TVSquad

All things Obama are doing really well right now. Not just winning the election, but the top of the charts for Senator Barack Obama's two books, merchandise with Obama's image and name, anything and everything about the president-elect is hot, hot, hot. Thanks to the first major post-election sit-down interview with Barack and Michelle Obama last Sunday, CBS's 60 Minutes had its largest audience in nearly a decade. The 6.4 rating/16 share (adults 18-49) translated into a viewing audience of just under 25 million.

The enthusiasm and excitement for Obama is not unusual when you're talking about a new president. I recall this kind of buzz before Bill Clinton took office in 1993. The Clinton Inaugural even warranted a two-hour TV special that featured a glitzy array of celebrity Friends of Bill, like Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, Fleetwood Mac, Warren Beatty and more.

Here's an appointment to the President-elect Barack Obama's new administration that should really make Hardball's Chris Matthews happy. He's hired Ari Gold's brother -- sort of. Rep. Rahm Emanuel, has accepted the job as White House Chief of Staff, and the Congressman's brother Ari Emanuel is the inspiration for Jeremy Piven's character Ari Gold on Entourage.

Just like Ari on HBO, Ari Emanuel is Hollywood's toughest agent and Endeavor Talent Agency is the tops in the business. Ari's brother Rahm has a reputation for being just as ambitious, aggressive and forceful. He likes to play hardball and has been known to twist arms and bust heads, metaphorically, to get things done.

(S07E20) Hmmm...you would think they would leave a title like "The Last Hurrah" for the last episode of the series (it's not, the title of that episode is "Tomorrow"), but it fit this one. This was a very solid episode. I usually don't like the episodes that are almost all Vinick and new administration-oriented, but this one was great. Alan Alda is a flawless actor, and it's terrific to see what Vinick is going through now that he's lost. And another nice touch? Using the older characters of Amy and Ron to sort of bridge the old cast and the new cast.

While Santos is busy as hell (he and the new First Lady have to decide what school their kids should go to, Houston or D.C.), Vinick finds himself with nothing to do.