy and high-minded. Besides, that’s what we have public television for.
Normally, I’m no quitter. Once started, books are finished. Movies end with the closing credits. And television series are dutifully followed until the finale–even faltering series that don’t deserve such loyalty, such as “Dallas” and “Melrose Place.”
But “West Wing” has fierce competition this season: “The O.C.” is a refreshing treat with television’s most eye-pleasing cast, beginning with the improbably beautiful Mischa Barton.
“The O.C.” is funny. It’s smart. It’s decidedly hip, directed by Doug Liman of “Swingers” and headed, in part, by McG of “Charlie’s Angels.”
It’s one of the few shows to deal with class issues. Plus, parents played by Peter Gallagher and Kelly Rowan, who engage in the kind of witty banter once heard on “The West Wing,” are as attractive and interesting as the teenagers. And there’s love everywhere. The show is swimming in love.
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Despite having almost no villains, “The O.C.” is a soap that works.
“The West Wing” began the season with a terrific episode in which Republican House Speaker John Goodman assumed presidential powers, then it went straight downhill. After a seemingly endless five-week hiatus–that’s right, five weeks–“The West Wing” will return Wednesday with an appearance by Goodman.
That night, “The O.C.” will return after the delightful Chrismukkah and New Year’s episodes and a three-week break.
A torn viewer could watch one and record the other, but that seems like cheating. There may be 50 ways to leave a lover, but a wilting TV show can be dumped with the flick of a clicker.
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale ([email protected]) and Victoria Rodriguez ([email protected])