Television: Commander in Change

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CiC's fantasy has certainly pleased its fans. But Bochco's shows--from Hill Street Blues through Over There, the FX Iraq-war drama--are better known for gritty realism than uplift. Bochco wouldn't comment on his plans, and ABC president Stephen McPherson insists that Bochco is "going to be doing the same show that Rod created." But shortly after taking over, Bochco fired five of CiC's nine writers. He has a reputation for boldness, if not lately for success: he has had a string of recent network failures (Blind Justice, City of Angels, Brooklyn South).

People connected with the show say it will eventually move away from the novelty of a woman President to political questions--including base closings and disaster relief--and character development. "[Bochco] will probably be exploring characters and issues more," says executive producer Dee Johnson. But producers also say the show would have moved beyond the introductory, gee-whiz-she's-a-woman stage under Lurie too. "The early days of any presidency," says Cohen, "are about what a new leader brings to the office, what their style is and their approach and their inner makeup." They're also about transitions, early missteps and staff problems. And as CiC is learning, sometimes life imitates politics.