Alan Alda's Bid for "West Wing" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AKA · 08-24-2004, 04:06 PM

Alan Alda's Bid for "West Wing"

By Lia Haberman
E! Online

Hawkeye is eyeing a future in politics.

M*A*S*H vet Alan Alda joins the cast of NBC's The West Wing this upcoming season as a Republican from California with political aspirations, per the Hollywood Reporter.

A five-time Emmy winner, Alda is best known for his 11 years as Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce on M*A*S*H*. He recently did a brief guest stint on ER as Dr. Gabriel Lawrence, but the West Wing gig is his first major boob-tube commitment since M*A*S*H* ended in '83.

Alda was originally a candidate for the role of President Barlet, which eventually went to Martin Sheen. Now Alda will be Bartlet's potential successor.

He may be squaring off against another A-list Emmy winner. Reps for Jimmy Smits confirmed earlier this month that the former star of NYPD Blue and L.A. Law was in talks to join The West Wing as a Houston congressman who also harbors Oval Office ambitions.

No word if Alda's casting effects Smits' negotiations. A call to NBC was not returned.

But the addition of two proven TV vets could give the political drama a boost in the polls. While the West Wing managed to snag 12 Emmy nominations this year, the show's ratings have dipped to 11.8 million this past season from 13.5 million in 2002-03 and 17.2 million in 2001-02.

In related news, several other thesps are West Wing shoo-ins when the series' sixth season begins Oct. 20. Mary McCormack, who guest-starred last season as a deputy national security adviser is returning as a regular. Newbie Marley Shelton joins as a former feature reporter mentored by Danny Concannon (played by Timothy Busfield), who becomes the White House's deputy press secretary.

As for Alda, he recently wrapped shooting on The Aviator playing another politico, Maine Governor Ralph Owen Brewster. He's also scheduled to begin rehearsals in March for the Broadway revival of David Mamet's play Glengarry Glen Ross, costarring Liev Schreiber.

Sterling Holobyte · 08-24-2004, 04:42 PM

Interesting. I wonder if he will play him as a real, sympathetic character. I have doubts about that.
Still, Alan's an interesting actor and I may just watch The West Wing if he is on there.

Doo Dah 16 · 08-24-2004, 11:12 PM

Thanks for the post AKA. I've been trying to find information on this.

I'm looking forward to all the new stuff he's doing.

~Jillian

¨n

Dr. Thong · 09-25-2004, 04:44 PM

Alan Alda playing a Republican. Now I've heard it all. Well, he played a good bastard villain in Murder At 1600 as opposed to the usual nice guy roles he plays, so anything's possible...

Doo Dah 16 · 09-26-2004, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dr. Thong
Alan Alda playing a Republican. Now I've heard it all. Well, he played a good bastard villain in Murder At 1600 as opposed to the usual nice guy roles he plays, so anything's possible...

It is unusual, but he is a very versatile actor.

By the way, Republicans aren't bad guys! I will admit, there are some crooked ones, but not as much as some other parties have. I am very pro-Republican. We don't appreciate the bad-mouthing. This is not a political board.
-Erin and Jillian¤

Orville Kruger · 12-20-2004, 09:17 PM

Looks like the election will be Jimmy Smits vs. Alan Alda.

Should be pretty entertaining. It'd be cool if they let the audience actually vote and pick the next fictional West Wing president.

bry · 12-21-2004, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Orville Kruger
[B]Looks like the election will be Jimmy Smits vs. Alan Alda.

wel, if we go by the characters that i will most remember each actor by, it would be hawkeye pierce vs. senator bail organa. and as much as i like M*A*SH, i would have to choose a STAR WARS character over him. so, i would choose smits.
here's to me and everyone else waiting to see STAR WARS Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. be a long time 'til may.....

08-24-2004, 04:06 PM	#1
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Alan Alda's Bid for "West Wing" Alan Alda's Bid for "West Wing" By Lia Haberman E! Online Hawkeye is eyeing a future in politics. MASH* vet Alan Alda joins the cast of NBC's The West Wing this upcoming season as a Republican from California with political aspirations, per the Hollywood Reporter. A five-time Emmy winner, Alda is best known for his 11 years as Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce on MASH. He recently did a brief guest stint on ER as Dr. Gabriel Lawrence, but the West Wing gig is his first major boob-tube commitment since MASH ended in '83. Alda was originally a candidate for the role of President Barlet, which eventually went to Martin Sheen. Now Alda will be Bartlet's potential successor. He may be squaring off against another A-list Emmy winner. Reps for Jimmy Smits confirmed earlier this month that the former star of NYPD Blue and L.A. Law was in talks to join The West Wing as a Houston congressman who also harbors Oval Office ambitions. No word if Alda's casting effects Smits' negotiations. A call to NBC was not returned. But the addition of two proven TV vets could give the political drama a boost in the polls. While the West Wing managed to snag 12 Emmy nominations this year, the show's ratings have dipped to 11.8 million this past season from 13.5 million in 2002-03 and 17.2 million in 2001-02. In related news, several other thesps are West Wing shoo-ins when the series' sixth season begins Oct. 20. Mary McCormack, who guest-starred last season as a deputy national security adviser is returning as a regular. Newbie Marley Shelton joins as a former feature reporter mentored by Danny Concannon (played by Timothy Busfield), who becomes the White House's deputy press secretary. As for Alda, he recently wrapped shooting on The Aviator playing another politico, Maine Governor Ralph Owen Brewster. He's also scheduled to begin rehearsals in March for the Broadway revival of David Mamet's play Glengarry Glen Ross, costarring Liev Schreiber.

08-24-2004, 11:12 PM	#3
Doo Dah 16 ...And...I am...? Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 21, 2004 Location: On a chair at a computer desk............... My mind could be anywhere... Posts: 154	Thanks for the post AKA. I've been trying to find information on this. I'm looking forward to all the new stuff he's doing. ~Jillian ¨n
	__________________ ~In loving memory of my sanity

09-25-2004, 04:44 PM	#4
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Alan Alda playing a Republican. Now I've heard it all. Well, he played a good bastard villain in Murder At 1600 as opposed to the usual nice guy roles he plays, so anything's possible...
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

08-24-2004, 04:42 PM	#2
Sterling Holobyte Harper House Senior Member Join Date: Nov 07, 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,896	Interesting. I wonder if he will play him as a real, sympathetic character. I have doubts about that. Still, Alan's an interesting actor and I may just watch The West Wing if he is on there.

12-20-2004, 09:17 PM	#6
Orville Kruger Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 16, 2004 Posts: 151	Looks like the election will be Jimmy Smits vs. Alan Alda. Should be pretty entertaining. It'd be cool if they let the audience actually vote and pick the next fictional West Wing president.