next_to_normal | 30 Days of TV

Day 01 - A show that never should have been canceled
Day 02 - A show you wish more people were watching
Day 03 - Your favorite new show (aired this TV season)
Day 04 - Your favorite show ever
Day 05 - A show you hate
Day 06 - Favorite episode of your favorite TV show
Day 07 - Least favorite episode of your favorite TV show
Day 08 - A show everyone should watch
Day 09 - Best scene ever
Day 10 - A show you thought you wouldn't like but ended up loving
Day 11 - A show that disappointed you
Day 12 - An episode you've watched more than 5 times
Day 13 - Favorite childhood show
Day 14 - Favorite male character
Day 15 - Favorite female character
Day 16 - Your guilty pleasure show
Day 17 - Favorite miniseries
Day 18 - Favorite title sequence

Day 19 - Best TV show cast

The West Wing. I mean, have you seen that show? It takes some serious skill to be able to talk that fast. And a lot of them have to walk really fast at the same time. I'm pretty sure the term "pedeconference" was created specifically for this show.

But seriously, The West Wing has always had a large ensemble cast, and I'm impressed with how many fabulous actors the show has managed to hire. I don't know how well-known this story is (maybe you've all heard it already), but originally, Rob Lowe was supposed to be the star of the show. It was going to be centered around the White House staff, with the President as an occasional guest star. But then they cast Martin Sheen, and that whole idea went out the window.

And yet, even with a heavyweight like Sheen, they never, ever needed to lean on him to carry the show. They've got a deep bench, both in regulars and guest stars. I can't even count how many actors from this show have gone on to star in other things I love (Elisabeth Moss! Dule Hill! Edward James Olmos! Connie Britton!). Seriously, the crossover is astounding - name your favorite show, and I can probably find someone who was on The West Wing at some point, lol.

I love it for introducing me to Bradley Whitford, Allison Janney, and Marlee Matlin. I love seeing Stockard Channing, Kristin Chenowith, Lily Tomlin, Alan Alda, Janeane Garofalo, Patricia Richardson, and others I recognized from other things joining the cast. And I love that I get to see some of these people over and over, because Sorkin is one of those writers who assembles a repertory troupe of actors and uses them in everything he does.

Honorable Mention: I gotta give credit to Joss Whedon (who has a similar repertory troupe). He sure knows how to cast stellar actors, especially in BtVS and Dollhouse. Though, oddly, the actors he seems most infatuated with (Eliza Dushku, Nathan Fillion, Summer Glau) are the ones I tend to find the least talented.

And the rest of the days, for those who want to play along...

Day 20 - Favorite kiss
Day 21 - Favorite ship
Day 22 - Favorite series finale
Day 23 - Most annoying character
Day 24 - Best quote
Day 25 - A show you plan on watching (old or new)
Day 26 - OMG WTF? Season finale
Day 27 - Best pilot episode
Day 28 - First TV show obsession
Day 29 - Current TV show obsession
Day 30 - Saddest character death