Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Command Performance



Sadly, tonight the final episode of Commander in Chief will screen on Channel Seven.

Not only is it the final episode of the first season, but it's also the final episode ever - because the show hasn't been renewed in the US.




This is a shame, because despite the intense at at times insipid "Americanness" of the show (but what else would you expect, given the subject matter?), it was quite well done and compelling viewing. Wifey and I have really enjoyed it, even though Seven nearly lost us by yanking it off our screens earlier in the year and then bringing it back without fanfare (thank the Lord for TV Week!).


Geena Davis plays idealistic and likeable
President of the United States, Mackenzie "Mac" Allen.


Geena Davis is excellent as America's first female President, and her nemesis in the world of politics, Speak of the House (and third in line to the Presidency after the Vice President), as played exceptionally well by Donald Sutherland, tries every trick in the book - and a few he comes up with on his own - to defeat Davis' character and make his path clear to the top job.


Donald Sutherland plays villainous
Speaker of the House, Nathan Templeton.


In many ways it's a feminist's take on American politics, but that didn't diminish the show's level of enjoyment for me at all.

If you're in any way a fan of the show, don't miss the last episode tonight. And if you're not ... well, it's probably a little late to be getting into it now. But one thing's for sure: Sometimes American TV networks are dumb. Or maybe it's the US viewing audiences who don't give the good quality shows a chance. Look at their track record: Arrested Development. Angel. Joey. (Okay, I'm kidding about Joey - but the others are real!)

How can shows like According to Jim, Two and a Half Men and My Wife and Kids get made (and constantly renewed), when such high-quality programming is dragged out behind the shed and shot? It's almost criminal.


Left to right: The shy gay guy (and he's not even one
of the many lead characters!), the fiery but supportive
First Lady/Gentleman, Mr President in a dress, the evil villain,
the brilliant black guy, and the timid-but-blossoming hot babe.


We're going to miss Commander in Chief. It was fun while it lasted, and every single person in the cast (with the possible exception of the youngest daughter) was stand-out brilliant. I hope to see them all again.


.

3 Comments:

At Thursday, November 30, 2006 9:45:00 PM, Blogger magical_m said...

At least it finished with a good ep.

And I agree with you about crap shows being kept on... talk me through My Name Is Earl? I can't watch it... its hideous.

 
At Thursday, November 30, 2006 11:12:00 PM, Blogger BEVIS said...

That's true - it certainly did.

I especially liked the way they set up the 'traitorous' Dickie going over to Templeton's camp for season two. It was a great move and I wish we could've seen how it would've unfolded in the second season.

Oh well.

(Although, I have to admit ... even though I don't watch it, the occasional bits I've seen of My Name Is Earl have made me laugh - sorry!)

 
At Sunday, December 03, 2006 4:12:00 PM, Blogger Riss said...

Logan watches Earl and I do recommend giving it a go. It's almost the American version of Kath and Kim - they have a very simplistic view of the world (especially the younger brother) and they have their own way of solving the problems that crop up.

Logan also loves the fact that in every photograph taken (except the one in the Green Guide the other week), Earl has his eyes closed - even on his driving permit. There's also a great cameo cast and the kid who plays Earl when he was younger is uncannily like his grown-up self.

(How I Met Your Mother is on another, entirely bland, plane of existence but there are a few little gems from the supporting ensemble as well.)

 

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