'1600 Penn' Taking Political Cues From 'The West Wing'

1:20 PM PST 1/6/2013 by Michael O'Connell

11
76
0
0
272
Email
Print
Comments

EP Jason Winer says the NBC comedy exists in "an alternate universe," where the only famous cameos will be from reporters -- most of them imported from the parent company.

Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images

NBC may have two political comedies when 1600 Penn joins Parks and Recreation on the Thursday block this week, but the former's creators insist that they are two decidedly different entities.

1600 Penn: TV Review

TV Ratings: 'Gossip Girl' Finale Jumps, '1600 Penn' Samples Well With 'Voice' Lead

'1600 Penn' EP Jason Winer Signs New Overall Deal With 20th TV, Launches Production Co.

'New Girl': Josh Gad on His Unsuccessful Romancing of Jess in the Season 2 Premiere

Cameos from the likes of Joe Biden, John McCain, Barbara Boxer and Olympia Snowe, as seen on this season of Parks, won't have any place on the sitcom about a fictional first family starring Bill Pullman, Jenna Elfman and Josh Gad.

"Our show exists in an alternative political universe," said pilot director and EP Jason Winer at the semi-annual Television Critics Association press tour on Saturday. "If Joe Biden came on, it would be like a snake eating its own tail."

PHOTOS: '1600 Penn' Set Visit: Hollywood's Version of the White House

Instead of booking anyone from inside the beltway, Winer notes 1600 Penn is taking cues from an NBC series from the past.

"We adopt a similar role as The West Wing," he added. "[We acknowledge] that history existed up until a certain point, but then we don't mention anything else. We don't mention anything after [Jimmy] Carter."

Winer's comment on the exact date that the world of 1600 Penn diverges from U.S. history earned him a few laughs.

PHOTOS: Midseason 2013: TV's Newest Series

As for West Wing realism, co-creator Jon Lovett promised that his three-year tenure as a speechwriter for President Obama will balance the levity.

"My experience may give us a way to ground this show and these stories about the family," he said. "We definitely have some fun with the press in the briefing room."

Enter the notable cameos. The EPs listed off names of real journalists, most of them from NBCUniversal properties, already booked to appear -- Mika Brzezinski, Savannah Guthrie, Joe Scarborough, Chuck Todd and Larry King among them.

Email: Michael.OConnell@THR.com; Twitter: @MikeyLikesTV