Madam Secretary (CBS) -- S: Tea Leoni -- Series Thread
09-22-14, 04:01 AM
#1
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Madam Secretary (CBS) -- S: Tea Leoni -- Series Thread
MADAM SECRETARY stars Tèa Leoni as Elizabeth McCord, the shrewd, determined, newly appointed Secretary of State who drives international diplomacy, battles office politics and circumvents protocol as she negotiates global and domestic issues, both at the White House and at home. A college professor and a brilliant former CIA analyst who left for ethical reasons, Elizabeth returns to public life at the request of the President following the suspicious death of her predecessor. The President values her apolitical leanings, her deep knowledge of the Middle East, her flair for languages and her ability to not just think outside the box, but to not even acknowledge there is a box. McCord's team includes her Chief of Staff Nadine Tolliver, speechwriter Matt Mahoney, press coordinator Daisy Grant and her charming assistant Blake Moran. When McCord debates third world problems, finesses foreign dignitaries at work and does battle with the President's combative Chief of Staff Russell Jackson, it's just a warm-up for when she goes home to her supportive husband, Henry, and their two bright children, where "politics" and "compromise" take on new meaning.
Did anyone here happen to catch this Sunday night at 8pm? It aired 1 hour late for East coast audiences because of football.
It's from the creator of Judging Amy and is Produced by Morgan Freeman.
I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed this much more than tonight's premiere of The Good Wife. Really good cast and it's a good mix of political drama and conspiracy thriller.
There is 2 story arcs. The death of the previous Secretary in a plane crash, which may involve someone in the White House. Also, the CIA analyst George (Bill Sadler) who is Elizabeth's friend was murdered presumably for having knowledge of it. I enjoyed it. I'll be back next week. I'm not a big fan of Tea Leoni, but she was pretty good here. Interesting that they have Keith Carradine as the POTUS. I don't forsee myself regularly posting and talking about this, but if interesting things happen I'll try.
Last edited by DJariya; 10-04-15 at 03:05 AM.
09-22-14, 08:27 AM
#2
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- Season 1 Thread -- S: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly -- Starts 9/21
This was a snooze fest. Wife and I didn't make it thru the entire episode.
09-22-14, 08:30 AM
#3
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Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- Season 1 Thread -- S: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly -- Starts 9/21
I'd rather watch the smart-ass professor aspect of Tea's character. LOL!
09-22-14, 09:28 AM
#4
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- Season 1 Thread -- S: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly -- Starts 9/21
We liked it. But mostly because of the supporting cast, not Tea. We''' see how long it lasts. Zeljko Ivanek is a series killer!
09-22-14, 09:35 AM
#5
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Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- Season 1 Thread -- S: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly -- Starts 9/21
Unfortunately, he does not choose wisely. He either takes on unmemorable guest star turns (Big Love, Banshee - seriously that was all to his character? -, etc. etc.) or jumps on series that are DOA based on premise and writing.
He was amazing on Damages. He needs another strong supporting role in a cable drama.
He was amazing on Damages. He needs another strong supporting role in a cable drama.
09-22-14, 09:48 AM
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Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- Season 1 Thread -- S: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly -- Starts 9/21
Serious questions, not intended as trolling: Does anyone care about Tea Leoni anymore? And how many people really know what a secretary of state does, other than political wonks and serious Hillary Clinton fans?
09-22-14, 06:48 PM
#7
Senior Member
Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- Season 1 Thread -- S: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly -- Starts 9/21
David, how much did anyone ever care about Tea Leoni? It's not like she's Halle Berry (but don't get me started on that idiotic Extant). But I guess I like the Spanglish Tea, the overbearing, sort of clueless, comic Tea. I want to like her in this show, and I want to like this show, but it's not quite there yet, IMHO. I don't think Ivanek is a series killer, I've liked him in his various roles, but I don't quite believe a real chief of staff would be so (or allowed to be so) controlling as to have to have everything the president sees go through him. So my disbelief of his role compromises my opinion of him in the role.
To me, the big problem for this show is that it's on just before Good Wife, which to me is an absolutely spectacular show, both in storytelling and in acting. And Madam Secretary pales in comparison.
To me, the big problem for this show is that it's on just before Good Wife, which to me is an absolutely spectacular show, both in storytelling and in acting. And Madam Secretary pales in comparison.
09-23-14, 04:55 PM
#10
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Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- Season 1 Thread -- S: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly -- Starts 9/21
Does she own a whorehouse or work at a brothel? 
09-25-14, 11:56 AM
#11
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Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- Season 1 Thread -- S: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly -- Starts 9/21
I enjoyed the pilot and will keep watching. I doubt this will ever hold a candle to The Good Wife, but I'm always happy to support CBS when they try something that isn't a crime prodecural/spinoff. I did find Tea seemed to have a little more energy at the beginning when she was still a professor. Hopefully she can tap back into that as the series progresses.
09-25-14, 12:06 PM
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- Season 1 Thread -- S: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly -- Starts 9/21
Seems like this could be a procedural. Only a political one on an international scale rather than just the US.
Last edited by hdnmickey; 09-25-14 at 05:28 PM.
09-25-14, 05:11 PM
#13
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Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- Season 1 Thread -- S: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly -- Starts 9/21
This was my favorite of the new shows. I enjoyed it more than Gotham, which I take to mean I am officially part of the Matlock generation.
I've said it before and I'll say it again... I have no idea why, but CBS and NBC look way better than ABC here (OTA and cable). CBS and NBC look like film. ABC looks like video (soft). Thank goodness Hannibal isn't on ABC.
I've said it before and I'll say it again... I have no idea why, but CBS and NBC look way better than ABC here (OTA and cable). CBS and NBC look like film. ABC looks like video (soft). Thank goodness Hannibal isn't on ABC.
09-28-14, 07:01 PM
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Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- Season 1 Thread -- S: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly -- Starts 9/21
WHILE DEALING WITH A CRISIS IN YEMEN, ELIZABETH FACES A CHALLENGE AT HOME WHEN HER DAUGHTER MAKES HEADLINES PROTESTING HER UNIVERSITY'S NEW POLICY, ON "MADAM SECRETARY," SUNDAY, SEPT. 28
"Another Benghazi" - While in the process of dealing with a crisis in Yemen, Elizabeth faces a challenge at home when her oldest daughter makes headlines for protesting her university's new policy, on MADAM SECRETARY, Sunday, Sept. 28 (8:01-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
REGULAR CAST:
Téa Leoni (Elizabeth McCord)
Tim Daly (Henry McCord)
Bebe Neuwirth (Nadine Tolliver)
Zeljko Ivanek (Russell Jackson)
Patina Miller (Daisy Grant)
Erich Bergen (Blake Moran)
Geoffrey Arend (Matt Mahoney)
Katherine Herzer (Alison McCord)
Evan Roe (Jason McCord)
RECURRING CAST:
Keith Carradine (President Conrad Dalton)
Sebastian Arcelus (Jay Whitman)
Patrick Breen (Andrew Munsey)
Wallis Currie-Wood (Stephanie "Stevie" McCord)
GUEST CAST: Joshua Colley (Elizabeth McCord)
Paige Brady (Susie Wellington)
Megan Byrne (Jessica Wellington)
Tim Guinee (Paul Wellington)
John Bedford Lloyd (Everard Burke)
Jeff Hephner (Isaac Bishop)
Shawn T. Andrew (Seal)
Brian O'Neill (Navy Admiral)
Lesli Silva (Ms. Hardwick)
Mariand Torres (Young Widow)
Leila Buck (Al-Huran News Anchor)
WRITTEN BY: Executive Producer Barbara Hall
DIRECTED BY: David Semel
New Start time for #MadamSecretary will be 8:15/715c LOCALLY NYC, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Michigan, parts of Wisconsin, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and Savannah, GA.
09-29-14, 12:20 PM
#15
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- Season 1 Thread -- S: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly -- Starts 9/21
I liked it. Found the cast and characters likable and smart. Had a bit of a West Wing vibe for me. Season pass.
09-29-14, 05:12 PM
#16
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Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- Season 1 Thread -- S: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly -- Starts 9/21
I really am enjoying this show, but it may be one the first casualties of the new crop of shows, given its anemic 18 - 49 rating.
10-06-14, 12:10 AM
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Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- Season 1 Thread -- S: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly -- Starts 9/21
I enjoyed tonight's episode, however, some of the issues she deals with should not be resolved in a one and done episode, but rather over the course of at least 2 or 3 episodes (it just does not feel like the show has set up a/b storylines). I guess the family at home scenes might be considered the B storyline, but not really. That being said, I actually enjoy those scenes, especially the ones with her daughter who dropped out of college.
10-06-14, 12:18 AM
#18
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Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- Season 1 Thread -- S: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly -- Starts 9/21
Having said that... is it just me, or does Tea always look like she just rolled out of bed? Even if she's all gussied up, her hair goes in 16 different directions at once, and she looks like she's coming off a gin bender. It's like she and the Trivago guy are soulmates.
10-06-14, 12:59 AM
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Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- Season 1 Thread -- S: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly -- Starts 9/21
Having said that... is it just me, or does Tea always look like she just rolled out of bed? Even if she's all gussied up, her hair goes in 16 different directions at once, and she looks like she's coming off a gin bender. It's like she and the Trivago guy are soulmates.
11-17-14, 05:57 PM
#20
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Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- Season 1 Thread -- S: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly -- Starts 9/21
It's finally getting good, with the Prez and Chief of Staff on the prime suspect list for offing the previous Sec.State.
11-17-14, 06:10 PM
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Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- Season 1 Thread -- S: Tea Leoni, Tim Daly -- Starts 9/21
http://www.cbs.com/shows/madam-secretary/video/
The entire season is on CBS.com
Also, the entire season is on CBS on demand (if you get it)
The entire season is on CBS.com
Also, the entire season is on CBS on demand (if you get it)
10-19-19, 03:59 PM
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Re: Madam Secretary (CBS) -- S: Tea Leoni -- Series Thread
I watched it last night - Elizabeth McCord has graduated to Madam President in its last season with a scandal that she "colluded" with Iran and leaked incriminating information regarding her presidential rival.
