Brad Meltzer: Novelist, Comic Book Writer
And Now, Television Producer

I just got through watching an advance copy of the first episode of Jack and Bobby, the WB's new Sunday night drama. Co-created by bestselling thriller writer Brad Meltzer, the show follows the lives of two teenage boys in Missouri--one of whom will be elected president in 2040. As you'll learn from the page on Meltzer's website, the show's been on people's radar for a while:

Matthew Long stars as the handsome, athletic and socially adept Jack McCallister. Logan Lerman plays the younger -- and geekier -- Bobby. As to which of the boys enters the White House, [executive producer Greg] Berlanti says he would like to keep it a secret for as long as possible.

That suspense is only going to last as long as the first episode, though, after which viewers can focus on how adolescence will shape the future president's character. What I saw looks pretty good, a lot like that West Wing episode where C.J. goes home to visit her father in terms of its small town focus. The script (not by Meltzer, though you can feel his vibe in the characterizations) is a little heavy on talking through emotions, but the stronger scenes make up for it--and the flashforward interviews where various people from the future discuss the president are very well done. I'm definitely curious, though it's up against Law and Order: Criminal Intent, so that's a problem there...