"The West Wing" Revisited

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/23/arts/television/the-west-wing-25th-anniversary.html

("What Did 'The West Wing' Do to Us?")

What would "The West Wing" look like today? All the idealism, the intelligence and integrity beaten out of us after a decade of being inundated by the crass, crude, conniving centerpiece of "The Apprentice". From high brow we have descended to low blows, from oratorical heaven to political hellhole, from what we want our leaders to be to just wanting them to exit the stage.

Donald Trump has robbed us of many things in his relentless attack on democracy. Pilfering all the romance, all the joy, all the  highest hopes and expectations from our view of the Oval Office. Today's version of the script undoubtedly would no longer be populated by our best and brightest, a sanctuary not for those upholding the law but now inhabited by many running from it. Not the place where dreams are nurtured but nightmares are unleashed. Not where the Jed Bartlet's of this nation reside but where personal vendetta, preposterous preening and pernicious prevarication reigns supreme.

If the concept of a Donald Trump-like character had been presented to the television powers a quarter of a century ago, it likely would have died a quick death. The concept too preposterous for serious consideration. Now the idea of a group of brilliant dedicated public servants shepherding this nation into a better tomorrow, would unfortunately seem but ludicrous fantasy.

And we have Mr. Trump to thank for turning our vision of the White House from Camelot to home to the Mob.