Political show flops

The week's news at a glance.

Berlin

A German network’s attempt at a political drama similar to NBC’s The West Wing has failed because of the inherent lack of drama in German politics. The Chancellor’s Office, a fictional account of life in the German government that premiered this month, featured story lines about a reporter trading sex for scoops and a Cabinet minister on drugs. Television critics panned the show as “stupid” and “boring.” But politicians said the show was not nearly boring enough. “The seat of government is really a very quiet place,” said former Cabinet member Egon Bahr. “You don’t see people running around wildly, rushing from one office to another.”

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