PeterDavid.net

I'm mildly curious about the show, but from the writeup it got in Entertainment Weekly it sounds a lot like "West Wing Lite" - which we don't really need because, post-Sorkin, West Wing is West Wing-Lite...

A more important quest is how the hell did Capt. Matthew Gideon become vice-president previous to all this?!?

Elayne: That's sort of what I was thinking about it. I'm actually a little more interested in "E Ring," but as I'm so busy anyway...

What I'm more curious about is how did an Independant actually get onto the ballot as the VP for a Republican/Democrat (can't recall at present). Surely that would be political suicide for both of them.

Amen, Elayne.

I read some of the advanced reviews for the show and honestly, I don't see it lasting. Actually, I vaguely recall a sitcom from the late 80s based on the same concept: The male president dies and his female VP succeeds him. I think it was produced by the same people who did "Soap," but I can't remember the name. I think it only got as far as the pilot episode, which treated the subject as pure farce.

Anyway, if I understand the premise of this new show, Geena Davis is president and everyone else in Washington is sexist. So, I'm predicting lots of old white men being made to look foolish and they'll run out of material by Thanksgiving.

I just find the tag line to...weird. "This fall...a woman will be president". It's not catchy, creative, dramatic, or even funny. It's a promotional line that just kind of...sits there and leaves me asking "And???"

I just hope my DVR tapes it. My system fritzed and I lost the first episode of Surface, Arrested Development, Kitchen Confidential, all episodes of Prison Break (had yet a chance to watch them) second episode of Simpsons, Family Guy and American Dad. If anyone has them on tape or disk, I would pay for it. Thanks

At minimum, a president should be able to defeat Al Gore in an election.

Den said: "Anyway, if I understand the premise of this new show, Geena Davis is president and everyone else in Washington is sexist. So, I'm predicting lots of old white men being made to look foolish and they'll run out of material by Thanksgiving."
If that's the case, they should never run out of material....

Kathy, all I can say is that not everyone wants to watch a primetime network show that's an endless parade of man-bashing jokes. That's what Lifetime is for.

Look, Geena Davis has paid her dues. She deserves a chance to play President. She starred in Cutthroat Island. If THAT isn't paying some sort of debt to society, I don't know WHAT is.

I'm not at all interested in this one. I think it's fine for Battlestar Galactica to have a female president by default when she's something like 236 in the line of succession. But this show is essentially saying that it's more likely that we'll have a woman be president because of a political stunt, followed by the unexpected death of the president, than we will by just electing a woman. And maybe, sadly, there's more truth to that then a lot of people would care to admit, but I just find it offensive. Add to that, Donald Sutherland's "because you want to control the UNIVERSE" line that the previews keep showing, and it just smacks of "NNNNnooooooooooo!" cheese.

Personally, I think Davis paid her dues with Transylvania 6-5000, a movie I think she agreed to do just because she was dating (later, married and then divorced) Jeff Goldblum at the time.

Your devotion to West Wings knows no limits, does it? Keep the faith, and hold the line.

I had no interest in COMMANDER IN CHIEF until I saw it was created by Rod Lurie, who wrote and directed THE CONTENDER starring Joan Allen. I liked that very much, so I will have to give this series a shot.

More interested in the return of THE WEST WING, though. It's not what it was under Sorkin, god knows, but Season Six was very watchable television.

Hey, don't blame me, I voted for Palmer.

I'm not that enmorated with the premise (could have used a Republican woman, with shades of Maggie Thatcher), and I'm a little fatigued by TV's notion that the GOP are the Big Bad in political dramas. Hey, use your brain cells and look for good and bad on BOTH sides of the aisle.

Geena also paid her dues during her fling with "The Fly," who declared himself the first "insect politician." Perhaps that's where she got her inspiration to take on the other critters buzzing around inside the Beltway.

I'm not too enthused with COMMANDER IN CHIEF either, but if I recall correctly from some of the publicity, Geena Davis's character is to be an Independent (wonder how that happened) and will be having trouble with both Republican and Democrat characters. One hopes that any villification of political parties will be reasonably evenly matched.

This show's already up against a few others that I'm already conflicted about in that what-to-tape-what-to-watch way: HOUSE and THE AMAZING RACE (and, heck, MY NAME IS EARL was kinda amusing last night, too.) But if COMMANDER IN CHIEF is somewhat well produced, I can see a scenario where it manages to be reasonably successful by attracting an audience unimpressed by its competitors (similar to how THE GILMORE GIRLS held its own against SURVIVOR by attracting a different set of viewer when they were against each other way back when.)

Or maybe not. Who am I to second guess TV programmers?

The show needs to have scenes where it's vital that Geena Davis wears a bikini or, at least, low cut blouses. I'd watch it then!!

1I too enjoyed My Name Is Earl. Jason Lee is eminently likeable.
The show I have been impressed with on Tuesday nights is SUPERNATURAL on WB. It has actually been legitimately scary and fairly well written.
As for President Davis, I'll give it a try, because I like Geena Davis and Donald Sutherland, but the reviews don't give me much hope.
Also, I really enjoyed THRESHOLD on Friday. Strong cast and good premise. Hope it can survive.

I know that the idea of a female president is total fantasy. I do like the idea of an independent making it to the presidency. It's good to see that somebody does feel that the absence of a Republican or Democratic stranglehold on this country would be good too.

I keep waiting for Battlestar Galactica to go to Lifetime since it seems to be turning into a perfect show for there with the sex change of Cain now (Michelle Forbes from Lloyd Bridges) and the fact that they defined the President Roslin's disease as Breast Cancer as opposed to one of the many non gender based cancers/Diseases that are out there and just as deadly

Kathy STL

I forget who came up with it, but the best new name I've heard for Commander-in-Chief is "The Westrogen Wing".

Me, I'll definitely watch it if they have President Davis showing off her archery skill (Geena Davis came very close to making the US Olympic Archery team just a few years ago).

Aww, man! I wanted to be the one who brought up the BSG connection! And I don't necessarily think the idea of a female president is at all fantasy. Whoever that candidate may be, though, would need to make her sex a non-issue in the campaign.

Which there is no way in hell Geena Davis could do. Especially with those eyes....

Sorry, fotgot this part....
I would like to see that Supreme Court handle things, though, with a few other choice TV types. Micheal Chiklis, Stacy Keach, and Avery Brooks methinks would make fine judgements.

Just PLEASE not Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul or Micheal Jackson's "little" brother....

I'm just surprised no one's called it "The Breast Wing" yet (although I did like The Westrogen Wing line)

A female President isn't total fantasy. It could well happen in 2008. The easiest way for it to happen is for the GOP to nominate a female to counteract the likely DEM nomination.

Yes, there are other possible DEM nominations, and many feel Senator Clinton unelectable. But if there is a strong female GOP contender, I don't think the DEMs will allow the possibility that the GOP wind up being the only one with a female candidate.

Now, sure, a male Independent candidate could then run...perhaps Nader...or Robertson...but I'd lay very good odds on their losing.

I just had a scary thought of a possible GOP candidate in 2008. She would be 5 years older than Reagan when he was reelected for his second term, and would have to prove she was in suitable health. But she would be a formidable opponent to Sen. Clinton. Heck, I don't know who I'd vote for. And that's saying a lot. She's currently employed, but has offered her resignation, conditionally on the finding of her replacement.

Personally, I wouldn't worry, since Jack Bauer's father is working in this White House. Anything goes haywire, she just has him call Jack, who calls Palmer, and within 24 hours, everything will be fine.

Still, no one call hold a candle to President Lloyd Bridges, who took on Saddam himself in the second Hot Shots film.

sandra day o connor?
good luck with that john
well i will watch both commander in chief and the west wing
i love the idea of an independent in the white house
being a registered independent myself
i suppport my TV presidents
and if the democratic party could just come with a formidable opponent
who could actually win a presidential election
i would support them too

"I had no interest in COMMANDER IN CHIEF until I saw it was created by Rod Lurie, who wrote and directed THE CONTENDER starring Joan Allen. I liked that very much, so I will have to give this series a shot."

now that's a reason to watch. i loved that film.

everybody who likes political drama should see The Contender if they haven't already.

"Elayne: That's sort of what I was thinking about it. I'm actually a little more interested in "E Ring," but as I'm so busy anyway..."

One word...TIVO

PAD: Firfly soundtrack is out today.

"PAD: Firfly soundtrack is out today."

Well, that should certainly make the fir fly.

PAD

"But this show is essentially saying that it's more likely that we'll have a woman be president because of a political stunt, followed by the unexpected death of the president, than we will by just electing a woman."

I don't think it's saying that it's more likely. I think it's saying, "Wouldn't it be interesting if a woman became President in this way?"

To me, that's the selling point of the series... not the fact that it has a woman president, but the fact that she becomes president accidentally.

Rat, I'm not sure if you're kidding, but the Randy Jackson on Americal Idol is not THAT Randy Jackson. He's actually Samuel L. Jackson's cousin.

When Condeleeza Rice becomes President this debate pretty much ends.

Go rent a film called The Contender. It was written and directed by Chief's writer/director, Rod Lurie. If you like the one then you will like the other. Chief almost seems like it's the Contender's story continued a few years later.

Plus, it only helps matters for the show to be a hit. They film around here for some of their scenes (slightly hiccupped when the Capitol went down for repairs through to 2007) and we get some nice overtime pay to work the sets.

:)

Donald Sutherland is the only reason I'd want to watch this show - but I'm still not totally on board. I used to say Keifer couldn't hold a candle to him, but "24" convinced me otherwise.

At this point, none of the new shows this season have got my interest.

The show the earlier poster is thinking of is "Hail to the Chief", with Patty Duke.

Forget Geena's show--why hasn't Peter posted his review of the LOST season premiere? It's been almost 5 minutes.

From what I've seen, this will be just as disappointing as "The West Wing." That is, it's a story about a President who mostly has to find a compromise between two or more factions who are fighting about nothing important. "West Wing" is mostly a Lifetime TV-Movie-For-Women with a man as the lead; "Commander in Chief" just restores the agonized person to the appropriate sex.

Now, if they had a woman President, and she was kidnapped aboard Air Force One by Jihadists (maybe female Jihadists in burkahs)...or she's got to fly a fighter jet to destroy an alien mothership...or she starts a war and actually goes into battle to fight it, not just pose under a "Mission Accomplished" banner...that would be worth watching. Barely.

Pardon my ignorance, but has this Commander-in-Chief show actually premiered yet? Anybody seen it and liked it?

Since I'm currently in Guam, my TV shows are a week late on regular network channels and 2 weeks late on my cable channels (which really isn't helping my efforts to see all of the Firefly eps on Sci-Fi Channel prior to Serenity opening). So if there is sufficient interest from the PAD fanbase, I may add it to my list of shows I'd like to check out. I don't think I have any CBS shows I'm watching right now (Boston Legal is ABC, right?). However, FOX is knocking them out of the park this season. I'm a big fan of Prison Break, Bones, and House (sure, it's in its second season, but I didn't get into it until late, so I'm counting it). Little worried about my FOX shows, though. See exhibit A: Firefly; exhibit B: John Doe; exhibit C: Fastlane. The list goes on.

Bill

Just for reference: Guam date/time is 22Sep05 9:37 PM

"I don't think it's saying that it's more likely. I think it's saying, "Wouldn't it be interesting if a woman became President in this way?""

You may be right. I guess my response to that would be "no, it wouldn't be interesting, it'd be insulting."

I just had a scary thought of a possible GOP candidate in 2008.

Sandra Day O'Connor will not run for president.

The reason she retired from the Supreme Court was due to the health of her husband (besides, she's getting up there in age as well).

Politcal shows aside I just watched House for the second time. Like watching a mean Monk with slightly smarter writing. My DVR hardrive fills up faster and faster....

The reason she retired from the Supreme Court was due to the health of her husband

That's what she claims. Who knows, it could be all part of her plan. ;-)

(besides, she's getting up there in age as well).

As I said, she'd be 5 years older than Reagan was starting out his second term. She'd have to prove she was in good health.

I don't consider it likely.

"When Condeleeza Rice becomes President this debate pretty much ends."

If reports that she was on 5th Ave shopping for shows the day after the new Orleans disaster hit turn out to be accurate, that would about wrap it up for any presidential aspirations she might have.

As for Geena David 'paying her dues', I note people have mercifully forgotten THE GEENA SHOW. Understandable as it lasted all of, what, one episode? And that after taking a shellacking from the critics to make the pounding endured by Centauri Prime at the hands of the allied fleet seem like a minor misunderstanding.

How is it that someone as intelligent (Mensa) and talented as she is can manage to wind up in so many godawful things?

You may ask the same question of Michael Caine, I would think. His answer has been, "Why the hell not?"

Caine has a long history of taking whatever script is put in front of him and running with it. He'd also probably say it's what has kept his career going all these years.

BTW, was there anyone in the Bush administration who didn't take the day Katrina hit off?

Well, I enjoyed a nice dinner out with the family during Katrina. Does that somehow make me evil? What exactly was Condi supposed to do that day? I thought this was the most nonsensical "news" story of the storm. Was life supposed to stop because a storm hit?

Hmmm. Interesting news being reported by the National Enquirer. They are reporting that Shrub is back drinking again and that he started soon after learning what happened due to Katrina. Obviously, you have to consider the source of the "news", but it is interesting.

Well, I enjoyed a nice dinner out with the family during Katrina. Does that somehow make me evil? What exactly was Condi supposed to do that day? I thought this was the most nonsensical "news" story of the storm. Was life supposed to stop because a storm hit?

No kidding. It's not like there wasn't enough incompetence and malfeasance to report on during Katrina.

For Robert Fuller--Yes, I was kidding. Sorry, unlike our host, my sarcasm doesn't come across nearly as well in print. That, and the fact that I'm warped AND brain damaged. No joke.

Just had an interesting thought as I was patching my screen door, though. Lots of bugs flying around, made me think of it. How long until President Geena gets asked in a press conference "How should we feel?" and she says "Be afraid. Be very afraid?"

"Well, I enjoyed a nice dinner out with the family during Katrina. Does that somehow make me evil? What exactly was Condi supposed to do that day? I thought this was the most nonsensical "news" story of the storm. Was life supposed to stop because a storm hit?"

Robbnn, I'm guessing that you don't have a title like US Secretary of State after your name, so I think we can excuse you if you didn't put all your plans on hold during the crisis. =)

I do think Condi got a bit a bum rap with that story. Her department's mission specifically has nothing to do with domestic happenings. Whatever the Feds were doing at that time to respond to Katrina, unless she was asked to sit in on the meetings for some reason, it was just a regular day for her.

Where she didn't help herself were the reports of how she or her security responded to a heckler at the store she was at. If she truly did have such a person removed, that's going to really prove to be the critical blow against her. Well, that and the fact that her close association with Bush will prejudice about 45% of all registered voters against her before she even starts a campaign.

Good idea, Tom Galloway - they SHOULD work in her archery skills. Now, if she used them ON political opponents, it might get a little silly ....

D.O.M. said:

"The show needs to have scenes where it's vital that Geena Davis wears a bikini or, at least, low cut blouses. I'd watch it then!!"

No, that wouldn't happen ... unless "Commander in Chief" was a COMIC BOOK about a woman vice president who became president. Then, it would pretty much be guaranteed ;)

Especially if Bruce Jones was writing it.

BIll in Guam: Your tree Fox shows are pretty safe. Prison Break is apparantly a hit..at least enough of one. House is a true hit and critical darling, and the plans for Bones is to let it go along in it's time slot before House for a bit, then it'll go on Hiatus durring play off season..then come back in House's time slot (which will move to Monday paired with 24) when American Idol starts back up.

Bobb...there were reports of the Canadian Military sitting there trying to get clearences to fly supplies in. Nations from around the world were offering support and aid...isn't it the Secretary of States job to be the one answering those phone calls?

Bobb...there were reports of the Canadian Military sitting there trying to get clearences to fly supplies in. Nations from around the world were offering support and aid...isn't it the Secretary of States job to be the one answering those phone calls?

DOn't think so...but it's not clear that anybody in this federal government DOES know whose job it is.

"Bobb...there were reports of the Canadian Military sitting there trying to get clearences to fly supplies in. Nations from around the world were offering support and aid...isn't it the Secretary of States job to be the one answering those phone calls?"

Maybe. But when your boss says "we'll take care of our own," I suppose that gives you some direction about how to respond to those calls.

Maybe. But when your boss says "we'll take care of our own," I suppose that gives you some direction about how to respond to those calls.

By shopping...?

Damn, I need a boss like that. "Don't answer those calls, why don't you go shopping today..?" *g*

The basic concept of a woman becoming President by being VP and having the President die was also used by Heinlein, in his essay/story "The Happy Days Ahead". He did have the additional quirk of making her black. She was a compromise candidate, pushed into the VP position at the convention, because everyone thought she couldn't do any harm there. Then, three days after being sworn in, the President was killed in an auto accident. She took over, over the objections of the party leaders (the party was carefully never specified), and proceeded to make a lot of "common-sense" decisions in office. (I didn't agree with all of them, but some made eminent sense, I thought.) The essay/story is in the collection "Expanded Universe", as the second part of "Pandora's Box".

And the Condi thing struck me as a total non-story - I doubt very much that the Canucks, or anyone else, waited until after business hours to call, and (if the event even happened) the heckler had little room to talk - they were both in the shoe store, were they not? What, are we supposed to believe the heckler was there to collect charitable donations from the salespeople?

"By shopping...?

Damn, I need a boss like that. "Don't answer those calls, why don't you go shopping today..?" *g*"

I think it's called executive discretion. Or lack thereof. I get confused which it is.

They've renamed the show to DESPERATE DEMOCRATS.

The fact that they have a guy working on the show who used to be on Mrs William Jefferson Clinton's staff means nothing at...Ooooo, look!! A gift basket wrapped in transparent cellophane!!

Well, I watched the show, and was mostly underwhelmed. Everything was relatively cookie-cutter. Compared to the first episode of "West Wing", where you had Josh about to lose his job for sounding off to to the right-wingers, this was pretty bland. Cutting the power to the prompter during the speech? Surely we can have more drama than that.

It did very very well in the ratings so there may be more interest in it than people thought (of course, they've been pimping the hell out of it so there may be a certain curiosity factor. Still, it would have to have a calamitous second week drop for it not to be considered a solid hit).

Personally, I thought MY NAME IS EARL was a hell of a lot better written. CIC does make one appreciate the WEST WING writers--it hasn't a jot of WW's wit.

(As Bill observed: )

...they've been pimping the hell out of it...

Did anybody notice that one of the (ubiquitous) commercials for the show seemed to be using music from "Chosen", the final episode of Buffy the Wampire Slayer? The epic, building string piece from the final battle; anybody who has the Season Seven DVD set has heard the music frequently, as it is used on one stage of menus. I wonder if the composer - David someone? - now works on Commander-in-Chief; or if someone in ABC's ad department just heard the piece on Buffy or the DVD set and filed it away for future use?

Luke, I caught that strain from Buffy's finale. I don't know that I've ever heard a more mis-used cue of music, ever.

In related soundtrack news, I picked up the Serenity soundtrack last night (avoid the track titles for here be spoilers). It's a good addition for those wanting a complete soundtrack collection, and those hoping to support the film. It's also fairly decent in terms of background music, but I didn't hear much that I'd describe as "I need to hear that again" pieces. Which is how I do describe the Final Battle from Chosen...it's a piece that really stirs the blood, especially when you have the context of the scene it was composed for. Which is why CiC abuses the piece.

I hate to say it, but if Hillary gets the nod to run in 2008, she'll never take office. Even in the beginning of the 21st century, society isn't ready to accept a woman as the leader of the free world. It would only take one lone nut with a gun and an opportunity who thinks women should still be in the kitchen to ruin any chance of Hillary taking office......

When Condeleeza Rice becomes President this debate pretty much ends.

Well, yeah, debates tend to end when dominant species go extinct. :-)

TWL
suspecting that's not what you meant

Well, that and the fact that her close association with Bush will prejudice about 45% of all registered voters against her before she even starts a campaign.

If that number is even to be believed, it didn't hurt Bush so chances are that it wouldn't hurt her.

BTW, was there anyone in the Bush administration who didn't take the day Katrina hit off?

No, it was all a well planned conspiracy against poor people!

"If that number is even to be believed, it didn't hurt Bush so chances are that it wouldn't hurt her."

Hey, Mr. Math Wizard, there's about 170 million registered voters, meaning 45% of them would be over 76 million votes. Or more than 20 million more votes than Bush received in the last election. If 45% of registered voters vote against you, and that means for most of them for the *other* guy, you lose.