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December 07, 2004
Alan Alda for Senator
by Daniel R. Coleridge
TV Guide Online
Back in 1979, Alan Alda played a Ted Kennedy-esque senator in The Seduction of Joe Tynan. He returns to fictional political office in tomorrow's West Wing (9 pm/ET on NBC). Although he's well-known to be a member of Hollywood's liberal set, Alda joins the cast as Republican senator — and presidential hopeful — Arnold Vinick. The M*A*S*H star denies having any political qualms about taking the role.
"Although this guy on The West Wing is a Republican, he's one of those [idyllic] candidates because he's moderate on social issues and conservative fiscally," Alda says. "He is willing to debate issues, looks to do good for his country and is not trying to use public service as a way to increase his holdings in the bank.
"What I'm trying to do with my character is to show what's possible in the democratic process, not look at how awful they are," he adds. "We see how awful it is every night on the news."
Alda certainly sums up the White House drama's spirit very neatly. Sounds like he's angling for Martin Sheen's job once President Bartlet's term expires. "It seems like everybody's falling apart!" he jokes. "I think I'm coming in at the right moment."
But seriously, Hawkeye. "I'm gonna do five episodes this season and five next season," says Alda, who adds he's unaware of any plans for Vinick to actually win the Oval Office. "I don't know what [producer John Wells and his writers] have in mind, but I seriously, strongly doubt that I'd want to do a weekly show. Before I even get to that, what would they do with all these Democrat [characters] that they have under contract if I took office? Let's get serious here."
Meanwhile, Alda can currently be seen on the big screen in yet another senatorial gig. "I'm coming out as a senator twice in the same month!" he laughs. "This other senator I play in The Aviator [costarring Jude Law] is totally scuzzy. What a creepy guy."
Posted by Jo at December 7, 2004 08:26 AM