The West Wing
The West Wing is an American television drama created by Aaron Sorkin, running since the late 1990s and now in its fifth season. The show is set in the White House run by a fictional Democratic administration. The West Wing of the White House is the modern day location of the President's Oval Office and the offices of most of his staff.
Lead characters
President Josiah Bartlet (a descendant of Josiah Bartlett, a New Hampshire Governor and signatory of the Declaration of Independence), played by Martin Sheen, was originally intended to be a minor character, appearing only a few times every season. The original plan was to follow the staff of the West Wing through the eyes of a young speechwriter, Sam Seaborn, played by Rob Lowe. The high quality of the ensemble acting by the main cast, and in particular Sheen's performance as the sometimes Clintonesque Bartlet has, however, seen him become the show's central character, sidelining Lowe's Sam Seaborn. The twindling attention has been quoted as a reason for Rob Lowe's departure during the fourth season.
Bartlet represents, in many ways, a liberal Democrat's fantasy of the ideal president: a fierce intellect, with great (though not infallible) personal integrity, toughness, but tempered with essential compassion for the less fortunate. His staff, collectively, are similar—talented, bright, and thoroughly committed.
Staying topical
The West Wing often features extensive discussion on current or recent political issues, and with the real-world election of the Republican President George W. Bush in 2000, many wondered whether the show could retain its relevance and topicality.
Following the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks, the third season premiere was pushed back a week. A script for a special episode was quickly written and filming began on September 21. "Isaac and Ishmael" finished shooting in about a week—an incredibly quick turn around time for a TV drama. The episode aired on October 3 and addressed the sobering reality of terrorism in America, albeit with no specific reference to September 11. While Isaac and Ishmael didn't get universal critical acclaim, it nonetheless illustrated the show's flexibility in addressing current events.
Sorkin's Exit
With Aaron Sorkin's exit from the show after the fourth season, many have expected the show to take on a more bipartisan footing. Plot themes centering on foreign policy, for example, have grown more common, arguably making the show more approachable and less partisan. And even though still sometimes derided as The Left Wing, the show's award-winning writing, high production values, acclaimed standard of ensemble acting and an unprecedented accuracy in showing how the presidency operates have earned The West Wing a respect even among those who do not share its unambiguously expressed views.
Indeed, though rarely winning the ratings match in sheer bulk of viewers, The West Wing has achieved a cult following among viewers interested in politics, current affairs and high quality drama.
Awards
The West Wing has won the Emmy Award for Best Drama Series in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003. Despite its focus on American politics, the show remains popular throughout much of the Western world.
Main cast
- Rob Lowe — Samuel Norman 'Sam' Seaborn, Deputy Communications Director (left during 4th season)
- Allison Janney — Claudia Jean 'C.J.' Cregg, White House Press Secretary
- Richard Schiff — Tobias Zachary 'Toby' Ziegler, White House Director of Communications
- John Spencer — Leo Thomas McGarry, White House Chief of Staff, pushed Bartlet to run for president
- Bradley Whitford — Joshua 'Josh' Lyman, Deputy White House Chief of Staff
- Martin Sheen — Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet, POTUS and previously the governor and three-term congressman of New Hampshire
- Stockard Channing — Abigail 'Abbey' Bartlet, First Lady, formerly a physician
- Janel Moloney — Donnatella 'Donna' Moss, Senior Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Planning
Original Music
- W.G. "Snuffy" Walden composed the title theme and score