FIRST FAMILY GUY: Josh Gad plays the president’s idiot son in the sitcom “1600 Penn,” part of a crop of new shows set in the political world. (Jordin Althaus/NBC)
Those medical dramas, snarky sitcoms, cop dramas, tough-guy reality shows and lawyer-in-jeopardy series are still around.
But it looks like the world of politics will play a significant role in the 2013 prime-time landscape.
With 2012 offering plenty in the way of political intrigue — a hard-fought presidential election, a schizophrenic economy, the “fiscal cliff,” more politicos enmeshed in scandal — Hollywood has taken notice, and will offer a smorgasbord of politically-themed comedies and dramas in the coming year.
Here’s a nonpartisan look at what’s on tap for politics-on-TV in the coming year:
* “The Americans”: Kerri Russell (“Felicity”) and Matthew Rhys (“Brothers & Sisters”) star in this FX series, premiering Jan. 30, as ’80s-era KGB agents impersonating a suburban couple (with kids) in order to create a “sleeper” spy cell in suburbia — where they live next door to an FBI agent. What can possibly go wrong? From “Justified” executive producer Graham Yost.
* “1600 Penn”: This NBC sitcom, premiering Jan. 10, revolves around US President Dale Gilchrist (Bill Pullman) and his wacky family — most notably his wild son, Skip (“The Book of Mormon” star Josh Gad). Jenna Elfman plays the exasperated first lady and stepmom to the three other first kids. It’s executive-produced by Jason Winer (“Modern Family”) and onetime White House speechwriter Jon Lovett — who likely knows a thing or two about first family dynamics.
* “Scandal”: ABC’s drama about Washington, DC political fixer Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) continues, in its second season, to gain momentum — and will attract some more attention with Washington’s co-starring role in Quentin Tarantino’s big-screen hit, “Django Unchained.”
* “Veep”: Julia Louis-Dreyfus won an Emmy for her portrayal of harried, politically ambiguous US Vice President Selina Meyer in this HBO sitcom, which is returning for its second season (no premiere date yet).
* “Double Down”: HBO has already bought the rights to “Double Down,” the 2012 presidential election sequel to “Game Change,” John Heilemann/Mark Halperin’s bestseller about the backroom intrigue surrounding the 2008 presidential race. HBO turned “Game Change” into a successful 2012 movie starring Julianne Moore (as Sarah Palin) and Ed Harris (as John McCain) — and will do the same with “Double Down,” which will cover the 2012 election battle between President Obama and challenger Mitt Romney.
* “White House Confidential”: NBC has bought the pilot for this series, described as an “Upstairs, Downstairs”-type drama about life behind closed doors in the White House. It’s from producing team Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (“Smash,” “Drop Dead Diva,” the 2013 Oscars), so it promises some sizzle and soap-opera drama — especially with former “General Hospital” scribe Sri Rao as head writer.