It is very rare these days that I watch a new TV series and think "This is really good"... and nearlyl unheard of that I think it before the first commercial break. The show? The WB's Jack and Bobby. What got me to watch were glowing reviews in TV Guide and Entertainment Weekly - though I have to say I was a little hesitant to give the WB another shot. My only real television experience was their train-wreck of an American Idol spoof, WB Superstar. Though I know they have aired shows that are considered good, I admit to being prejudice. If a show is good, why couldn't it land on one of the three major networks.
Anyhow...as the title suggests Jack and Bobby has a political angle to it...and quite the creative one. The majority of the show takes place in the present day as two brothers cope with the trials of high school and a home life with a somewhat eccentric single mom (wonderfully played by Christine Lahti). The hook -- one of the brothers will become President of the United States in 2040. In a series of flash-forwards, we go to the year 2049. The McAllister administration has completed its apparent second/final term -- and key figures talk about the brothers and their past.
The fun part of the pilot episode is that we do not know which brother will ascend to the Oval Office until the last few minutes (where we also learn the fate of the other brother). It should be interesting to see how the show works things going forward since we are now in on the "secret."
I thought the show was just well done -- well-shot, engaging characters/actors, good writing, and an original idea. I was starting to think this was too much to ask of late. Newcomer Matt Long plays the older brother Jack and has a Shane West (from ABC's Once & Again, movies, and this coming season of ER) vibe about him, while Logan Lerman plays the more nerdy Bobby and nicely captures the angst of a first day at high school.
The show some political TV credentials as The West Wing's Tommy Schlamme is one of the producers. The pilot episode re-airs this Sunday afternoon (check your local listings...or better yet get a TiVo and thank me later). New episodes air on Sunday nights. Give it a try!
who are the cast of the show
Posted by: elaine | Sunday, March 06, 2005 at 05:27 PM