Last night I watched the final episode of The West Wing. As expected, it was a frenzied wrapping up of plot lines and pretty sentimental. I was a little surprised that the episode’s final images were of Martin Sheen. He’s been the lynchpin of the show over the past seven years, but I thought the show’s final message would have been about the office being bigger than the man. The show was always about the physical and metaphorical power of the Oval Office.
For seven seasons, The West Wing been the smartest show on television. Sure, it was better in the first four years under Aaron Sorkin, but I enjoyed all seven. Since Buffy went off the air, it’s really the only show I’ve watched consistently. What should I replace it with? And now what’s the smartest show on television?
In related news, Sorkin is back this fall with a new show, “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”. The cast includes The West Wing’s Bradley Wickford, Matthew Perry and Amanda Peet. It’s premise is discouraging. It’s apparently “about the turmoil and romance backstage at a network comedy sketch show”. TV about TV. Whoopee.
DarrenBarefoot.com 
As someone who doesn’t watch much serial television either, I must admit I am 100% hooked on “House, M.D.”, starring Hugh Laurie as an American (!) doctor. I have no idea whether it’s “the smartest show” on television, but some of the dialogue has real wit and some of the plot turns are genuinely surprising (that comes from someone very jaded). Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on Fox(!), if you’re interested.
I would recommend “Veronica Mars”. It’s got the wittiness of Buffy with nice plot twists.
I’ve only seen Season 1, but apparently Season 2 was not a disappointment either.
I’d really recommend Battlestar Galactica as one of the smartest shows on television. You’ve got a season and a half to catch up on though (if you’re watching it on Space and not through torrents), and the new season doesn’t start until October.
Lost and Prison Break are two shows I religiously avoided – then suddenly got hooked into. Lost is the smarter of the two (prision break is fun, snd filled with suspense). I would suggest spending a weekend with the first Season of Lost; if you are not hooked after 4 episodes I’d be surprised.
The Office (American vetrsion) is simply brilliant – possibly one of the best written shows on TV.
Thanks for those suggestions thus far. Indeed, “House” features Sandra Oh, one of my favourite actors. I watched the pilot, but then lost track of it.
I’ve given “Veronica Mars” a couple of shots, and certainly saw the wittiness (and the lead is quite good, as well) However, the premise felt kind of hokey to me. I should give it another try.
I watched “Battlesar Galactica” for quite a while, and enjoyed it. I lost track of it somewhere around the end of 2005, when there seemed to be a hiatus. Maybe, Darren, you can fill me in. The last episode I watched involved the arrival of a second Battlestar, led by a particularly militaristic female admiral. Roughly how many episodes have I missed since then?
Uh, “House” does not star Sandra Oh (check http://www.fox.com/house for details). You may be thinking of “Grey’s Anatomy”, which is quite different. I don’t watch “Grey’s”, but I know people who enjoy that one too.
Whoops. You’re right. I always mix those up. “House” is the one with Omar Epps.
I was going to suggest Lost also, it’s a really smart show with constant twists and interesting flashbacks to help you learn more about the characters. I absolutely love it.
If you like Sandra Oh, Grey’s Anatomy is also fantastic but in my opinion, it falls more into the “guilty pleasure” category than “smart TV show.”
I’m completely addicted to both shows and hoping that the weather stays gorgeous all summer so I can go outside to distract myself from their summer hiatus!
“House” is the best thing since sliced bread. It’s the only show that’s managed to capture my attention this much since … um … Friends, when I was 14. (Shh, I was young, I didn’t know any better…)
I watched a couple of early episodes of “Lost”, but clearly it didn’t get its teeth in me.
I’d be willing to give it another chance, but I’m scared of the potential for the “X-Files” pheonomenon: riddles inside enigmas inside blackholes that nobody but the most loyal, dedicated fans can follow. “Alias” suffered a similar fate–I watched it for a while, before its plots became absurdly Byzantine.
The best show currently in production is, right now, tied between Battlestar Galactica and Doctor Who, but I do admit to watching House regularly.
What about The Sopranos?
Darren – that was around the middle of the second season, episode 10 according to http://www.gateworld.net/galactica/s2/index.shtml
There are 10 more episodes in the season, and we were left with a really good cliffhanger.
I’d recommend Veronica Mars as well, the first season is great, especially when you see all the episodes back to back and can see how it all ties together. The second season was still good, although not as well plotted as the first.
House is also good and has the advantage of being just as good in year 2 as last year.
I watched Lost season 1 and liked it, but it is following a similar trajectory to Alias (not surprising since they are both J.J. Abrams shows)and I’ve lost interest in year 2, so it’s pretty much just V. Mars and House now.
w.r.t. Studio 60, I think it is a common failing among TV people that they think just because their lives revolve around TV, that other people will be interested in it. I am reminded of the Garry Shandling show which insiders loved but was pretty ‘meh’ to viewers.
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Another Buffy / West Wing fan. They were my two favourite shows. Much to the amazement of my brother in law – he couldnt believe a psychologists two fav shows could be so diff, one about political america, the other a sci fi show about a vampire slayer. He failed to see both have humour, well written, fast paced stories, with excellent repartee among the characters. I also agree the first 4 seasons of the WW were the best. There were a couple of good episodes later on – The Two Supremes (with Glenn Close) and the episode where Amy starts as the chief of staff for Abby.
The final season of the WW has only just started here. We are a little behind. I want to know what happens at the end. I’m one of those people who reads the last page of a book first, I want to know how it ends.
I like Greys Anatomy and House as well.
I also like Medium.
Gilmore Girls is good, having similar styles of excellent interactions amongst characters, but more a chick flick type of programme. I promise not to tell anyone if you give that a try.