The Sterling Review
By Johnny Betts
Hello and welcome to the Sterling Review. My name is Johnny Betts. Most of you know
me from my wildly popular
Rider Reviews. If you're not familiar with them, well, it's quite simple. They're reviews
of the old ABC television show "The Young Riders." The show starred Josh Brolin as a young "Wild
Bill" Hickok, and I've been a fan of his ever since.
That's why I've decided to start the Sterling Reviews. The purpose of the Review is to
entertain, enlighten, and educate. I'll give you my take on various characters, plot lines,
goofs, and anything else that pops in my mind during an episode. You, the reader, won't always
agree with what I say (not at first, anyway), but you'll be entertained by it nonetheless. That's
what it's all about.
This is a political show, so there's probably going to be a lot of stuff within the show that I don't
agree with, but I don't want to use the reviews to go off on all sorts of political tangents. This isn't
going to be my personal political soapbox. Sure, I'll voice my opinion about things within an episode that
annoy me, and I'll make fun of a whole lot of people, but I'm going to do my best to avoid saturating you
with my personal political opinions. It'd be easy for me to go off on wild rants, but I want to entertain
and educate more than agitate. If you want to discuss anything privately then you're welcome to email me.
Before you head to the review, you might be interested in what some of the critics are
saying about Josh Brolin's performance:
Tom Shales, Washington Post: Played with crisp, casual conviction by an admirably
engaging Josh Brolin.
Charlie McCollum, Mercury News: But the real strength of "Mister Sterling" is its
cast, starting with Brolin, who flashes considerable charm and appeal as the new senator.
Rob Owen, Pittsburgh Post Gazette: played with appropriate scruffiness by Brolin.
Frazier Moore, AP: Brolin is a winning choice, portraying the senator as a man of wit,
charm and -- after his formative years spent under a microscope -- chronic self-control.
Bill Mann, The Press Democrat: Brolin turns in a strong, credible performance as the
lead in this promising, classy-looking new drama.
Robert Bianco, USA Today: Brolin, who is properly heroic as Sterling...
Phil Gallo, ET Online: ...played with cloying self-confidence by Josh Brolin.
Tom Jicha, Sun Sentinal: Brolin has a comfortable handle on the role of the handsome,
earnest goody-goody.
Matthew Gilbert, Boston Globe: As the earnest Sterling, Josh Brolin is likable.
Adam Buckman, PageSix.com: Josh Brolin, who brings just the right amount of bewilderment
and self-righteousness to the role of a young man who grew up hating politics.
Robert Laurence, Union Tribune: O'Donnell begins well enough, with the hunky yet
persuasive Josh Brolin cast as William Sterling Jr.
Dusty Saunders, Rocky Mountain News: Brolin, a much better actor than his father,
James is mostly believable.
Kay McFadden, The Seattle Times: Josh Brolin is "Easygoing and inoffensive."
David Bianculli, NY Daily News: Brolin, like his character, is a relatively fresh face,
and displays humor, determination and doubt as Sterling plows through his first day as a senator.
What else is there to say? Well, take a look at my review and you'll see that Johnny Betts always has PLENTY
to say. If you're looking for "Mister Sterling" info then this is the place to get it. Spread the news to
friends and family. They'll be glad you did. Well, maybe not, but at least it'll give my webpage a few
more hits. Enjoy.
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