I know Hollywood films often come in pairs-- two volcano movies, two asteroid-hits-the-Earth movies, two Mars movies-- but that kind of parallel development is rare on television, which tends to copycat success after the fact instead. But this season not only did we have two hour-long dramas featuring the President of the United States as a main character (The West Wing, 24), but both of them utilized the 25th amendment in their storylines.
I couldn't even have told you what the 25th amendment was a few weeks ago. If you're likewise Constitutionally challenged, it says that the President can step down if he feels he can't discharge his duties, or the VP and a majority of the Cabinet can declare the President to be unfit and force him to step down.
I find it hard to believe that writers on two top, creative shows would crib ideas off each other-- surely pride would get in the way-- and yet the coincidence of parallel development seems so unlikely. With all the stories to tell, these two series converge on the same one mere weeks apart? Right. And it was just a weather balloon in Roswell.
Meanwhile, series creator and writer Aaron Sorkin won't be back on The West Wing next season. Sorkin's dialogue crackles. It has a unique tempo and rhythm. Watch any episode of Sports Night and The West Wing, and you can immediately tell the same hand was responsible. The show will not be the same without him, and I fear next season might be the last for President Bartlet and crew.
Posted by Peter at May 15, 2003 05:51 PM