Shandy - thanks for asking the question. Posts in this thread have reminded me of shows I enjoyed the first time and need to watch again - Dead Like Me, Arrested Development, The Wire...
After watching the first season of HBO's The Newsroom, I was reminded of how much I enjoy Aaron Sorkin's work (A Few Good Men, Social Network, The West Wing). So I have begun to watch the 7 seasons of The West Wing again. What I have discovered is that many of the issues addressed in this series are still very relevant to the current political landscape.
For example in season 1, episode 12 titled "He Shall From Time to Time", the script reads thus:
TOBY
The era of big government is over.
BARTLET
You want to cut the line?
TOBY
I want to change the sentiment. We're running away from ourselves, and I
know we can score
points that way. I was the principle architect in that campaign strategy,
right along with
you, Josh. But we're here now. Tomorrow night, we do an immense thing. We
have to say what
we feel. That government, no matter what its failures are in the past,
and in times to come,
for that matter, THE GOVERNMENT CAN BE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE COME TOGETHER AND WHERE NO ONE GETS LEFT BEHIND. No one... gets left behind, an instrument of... good.
[pause] I have no trouble understanding why the line tested well, Josh,
but I don't think
that means we should say it. I think that means we should... change it.
BARTLET
I think so, too. [beat] What do you think, Josh?
JOSH
I'd make it a point never to disagree with Toby when he's right,
Mr. President.
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If you didn't see it, go to CSAPN and watch President Obama's DNC acceptance speech last week (9/7/12) and then watch the first season of West Wing.
