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player ready...“The West Wing” is enjoying a ratings renaissance this season, at least partly because of Jimmy Smits, who plays good-guy Democratic presidential contender Matt Santos. The sixth season finale airs Wednesday night and is expected to attract a huge crowd.
A poll conducted by the real-life political pollsters Zogby International found that Santos of Houston holds a 16-point lead over his Republican rival from California, played by Alan Alda.
“I’m very flattered by that. But considering the polls in the recent elections, I only put so much credence in them,” says Smits, 49, who recently spoke with a group of reporters about his fake presidential buzz.
Let’s face it: He would never spill the beans before the finale anyway, but Smits insists he really doesn’t know who’s going to win the election. Wednesday’s finale will find the three Democratic contenders duking it out at the convention, while the Republican nominee enjoys peace and quiet.
According to Smits, all the main characters, including Martin Sheen’s President Bartlet and Democratic contenders Bob Russell (Gary Cole) and John Hoynes (Tim Matheson) will be back next season “in some form or another.”
Smits, a Democrat who spoke at the 2000 convention and who has long been active in Latino affairs, says he’s proud to be on a show about politics and patriotism.
“It’s a show that says something about what’s going on in the world,” says Smits, a classically trained actor with a master’s degree from Cornell University. “It’s a civics lesson, no doubt.”
Smits has a history of leaving successful series–namely “L.A. Law” and “NYPD Blue”–at the peak of their popularity. But he is committed to “The West Wing” for at least another year.
Smits hopes the political debates on the show continue long after the election is over.
“I like hearing strong voices on both sides of the aisle,” he says. “Alan Alda plays an appealing character with a strong Republican voice. I don’t need to go into a whole horn thing with my character. I have my views, and I support candidates, but on the show, I just want to let the character speak for himself.”
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale ([email protected]) and Kris Karnopp ([email protected])