There's a new six-episode mini-series on USA called Political Animals. Sigourney Weaver stars as a former First Lady who is now Secretary of State after a failed bid at the Presidential nomination. Her ex-husband, the former President, is politically sharp as nails and still (unofficially) advises her, and one of her sons is her press secretary.
The first episode provides all the background and introduces the menagerie of political characters, including the Pulitzer-Prize-winning journalist who seems fixated on the Secretary of State and another of the Secretary's sons who has a drug problem and is openly gay.
Yes, it's all a bit soapy for my tastes, but the acting is terrific, especially by Weaver, and the political machinations are fascinating. If you miss The West Wing, this might give you a little fix. I find it a welcome respite from the reality of true-life political campaigning.
Reviews have mostly been quite positive, with raves coming mostly for the acting and political dynamics. I became aware of the show when Weaver was interviewed by Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, and 'though I missed the initial airing, I caught a replay Thursday night. There are four more replays between now and Sunday's new episode (Friday at 11:01 p.m., Saturday at 1:00 p.m., Sunday at 12:00 p.m., and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.). The new episodes are set for Sundays at 10:00 p.m.
I like it. I'm on board. Did anyone else catch it?
The first episode provides all the background and introduces the menagerie of political characters, including the Pulitzer-Prize-winning journalist who seems fixated on the Secretary of State and another of the Secretary's sons who has a drug problem and is openly gay.
Yes, it's all a bit soapy for my tastes, but the acting is terrific, especially by Weaver, and the political machinations are fascinating. If you miss The West Wing, this might give you a little fix. I find it a welcome respite from the reality of true-life political campaigning.
Reviews have mostly been quite positive, with raves coming mostly for the acting and political dynamics. I became aware of the show when Weaver was interviewed by Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, and 'though I missed the initial airing, I caught a replay Thursday night. There are four more replays between now and Sunday's new episode (Friday at 11:01 p.m., Saturday at 1:00 p.m., Sunday at 12:00 p.m., and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.). The new episodes are set for Sundays at 10:00 p.m.
I like it. I'm on board. Did anyone else catch it?
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