simply | 30 in 30: a favourite television show (Reply)

I said early on that I don't declare absolute favourites, but I might have to recant: I do believe The West Wing is probably the greatest television show ever made. A program centred entirely around the daily ins and outs of White House politics would, in the hands of most screenwriters and producers, likely result in a sure-fire cure for insomnia, but somehow Aaron Sorkin (and everybody else involved) manages to not just make it work, but make it great.

The characters are rich and multi-dimensional, the plot lines are compelling, the relationships and challenges are real, and the dialogue -- the dialogue is the very best bit: snappy, smart, and sparkling with wit. Someone called it the most literate show on television, and I agree. I feel sure that if I just made time to watch one episode of The West Wing each morning, I'd be charming, scintillating, and intelligent throughout my days. It's classic stuff.

Oh, and thanks to this show, I know more about American politics than I do about Australian. Yep.

Toby just wants to eat a salad. I mean, really.

Here. Have a little Sam Seaborn, with some Mallory thrown in:

And this whole post would not be complete without either C.J. or Josh: