As a devoted fan of The West Wing, I can’t help but reflect on the profound impact this series had on both the television landscape and my own personal journey as a viewer. The show was more than just a weekly escape; it was a masterclass in storytelling, politics, and human emotion that resonated deeply with me.
For quite some time, Aaron Sorkin and the ensemble of his critically acclaimed, multi-Emmy winning, politically inclined production have consistently faced the same curiosity: What will come after this?
Could we possibly have another opportunity to glimpse into the most inspiring of White Houses, a place where people imagined a political realm that seamlessly blended necessary backroom maneuvers and fierce competition with bipartisan collaboration and an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact?
As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: “Oh, the thought of donning C.J. Cregg’s suits once more for another term on The West Wing cabinet is certainly tantalizing,” I shared with Jimmy Kimmel back in January 2020. “Given that The West Wing portrayed a Camelot-like administration, it’s an appealing notion—one we all yearn for, as it mirrors the ideal of how our government should function.
The experience was inspiring and uplifting; it highlighted humanity at its finest; it demonstrated that a dedicated, determined few can indeed alter the course of history. For numerous viewers – amidst today’s contentious atmosphere – revisiting each season on Netflix carries the same warmth as witnessing President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) presenting his family’s knife set to Charlie (Dulé Hill) for the first time.
So, really, Aaron, can a fan get a reboot up in here?
Finally, he answered our pleas.
As an ardent fan, I couldn’t contain my excitement when “The West Wing” graced our screens once more, just for a single night in October 2020! Martin Sheen, Allison Janney, Stockard Channing, Rob Lowe, Bradley Whitford, and Janel Moloney all stepped back into their iconic roles for “A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote,” a theatrical rendition of the third season’s “Hartsfield Landing” episode. This HBO Max project was specially crafted to bolster Michelle Obama’s nonpartisan initiative encouraging voter participation.
As Sorkin articulated during our chat on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, it wasn’t exactly a reunion (reunions often carry a specific connotation, like an overly sentimental holiday special). However, it was certainly more than just a casual encounter.
Alrighty then! Let’s embark on this adventure, quench our thirst with the barrel of triumph, and savor the best muffins and bagels that this realm has to offer!
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel a glimmer of anticipation when I consider that Aaron Sorkin chose Sterling K. Brown to walk in the well-crafted Italian leather shoes once worn by Leo McGarry, stepping up after the passing of John Spencer during the series finale in 2005. This decision keeps alive a flicker of hope for the storyline Sorkin hinted at in 2017, suggesting that there might still be another chapter to unfold in the West Wing saga.
Those who chose Brown as their leader found themselves in a critical predicament – either a crisis, an urgent matter, or a highly sensitive situation concerning the potential outbreak of war, for which only the wisdom and experience of ex-President Bartlet seemed fitting to resolve.
Despite Whitford stating to Esquire that a conventional reboot might not be suitable, he also expressed the idea that an adaptation of the show could have continued indefinitely. However, he cautioned that it’s risky – recalling his earlier warning: “You need to leave before the banana gets too ripe.
As a lifestyle enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about the good old times, especially considering it’s been a whopping 25 years since “The West Wing” graced our screens on September 22, 1999. To mark this momentous occasion and their anticipated return at the Emmys in 2024 on the same date, let’s commemorate by indulging in some mouthwatering New England crab cakes, revisiting “The Jackal,” and brushing up on our trivia about this iconic series. Popcorn, Ginger? Let’s get ready to relive the magic!
Martin Sheen didn’t exactly keep it a secret, but he referred to his seven-season stint playing the principled President Josiah Bartlet as the most fulfilling acting experience in his career. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly last August, he expressed that he always reflects on it with a sense of gratitude and humility.
If frequently asked if I’d take the same actions had the president been a Republican, I answered the question now just as I did 20 years ago by saying, “If Aaron Sorkin wrote him, I would portray it.” Because the core aspect of the character that I resonated with and which seems to be present in almost every episode is humaneness, empathy, an intense sense of curiosity, and humility.
2. During a casual break for a smoke, the idea for the Bartlet administration took root in my mind. Having just starred in “A Few Good Men” and “The American President” in 1992 and 1995 respectively, I hadn’t even considered television as an option, I confessed to Empire in a 2014 oral history. It was only after my agent suggested I meet with ER producer John Wells that the concept started to take shape. The night before our meeting, some friends were over for dinner and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman and I slipped downstairs to the basement for a secret smoke. He looked at the poster of “The American President” hanging on the wall and said, “You know what would make a great TV series? That.
The following day, upon entering the eatery, Sorkin expressed, “It wasn’t what I had anticipated.” In fact, instead of a casual chat over coffee, he found John accompanied by agents and Warner Brothers executives. As soon as he settled in, John posed the question, “So, what do you have in mind?” Rather than clarifying there seemed to be a mix-up, as he didn’t have an idea for a TV series, Sorkin responded, “I wish to create a TV series centered around White House staff.” To which, John simply replied, “Alright, done.
3. However, Bill Clinton nearly derailed the entire situation. While Aaron Sorkin was diligently creating the pilot episode, incorporating leftover scenes from the script of “The American President,” President Clinton was involved in an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. As Americans found it difficult to associate the White House with anything other than a joke during this time, Sorkin later explained to Empire, “It was challenging, at least for Americans, to envision anything but a punchline when considering the White House.” Additionally, television shows about politics, particularly those set in Washington, had historically failed. Therefore, the show’s premiere was postponed for a year.
4. After watching the underrated 1998 sitcom “Sports Night”, executives at NBC and Warner Bros. remained cautious about the idea, but they were later proven wrong. However, Aaron Sorkin was resolute in creating the captivating political world that we now associate with him.
In popular culture, our political leaders are often depicted as either manipulative or incompetent,” he clarified to EW. “I wanted to create an exceptional work environment for the White House, where the staff were as proficient as characters on medical, police, or legal dramas. They would win and lose equally, make mistakes like slipping on banana peels, but there were two things we could always rely on: one, they were extremely self-assured; and two, they started each day with a goal to improve.
5. In my expert opinion as a lifestyle guide, just like Sorkin and Wells disregarded several tactics during their pilot filming, I too often find myself overlooking certain strategies when tackling a new project or challenge. For instance, recalling the first episode where Deputy Communications Secretary Sam Seaborn, portrayed by none other than Rob Lowe, and Deputizing Chief of Staff Josh Lyman, played by Bradley Whitford, were diligently working to save a group of Cuban refugees. As they waded through the situation, they received a directive from NBC: “We must get Sam and Josh into the water.” This is a prime example of how ignoring conventional wisdom can sometimes lead to unexpected yet fruitful outcomes.
One proposal that surfaced was to fashion Bartlet after the then-governor of Minnesota and former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura. The network suggested, “‘We don’t want to portray a liberal Democrat. We need a populist figure, someone who’s a wrestler, race car driver, or football player entering from the outside and stirring things up,'” as stated by Wells. However, they ultimately decided against this approach.
6. It only took a minute to put together the constellation-like cabinet. Initially, before it was confirmed that Lowe would join, the role of Sam was actually proposed to Whitford. As Whitford shared with Empire, “I received a call saying I was part of the show, but I was playing Sam.” Remarkably, I recall I was at a gas station in Santa Monica, and though I had no reason not to be excited, I contacted Aaron and exclaimed, “I’m not Sam! I’m not the character with the hooker, I’m the one criticizing the Christian right!
7. However, Sorkin strongly disfavored casting Lowe. In his words to The Hollywood Reporter in 2014, “Although it was acceptable for the president to be portrayed by a movie star, I believed that having one play Sam would disrupt the harmony of the cast.” He added, “After reading the first of three scenes he had prepared, I can’t recall the second or third because he secured the role just a page into the first. At that moment, I was contemplating tales for a character unaware of his resemblance to Rob Lowe. ‘Give him whatever amount he desires,’ I decided.
8. Apart from her, we nearly had CCH Pounder portraying the character of C.J. Cregg (later played by Allison Janney), Eugene Levy as the Communications Director Toby Ziegler, and the legendary Oscar winner Sidney Poitier playing Bartlet. However, as Sorkin stated, “We couldn’t make that arrangement work because it was simply too expensive for us.
9. At first, it wasn’t the main character as it is now. As Sheen shared with Empire, when he initially signed up for the role, it was intended to be more about the staff rather than the First Family. He mentioned that he would appear in “possibly three or four episodes every season.” However, during the filming of the pilot’s final scene, the commander in chief delivered a speech and an order to leave his White House, which effectively eliminated his opponents, dramatically changing the focus of the character.
According to director Thomas Schlamme, Aaron had an issue with the grandeur of the presidency. He didn’t want everyone to freeze and listen respectfully as the President spoke in the final scene, like they usually do. However, once they cast Martin Sheen, and realized his extraordinary ability to connect with people, nothing seemed pompous or detached. If the show symbolizes all the planets, Schlamme felt it was fitting to end it with the radiant sun, which is Martin Sheen’s character.
Additionally, according to what Wells disclosed to _The Hollywood Reporter_, “Martin emerged as the top-scoring character in the pilot, significantly so. The network commented, ‘We might want to feature him more prominently.’
10. In the background of that scene, it was none other than Richard Schiff (Ziegler), struggling to keep a straight face. “That was one of our final shots, and it was my first encounter with Martin,” he confided. “As soon as I saw him at rehearsal for his grand entrance, both his cheeks were plump like a chipmunk’s, loaded with food and glistening with grease. He had a chicken leg in hand, munching away. The sight of him just cracked me up! Then he delivered his epic line, ‘I am the Lord your God!’ And there, beneath all that makeup, I could still see the lingering traces of the grease! I was absolutely in stitches.
During each shot, whenever the camera moved away from him, he would sprint over and try to suppress his laughter. “That was my initial day collaborating with Martin,” he reminisced, “and I don’t think any other day in the following seven years gave me as much pleasure as that one did with him.
12. Apart from Schiff, other cast members like Richard and Allison frequently struggled with fits of laughter. As Aaron Sorkin shared with THR, “They were the biggest culprits. If they had a scene together, they’d manage to be incredibly intelligent for three takes before breaking into laughter. It became so frequent that we often had to remove one of them from the room during single coverage. Many of Toby and C.J.’s best conversations on record are actually Toby conversing with the Script Supervisor.
12. When it was evident that his role would be permanent, Sheen presented two requests during contract negotiations. He desired for Bartlet to be portrayed as Catholic, explaining to Empire that this would allow the character to base all decisions on moral principles, which aligned with his personal beliefs as a Catholic. Additionally, he requested that Bartlet be depicted as a graduate of the University of Notre Dame. The producers consented to both conditions, and these elements became integral aspects of the character’s development.
13. The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis for his character came as a shock to him just as it did to those who elected Barlet, much like a surprise to both parties.
During a 2016 ATX Television Festival discussion, Sorkin shared that the significant plot development originated from his desire to create an episode focusing on the president taking a day off due to illness. He needed a dramatic circumstance that would compel First Lady Abigail Barlet, also a doctor, to swiftly return to the president’s side.
Regardless if it’s a cold or the flu, Sorkin pointed out, whatever symptoms he shows should also be indicative of another concern Abbey has. Not much after his decision, he found himself in over his head, as he later recounted at a TCA event, “People started asking all sorts of questions, like ‘Aaron, where are you taking this Multiple Sclerosis plot? What’s next?’
14. The NBC series wasn’t merely a lucrative role for an actor. Instead, it attracted several influential figures from Washington D.C., including Dee Dee Myers (Clinton press secretary), Marlin Fitzwater (press secretary under George H.W. Bush), Gene Sperling (Clinton economic adviser), and Peggy Noonan (speechwriter for Ronald Reagan). These individuals served as consultants, while some others even found themselves in the writers’ room.
In the presence of Jimmy Carter’s staffer Pat Caddell, Al Gore’s speechwriter Eli Attie, and co-executive producer Kevin Falls, he shared that his first day there was quite intimidating. He admitted to feeling extremely nervous. “These individuals held significant influence, often advising American presidents,” explained Kevin Falls to THR, “and the only topic I felt confident discussing was when we would take our break for lunch.
15. After her audition for C.J., Donna Moss played by Janel Moloney didn’t immediately leave her job as a waitress at an Italian restaurant in Beverly Hills called Il Pastaio. She maintained her position at the restaurant initially, as she was informed that it would be a recurring guest role. However, by the third episode, she realized they had no intention of letting her go.
16. She had previously hinted at Donna’s romantic involvement with the boss before the climax of season seven. In her words at the 2016 ATX Festival, “From the very beginning, my character was defined as ‘Donna is completely smitten, madly in love with Josh to a point where she would give up anything for him.’ Every contract I signed, every query about work policies, it all conveyed ‘I adore you so much that I’d do whatever it takes.’
17. Political operatives frequently confide that seeing Janney portray C.J. Cregg has influenced their careers significantly, and she admitted to EW, “She is my favorite character I’ve ever embodied because she’s someone I admire. She’s a remarkable character who isn’t afraid to challenge authority. She’s a woman in a predominantly male environment at the White House, yet she managed to gain the president’s attention. It’s a powerful role that supports women. She’s the one I strive to emulate and am least like.
18. In truth, grasping Cregg’s extensive dialogue wasn’t always a breeze for the seven-time Emmy winner. However, “The Jackal” was something she had memorized perfectly. As Richard Schiff and I often found ourselves with idle time before work, we thought up ridiculous ways to amuse ourselves. This led us to perform absurd acts in my trailer, such as playing air guitar and lip-syncing to unusual songs. We even persuaded Aaron to watch us perform “The Jackal”, and he eventually included it in the show. (This is a paraphrase of the original text while maintaining the same meaning.)
19. People who aren’t yearning to stand behind C.J.’s podium can imagine themselves in Josh Lyman’s worn-out shoes. However, such ambitions didn’t come without a price, Whitford humorously noted. “The last time I was in D.C., a young man, obviously a political staffer, approached me and said, ‘I simply wanted to let you know that you inspired me to go into politics,'” he told EW. “And I replied, ‘That’s really kind of you. I appreciate it.’ To which he responded, ‘Actually, I’m tired, I’m broke, and I don’t think I’ll ever get a chance to kiss Mary-Louise Parker.’
20. Soften our hearts: The father-son-like bond between President Bartlet and his body man Charles Young, played by Dulé Hill, was forged through a deeply touching initial gesture. “I was new to TV, and I was definitely overwhelmed,” Hill shared with THR. “But Martin [Sheen, who played President Bartlet] taught me the handshake that Laurence Fishburne had taught him during Apocalypse Now. The connection between Charlie and the president began off-screen, between myself and Martin.
21. Stockard Channing captivated her on-screen husband just as easily. In an interview with THR, she recalled her first day on set: “I was in Calgary on a layover when my agent called,” said Channing. “I had hiking boots and a coat on, switched planes, and headed to Los Angeles the next moment. The following morning, I found myself on the set in an evening gown. Martin Sheen was sneaking a cigarette, and they announced, ‘We’re ready for you.’ I hadn’t met him before, but we had to walk down a staircase together. I said a friendly greeting, ‘Hi, how do you do?’ and he responded as if we were an old married couple, saying something like, ‘Oh, hello, we’ve been married 35 years, and we have three children.’
22. Just like many of us, Moloney enjoyed walk-and-talk conversations as much. As she put it in an interview with EW, these scenes were “incredibly simple to film” because acting wasn’t required. “All you had to do was deliver your lines without colliding into the camera crew and, voila, you’re a genius!
For Janney, Schlamme’s invention brought a unique excitement each time they encountered it. “I absolutely adored it!” she expressed to Empire. “It was like being part of a baton relay where if you dropped the baton on the third handoff, it was a disaster, ‘Oh no!’ It was this incredibly thrilling game and an ideal method to maintain a political show engaging, exciting, and fast-paced.
23. After achieving success in two seasons, many members of the principal cast felt motivated to reopen negotiations, as they had initially agreed to lower their fees to secure the project.
Just like their TV counterparts on “Friends”, they (John Spencer, Janney, Whitford, and Schiff) all preferred to negotiate together, and they wanted to be paid equally. According to Sorkin, he recounted to THR, Brad (the actor playing Aaron Sorkin’s character) didn’t want to act in a scene with Allison knowing that he was earning more because of his previous contract, while she wasn’t.
24. Lowe’s decision to leave after season four (“It was one of those times when you can choose to remain the same or grow, and both options are valid,” he shared with THR) was quite a shock. However, it provided an opportunity for Joshua Malina to join as Will Bailey, which eventually led to his partnership with Hrishikesh Hirway in the popular podcast, The West Wing Weekly.
After collaborating with friend Sorkin on “Sports Night”, Malina admitted to sending an email suggesting, “[Aaron] might consider a lesser-known, more affordable actor.” To my surprise, Aaron indicated that he had previously discussed this idea with Schlamme. We met for lunch at the Four Seasons, and Aaron revealed, “Here’s the character I have in mind for you.
25. Afterward, Schlamme and Sorkin accompanied Lowe as he left, with Sorkin stating to THR that they understood it was time for them to proceed with their subsequent actions and hand over the show to new creators.
I can’t forget that heart-wrenching announcement; it struck us like a blow to the gut. It felt as if our guardians had deserted us. We were utterly baffled and unwilling, yearning for things to remain as they were. Alas, our efforts to prevent it seemed futile.
26. The youngest fan of the show could possibly be Mary McCormack’s newborn daughter at that time. Being pregnant during her casting as Deputy National Security Advisor Kate Harper, she went back to work only a week after giving birth, as she recalled in EW. “Everyone held me,” she said. “I had a rosary that Martin gave me when I gave birth to her. And then I returned and it was like a family. Even now, I still consider them my family. We’re constantly in touch, helping each other, attending funerals, weddings, and baby showers together.
27. Despite the abundance of cherished moments during filming, the day-to-day work was incredibly tough. As Whitford explained to THR, “The hours on that set were terrible. I’m talking about really awful,” he said. “I remember telling Tommy, ‘The unseen damage from the mistreated wives and children not being read to is just permeating.’
Despite the humor in Schlamme’s remark, “I believe Brad came up with that line later and wished he had said it to me,” he admitted that the demanding schedule, which kept them working past three in the morning, wasn’t ideal. “Fortunately, our kids are all still okay, though my three still refer to those years as ‘the West Wing era’
29. During the year 2000, Martin Sheen attended the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles with someone else. As they strolled towards Staples Center, which was about a quarter-mile away, people everywhere recognized Martin. He was greeted warmly by construction workers, delegates, and everyone else they passed. Martin seemed to think he was the president, waving and signing autographs as they walked. It was all very surreal.
30. Alternatively, during the filming of the captivating two-part episode “Two Cathedrals,” they chose to shoot at the authentic National Cathedral itself.
In the course of our preparations, I noticed a group of religious figures observing from the sidelines. Approaching a priest who happened to be in close proximity, I felt compelled to inform him about an upcoming scene where Martin Sheen would utter profanities directed towards God. To my surprise, he simply smiled and expressed his anticipation, stating, “I’m aware of it, and I can’t wait – it’s going to be fantastic!
To be honest, they didn’t always have their act together. I, as a lifestyle expert, can attest to this. In fact, Aaron Sorkin had already envisioned the concept for our second season premiere when he strategically planned out our jaw-dropping season one cliffhanger, which served as a perfect hook for viewers.
He hadn’t quite realized yet that it was this individual who would ultimately get shot during the chaos that ensued after Bartlet’s incident.
Initially, Schlamme was assigned to capture the turbulent outdoor scene in Virginia where white nationalists attempted an assassination, ensuring it remained acceptable for all viewers. Instead of filming both the final scene from the last episode and the opening scene from the first episode simultaneously, as might be logical, Tommy had to return and recreate every inch of every frame in that particular scene, according to Sorkin. Margaret, being meticulous, would have found such a task unthinkable.
32. Indeed, Jimmy Smits’ portrayal of Matt Santos in 2005 was reminiscent of the real-life rise of Barack Obama, a then-rising senator.
In an interview with Empire, Wells mentioned that he consulted with political advisors about how a campaign from a minority might play out. They hinted at this young senator from Illinois who was gaining some attention, which turned out to be Barack Obama. Essentially, they outlined what they believed would be the campaign strategy for him to potentially run for president. However, they kept emphasizing that it was highly unlikely to occur.
33. Regarding his opponent, the pro-choice, moderate Republican Arnold Vinick (portrayed by Alan Alda), he was described as being reminiscent of John McCain and several potential centrist Republican candidates, according to Wells. The 2008 election was quite unusual, with political consultants we’d collaborated with expressing, “You guys were right about what you knew!
34. Right down to its improbable conclusion, things unfolded this way: Despite having Leo McGarry, a former chief of staff and respected party elder, as his running mate, Santos was expected to fall short against the charismatic California Senator Vinick.
Following John Spencer’s passing in December 2005, halfway through the season, Sheen stated to Empire, “Had he lived, the Republican candidate was expected to emerge victorious. Jimmy Smits would have been defeated, and Alan Alda, a talented actor, would have won. However, with Spencer’s demise, they decided not to proceed as history had suggested, and instead, the Democrats maintained their power.
35. It was conceivable for a eighth season to revolve around the initial phase of the Santos administration, with Bartlet appearing as an advisor. However, when John passed away, they decided to discontinue production. “It was finished,” said Sheen. “We couldn’t return there anymore.
Instead, they honored Spencer and McGarry in season seven’s “Requiem” by inviting back several previous guest stars for what seemed like a grand funeral. As Hill explained to THR, “This episode where we had to carry the casket because his character had passed away,” was more than just a symbolic gesture. Although the casket was empty, it wasn’t devoid of significance.
36. After departing the series following season four, Sorkin truly never looked back. Kinda.
As an ardent admirer, let me rephrase that quote: “A while ago, Larry David, the genius behind ‘Seinfeld’, shared some wisdom with me after he’d left the show. He warned me, ‘You can never watch ‘The West Wing’ again. If it turns out to be brilliant without you, you’ll be wretched. If it falters, you’ll still be miserable.’ Hearing this from Larry, I expected nothing less than misery. So, when they sent a tape of the first episode I wasn’t in, I hesitated not even for a moment before hitting the stop button on my VCR! It was like watching someone kiss my girlfriend.
Despite making a trip back home, he also appeared on stage during Santos’ inauguration for the final episode. Now, the question remains: What comes next?
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2024-09-22 17:21