kitellis-98121 This is a show that has a lot to say, and for the most part says it very well.It's a shame that it didn't go down the route of "The West Wing", which though undeniably funny - often even absurdist - nevertheless projected the image of a grown-up, intellectual exploration into the shady world of politics, media, and the legislative process. Perhaps if it had, it may have lasted more than two seasons and been taken as seriously as it deserved. But unfortunately it makes the mistake of appearing to be a half-hour sitcom, rather than a one-hour primetime drama, and despite an impressive cast and good production values, it doesn't on the surface seem as thrilling or, let's face it, brilliant, as The West Wing. But it does have its moments. Plenty of them.Unlike The West Wing, it lacks the ever-present intellectual wit and sophistication of Aaron Sorkin's genius pen, but there are some extremely well-written speeches that are very nearly as cutting and eloquent as Sorkin's work. And the basic premise of an ex-president who after 25 years away from office suddenly decides to rehabilitate his legacy is an excellent launch pad for a thoroughly satisfying political drama, with unlimited scope for political and social commentary. It just needed to be built on a more solid and respectable platform than that of a sitcom, which is inherently attractive mainly to an audience of the lowest common denominator, who won't "get" it. Hence cancellation.The casting is sublime, with Nick Nolte offering up some of the best acting of his career. I don't think I've ever seen him perform so much from the inside, with such truth and subtle sincerity. His work in this show is verisimilitude personified. My only gripe is that his voice is so ravaged by years of drinking and smoking that he can barely utter a coherent line - and the dialogue in this show is so frigging important! However, the issue of his ruined voice is tackled head-on in one scene so unexpected and brilliantly played that it had me in fits of belly-laughter, and I was able to forgive it after that.Nolte's newly hired assistant is played by Skylar Astin (channelling Steve Guttenberg), and though lovable at first, by episode three he was beginning to grate a little. Since Nolte's character was experiencing so many important epiphanies, and saying so many important things about so many important issues, having a hovering neurotic assistant constantly attempting to cover-up his "lapses" was an irritating distraction from things that needed to be said, and were already partially being lost due to Nolte's breathless and raspy delivery.Nolte's young-adult daughter is played by Heléne Yorke, a pretty but troubled character sporting an attractive pair of nipples, which get plenty of exposure - for which I was most grateful - and a pleasant little camel-toe which is occasionally given its own close-up. Aside from her contributions as designated eye-candy, she is also a fine actress whose work becomes progressively less mammary-based as the show proceeds, and her character becomes considerably more three-dimensional (as it were).The ex-First Lady, played by Sella Ward, is everything you would expect, both from the screen character and also the actress playing her. She would not be out of place in any of the various political dramas that have ever been made, including The West Wing, or more recently Madam Secretary. She is perfectly cast, and like Nolte is doing some of the best work of her career.Rounding out the regular cast is Chris Lowell, making a late appearance as Nolte's troubled son, recently returned from war and seeking a new purpose in life, which he quickly finds as an angry, ranting TV pundit - giving the writers a fabulous opportunity to comment loudly and at length about whatever political or social gripe is in that episode's crosshairs. Lowell is an excellent young actor, and also balances his screen-sister's eye-candy quotient.As season one progresses, it becomes increasingly more dramatic and serious, thankfully, and the season finale is a cracker! I haven't yet watched season two, but I'm already wishing it wasn't going to end so soon. This show is a surprise gem!

SnoopyStyle Former Republican President Richard Graves (Nick Nolte) is adored by his supporters, and reviled by almost everyone else. He starts to have doubts about his legacy. His wife Margaret (Sela Ward) is looking to run for office. Isaiah Miller (Skylar Astin) is his true-believer new body man. His daughter Olivia (Heléne Yorke) has a broken marriage. His son Jeremy (Chris Lowell) is bitter after four years in the army. Sammy (Callie Hernandez) is the new waitress at his local diner who opens up his eyes to a new outlook.Nick Nolte sorta works as this burnt-out former man of power. He has the demeanor. The varying cast around him mostly work as individual characters. It's the interconnections and the plot writing that often falls down. The waitress is an odd character to get sucked into his world. She needs to be tied to the family a lot more securely. At a certain point, there are too many recurring characters. It needs to work on the relationships between the main characters. I like all the actors and Nolte does his good standard gruffness. The plot does keep drifting which gives the show an unhelpful instability.

chasdragonfly I was apprehensive about another political series, but politics are not the focus here; life and maturity are. There are moments of pathos and moments of laugh-out-loud comedy. Nick Nolte has always been an underrated actor. He is fantastic!! Sela Ward is perfect as the strong matriarch. The entire cast are great actors and they work so well together. They are so comfortable in their roles. They are like those chance meetings of people in your life that turn into lifelong friendships. You look forward to spending time with the Graves family every week. The 1st episode didn't grab me, but I hung in there and I am so glad I did!

mightycat-41020 My husband & I really enjoyed Graves. I was reading some negative reviews & all I can say is "lighten up people!" Whether you are a liberal or a conservative, you have to admit this is funny...IF you can lighten up enough. It is just a SHOW...a TV SHOW...from what I could tell it seemed to be not going at any one president in particular, but at several combined. Only thing that saddens me is obviously the wife is maybe being portrayed as Hillary....since she is after her own political title. The lady playing the former first lady is much prettier & kinder than what I portray Hillary to be. Ha!! Just my opinion. ;) Again, keep the laughs coming!! Can't wait for the next episode!