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January 17, 2005
Product placement
Concord Monitor
A little too early for the next presidential primary? Not on The West Wing.
The cast of the political drama made a pilgrimage to New Hampshire during last week's episode.
The show was filmed in Canada, but the set and script were packed with Granite State artifacts. The Manchester Monarchs were plugged, the property tax structure panned. Alas, no one mentioned Capital Beat, but we're pleased to say Jimmy Smits's character was reading the Concord Monitor and remarking on its coverage.
The show already has quite a fan base in these parts, mostly because fictional President Josiah Bartlethails from New Hampshire. But Wednesday's episode was special. Democratic activist Debbie Butlergave the show's producers tips on setting up campaign events. Her thanks? A fictional state senator with her surname.
"He was kind of a jerk, but I don't care," she said.
Butler worried, though, about Smits's character - a Texas congressman with presidential dreams - opining that New Hampshire looks like "a Mayflower reunion."
The show will again be set in the state in two weeks, and Butler hopes it's good press.
"We're all hoping the show ends up being a plug for the New Hampshire primary, and not feeding into the stereotype we're just a bunch of white hicks," she said.
Posted by Jo at January 17, 2005 07:52 PM