If you want to watch real diplomacy “in action,” NBC’s Andrea Mitchell suggests you tune in Sunday nights to the show loosely based on former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Indeed.
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NBC News’ chief foreign affairs correspondent suggested this week that CBS’ “Madame Secretary” is a nice contrast to the Trump era, because the TV drama is one of the few places where people can watch actual diplomacy.
“As we’ve had a downturn at the State Department, at least it’s one place we can watch diplomacy in action, at least once a week on Sunday night,” Mitchell said to guest and “Madame Secretary” cast member Erich Bergen.
Bergen responded, “The only time you get it.”
It’s no secret that Mitchell is excessively deferential to certain guests, especially the ones she personally admires. But come on.
“Madame Secretary” isn’t exactly realistic. It’s a feel-good fantasy wrapped up in “bold” dialogue. It’s wish-fulfillment for people who want to believe this is how the nation’s capital operates. Lord help the person who thinks this is how things actually work at the State Department (or any level of the federal government for that matter).
Worse yet, “Madame Secretary” isn’t even very good. It’s uninspired and boring.
Incidentally, this reminds me of why I can’t stand the “West Wing” – and it’s not just because it’s similarly droopy and poorly written. That stupid Aaron Sorkin show convinced a generation of starry-eyed public employees that lofty goals can be achieved through too-cute political maneuvers and soaring rhetoric. If you want to understand the abject naivety of the Obama years, consider that the kids on his staff spent a significant part of their high school and college years consuming a steady diet of Sorkin’s nonsense.
Here’s hoping Mitchell is in the minority in thinking “Madame Secretary” is also like real life.
