The West Wing

[peachexploration]

Any West Wing buffs here? :)

[Swing Kitten]

It's a good show... haven't seen it (or any other television) for many months. :?

[SDsalsaguy]

Heck yeah! I watch the old episodes at 11pm almost every night!

(Well, "have them on in the background" is probvably more accurate that "watch" :lol:)

[peachexploration]

Hey SD, what's the deal with the Vice-President or (ex-Vice President), why did he resign? I missed some episodes during that time. Now, he's writing a book about his White House days and CJ shut him down last week. 8)

I watch at 11pm too and absolutely love when they have the West Wing marathons of the old episodes. :)

[SDsalsaguy]

Extra-marital affair! :oops:

[peachexploration]

Thanks SD! Yeah okay, that make sense, that's how CJ got him but I didn't know if that was the exact cause. She threaten to come forward(as one of the involved) if he did not stop the publishing of that book. Yikes!

[Vince A]

It used to be my favorite show . . . never ever missed an episode. But since Sheen protested the President and the war . . . I haven't seen an issue - just my private protest!

[peachexploration]

Anyone see it last week? Who was the culprit for the alarm? Was it the new secretary? I missed that part. :(

[SDsalsaguy]

I still only get to see the older episodes on Bravo, so have no idea what's going on in the "current" time-line, sorry... :oops:

[tsb]

I still only get to see the older episodes on Bravo, so have no idea what's going on in the "current" time-line, sorry... :oops:

i saw a repeat on channel 9 last night (which you should be able to get in SD) - with CJ the press secretary shooting a .357 at the range and getting knocked flat on her back from the recoil. i howled, partly because it was funny, but also because it was actually plausible watching her stance (target shooting seems to be someone else i'm proficient at doing); gun slightly above her shoulders, shoulders back and hips slightly forward, feet side by side, arms in an isosocles hold...

[peachexploration]

Yeah, that was a pretty funny episode. :D Too bad the agent was killed off the series. :(

[tsb]

Yeah, that was a pretty funny episode. :D Too bad the agent was killed off the series. :(

he's on navy ncis tuesdays at 8pm on cbs. and his character is again a crack shot. they even have a open theme about how a bad guy got away because he went for the 10x (bullseye on the chest) instead of the head shot to bring the bad guy down (bad guy was wearing a vest)...

[peachexploration]

There is some haunting music on that WW episode. Anyone know the music artist? Particularly the scences where the president orders the assasination is carried out and the agent gets killed. I know it's kind of morbid but the music fit the scene really well. Any idea?

[peachexploration]

Pretty good season finale. Watching it now. Admiral Fitzwallace (oh man, after they brought him out of retirement) was killed and Donna (went in Josh's place) hurt from a terrorist attack in Gaza, Palestine. Not sure if she's gonna make it. :cry:

[Genesius Redux]

I used to watch it a lot, but haven't recently--haven't been home! It's kind of sad that this show is more politically informed than real, actual Presidential campaigns. :lol:

[tsb]

Pretty good season finale. Watching it now. Admiral Fitzwallace (oh man, after they brought him out of retirement) was killed and Donna (went in Josh's place) hurt from a terrorist attack in Gaza, Palestine. Not sure if she's gonna make it. :cry:

doesn't show here for another 1.5 hours. no spoilers please!

[peachexploration]

Pretty good season finale. Watching it now. Admiral Fitzwallace (oh man, after they brought him out of retirement) was killed and Donna (went in Josh's place) hurt from a terrorist attack in Gaza, Palestine. Not sure if she's gonna make it. :cry:

doesn't show here for another 1.5 hours. no spoilers please!

If you saw it last week, it wasn't a spoiler. :?

[peachexploration]

I used to watch it a lot, but haven't recently--haven't been home! It's kind of sad that this show is more politically informed than real, actual Presidential campaigns. :lol:

Well, at least they didn't make fun of Florida. 8) :lol: 8) :lol:

[Laura]

I love the WW too! It's definitely improved since the beginning of the season.

[tsb]

Pretty good season finale. Watching it now. Admiral Fitzwallace (oh man, after they brought him out of retirement) was killed and Donna (went in Josh's place) hurt from a terrorist attack in Gaza, Palestine. Not sure if she's gonna make it. :cry:

doesn't show here for another 1.5 hours. no spoilers please!

If you saw it last week, it wasn't a spoiler. :?

the intent was to suggest not posting any further until the episode had aired out here.

[SDsalsaguy]

It's kind of sad that this show is more politically informed than real, actual Presidential campaigns. :lol:
To true... unfortunately! :(

[pygmalion]

Holy cow! This show is addictive. Is anybody besides me planning to tape the marathon on Bravo tomorrow? :oops: :lol:

[SDsalsaguy]

LOL, yes, it is addictive isn't it? :lol:

I'm not planning on recording though... because I've now seen every episode except for much of the just past season. :oops:

[pygmalion]

I just discovered it because of DF, so I have a lot of catching up to do. :lol: :lol:

[pygmalion]

Oh my goodness! Did anybody besides me discover tvtome.com? An episode guide/synopsis of every episode that's been aired. I'm hooked!

[peachexploration]

I've been to that site before but not looking for West Wing synopsis. Mostly old TV show research. It's a good site for Hollywood TV info. Isnt West Wing just awesome? I love that show! :)

[pygmalion]

WW is the best. I discovered tvtome.com when I first started watching Judging Amy and needed to catch up. The synopsis doesn't catch everything, but it sure is nice when you miss an episode or two. 8)

[pygmalion]

This is the best (American) TV show ever! Ya gotta check it out! I've started taping episodes every day, so I can catch up on what happened in the past, before I discovered the show.

Especially if you like politics (or CNN or C-Span) watch this show ... once. If you hate it, you never have to watch again. But I bet you won't hate it. Reruns come on Bravo (an artsy network) in the US, so you can catch up like I am doing. :D


(An aside: It'll be infuriating (but still entertaining) if you're a conservative or Republican living in the US.)

[Laura]

I think the show went down hill terribly last year, when NBC got rid of Aaron Sorkin. If it doesn't pick up this year then I won't bother watching. Has it even started again yet?

[peachexploration]

No, NBC hasn't scheduled it's premier episode for the new season yet. I can't wait. I love this show. I hope they don't do anything silly because I haven't seen any promotion as of yet which worries me. They're too busy promoting Joey. :roll:

[pygmalion]

Hmm... I think I'll check TVtome.com. :roll:

[mhgroove]

West Wing is a way..way..way liberal TV show!!! :D :D :D


There are some great actors & actresses on the show..but the politics...Yikes!! Yikes!!!

Okay..that's my political rant for today!! :lol: :lol:

[pygmalion]

Yup. It is. But it's still good TV, I think, because t gives you a peek into the process. 8)


btw, did you hear the NPR story a couple weeks ago about political labels? VERY interesting. I'll search on the NPR website and see if I can find it. Worth a listen, because it talks about political spinning via labels, on both sides. :?

[tsb]

I think the show went down hill terribly last year, when NBC got rid of Aaron Sorkin.

the mushroom guy? not that we're implying his muse...


If it doesn't pick up this year then I won't bother watching. Has it even started again yet?

my dilemma is what show to tape now that they've put 3rd watch against jag on friday nights.

[pygmalion]

The West Wing Premiere is October 20 at 9PM (I assume Eastern and Pacific.)

I'll be there. 8)

(Oh shoot! Gotta google for that NPR radio show. )

[peachexploration]

The West Wing Premiere is October 20 at 9PM (I assume Eastern and Pacific.)

I'll be there. 8)

(Oh shoot! Gotta google for that NPR radio show. )

Boy, is that late. According to NBC, the episode has not been scheduled. NBC needs to update their website. :? Don't they know we :google: Ugh, the agony of anticipation. :lol: Anyways, I'll be there too. :)

[peachexploration]

Alan Alda and Jimmy Smits :oops: join the cast beginning next week. Yippeee!! :) This season will be quite interesting. :)

[pygmalion]

I was disappointed by the premiere episode. NBC has been showing commercials for a week or more, with snippets of upcoming scenes. The only problem is that, apparently, those scenes are spread out over several weeks, while I believed all those things would happen last night. :( Oh well. At least they're showing nine new episodes in a row.

And, btw, the local TV reviewer had an article in yesterday's paper that spilled the beans on lots of new developments. :headwall: Really annoying. :bkick: I'd rather be surprised.

[peachexploration]

Oh, I'm glad I haven't seen any of the previews in detail. What do you think about the new boyfriend character that Donna has? Something quite uneasy about him, (not his green eyes), but just something wierd about his character. :?

[pygmalion]

I've seen that actor play both good guys and bad guys, before. I guess we'll see. :?

[peachexploration]

I've seen that actor play both good guys and bad guys, before. I guess we'll see. :?

Yeah, he was great in "The Patriot" will Mel Gibson (heart flutters. :P )
Maybe it's because his character really isn't defined yet. The love interest is there for Donna but maybe he's a bad guy. Maybe having something to do with that explosion. Something really wierd about that whole thing. I wonder if they would take me on as a writer for that show. :wink: :lol:

[pygmalion]

What the heck are they thinking? Hedging their bets, I guess. Whether they have Jimmy Smits or Alan Alda win, they'll have a liberal in the White House, so they can pretty much write shows similar to before. :?

I've gotta say they're taking some huge liberties with reality here. Leo as VP? Uh. Not!

Whatever. Will the show even make it to next season, much less through it? :?

[tsb]

What the heck are they thinking? Hedging their bets, I guess. Whether they have Jimmy Smits or Alan Alda win, they'll have a liberal in the White House, so they can pretty much write shows similar to before. :?


yeah. despite the pretty good writing, i find it difficult to believe that the republicans would have a pro-choice candidate.


I've gotta say they're taking some huge liberties with reality here. Leo as VP? Uh. Not!


i consider it a pretty shrewd choice; he's already well known on the hill & already understands how things work & who to contact. on top of that, he's brings another part of the bartlett "blessing" to the campaign - it'll eventually come out that bartlett endorsed santos by encouraging the NY delegate.

on the flip side, his health (heart) should be considered a minus.



Whatever. Will the show even make it to next season, much less through it? :?

we know allison janney is gone for leaking the shuttle info.

[pygmalion]

Oh. Hmm. I was thinking Richard Schiff.

[SDsalsaguy]

I've gotta say they're taking some huge liberties with reality here. Leo as VP? Uh. Not!


i consider it a pretty shrewd choice; he's already well known on the hill & already understands how things work & who to contact. on top of that, he's brings another part of the bartlett "blessing" to the campaign - it'll eventually come out that bartlett endorsed santos by encouraging the NY delegate.

on the flip side, his health (heart) should be considered a minus.
Except reality proves that this can be easily overlooked in a VP...

we know allison janney is gone for leaking the shuttle info.
That was my thought too.

[pygmalion]

I've gotta say they're taking some huge liberties with reality here. Leo as VP? Uh. Not!


i consider it a pretty shrewd choice; he's already well known on the hill & already understands how things work & who to contact. on top of that, he's brings another part of the bartlett "blessing" to the campaign - it'll eventually come out that bartlett endorsed santos by encouraging the NY delegate.

on the flip side, his health (heart) should be considered a minus.
Except reality proves that this can be easily overlooked in a VP...


Of course, Leo does have the Vietnam experience on his resume, which matters to a lot of voters. Hmm. Looking forward to the season, if there is one. Does anybody know if the show has been renewed? Think I'll go check out the entertainment news online. 8)

And then there's always the Hoynes factor, which was deliberately left hanging.

[tsb]

Oh. Hmm. I was thinking Richard Schiff.

to me the foreshadowing as they ended the previous episode was on CJ. toby's part of the investigating team - i don't see his character wasting all that FBI manpower when he could just 'fess up.

[tsb]

I've gotta say they're taking some huge liberties with reality here. Leo as VP? Uh. Not!


i consider it a pretty shrewd choice; he's already well known on the hill & already understands how things work & who to contact. on top of that, he's brings another part of the bartlett "blessing" to the campaign - it'll eventually come out that bartlett endorsed santos by encouraging the NY delegate.

on the flip side, his health (heart) should be considered a minus.
Except reality proves that this can be easily overlooked in a VP...


Of course, Leo does have the Vietnam experience on his resume, which matters to a lot of voters. Hmm. Looking forward to the season, if there is one. Does anybody know if the show has been renewed? Think I'll go check out the entertainment news online. 8)

And then there's always the Hoynes factor, which was deliberately left hanging.

they were throwing his signs in the trash, & in the background, the newscasters were giving him a count of 102 delegates while eveyrone else had at least 1000 immediately after baker entered the fray. nah, he's toast.

[pygmalion]

So why the scene with Josh Lyman asking him to do something noble by admitting his political career was over? What noble thing? Throwing his support behind the Santos ticket? :?

[SDsalsaguy]

So why the scene with Josh Lyman asking him to do something noble by admitting his political career was over? What noble thing? Throwing his support behind the Santos ticket? :?
Yes, exactly... because when Josh asked him it was still only three candidtaes in the ring and his delegates would have put Santos over the top. It was only with the entry of a fourth candidate that Hoynes count (and hence possible clout) evaporated down to the 100+ delegate mark. Part of the point, at least as far as I saw it, was that if Hoynes had backed Santos when Jocsh asked then Hoynes could have been the political broker that Josh suggested during a Santos presidency. By waiting too long to act on Josh's suggestion/request, however, Hoynes effectively dealt himself out of the political picture.

[pygmalion]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/TV/03/16/television.westwing.reut/

22 more episodes for the 2005-2006 season. Woohoo! :D Watching the Alan Alda/Jimmy Smits campaign should be interesting.

[tsb]

So why the scene with Josh Lyman asking him to do something noble by admitting his political career was over? What noble thing? Throwing his support behind the Santos ticket? :?
Yes, exactly... because when Josh asked him it was still only three candidtaes in the ring and his delegates would have put Santos over the top. It was only with the entry of a fourth candidate that Hoynes count (and hence possible clout) evaporated down to the 100+ delegate mark. Part of the point, at least as far as I saw it, was that if Hoynes had backed Santos when Jocsh asked then Hoynes could have been the political broker that Josh suggested during a Santos presidency. By waiting too long to act on Josh's suggestion/request, however, Hoynes effectively dealt himself out of the political picture.

that's how i perceived it as well - and it showed on his face for the second it was there. but it wasn't clear to me who was sleeping face down on the table when in the background you heard the newscaster announcing that hoynes had only 102 delegates... i've got it on tape so i can go back and look, but it'll have to wait.

and once bartlett supported santos, any support would be perceived as jumping on the bandwagon.

[pygmalion]

Fair enough. Makes sense. I wonder if they really have taken Hoynes off the table as a politically viable actor in future WW plots. It seems wasteful to write him totally out of the picture. Okay. So they needed a nominee, and I guess they wanted Jimmy Smits to be it (ratings do count. :lol: ) But, if the writers plan to develop the show beyond next season, some longer running undercurrents would make things more interesting to me. Hoynes would be perfect for that -- to be the senator who throws a key vote out of spite, for example.

Hmm. That's why I like British TV shows. In a lot of them, everything's planned from the beginning. So seeds can be planted in early episodes that don't get used for several seasons. The shows can be more like a well-written novel. American TV's habit of renewing season by season lends itself to more short-term thinking. :?

[pygmalion]

Oh. Hmm. I was thinking Richard Schiff.

to me the foreshadowing as they ended the previous episode was on CJ. toby's part of the investigating team - i don't see his character wasting all that FBI manpower when he could just 'fess up.

Yeah. That's why I thought it'd be Toby. CJ's vocal stance on the whole shuttle thing was a bit too obvious as foreshadowing, I thought. :? I thought it was a red herring. I guess we'll see.

[Twilight_Elena]

I watched some West Wing episodes for a month or so during the summer. Liked them a lot. Cool thing. Sort of makes you wish things were like that in real life as well.

Twilight Elena

[tsb]

I watched some West Wing episodes for a month or so during the summer. Liked them a lot. Cool thing. Sort of makes you wish things were like that in real life as well.

Twilight Elena

i think that's the demoncrats' (is that freudian or what?) intent.

[pygmalion]

What the heck. Since I'm talking TV shows, here, I'll post here (just for the sake of completeness, mind you.)

Season premier September 25. The show's moving to Sunday nights at 8:00 Eastern for the 2005-2006 season. Looks like the beginning of the end. Except for 60 Minutes (and Touched by an Angel for a while there,) Sunday night seems to be the hospice care of the network TV series world. :?

[lynn]

hmm, i haven't seen this show in forever!! i hate it when the cable company keeps on switching channels....

[pygmalion]

A lot of things changed within the show itself, last season. I think the network was trying to revitalize the show. I'm not sure it worked, though. :? I guess we'll see, come September. :?

[lynn]

don't you just love it when the producers try to do something drastic in an effort to resurrect the rock bottom rating?? something bizarre usually happens - and usually something that irritates the loyal fan base!

[pygmalion]

Yup. The main character, a free-wheeling single girl, will get married. Eww. :x Or the main characters, a couple that's childless by choice, will have a baby. Double eww. :evil:

Get a clue. People watch the show because they like it the way it is. Just keep if fresh. Seems simple enough to me (not a screenwriter, so of course it's simple to me.) :wink: :lol:

[lynn]

yes, i was reading an article last week about how some tv shows got axed b/c of a major twist in the plot (usually b/c the show's rating plummeted and the producer is trying something drastic to save it) - usually result in the original fan ditching the show....

I guess that's the whole thing about marketing - change the storyline in the hopes of bring in more fans....

[pygmalion]

Did anybody besides me see the presidential debate tonight? (Well. I saw part of it -- I had company drop by during part of it.)

I thought it was pretty good. And live TV is always a treat. Alan Alda and Jimmy Smits were outstanding, I thought. :cool:

[Joe]

Well, I guess I kinda defeated the purpose of the "live" debate, but I recorded it to watch later, as I was at a wedding last night when it was on TV.

[pygmalion]

Wow. I just realized that they performed the debate twice -- once for the East Coast then, three hours later, for the West Coast.

The things you do during November sweeps. :)

[SDsalsaguy]

I really liked it! Sadly much more "informative" than the real ones...

[Swingolder]

Did anybody besides me see the presidential debate tonight? (Well. I saw part of it -- I had company drop by during part of it.)

I thought it was pretty good. And live TV is always a treat. Alan Alda and Jimmy Smits were outstanding, I thought. :cool:

I thought it was great. Both Smits and Alda really had me convinced that they were running for president. I would love to see real presidential debates run like that --- abandon prescribed formats and really get into it!!!!

[pygmalion]

I liked Alan Alda better. If they were real candidates, I'd probably vote for him. I liked his habit of coming out from behind the podium and talking directly to the audience. Besides, JImmy Smits is too handsome to be president. :lol:

(Notice how I completely omitted any mention of politics? Masterful, that's me. :wink: :lol:)

[chandra]

I was curious about that, watching the debate. I wondered if it was dependant on political beliefs who you thought won, or if it was "scripted" (yah i know) to give someone a benefit!

I love this show!

Also, great ploy how they announced last year alan alda would win, but now they are switching off who is in the credits etc. You really have no idea who is going to win... tricky!

[Joe]

I couldn't watch the debate episode. I tried, but it was just too contrived and I deleted it after watching a few minutes' worth.

[peachexploration]

Very good script writing for Congressmen Santos' speech tonight. Very passionate and inspiring. :)

[peachexploration]

Boy, am I late. I knew the show would be cancelling this year but I didn't realize John Spencer had died. :( The decision to cancel it was made before actor John Spencer, who played former presidential chief of staff Leo McGarry, died of a heart attack Dec. 16, said Kevin Reilly, NBC entertainment president.

More story from Yahoo News:

NBC Cancels 'West Wing' After 7 Seasons
Monday January 23 9:08 AM ET

NBC's political drama "The West Wing," which briefly made bureaucrats hip and won four Emmy awards for best drama, will end this spring with the inauguration of a new fictional president.

NBC announced the series' conclusion after seven seasons on Sunday. In the end, it fell victim to television's democratic process: sinking ratings, particularly after this season's move to Sunday nights.

The series will end May 14, preceded by an hour's retrospective.

Actors and producers toasted the show's end Sunday night at a cocktail party with television critics, who championed the series from the beginning.

"We knew we had a special show and we remained as a family," said Martin Sheen, who portrayed President Josiah Bartlet. "We all knew that we weren't going to get this kind of a chance again."

Series producers have only in the past few days decided who would win the presidential campaign that has been this season's main story; it will be revealed in April. The contest pits a Democrat played by Jimmy Smits and a Republican portrayed by Alan Alda, and the show's writers have fought over who should win.

"It's been quite a brawl," said John Wells, executive producer.

The decision to cancel it was made before actor John Spencer, who played former presidential chief of staff Leo McGarry, died of a heart attack Dec. 16, said Kevin Reilly, NBC entertainment president.

Although "The West Wing" briefly considered it calling it quits after Spencer's death, or remaking episodes featuring him that were filmed but not yet aired, Wells said they ultimately decided to use the late actor's work.

It's been tricky working the death into the story line; McGarry was a candidate for vice president, and producers found there was no constitutional provision for what happens when a candidate dies so close to the election.

"We're now dealing with the death of a character we loved after having dealt with the death of a person we loved," Wells said.

Lawrence O'Donnell, a former Washington insider who is one of the show's executive producers, said he knew the show was making a cultural impact when he found politicians who rarely watch TV were fans. He found it a better place to debate issues than real political shows on TV, he said.

Actor Bradley Whitford said he once heard from former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, who was upset that nobody seemed to care when his television counterpart died.

"I actually would get lobbied by lobbyists," he said. "I thought they wanted my autograph. But they were lobbying to get their issues mentioned on the show."

Producers are negotiating the return of Rob Lowe, the early series star who left because he was upset by his diminished role, for the finale. Series creator Aaron Sorkin responsible for the rapid-fire style of dialogue has no plans to return.

Sheen said the show's most positive impact on the country was, during a cynical time, to make people realize the important job that public servants perform.

"The government continues because of people who care for the country," he said.

Meanwhile, NBC announced a reshuffling of its midseason schedule, effective after the Winter Olympics. "Las Vegas" will move from Monday to Friday; "The Apprentice" will be shifted again to Monday; "Law & Order" will air an hour earlier on Wednesdays; and the game show "Deal or No Deal" will be a regular Monday show.

[alemana]

long overdue. the show jumped the shark long ago.

[peachexploration]

Thank goodness for DVD.

[Swingolder]

I will miss the show. For one thing, it made me appreciate my nice calm, low-stress (but not nearly as exciting) job. But at 5:00, I go home!

[peachexploration]

I will miss the show. For one thing, it made me appreciate my nice calm, low-stress (but not nearly as exciting) job. But at 5:00, I go home!
Me too Swingolder. Too bad they couldn't save it. Even though it was total make believe, it did spark intellectual thought and gave viewers a clue of what may go on in the day to day running of country.

Side note: Anyone seen Presidents series on the History Channel? We've had some pretty eccentric/interesting Presidents in the past. Another interesting perspective on the White House. Even confirmed some research I did eons ago on a college paper. Teacher said I was wrong on something about Abraham Lincoln. We had a big class fight about it. Mr. Teacher, if you're reading this...

Told 'ya so! ;) :lol:

[pygmalion]

Thank goodness for DVD.

My thoughts exactly. :cool:

[pygmalion]

*sniff* Leo was declared dead tonight. I've known about John Spenser's death for months. But tonight, I wept for them both -- Spenser and Leo, his character. To come so far and die just before the show ended? How sad. :cry:

I've been speculating since last season that Santos and Vinick would end up governing the country together, since they're both independent men of conscience, regardless of party. How many more weeks? Three? Two? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it'll happen. Pretty unlikely in real life. But, on TV, characters can act out our better selves.

[pygmalion]

Exactly what I wanted. Totally unrealistic, but what I wanted. Vinick and Santos working together.

Only two more weeks. :?

[fascination]

funny dh and I just signed off from watching as well...dh never misses it...I loved leo...

[pygmalion]

I did too. Too bad the actor, John (?) Spencer really died before the end. Very, very sad. :?

[fascination]

dont even get me started...desire to rant

[Joe]

I'm a couple of episodes behind, but you're right, it was sad. I actually thought Leo was gonna die last season when he had the MI out in the woods, I think it was Camp David.

[pygmalion]

Yeah. What an eerie parallel between TV and real life. :?