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BY JAY BOBBIN A bunch of 'Animals' The makers of a new miniseries, including one of the year's most impressive television casts, have America's political parties to thank for it coming together so fast. Executive producer Greg Berlanti ("Brothers & Sisters") admits this being an election year was a huge factor in his rapid development – and USA Network's quick purchase – of "Political Animals," which begins a weekly run Sunday, July 15. The drama boasts a rare home-screen appearance by Sigourney Weaver as a maritally troubled former first lady and failed presidential candidate who becomes secretary of state. If that sounds somewhat familiar, let it be noted the character is fictional, indicated by her demand for a divorce from her ex- president husband (Ciaran Hinds) early in the premiere episode. However, his charisma and connections keep him useful to her in matters of international diplomacy ... again, fiction in this case. reporter (Carla Gugino) who "won a Pulitzer for covering (the former president's) affairs" and starts digging into his ex-spouse's life. Included in it, and cleverly introduced in the faux MSNBC news report that opens the show, are the Weaver character's sons (James Wolk, Sebastian Stan) and brassy mother (Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn). Also in the top-notch group of "Political Animals" stars: Adrian Pasdar ("Heroes") as the current president; Dylan Baker ("The Good Wife') as his less-than-trustworthy vice president; another Academy Award recipient, Vanessa Redgrave, as a Supreme Court justice and Weaver's adviser; Roger Bart ("Desperate Housewives") as the White House chief of staff; and Dan Futterman ("Judging Amy") as Gugino's beau and journalistic colleague. "The material is delicious and interesting," The secretary also has a problem in a Weaver says, "and it taps reservoirs in me that have not been tapped in a while. Not Hundreds of Dollars in Money-Saving Coupons every week in the DAILYNEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY THURSDAY … And that does not count all the ads offering percentage discounts, two-for-ones and Free-with-Purchase offers! Don't miss a Day of it! Subscribe Today 530 527-2151 It pays for itself. All Our Mattresses Are Handmade And 2-Sided For Twice The Life & Value • All Sizes Available $5000 With This Coupon TO $15000 QUALITY 2-SIDED MATTRESSES SAVE FROM Why Pay More FACTORY MATTRESS OUTLET Serves You "Bedder" SQUARE DEAL (since 1920) 3650 Main St. in Cottonwood Here for you • Open 7 Days 347-3646 July 14 - 20, 2012 Flipable • FREE Delivery • FREE Take-Out 2 x 5" ad 12:00 p.m. (ESPN) 2012 British Open Golf Championship First Round. From the Royal Lytham & St. Annes in Lancashire, England. 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"What I'm really happy about is that my character is strong and accomplished and ambitious, but we also see what's bubbling under the surface. "I always end up being concerned, with television, that you have a pilot that's had a lot of time to be thought about and shot ... and then it's hard to sustain that," Gugino says. "With this, every week, we keep getting episodes that are fantastically written." 7:30 p.m. (CSNBA) Aly Raisman: Quest for Gold (Part 2 of 3) 8:00 p.m. (CSNBA) Aly Raisman: Quest for Gold (Part 3 of 3) WEDNESDAY 9:00 p.m. (CSNBA) Aly Raisman: Quest for Gold (Part 1 of 3) 9:30 p.m. (CSNBA) Aly Raisman: Quest for Gold (Part 2 of 3) 10:00 p.m. (CSNBA) Quest for Gold Fea- tures and interviews with Olympic hopefuls from the Pacific Northwest. 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