US Politics Stressing You Out? Now We Can Binge Watch West Wing For Free!
Not sure about you, but the last four years of American politics have been completely exhausting to witness. And tonight (technically tomorrow morning here in the UK) American Presidential hopefuls Joe Biden and Donald Trump will once again give us an entirely unedifying vision of US politics in the final debate of the US election season. If last time’s anything to go by, expect wild, un-fact-checked accusations, unpresidential behaviour, tantrums and no clear answers. But that’s not how politics is meant to be, and we know that because of the West Wing.
The hit US TV show aired between 1999 and 2006 and charted the presidency of ‘Jed’ Bartlett, a principled statesman the likes of which America mistakenly believes it used to elect before, y’know, this lot. The Aaron Sorkin fantasy spanned seven seasons and 156 episodes during which the world’s greatest democracy was perfectly showcased, a Potemkin White House where Democrats demonstrate their combination of competence and compassion with wit and long words. It’s utterly idyllic and it’s now available to UK viewers for free.
It’s difficult to imagine there really was a time when being a White House advisor didn’t mean probable jail time, when politicians didn’t peddle a pyroclastic flow of fake news, when impeachment wasn’t simply an irritation or when taxpaying was top down. But log into Channel 4’s online service All4 and you can luxuriate in a universe where a principled president presides over the planet’s most powerful nation. As escapism, it’s perfect.
Wonks Josh, Toby Ziegler and Sam (and later Will) advise the president along with Chief of Staff Leo and Press Secretary CJ in an imagined West Wing that’s probably one of the most accurate US Presidential shows ever aired. Imagine Designated Survivor, and then times it by about 20.
Imagine Designated Survivor, and then times it by about 20.
The president was played by Martin Sheen and household names like Rob Lowe and Allison Janney played supporting roles in what, along with Yes, Minister and The Thick of It, is one the best political shows ever made.
And just in time for the US election, Channel 4 has secured the UK rights to West Wing, which means that you don’t need an expensive streaming service to immerse yourself in a parallel political universe. What’s more, if you start watching back to back episodes now, and allow time for sleep and meals and you’d neatly hit Election Day approximately at the end of season seven. I’m sure your boss would understand.
