"Cheesy" Madam Secretary proved it was okay to be one of TV's least-hip shows

The New York Times

"Here’s to loving one of the least-hip shows on TV," says Margaret Lyons, reflecting on Sunday's series finale of the CBS political drama. "To its earnest parenting, its destabilizing cast changes, its long seasons. Get excited for a cameo from Colin Powell, as himself! Marvel at the variety of accents being attempted! Can we interest you in some passionate descriptions of diplomacy and an occasional mention of Thomas Aquinas?" Lyons adds: "What it felt like was a show that wanted to be enjoyed, not agonized over. Trust, I love puzzling out a show, reading endless threads that dissect tiny clues, charting minuscule hints and decoding ancillary materials. But it is not the only way to love, and we cannot live on dire dramas alone. Decency is not a vice, and a vague squareness is not so bad, either." ALSO: Téa Leoni on real-life White House drama: “I can’t believe I’m getting beat by C-SPAN.”