On a lighter note: Who's cuter, Josh or Sam

Dani257 · #1 08-17-2001, 09:30 PM

I must be feeling argumentative lately

So, for you West Wing fans, who's cuter? Josh Lyman or Sam Seaborn. Support your arguments, please.

Me? Sam, Sam, Sam! I never even looked at Rob Lowe before, and don't care for him in anything else, but when I see him as Sam Seaborn, the heart just goes thump! He looks great in glasses. He's a little geeky, and I love a man who can combine good looks and geekiness. He's idealistic. He has a smile that starts slow and spreads all over his face.

Am I right? Or am I right

Oh, and if you feel someone else on the show is totally hot and blows these guys out of the water, let me know. Also if you think this is way too frivolous a topic

**pluckyduck** · #2 08-18-2001, 10:35 AM

Frivolous? Absolutely not!

(although, I do think I should move this over to "Reel People" after I respond)

I've given this a lot of thought over the years, and while my initial reaction was to fall for Josh, I have to say Sam is in lead in my heart at the moment.

Here's the thing:

Give me a choice between the pretty boy (Sam) and the less-than-pretty boy (Josh), and I'll pick the less-than-pretty boy every time. Generally, the less-than-pretty boy is going to be funnier, more interesting, kinder and more focused on the other person, rather than themselves. (This doesn't necessarily hold true in real life, but it's pretty standard on the tube at least)

However, Sam's character isn't fitting the pretty boy mode. He's extremely intelligent, funnier than Josh (who is funny), complex, and really, really kind. He's also insecure, in a way that makes him much more accessible than the standard TV pretty boy.

I couldn't stand Rob Lowe before West Wing Obviously, I was previously laboring under a mis-impression.

My favorite heart throb from the series though was Danny, the reporter who was courting CJ. That's my kind of guy. I'd marry him (the character) in half a second, if I wasn't already spoken for.

Oh, and if the character happened to be, um, real, as opposed to, um a character on a TV show.

Andrea

eplovejoy · #3 08-18-2001, 02:48 PM

Dear Angela and Andrea,

No one is wrong on a question like this, of course. But you two come close.

The best looking man (cutest, if you prefer) on The West Wing is John Spencer, who plays chief of staff Leo McCarey. (That spelling might not be right. Until she was killed, I thought the president's secretary was Mrs. Lanningham, not Landingham.)

He's also the smartest and his wry sense of humor makes him the funniest, although Josh tries harder.

Josh and Sam will be attractive, when they grow up.

Peter,
who prefers men to boys (not to be confused with Boys II Men)

and who wonders why Mrs. David Duchovney started this

and who, while we're somewhat close to the subject, is very disappointed that they brought on Ainsley Hayes as a token Republican and then did nothing but make her a ditz

Edited to reflect that I really do know Angela's name. Honest, I do.

**pluckyduck** · #4 08-18-2001, 03:20 PM

Sorry, Peter, while I admire Leo, and think he would make a hell of a friend, and a great boss, he's shown himself to be a terrible mate. He put exactly zero effort into saving his marriage. Oh yeah, he moped and mourned, but took no action towards getting his wife or his relationship back.

Now, Tommy on LA Law? He was a cutie.

BTW, I've been hopelessly in love with Martin Sheen since the days of The Execution of Private Slovak and That Certain Summer. Anybody remember those TV movies? I'll never forget him in a black turtleneck and white jeans. Talk about adolescent female hormones raging.

As far as Ainsley goes,

, I have to agree with you. She started off as an intelligent foil for Sam, and ended up being the comic relief. Oh, she was funny, but I hope they redeem the character a bit better this season.

Andrea
who loves West Wing

Dani257 · #5 08-18-2001, 03:36 PM

What can I say? I'm a loose woman. Besides, my husband keeps spending time with that Leoni woman. Time to give him a taste of his own medicine.

I love Ainsley. I don't see her as a ditz. Someone who may have ditzy moments when she gets nervous, but I love her debates with Sam.

Leo? He's okay, but I agree he would make a better friend.

It's just the strange combination of his uncoolness and his pretty boy looks (I love pretty boys!) that makes me like Sam. Plus, he's a sweetie.

#6 08-18-2001, 05:28 PM

Oh. You are talking about the Sopranos? I had to figure it out

Ander

Dani257 · #7 08-18-2001, 05:50 PM

Sopranos?

wivabef · #8 08-18-2001, 06:32 PM

Anybody who writes an e-mail to his Mom thanking her for buying him new shoes AND happens to work in the White House AND slips in the hallowed Senate halls on said shoes -- that's my dude. Josh is my man -- I even had an -- um -- uncomfortable to discuss with my husband dream -- about the man.

That being said -- I am a shallow person -- and if it's between Sam and Josh in a hunky, smarty beauty contest, Sam would win, handsome hunky hands down. Plus, he has a thing for the Republican chick, which I find charming.

(And Ainsley isn't a ditz. She feels comfortable about being fun and humorous while putting a conference room full of democrats in their place about the frivolity of the ERA -- that isn't ditzy.)

Elyzabeth
Who likes to Bossa Nova after a few pink squirrels, too.

**pluckyduck** · #9 08-18-2001, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Who likes to Bossa Nova after a few pink squirrels, too

OMG! That had to be the funniest scene I've ever experienced on TV. Don and I practically bust a gut.

Elyzabeth - I (respectfully, of course

) disagree. Ainsley is a ditz, she's just a smart ditz. Nothing wrong with that. I've got a couple of brain cells myself and am pretty darn ditzy. (No! Not you, Andrea!) Of course, I'm not as smart as she is or as pretty as she is, but, ahem, I am flesh and blood.

My point in agreeing with Peter is really a political one. I wasn't completely comfortable with the way the series was portraying Republicans, and was happy that Ainsley joined the cast...I'd just like to see a little more emphasis on the brains than the ditz this season, that's all. Just as long as they leave her obsession with muffins in.

Ander, no, not The Sopranos. The only other show that could possibly make my head hurt when trying to decide who deserves an Emmy for what:

The West Wing

Just to stir a little controversy, if you held a gun to my head and made me choose, I'd pick James Gandolfini over Martin Sheen and Rob Lowe for best actor. But, I won't be crying foul if either Sheen or Lowe win, I'll still be cheering. It was an excellent season for all three actors. All three men have taken Boob Tube acting to a new level. They are amazing. :thumbs:

For best series this year, I have to pick West Wing. Pains me, because I felt The Sopranos was robbed the two previous years...it just wasn't as strong a year for The Sopranos.

Andrea
torn between the two best series ever made for TV

Dani257 · #10 08-18-2001, 10:11 PM

I can't give a real opinion on the Sopran, since I don't watch the show, but I have a feeling Martin Sheen will win Best Actor. Just a hunch.

West Wing for best show!

I was surprised when Rob Lowe got nominated for Best Actor. I love his work, but I had always thpught his role was supporting. But, I heard the actors decide for themselves what role they want to be considered for. Also, Rob Lowe was supposed to be the star of the show. That's why he's first in the credits. Notice how everyone else, except Martin Sheen are listed alphabetically. If Rob Lowe does win (though I really think he's an underdog with Sheen and James Gandolfini) maybe that will make Aaron Sorkin give him more storylines.

As soon as I read the posts on the bossa nova, I had to dig up my tape and watch it again. I really hope we see a lot of Ainsley next season.

eplovejoy · #11 08-23-2001, 04:23 PM

Andrea: I missed the first few episodes so I didn't see anything about Leo's wife. I knew he has a daughter, but I just assumed that he was happily married to a woman who doesn't figure into the storyline, just like the president's other daughter doesn't.

I agree that anyone who doesn't take his marital commitments loses a lot of points. Thanks for the L.A. Law reminder to soften the disappointment.

So, has the vice-president been committed to his marriage? How about Justice Mendoza?

__________

Angela: I'm sorry about that Leoni situation. Anyone who doesn't take his marital commitments seriously loses a lot of points. I hope David comes to his senses soon, for your sake and for the sake of anyone who might be subjected to Evolution II.

wivabef · #12 08-24-2001, 12:47 AM

Not sure about Hoynes (VP) but I am sure about Mendoza as a reference to his wife and son being with him when he was "profiled" in Connecticut and arrested for DUI. He is at least married -- is it the mother of his son? Is it his first, second or third?

Hey, nowadays, who knows.

Toby is divorced. Leo soon to be (if not already), Sam's girl as a call girl and Donna's boyfriend stopped for a beer after picking her up from her car accident.

Mallory (Leo's daughter) appears to at least been married before as she has a different last name than Dad but is dating a hockey player. And Bartlet doesn't like second daughter Ellie's boyfriend.

No wonder Josh isn't married -- though he apparently dated Mandy, which makes me only think "Toe Pick!" (if any of you saw DB and Moira in cutting edge).

Dani257 · #13 08-24-2001, 03:54 AM

Well, the call girl was an accident.

I hope David comes to his senses before anyone can think to make Evolution II. It's already a book and will be a cartoon series. Until then, there's always Sam