My West Wing predictions (not a spoiler, cause I'm guessing)

[Bucky]

The big question West Wing fans should be wondering is who's gonna win in the 2005 (or is it 2006?) presidential election between Jimmy Smits and Alan Alda. Most people think it's gonna be Smits--he's a much better actor than Alda and appeals to a younger audience demographic. Plus there's the general tendency of TV shows to favor both the underdog (as Smits is being protrayed) and the liberal (megadittoes).

On the other hand, there's sound artistic reasons for Alda to win. First, the shows producers has given the Republican ticket a much stronger supporting cast who would, after the election one supposes, become the featured staffers in Spring episodes. There's also the shark jumping issue--the show has run out of steam a bit and they've pretty much told all the stories they have to tell about a liberal Democratic presidency. Another season with another liberal president just doesn't sound like a strong storyline to pursue.

Finally there's the reality factor. We've had a Republican president for five of the show's six and a half seasons. The reality disconnect I think is costing the show some of its relevance. Alda's being protrayed as a pretty liberal Republican--pro-choice, anti-bigot, deficit hawk--all the things Bush is not. If a liberal TV producer wants to make a political point (which of course would be secondary to making money) this would be an excellent bankshot way of doing so.

However, we know that both Smits and Alda have been signed to do a couple of more seasons of the show. And the idea of a TV show actually showing a Democrat losing is pretty novel--possibly too novel for television. So here's my guess about how it's all gonna turn out. This isn't actually a spoiler, but I'm gonna scroll down with this a few lines just to give you a chance to reconsider reading what I think is a pretty sound guess of how they'll resolve this.



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I think they're gonna have the presidential election end in a tie. And electoral college tie, that is. Probably Smits will win the popular vote. They may have to introduce a last minute conservative third party candidate for this. Then chaos will ensue in the November-to-January electoral formalities. The whole thing will be treated as a primer on the US Constitution's rather convoluted and half-thought-thru processes for resolving an unclear election. Then in the January shows, they'll have Congress resolve the election--probably with Smits as president and Alda as VP, but possibly the reverse. That way they'll have both actors on lease for the next couple of seasons, should the show last that long, and a show with built in drama and tension as Republican and Democratic staffers slug away at each other over the issues of the day--something that's been missing from the show for a while.

[deadparrot]

1. Unfortunately...(minor timeframe spoilers and baseless speculation ahead)

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The elections won't be until March (our time). *sigh*

In one article I've read, Alda said he doesn't want to do another TV series. However, Smits has a show deal on ABC (though it won't start production until his WW stint is over). So that's kind of strange. Everyone connected with the show claims "they don't know" who's gonna win. But I'm assuming that the decision is already made somewhere.

Conventional wisdom says that there's a good chance that this could be the last season. Taking that into consideration, either one could win.

The thing is...I REALLY want Santos to win. It's not because I'm in love with or anything. I just want at least SOME of the old characters to transition. I know most of them will leave, but if they could keep Josh, Donna, and Leo, it would be a much easier transition for me. I don't think I could deal with a whole rash of new characters so suddenly.

Oh, and if something doesn't happen with Josh and Donna this season, I might just throw things. Hard.

[LSdemocrat]

2. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the last season for The West Wing

Despite the improvement from Season 5 (IMHO), the ratings have been going down, and I can't imagine that being moved to Sunday night will reverse the trend. I'm guessing the total lack of any perceived deal indicates that no one expects the show to last beyond this year no matter who wins the election.

[Mojambo]

4. I'd bank on it.

Smits and Alda are just around to help ease the show into the ground. Think of them as kindly funeral home directors.

I suppose there is always the chance that if the show is phenomenally successful, NBC might try some "reanimation" but I think this is it for the West Wing.

A great, iconic show.

[Mojambo]

3. Yeah, I thought about that scenario

I'd be very surprised if they went that way though.

They could just be going a whole lot of different ways with this story. It sounds like they're going to really stretch out the campaign season, which IMO is a terrific idea. The West Wing was a better show last year when they focused on the drama behind a primary campaign, they should capture that same vibe for the Presidential one. Toss in some more Bartlet MS deterioration and the drama of not only his Presidency, but his life ending and you'll have something.

The West Wing is going to be great this year, for the first time in a while. IMO.

Smits a much better actor than Alda? Really?