James Hirsen
May 14, 2002

"The West Wing," NBC's attempt to portray life at the White House, has quite a season finale planned. Apparently, New Hampshire Democrat Josiah Bartlet, a liberal's dream character played by Martin Sheen, is going to have a GOP opponent.

Barbra Streisand may not be able to stomach the show, though. Sources indicate that husband James Brolin has been cast to play Bob Ritchie, a Republican candidate.

NBC's website for the show describes Sheen's character as having "a country-lawyer charisma that belies his brilliance." This should mean that, for balance, Bob Ritchie is going to be a thinking conservative with some depth of character. But if the show stays true to form, viewers shouldn't hold their breath.

Brolin isn't going to need any coaching from Babs on how to "best" portray a Republican. Along with his wife, he's an avid supporter of Democrats. In fact, he has given contributions to some high-profile candidates.

The Left Coast Report doesn't see it as a coincidence that writers of "The West Wing" gave the name "Bob Ritchie" to the GOP candidate. "Bob Poorman" just wouldn't plant the same seeds of class envy.

Julia Roberts Heads for the Hill

Julia Roberts is not going to appear nude in the upcoming movie "Full Frontal." But she did appear in front of Congress in the flesh.

In an attempt to focus some attention on Rett syndrome, a neurological disorder that mainly targets young girls, Roberts recently gave testimony on Capitol Hill.

The Oscar-winning actress spoke to members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Public Health Funding about the disease, which affects about 200,000 girls and women around the world and renders them unable to communicate or control bodily functions. Sporting glasses and dressed in a suit, Roberts broke down in tears as she described the death of Abigail Brodsky, a 10-year-old Brooklyn girl with the disease. Before dying, the young girl was able to film a documentary with the actress.

Roberts asked the subcommittee to set aside, in its 2003 budget, $15.5 million for research.

But now the star is under fire from those who would normally be in her camp. It seems that some animal rights groups are upset that Roberts urged Congress to support animal therapeutic studies.

The Left Coast Report is continually amazed that there are people in this country rushing to save the lives of lab animals that serve to assist science, while turning their backs on prenatal infants who are routinely sacrificed at whim.

Sex and the Capital City

Sarah Jessica Parker and husband Matthew Broderick are expecting a baby in the fall.

Maybe it's just a pregnant moment, but Parker tells the World Entertainment News Network that when her acting career is over, she wants to be a politician. Dreaming in Technicolor, the committed Democrat wants to run for the United States Senate.

Parker says, "I'd want to be a senator for either California or New York. I see that it's the only effective way to change things."

The Golden Globe winner shares a unique role with Maya Angelou, Katie Couric, Jane Curtin, Laurence Fishburne, James Kiberd and Edward James Olmos. All have allowed the U.N. to use their personal celebrity status to build its public image via UNICEF.

In fact, Sarah Jessica Parker is UNICEF's first special representative for the performing arts. Not surprisingly, the actress spouts liberalism like a broken sprinkler head.

Parker says she is "very, very concerned about the Bush presidency. I'm worried about the kind of cuts he might make in programs that mean something to a lot of people, including my family."

The Left Coast Report recommends that Parker, with her own sizable wealth, think less about government handouts and more about how "charity begins at home."

Jon Stewart's Wit and Wisdom

Aside from the fact that the guy's funny, conservatives have another reason for liking Jon Stewart.

At Pace University, Stewart took on Susan Sarandon, icon of the celebrity left. So reports the New York Daily News.

During a Tribeca Film Festival panel on "Life after 9/11," Stewart apparently pelted Sarandon with some verbal barbs.

In analyzing homicide bombers, Sarandon said, "When you have a guy who thinks the best act is to blow himself up, along with others, you have to ask, 'What leads to that?' "

Taking the liberal thought process further, Sarandon asked, "And is the response more violence? A cowboy shoot-'em-up?"

Stewart was ready with a rejoinder. "Getting us to understand that is like asking black people to understand why the Klan puts on pointy white hats." He then added the moniker of "pinko" for emphasis.

A Sarandon fan in the audience exclaimed that the embargo of Iraq led to the death of 5,000 children a month.

Again Stewart displayed some trademark wit and common wisdom, saying, "Hey, Saddam is building himself golden palaces. Why doesn't he buy sandwiches?"

The Left Coast Report doesn't know exactly what got into Jon Stewart but hopes that it's highly contagious.

Guess Who's Coming to Crash?

Like gum stuck to the bottom of our shoes, we just can't seem to get rid of the cast from the O.J. Simpson trial.

Former Simpson houseguest Brian "Kato" Kaelin dreams of being a houseguest again. But this time, he plans to turn his stays into reality TV.

"It's a show where I go across America, I knock on doors of the unsuspecting and invite myself in to spend a weekend with the family," Kaelin told ABC's "20/20."

The Left Coast Report hopes Kato memorizes that helpful little three-day rule, or the smell may get overwhelming.

The Wizard of Ozzy

First there was the bizarre but successful television series.

Then came a meeting with the president of the United States.

Next the song "Junkie" won a PRISM Award for accurate depiction of drug, alcohol and tobacco use in film, television and music.

Now Ozzy Osbourne has landed a book deal.

Simon & Schuster announced that it will publish two books about Ozzy and his family. Carolyn Reidy, president of Simon & Schuster's trade division, quipped to the Associated Press, "We're bleeping delighted to publish them at Simon & Schuster."

A hardcover memoir is set to come out in the spring of 2003.

The Left Coast Report warns the publishers that after his extensive experience with sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, Ozzy's memory may limit his memoirs to a pop-up book.

Vega's Tribute to 9-11

Singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega, best known for '80s tunes "Luka" and "Tom's Diner," has put together an anthology of songs dealing with 9-11.

Vega is a member of the Greenwich Village Songwriter's Exchange, a group of local musicians who meet weekly to share music.

In the aftermath of Sept. 11, members began to express feelings by writing music about the attack. Now Vega has collected songs that represent a range of responses and placed them on a CD called "Vigil." The CD contains 20 works by 15 artists, including a tune by Vega called "It Hit Home." Proceeds from the CD sales will be donated to Windows of Hope, a charity that benefits families of restaurant workers who died at the World Trade Center.

The Left Coast Report is grateful for artists like Vega who use their talents for the greater good.

The Left Coast Report is put together by James L. Hirsen and the staff of NewsMax.

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