Matt Santos vs. Arnold Vinick

by | May 7, 2015 | David Krell

In the later episodes of The West Wing, Matt Santos, a Democratic congressman from Texas and a former Mayor of Houston took on Arnold Vinick, a veteran Republican senator from California for the presidency. Santos had just a few years in national politics.  Three...

Hollywood on Hollywood Cops

by | May 6, 2015 | David Krell

The 1997 movie L.A. Confidential, based on the novel of the same name by James Ellroy, boasts an outstanding cast.  It served as a huge platform for Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe, two relative newcomers. Additionally, Kevin Spacey, Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito, James...

When Colonel Potter Was a General

by | May 5, 2015 | David Krell

M*A*S*H had a terrific roster of guest stars during its run from 1972 to 1983 on CBS.  Ron Howard.  Laurence Fishbone.  Andrew Duggan.  Rosalind Chao.  Dennis Dugan.  Blythe Danner.  James Cromwell.  Leslie Nielsen.  Gwen Verdon.  George Wendt.  Mary Wickes.  Susan...

Lupo, Bernard, Briscoe, Logan, et al.

by | May 4, 2015 | David Krell

Law & Order changed cast members about as often as Mickey Rooney changed wives in its prime time tenure on NBC from 1990 to 2010.  Jeremy Sisto played Cyrus Lupo.  Fans of Six Feet Under know Sisto from his performance as Billy, brother of Brenda and sometimes...

Bush, Gore, and the 2000 Presidential Election

by | May 3, 2015 | David Krell

HBO’s 2008 tv-movie Recount dramatizes the events surrounding the controversial Florida votes in the 2000 presidential election.  A complex tale involving arcane election law, Recount benefits from an all-star cast portraying the proceedings that Americans...