I never watched a single episode of West Wing while it was on.
During this period of quarantine, I decided to start and work my way through the entire series. I believe it’s what you young people call bingeing. Up till now all my bingeing has been on banana bread and cookies but I am willing to try new things.
I really wish I had watched this damn series when it was out years ago. This was a big hit from 1999 to 2006.
I think back then I would have not only seen it but heard it too.
Let me splain, Lucy.
Visually, it is a beautiful show. Long walks down hallways with cameras dodging in and out of the characters line of sight. Fabulous. Love the visuals. Makes you feel like you are right there in the West Wing.
Now we reach my dilemma and the reason I wish I had seen it in 1999-2006. When my ears and I were young.
I can’t hear a word anyone on the show is saying. No one. Not the President. Not the advisors. Everyone on this show mumbles. Either Aaron Sorkin is convinced that everyone in the West Wing has a speech impediment or he is doing it on purpose to mask weak dialogue. I hear he’s a great writer. Well, actually I DON’T hear… I have read it.
I know my hearing is pretty shot. I have spent most of my career standing four feet away from crash cymbals. I have alienated spouses and friends by making them repeat everything they say to me at a “yelling” volume. At home our TV is set to “stun.” I have adjusted to this. Oddly enough it does not affect listening to music on headphones. This is what saves me in my job.
But come on. Sorkin couldn’t have ONE character in the show that speaks at a normal volume? I know they are supposed to be walking around talking about nuclear subs and terrorists and secret stuff like that so they have to keep it down… but this IS a TV show and you would think that having your audience be able to follow what they are saying would help the action move along. This thing won Emmys. They must be saying some good stuff.
Let me try to show you.
Here is a scene. This is the dialogue as I understood it:
President Bartlet: “I stink the mushrooms are going to pack a lunch in the rooty toot before we cough.”
Josh: “Not unless we flame on the poster chairs and lick ourselves clean.”
President Bartlett: “Getcha some. Getcha some. Randolph Scott will be corded off in a moo moo.”
All this takes place while they walk down a hall with cameras spinning around them. Stunning visuals.
Do you wonder why I enjoy shows like Gilligan’s Island? Everyone yells on that show. I hear every word.