Jack & Bobby is a short-lived American television series that aired on the WB Network. It featured two brothers, one of whom was destined to be President of the United States from 2041 to 2049. It was created by Greg Berlanti, as well as by novelist and comic book writer Brad Meltzer and Thomas Schlamme, who directed most of the first four seasons of The West Wing.
| Jack & Bobby | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Greg Berlanti Steve Cohen Vanessa Taylor Brad Meltzer |
| Starring | Christine Lahti Matt Long Logan Lerman Jessica Paré Edwin Hodge John Slattery Bradley Cooper Keri Lynn Pratt Cam Gigandet |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 22 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | The WB |
| Release | September 12, 2004 – May 11, 2005 |
The show followed the childhoods of Jack and Bobby (Robert) McCallister as they go to high school and generally mature. Much conflict was generated between them and their mother, Grace, played by Christine Lahti, who was at once domineering and unreliable. Their story was paralleled by a series of interviews with figures associated with the McCallister presidency, which told their own story. Typically, there was a thematic parallel between the event from McCallister's presidency and the event from his childhood.
On May 17, 2005, the WB announced it would not renew Jack & Bobby for a second season.
The series debuted on the Australian broadcasting network ABC on September 25, 2006.
Plot
The pilot maintained mystery about which of the two brothers became President until the end of the episode, when it was revealed that it was Bobby, and that Jack dies young. The events leading to this were left unknown until series finale where it was revealed that Jack served in the War of the Americas and as a public defender before running for political office at Bobby's suggestion, only to be killed during a convenience store robbery. His death inspired Bobby to take his brother's place, eventually running for President in 2040. He later became known as "The Great Believer" for his determination and faith in the face of many obstacles, from international conflicts to scandals within his own administration, as well as many attacks on his reputation. Jack's memory is kept alive through Bobby; he marries his ex-girlfriend Courtney in 2025 and keeps one of his best friends as a member of his staff.
Cast
Main
- Professor Grace McCallister (Christine Lahti)
- Jack McCallister (Matt Long)
- Robert "Bobby" McCallister (Logan Lerman)
- Courtney Benedict (Jessica Paré)
- Marcus Ride (Edwin Hodge)
- Peter Benedict (John Slattery)
Recurring
- Tom Wexler Graham (Bradley Cooper) - Grace's former assistant and lover
- Missy Belknap (Keri Lynn Pratt) - Jack 's on-and-off girlfriend
- Randy Bongard (Cam Gigandet) - Missy's on-and-off boyfriend
- Jimmy McCallister (Tom Cavanagh) - Grace McCallister's gay adult brother and uncle to the boys
- Warren Feide (Dean Collins) - Bobby's best friend
- Nate Edmonds (Mike Erwin) - Courtney's boyfriend
- Katie (Kate Mara) - Jack's former girlfriend
- Dex Trugger (Jeanette Brox) - Bobby's former girlfrend
- Dennis Morgenthal (John Heard)
- BJ Bongaro (Kyle Gallner)
- Chloe Benedict (Shailene Woodley) - Courtney's sister and Peter's daughter
- Stacy Heber (Shonda Farr) - Missy's friend
- Future Marcus Ride (Ron Canada)
- Future Courtney McCallister (Brenda Wehle)
- Juan Roberto Alba (Lou Diamond Philips) - Grace's former lover and father of Jack and Bobby
- Matt Kramer (Patrick J. Adams) - Jack's former friend
See also
References