Jack and Bobby

31 January 2011

This may sound weird, but I'm thankful for a short-lived WB television show from 2004.  I didn't watch it at the time.  That was when I started college and I was a bit disconnected from everything in the world of tv.  Anyway, Jack and Bobby chronicles the adolescent years of two brothers.  Those years take place in 2004 while the story is being told from 2049.  The viewer knows that one of the brothers goes on to become president and near the beginning we find out that brother is Bobby.  We also find out that Jack dies young.  It's fascinating because it is being told by those closest to the president including his senior counsel, wife, and VP (who is a woman).  It's interesting to see what moments define Bobby in his 14th year of life.  It's also interesting because an entire history of the United States form 2004-2049 needed to be fabricated.  On the show they reference the War of the Americas and a nuclear attack on Chicago.  They also talk about what makes a president great and what moments define a presidency.  I'm also kind of a fan of their mom who is a crazy, liberal, pot-smoking history professor at the local university.  This is quite possibly my favorite thing she has said, "Oh, and if your class wants to know about my decision to specialize in History just tell them that English was too hard."  Thank you, Grace McCallister.

The reason I'm thankful for this show is that it has provided a welcome distraction from all things normal.  I'm also sad that it only lasted one season because I think the spin is unique and I actually find the storytelling compelling.  Unfortunately, it did devolve a bit into a typical WB show with drinking, drugs, sex, and teen pregnancy.  But it handled things in a mostly realistic way.   I appreciate that.  I also appreciate the idea that we may someday have a president worthy of the title "The Great Believer".