The West Wing
The West Wing Title Screen
Genre	Serial drama
Created by	Aaron Sorkin
Starring	Alan Alda Stockard Channing Kristin Chenoweth Dulé Hill Allison Janney Moira Kelly Rob Lowe Joshua Malina Mary McCormack Janel Moloney Richard Schiff Martin Sheen Jimmy Smits John Spencer Bradley Whitford
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	156 (including two special episodes)
Production
Running time	42 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	NBC
Original run	September 22, 1999 – May 14, 2006
Links
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

The West Wing is an American television serial drama created by Aaron Sorkin that was originally broadcast from 1999 to 2006. It was produced by John Wells. The series is set in the West Wing of the White House, the location of the Oval Office and offices of presidential senior staff, during the fictional Democratic administration of Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen). Image File history File links The West Wing Title Shot File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles accessible from a disambiguation page. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... Aaron Benjamin Sorkin (born on June 9, 1961 in New York City) is an American screenwriter, producer and playwright. ... Alan Alda (b. ... Stockard Channing press kit photo Stockard Channing (born Susan Antonia Williams Stockard on February 13, 1944) is an American actress. ... Kristin Chenoweth (born Kristi Dawn Chenoweth on July 24, 1968) is an American singer and Tony Award-winning American musical theatre, film, and television actress. ... Karim Dulé Hill (born May 3, 1975) is an American actor, best known for his roles as Josiah Bartlets (played by veteran actor Martin Sheen) presidential aide Charlie Young on the television series The West Wing and as Burton Guster (Gus) in the television dramedy Psych. ... Allison Brooks Janney (born November 19, 1959 in Dayton, Ohio) is an Emmy-winning American actress, most famous for her portrayal of C.J. Cregg on the American television series The West Wing. ... Moira Kelly in The West Wing. ... Robert Hepler Lowe (born March 17, 1964) is an American actor. ... Joshua Malina Joshua Malina (born 17 January 1966) is a Jewish-American film and stage actor. ... Mary McCormack in The West Wing episode The Wedding Mary McCormack (born February 8, 1969 in Plainfield, New Jersey) is an American television and film actress. ... Janel Moloney at a rally for John Kerry in October 2004 in Fort Collins, Colorado Janel Moloney (born October 3, 1969) is an American actor, best known for her role as Donna Moss on The West Wing. ... Richard Schiff on the set of The West Wing as Toby Ziegler Richard Schiff (born May 27, 1955 in Bethesda, Maryland) is an American actor, best known for playing Toby Ziegler on the NBC television drama The West Wing, a role for which he has won an Emmy Award. ... Martin Sheen (born Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estévez on August 3, 1940) is an Emmy Award-winning American actor, perhaps best known for his role as Captain Willard in the film Apocalypse Now and, most recently, as President Josiah Bartlet on the acclaimed television drama The West Wing. ... Jimmy Smits as President Matt Santos on The West Wing. ... John Spencer, born John Speshock (December 20, 1946 – December 16, 2005), was an American actor, best known for his role as Leo McGarry, the White House Chief of Staff on the television drama The West Wing. ... Bradley Whitford (born October 10, 1959 in Madison, Wisconsin) is an Emmy Award-winning American actor. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The following is an episode list for the NBC serial drama television series The West Wing. ... NBC (a former acronym for National Broadcasting Company) is an American television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York Citys Rockefeller Center. ... September 22 is the 265th day of the year (266th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar). ... May 14 is the 134th day of the year (135th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... For other uses, see White House (disambiguation). ... The West Wing may refer to several topics: The location of the U.S. Presidents office and offices of his political staff. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles accessible from a disambiguation page. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... Aaron Benjamin Sorkin (born on June 9, 1961 in New York City) is an American screenwriter, producer and playwright. ... This is a list of television-related events in 1999. ... This is a list of television-related events in 2006. ... John Wells is a theater and television producer and writer. ... The West Wing may refer to several topics: The location of the U.S. Presidents office and offices of his political staff. ... For other uses, see White House (disambiguation). ... The Oval Office from above The Oval Office is the official office of the President of the United States. ... The Democratic Party is one of two major political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. ... The term Administration, as used in the context of government, differs according to jurisdiction. ... Dr. Josiah Edward Jed Bartlet is a fictional character played by Martin Sheen on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... Martin Sheen (born Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estévez on August 3, 1940) is an Emmy Award-winning American actor, perhaps best known for his role as Captain Willard in the film Apocalypse Now and, most recently, as President Josiah Bartlet on the acclaimed television drama The West Wing. ...

The West Wing was produced by Warner Bros. Television. It first aired on NBC in 1999, and has been broadcast by many networks in dozens of other countries. The series ended its seven-year run on May 14, 2006.^[1] Warner Bros. ... NBC (a former acronym for National Broadcasting Company) is an American television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York Citys Rockefeller Center. ... A television network is a distribution network for television content whereby a central operation provides programming for many television stations. ... List of broadcasters and home video releases of The West Wing. ... May 14 is the 134th day of the year (135th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

The show received positive reviews from critics, political science professors, and former White House staffers. In total, The West Wing won two Golden Globe Awards and 26 Emmy Awards, a tie with Hill Street Blues for the most Emmy Awards ever won by a television drama series. Included in this record-equalling haul were four straight awards for Outstanding Drama Series (2000–2003).^[2] The show's popularity waned in later years, but it remained popular among high-income viewers, a key demographic for the show and its advertisers.^[3] The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      Political Science is the field concerning the theory and practice of politics and the description and analysis of political systems and political behaviour. ... The Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are American awards for motion pictures and television programs, given out each year during a formal dinner. ... An Emmy Award. ... Hill Street Blues was a serial police drama that first aired on NBC in 1981 and ran for 146 episodes on primetime into 1987. ...

Cast

Main article: List of characters on The West Wing

The West Wing employed a broad ensemble cast to portray the many positions involved in the daily work of the federal government. The President, the First Lady, and the President's senior staff and advisors form the core cast. Numerous secondary characters, appearing intermittently, complement storylines that generally revolve around this core group. The television series The West Wing is a political drama series which originated for broadcast on NBC. In addition to the main (regular) cast, there are numerous secondary characters who only appear periodically, and some characters who are only mentioned but never appeared. ... An ensemble cast is a cast in which the principal performers are assigned roughly equal amounts of importance in a dramatic production. ... ... The presidential seal was first used in 1880 by President Rutherford B. Hayes and last modified in 1959 by adding the 50th star for Hawaii. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Look up Cast in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A Secondary character is a character in a movie, play, musical, story, ect. ...

Third season cast members of The West Wing (from left to right): (top) Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, Richard Schiff, Janel Moloney (bottom) Rob Lowe, Stockard Channing, Martin Sheen, John Spencer, and Bradley Whitford

The following table summarizes the main cast. The position listed is the job that the character held in the first season, before any changes took place. Image File history File links West_wing_cast. ... Image File history File links West_wing_cast. ... Karim Dulé Hill (born May 3, 1975) is an American actor, best known for his roles as Josiah Bartlets (played by veteran actor Martin Sheen) presidential aide Charlie Young on the television series The West Wing and as Burton Guster (Gus) in the television dramedy Psych. ... Allison Brooks Janney (born November 19, 1959 in Dayton, Ohio) is an Emmy-winning American actress, most famous for her portrayal of C.J. Cregg on the American television series The West Wing. ... Richard Schiff on the set of The West Wing as Toby Ziegler Richard Schiff (born May 27, 1955 in Bethesda, Maryland) is an American actor, best known for playing Toby Ziegler on the NBC television drama The West Wing, a role for which he has won an Emmy Award. ... Janel Moloney at a rally for John Kerry in October 2004 in Fort Collins, Colorado Janel Moloney (born October 3, 1969) is an American actor, best known for her role as Donna Moss on The West Wing. ... Robert Hepler Lowe (born March 17, 1964) is an American actor. ... Stockard Channing press kit photo Stockard Channing (born Susan Antonia Williams Stockard on February 13, 1944) is an American actress. ... Martin Sheen (born Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estévez on August 3, 1940) is an Emmy Award-winning American actor, perhaps best known for his role as Captain Willard in the film Apocalypse Now and, most recently, as President Josiah Bartlet on the acclaimed television drama The West Wing. ... John Spencer, born John Speshock (December 20, 1946 – December 16, 2005), was an American actor, best known for his role as Leo McGarry, the White House Chief of Staff on the television drama The West Wing. ... Bradley Whitford (born October 10, 1959 in Madison, Wisconsin) is an Emmy Award-winning American actor. ...

Additions to the cast following the first season include Joshua Malina as speech writer and campaign guru Will Bailey, Mary McCormack as deputy National Security Advisor Kate Harper, Kristin Chenoweth as communications advisor Annabeth Schott, Jimmy Smits as Texas Congressman Matt Santos, and Alan Alda as Senator Arnold Vinick of California. Stockard Channing press kit photo Stockard Channing (born Susan Antonia Williams Stockard on February 13, 1944) is an American actress. ... Abigail Abbey Bartlet, First Lady is a fictional character played by Stockard Channing on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... This article is about the use of the term first lady internationally. ... Karim Dulé Hill (born May 3, 1975) is an American actor, best known for his roles as Josiah Bartlets (played by veteran actor Martin Sheen) presidential aide Charlie Young on the television series The West Wing and as Burton Guster (Gus) in the television dramedy Psych. ... Charles Charlie Young is a fictional character played by Dulé Hill on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... A body man is, in American political jargon, a personal assistant to a politician or political candidate. ... Allison Brooks Janney (born November 19, 1959 in Dayton, Ohio) is an Emmy-winning American actress, most famous for her portrayal of C.J. Cregg on the American television series The West Wing. ... Claudia Jean C.J. Cregg, White House Chief of Staff (formerly Press Secretary) to Democratic President Josiah Bartlet, is a fictional character, played by Allison Janney on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... The White House Press Secretary is a senior White House official with a rank one step below Presidential Cabinet level. ... Moira Kelly in The West Wing. ... Dr. Madeline Mandy Hampton is a fictional character played by Moira Kelly on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... Robert Hepler Lowe (born March 17, 1964) is an American actor. ... Samuel Norman Sam Seaborn is a fictional character played by Rob Lowe on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... The White House Communications Director is responsible for developing and promoting the voice of the administration. ... Janel Moloney at a rally for John Kerry in October 2004 in Fort Collins, Colorado Janel Moloney (born October 3, 1969) is an American actor, best known for her role as Donna Moss on The West Wing. ... Donnatella Donna Moss is a fictional character played by Janel Moloney on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... Richard Schiff on the set of The West Wing as Toby Ziegler Richard Schiff (born May 27, 1955 in Bethesda, Maryland) is an American actor, best known for playing Toby Ziegler on the NBC television drama The West Wing, a role for which he has won an Emmy Award. ... Tobias Zachary Toby Ziegler, is a fictional character played by Richard Schiff on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... The White House Communications Director is responsible for developing and promoting the voice of the administration. ... Martin Sheen (born Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estévez on August 3, 1940) is an Emmy Award-winning American actor, perhaps best known for his role as Captain Willard in the film Apocalypse Now and, most recently, as President Josiah Bartlet on the acclaimed television drama The West Wing. ... Dr. Josiah Edward Jed Bartlet is a fictional character played by Martin Sheen on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... The presidential seal was first used in 1880 by President Rutherford B. Hayes and last modified in 1959 by adding the 50th star for Hawaii. ... John Spencer, born John Speshock (December 20, 1946 – December 16, 2005), was an American actor, best known for his role as Leo McGarry, the White House Chief of Staff on the television drama The West Wing. ... Leo Thomas McGarry is a fictional character played by John Spencer on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... Joshua B. Bolten, the current White House Chief of Staff. ... Bradley Whitford (born October 10, 1959 in Madison, Wisconsin) is an Emmy Award-winning American actor. ... Joshua Josh Lyman is a fictional character played by Bradley Whitford on the television drama The West Wing. ... The Deputy White House Chief of Staff is the top aide to the White House Chief of Staff, who is the senior aide to the President of the United States. ... Joshua Malina Joshua Malina (born 17 January 1966) is a Jewish-American film and stage actor. ... Look up Transwiki:speechwriter in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... William Will Bailey, is a fictional character played by Joshua Malina on the television serial drama The West Wing, holding various posts in the White House Department of Communications. ... Mary McCormack in The West Wing episode The Wedding Mary McCormack (born February 8, 1969 in Plainfield, New Jersey) is an American television and film actress. ... -1... Mary McCormack as Kate Harper and Anna Deavere Smith as Dr. Nancy McNally. ... Kristin Chenoweth (born Kristi Dawn Chenoweth on July 24, 1968) is an American singer and Tony Award-winning American musical theatre, film, and television actress. ... Schott in The West Wing episode A Good Day (Season 6). ... Jimmy Smits as President Matt Santos on The West Wing. ... Official language(s) No Official Language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... A Congressman or Congresswoman (generically, Congressperson) is a politician who is a member of a Congress. ... Matthew Vincente Matt Santos is a fictional character on the American television show The West Wing, played by Jimmy Smits. ... Alan Alda (b. ... The United States Senate is the upper house of the U.S. Congress, smaller than the United States House of Representatives. ... Arnold Vinick was a fictional character on the television series The West Wing played by Alan Alda. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ...

Each of the principal actors made approximately $75,000 an episode, with Sheen's most recently confirmed salary being $300,000.^[4][5] Rob Lowe also had a six-figure salary, reported to be $100,000, because his character originally was supposed to have a more central role.^[6] Disparities in cast salaries led to very public contract disputes, particularly by Janney, Schiff, Spencer, and Whitford. During contract negotiations in 2001, the four were threatened with breach of contract suits by Warner Bros. However, by banding together, they were able to convince the studio to more than double their salaries.^[4] Two years later, the four again demanded a doubling of their salaries, a few months after Warner Bros. had signed new licensing deals with NBC and Bravo.^[7] Martin Sheen (born Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estévez on August 3, 1940) is an Emmy Award-winning American actor, perhaps best known for his role as Captain Willard in the film Apocalypse Now and, most recently, as President Josiah Bartlet on the acclaimed television drama The West Wing. ... Allison Brooks Janney (born November 19, 1959 in Dayton, Ohio) is an Emmy-winning American actress, most famous for her portrayal of C.J. Cregg on the American television series The West Wing. ... Richard Schiff on the set of The West Wing as Toby Ziegler Richard Schiff (born May 27, 1955 in Bethesda, Maryland) is an American actor, best known for playing Toby Ziegler on the NBC television drama The West Wing, a role for which he has won an Emmy Award. ... John Spencer can refer to different people: John Spencer is an American actor in series such as L.A. Law and The West Wing. ... Bradley Whitford (born October 10, 1959 in Madison, Wisconsin) is an Emmy Award-winning American actor. ... Breach of contract is a legal concept in which a binding agreement or bargained-for exchange is not honored by one or more of the parties to the contract by non-performance or interference with the other partys performance. ... Warner Bros. ... This article is about the U.S. cable network. ...

John Spencer, who played Leo McGarry, died from a heart attack on December 16, 2005 — about a year after his character experienced a nearly fatal heart attack on the show. A brief memorial message from Martin Sheen ran before "Running Mates", the first new episode that aired after Spencer's death. The loss of Spencer's character was addressed by the series beginning with the episode "Election Day", which aired on April 2, 2006. John Spencer can refer to different people: John Spencer is an American actor in series such as L.A. Law and The West Wing. ... Leo Thomas McGarry is a fictional character played by John Spencer on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... Acute myocardial infarction (AMI or MI), commonly known as a heart attack, is a disease state that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart is interrupted. ... December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The memorial at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii commemorates American dead from wars in the Pacific. ... Martin Sheen (born Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estévez on August 3, 1940) is an Emmy Award-winning American actor, perhaps best known for his role as Captain Willard in the film Apocalypse Now and, most recently, as President Josiah Bartlet on the acclaimed television drama The West Wing. ... Running Mates is episode 142 of The West Wing. ... Election Day Part I is episode 148 of The West Wing. ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

Different performers had been originally considered for many of the roles. Bradley Whitford states in an interview on the Season 1 DVD that he was originally cast as Sam, though the character of Josh was the role Whitford had wanted and for which he had auditioned. In addition, Josh's character had been written specifically for him by Aaron Sorkin. In the same interview, Janel Moloney states that she had originally auditioned for the role of C.J., and that the role she eventually received, Donna, was not meant to be a recurring character. Other actors who were seriously considered included Alan Alda and Sidney Poitier for the President, Judd Hirsch for Leo, Eugene Levy for Toby, and CCH Pounder for C.J.^[8] Bradley Whitford (born October 10, 1959 in Madison, Wisconsin) is an Emmy Award-winning American actor. ... Alan Alda (b. ... Sir Sidney Poitier KBE, (IPA pronunciation: ) (born February 20, 1927), is an Academy Award-winning Bahamian-American actor, film director, and activist. ... Judd Hirsch (born March 15, 1935 in Bronx, New York) is an American actor, best known for playing the character Alex Reiger on the acclaimed television comedy series Taxi. ... Eugene Levy (born December 17, 1946) is a Canadian actor, television director, producer and writer. ... Carol Christine Hilaria Pounder (born December 25, 1952) is an American film and television actress. ...

Plot

See also: List of The West Wing episodes

The West Wing, like many serial dramas, stretches storylines over several episodes or entire seasons. In addition to these larger storylines, each episode also contains smaller arcs which usually begin and end within an episode. Plot synopses, both for individual episodes and overall seasons, are included with a list of The West Wing episodes. The following is an episode list for the NBC serial drama television series The West Wing. ... The following is an episode list for the NBC serial drama television series The West Wing. ...

Most episodes follow President Bartlet and his staff through particular legislative or political issues. Plots can range from behind-closed-doors negotiating with Congress ("Five Votes Down") to personal issues like sex ("Pilot", "Take Out The Trash Day") and personal drug use (a major plotline throughout the first and second seasons). The typical episode loosely follows the president and his staff through their day, generally following several plots connected by some idea or theme. A large, fully connected set of the White House allows the producers to create shots with very few cuts and long, continuous master shots of staff members walking and talking through the hallways. These "walks-and-talks" became a trademark of the show. A master shot is a filmic recording of an entire scene, start to finish, from an angle that keeps all the players in view. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

In the first season, the administration is in the middle of its first year and is still having trouble settling in and making progress on legislative issues. The second season brings scandal as the White House is rocked by allegations of criminal conduct and the president must decide whether he will run for a second term. The third and fourth seasons take an in-depth look at the campaign trail and the specter of both foreign and domestic terrorism. In the fifth season, the president begins to encounter more issues on the foreign front, while at home he must face off with the newly elected Speaker of the House over the future of the federal budget. The sixth season chronicles the quest to replace Bartlet in the next election, following the primary campaign of several candidates from both parties. In the seventh season, the president must face a leak of confidential information from inside the White House, while the Democratic and Republican candidates battle to replace him in the general election. Federal courts Supreme Court Chief Justice Associate Justices Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Counties, Cities, and Towns Other countries Politics Portal      The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the...

Evolution

President Bartlet (second from left) talks on the phone with a Navy sailor while (from left to right) Toby Ziegler, Abigail Bartlet, Sam Seaborn, and Leo McGarry look on.

The series developed from the 1995 theatrical film The American President, for which Aaron Sorkin wrote the screenplay. Unused plot elements from the film and a suggestion from Akiva Goldsman inspired Sorkin to create The West Wing. Image File history File links Westwing_statedinner2. ... Image File history File links Westwing_statedinner2. ... Dr. Josiah Edward Jed Bartlet is a fictional character played by Martin Sheen on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... The United States Navy, also known as the USN or the U.S. Navy, is a branch of the United States armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations. ... Tobias Zachary Toby Ziegler, is a fictional character played by Richard Schiff on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... Abigail Abbey Bartlet, First Lady is a fictional character played by Stockard Channing on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... Samuel Norman Sam Seaborn is a fictional character played by Rob Lowe on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... Leo Thomas McGarry is a fictional character played by John Spencer on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... This article is about a movie. ... Aaron Benjamin Sorkin (born on June 9, 1961 in New York City) is an American screenwriter, producer and playwright. ... Akiva Goldsman is a writer, producer, and actor in the film industry. ...

Sorkin intended to center the show on Sam Seaborn, Bartlet's deputy communications director, with the president in an unseen or a secondary role. However, Bartlet's screen time gradually increased, and his role expanded as the series progressed. Positive critical and public reaction to Sheen's sometimes Clintonesque performance raised his character's profile, decreasing Lowe's perceived significance. This shift is one of the reasons for Lowe's eventual departure from the show in the fourth season.^[9] William Jefferson Bill Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III[1] on August 19, 1946) was the 42nd President of the United States, serving from 1993 to 2001. ...

For the first four seasons, Sorkin wrote almost every episode of the series, occasionally reusing plot elements, episode titles, character names, and actors from his previous work, Sports Night, a sitcom in which he began to develop his signature dialogue style of rhythmic, snappy, and intellectual banter. Fellow executive producer and director Thomas Schlamme developed the "walk and talk," a continuous shot tracking in front of the characters as they walk from one place to another that became part of The West Wing's signature visual style.^[10] Sorkin's hectic writing schedule often led to cost overruns and schedule slips,^[11] and he opted to leave the show after the fourth season, following increasing personal problems, including a very public arrest for possession of illegal drugs. Thomas Schlamme also left the show after the fourth season. John Wells, the remaining executive producer, took the helm after their departure. This article is about the American television series. ... A sitcom or situation comedy is a genre of comedy performance originally devised for radio but today typically found on television. ... Thomas Schlamme (born May 22, 1950) is one of the leading directors of television. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Thomas Schlamme (born May 22, 1950) is one of the leading directors of television. ... John Wells is a theater and television producer and writer. ...

The show aired its series finale on Sunday, May 14, 2006.

Critical reactions

Former Vice President Al Gore appeared in a Saturday Night Live skit with The West Wing cast members, on the show's Oval Office set.

The West Wing offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of America's most powerful address, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Many criticisms have been written concerning the show's legitimacy, political slant, and film merits. From http://www. ... From http://www. ... Albert Arnold Gore, Jr. ... Saturday Night Live (SNL) is a weekly late night 90-minute American comedy-variety show based in New York City which has been broadcast live by NBC on Saturday nights since October 11, 1975. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... For other uses, see White House (disambiguation). ...

Realism

The West Wing is not completely accurate in its portrayal of the actual West Wing because of the certain amount of melodrama that must be added to each episode to captivate viewers.^[12] However, former White House staffers agree that the show "captures the feel [of the West Wing], shorn of a thousand undramatic details."^[13]

Former White House Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers as well as expert pollster Patrick Caddell served as consultants for the show from the beginning, helping writers and actors depict the West Wing accurately. Other former White House staffers, such as Peggy Noonan and Gene Sperling, have served as consultants for brief periods. The White House Press Secretary is a senior White House official with a rank one step below Presidential Cabinet level. ... Dee Dee Myers (born Margaret Jane Myers on 1 September 1961 in Providence, Rhode Island) served as White House Press Secretary for the first two years of the Clinton administration, from January 20, 1993 to December 22, 1994. ... Patrick Hayward Caddell (also Pat or Patrick H.) (born May 19, 1950, in Rock Hill, South Carolina) is an American public opinion pollster and a political film consultant. ... Peggy Noonan, on Hannity and Colmes. ... Gene B. Sperling is an American economist and political expert, currently serving as a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress. ...

A documentary special in the third season compared the show's depiction of the West Wing to the real thing. Many former West Wing denizens applauded the show's depiction of the West Wing, including advisor David Gergen, Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Chief of Staff Leon Panetta, Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove, and former Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton. David Richmond Gergen (born May 9, 1942) was a political consultant and presidential advisor during the Republican administrations of Nixon, Ford, and Reagan. ... Dee Dee Myers (born Margaret Jane Myers on 1 September 1961 in Providence, Rhode Island) served as White House Press Secretary for the first two years of the Clinton administration, from January 20, 1993 to December 22, 1994. ... In several countries, Secretary of State is a senior government position. ... Henry Alfred Kissinger (born Heinz Alfred Kissinger on May 27, 1923) is a German-born American diplomat, and 1973 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. ... Leon Edward Panetta (born June 28, 1938) is a former White House Chief of Staff to Bill Clinton, a former member of the United States House of Representatives, and the founder and director of the Panetta Institute. ... Karl Christian Rove (born December 25, 1950) is Deputy Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush. ... this guy is awsome i played him in a school play he also has some pretty funky history Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr. ... James Earl Jimmy Carter, Jr. ... William Jefferson Bill Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III[1] on August 19, 1946) was the 42nd President of the United States, serving from 1993 to 2001. ...

While some critics often praised The West Wing for its writing, others faulted the show for its unrealistic optimism.^[14] A large part of this criticism came from the perceived naiveté of the characters. Television critic Heather Havrilesky asked "... how do you go from innocent millipede to White House staffer without becoming soiled or disillusioned by the dirty realities of politics along the way?"^[15] Subclasses, orders and families See text. ...

Social impact

Despite acclaim for the veracity of the series, Sorkin believed, "My obligation isn't to the truth ... my obligation is to captivate you for however long I've asked for your attention." Former White House aide Matthew Miller noted that Sorkin "captivates viewers by making the human side of politics more real than life — or at least more real than the picture we get from the news." Miller also noted that by portraying politicians with empathy, the show created a "subversive competitor" to the cynical views of politics in media.^[13] In the essay "The West Wing and the West Wing", author Myron Levine agreed, stating that the series "presents an essentially positive view of public service and a healthy corrective to anti-Washington stereotypes and public cynicism."^[12]

Dr. Staci L. Beavers, associate professor of political science at California State University, San Marcos, wrote a short essay, The West Wing as a Pedagogical Tool, concerning the viability of The West Wing as a teaching tool. She concluded, "While the series’ purpose is for-profit entertainment, The West Wing presents great pedagogical potential." The West Wing, in her opinion, gave greater depth to the political process usually espoused only in stilted talking points on shows like Face the Nation and Meet the Press. However, the merits of a particular argument may be obscured by the viewer's opinion of the character. Beavers also noted that characters with opposing viewpoints were often set up to be "bad people" in the viewer's eyes. These characters were assigned undesirable characteristics having nothing to do with their political opinions, such as being romantically involved with a main character's love interest. In Beavers's opinion, a critical analysis of the show's political views can present a worthwhile learning experience to the viewer.^[16] The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      Political Science is the field concerning the theory and practice of politics and the description and analysis of political systems and political behaviour. ... California State University San Marcos (also CSUSM or Cal State San Marcos) is a campus of the California State University (CSU) system located in San Marcos, California, a suburban town in north San Diego County. ... Talking points are small arguments or phrases that political strategists issue to representatives or supporters of a party or administration to be used over and over again in speeches, talk show appearances and debates. ... Face The Nation logo, used until 2002. ... Meet the Press (MTP) is a weekly television news show produced by NBC. It started as a radio show in 1945 as American Mercury Presents: Meet the Press, originating from WRC-AM in Washington. ...

One of the stranger impacts of the show occurred on January 31, 2006, when The West Wing was said to have played a hand in defeating Tony Blair's government in the British House of Commons, during the so called "West Wing Plot". The plan was allegedly hatched after a Conservative Member of Parliament watched the episode, "A Good Day", in which Democrats passed the president's stem cell bill while the Republicans weren't looking.^[17] January 31 is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... For other people of the same name, see Tony Blair (disambiguation) Anthony Charles Lynton Blair (born May 6, 1953)[1] is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, Leader of the Labour Party, and Member of Parliament for the constituency... The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... The Conservative Party (officially the Conservative and Unionist Party) is the second largest political party in the United Kingdom in terms of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), the largest in terms of public membership, and is the second oldest extant political party in the world. ... A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a parliament. ... A Good Day is episode 127 of The West Wing. ...

The Left Wing

The West Wing is sometimes called The Left Wing by detractors because of its portrayal of the ideal liberal administration and an alleged penchant to demonize conservatives. Chris Lehman characterized the show as a revisionist look at the Clinton presidency: an attempt to solidify the Clinton legacy and to make America forget the Whitewater and Lewinsky scandals.^[18] On the other hand, some Republicans have admired the show since its inception, regardless of the departure of Sorkin and the show's resulting shift toward the center.^[19] In his 2001 article "Real Liberals versus the West Wing", Mackubin Owens pointed out, “Leftism” redirects here. ... American liberalism—that is, liberalism in the United States of America—is a broad political and philosophical mindset, favoring individual liberty, and opposing restrictions on liberty, whether they come from established religion, from government regulation, from the existing class structure, or from multi-national corporations. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Monica Lewinsky scandal was a political-sex scandal emerging from a sexual relationship between United States President Bill Clinton and a then 22-year-old White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. ...

Some praise the show for helping to bridge the gap between the left and the right in America. By showing Democratic views on issues and the debate surrounding them, the series has provided many Republicans with useful insights about the views of the left.^[13] Quid pro quo (Latin for something for something [1]) indicates a more-or-less equal exchange or substitution of goods or services. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Left-Right politics. ...

Filming techniques and reactions

Sam Seaborn and Josh Lyman converse in the hallway in one of The West Wing's noted tracking shots.

In its first season, The West Wing attracted critical attention in the film community with a record nine Emmy wins. The show has been praised for its high production values and continuously recognized for its cinematic achievements.^[2] With a budget of $6 million per episode, many consider each week's show to be a small feature film.^[21] However, many in the film community believe that the true genius of the show was Sorkin's rapid-fire and witty scripts.^[22] Image File history File links Westwing_trackingshot. ... Image File history File links Westwing_trackingshot. ... Samuel Norman Sam Seaborn is a fictional character played by Rob Lowe on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... Joshua Josh Lyman is a fictional character played by Bradley Whitford on the television drama The West Wing. ... An Emmy Award. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

The West Wing is noted for developing the "walk-and-talk"—long Steadicam tracking shots showing characters walking down hallways while involved in long conversations. In a typical "walk-and-talk" shot, the camera leads two characters down a hallway as they speak to each other. One of these characters generally breaks off and the remaining character is then joined by another character, who initiates another conversation as they continue walking. These "walk-and-talks" create a dynamic feel for what would otherwise be long expository dialogue, and have become a staple for dialogue-intensive television show scenes.^[23] To film this recreated Victorian London street scene, the cameraman next to the lamp post is using a steadicam and wearing the harness required to support it. ... In motion picture terminology, a tracking shot is the same as a dolly shot or a trucking shot--the camera is mounted on a wheeled platform that is pushed on rails while the picture is being taken. ...

Awards

In its first season, The West Wing garnered nine Emmys, a record for most won by a series in a single season. In addition the series has received the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003, tying Hill Street Blues and L.A. Law for most won in this category. Each of its seven seasons earned a nomination for the award. As of 2006, The West Wing ranks 8th all-time in number of Emmy Awards won by a series. The 52nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were held Sunday, September 10, 2000. ... The 53rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were held Sunday, November 4, 2001. ... The 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were held Sunday, September 22, 2002. ... // Outstanding Drama Series 24, Fox CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS Six Feet Under, HBO The Sopranos, HBO The West Wing, NBC Outstanding Comedy Series Curb Your Enthusiasm, HBO Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS Friends, NBC Sex and the City, HBO Will & Grace, NBC Outstanding Mini-Series Hitler: The Rise of Evil... Hill Street Blues was a serial police drama that first aired on NBC in 1981 and ran for 146 episodes on primetime into 1987. ... L.A. Law (1986 - 1994) was one of the most popular American television shows of the late 1980s and early 1990s. ...

The series shares the Emmy Award record for most acting nominations by regular cast members (excluding the guest performer category) for a single series in one year. (Both Hill Street Blues and L.A. Law also hold that record). For the 2001–2002 season nine cast members were nominated for Emmys. Allison Janney, John Spencer and Stockard Channing each won an Emmy (for Lead Actress, Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress respectively). The others nominated were Martin Sheen (for Lead Actor), Richard Schiff, Dule Hill and Bradley Whitford (for Supporting Actor), and Janel Moloney and Mary-Louise Parker (for Supporting Actress). In addition, that same year Mark Harmon, Tim Matheson and Ron Silver were each nominated in the Guest Actor category (although none won the award). This gives the series an Emmy Award record for most acting nominations overall (including guest performer category) in a single year, with 12 acting nominations. An Emmy Award. ... Hill Street Blues was a serial police drama that first aired on NBC in 1981 and ran for 146 episodes on primetime into 1987. ... L.A. Law (1986 - 1994) was one of the most popular American television shows of the late 1980s and early 1990s. ...

Twenty individual Emmys have been awarded to writers, actors, and crew members. Allison Janney is the record holder for most wins by a cast member, with a total of four Emmys.

In addition to its Emmys, the show has won two Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, in 2000 and 2001, Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. Martin Sheen is the only cast member to have won a Golden Globe, and he and Allison Janney are the only cast members to win a SAG award (best actor and best actress respectively) In both 1999 and 2000, The West Wing was awarded the Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting. The Screen Actors Guild (S.A.G.) is the labor union representing over 120,000 film actors in the United States. ... Movie award winners Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: Benicio Del Toro, Traffic Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: Julia Roberts, Erin Brockovich Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Albert Finney, Erin Brockovich Outstanding Performance by a Female... Movie award winners Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: Russell Crowe, A Beautiful Mind Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: Halle Berry, Monsters Ball Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Ian McKellen, The Lord of the Rings... The George Foster Peabody Awards, more commonly referred to as the Peabody Awards, are annual international awards given for excellence in radio and television broadcasting. ...

The following table summarizes award wins by cast members:

W.G. "Snuffy" Walden received an Emmy Award for Main Title Theme Music in 2000 for "The West Wing Opening Theme". The Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are American awards for motion pictures and television programs, given out each year during a formal dinner. ... William Garrett Walden (often credited as Snuffy Walden or W. G. Snuffy Walden) is an accomplished composer for television shows, having scored Ellen, Roseanne, My So-Called Life, Sports Night, thirtysomething, The Wonder Years and The West Wing. ...

Many cast members have been Emmy-nominated for their work on The West Wing but have not won, including Martin Sheen—who was nominated each year for all seven seasons of the series without receiving the award—as well as Janel Moloney, who was nominated twice, and Dulé Hill, Rob Lowe, and Mary-Louise Parker, who were all nominated once. Matthew Perry, Oliver Platt, Ron Silver, Tim Matheson, and Mark Harmon have also received Emmy nominations for guest starring on the show. Mary-Louise Parker (born August 2, 1964 in Fort Jackson, South Carolina) is an American actress whose work in theatre and film has won her international acclaim. ... Matthew Langford Perry (born August 19, 1969) is a Canadian/American Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor who is best known for his role as Chandler Bing in the American television sitcom Friends, a part he played for 10 years. ... Oliver Platt as The West Wings Oliver Babish Oliver Platt (born January 12, 1960 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian film and television actor. ... Ron Silver (born July 2, 1946 in New York City) is an American movie and television actor, director, and producer. ... Tim Matheson, an American actor, was born Timothy Lewis Matthieson on December 31, 1947, in Glendale, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. ... Mark Thomas Harmon (born September 2, 1951) is an American actor. ...

Exploration of real world issues

In the White House Situation Room, Leo McGarry waits for President Bartlet's decision on a controversial bombing campaign.

The West Wing often features extensive discussion of current or recent political issues. After the real-world election of Republican President George W. Bush in 2000, many wondered whether the liberal show could retain its relevance and topicality. However, by exploring many of the same issues facing the Bush administration from a Democratic point of view, the show continued to appeal to a broad audience of both Democrats and Republicans. Image File history File links Westwing_situation_room. ... Image File history File links Westwing_situation_room. ... White House Situation Room in March 2003. ... Leo Thomas McGarry is a fictional character played by John Spencer on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... Dr. Josiah Edward Jed Bartlet is a fictional character played by Martin Sheen on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the 43rd and current President of the United States, inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ...

In its second season President Bartlet admonishes fictional radio host Dr. Jenna Jacobs for her views regarding homosexuality at a private gathering at the White House. Dr. Jacobs is a caricature of radio personality Dr. Laura Schlessinger, who strongly disapproves of homosexuality. Many of the president's biblical references in his comments to Dr. Jacobs are thought to have come from a letter circulated online in early May 2000.^[24] Homosexuality refers to sexual interaction and / or romantic attraction between individuals of the same sex. ... Laura Catherine Schlessinger (born January 16, 1947) is an American cultural and conservative commentator, most known as host of the popular Dr. Laura radio advice call-in show. ... This Gutenberg Bible is displayed by the United States Library of Congress. ...

The Bartlet administration experiences a scandal during the second and third seasons that has been compared to the Monica Lewinsky affair.^[25] President Bartlet was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) in 1992. The scandal centers around President Bartlet's nondisclosure of his illness to the electorate during the election. He is investigated by an opposition Congress for defrauding the public and eventually accepted a Congressional censure. Multiple sclerosis advocacy groups have praised the show for its accurate portrayal of the symptoms of MS and stressing that it is not fatal. The National MS Society commented: Monica Lewinsky on her U.S. Government ID Monica Samille Lewinsky (born July 23, 1973 in San Francisco) is an American woman with whom former United States President Bill Clinton admitted to having had an affair [1] while Lewinsky worked at the White House in 1995 and 1996. ... Multiple Sclerosis (abbreviated MS, also known as disseminated sclerosis or encephalomyelitis disseminata) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). ... The House of Representatives is the larger of two houses that make up the U.S. Congress, the other being the United States Senate. ... Censure is a process by which a formal reprimand is issued to an individual by an authoritative body. ...

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the start of the third season was postponed for a week, as were most American television premieres that year. A script for a special episode was quickly written and began filming on September 21. The episode "Isaac and Ishmael" aired on October 3 and addresses the sobering reality of terrorism in America and the wider world, albeit with no specific reference to September 11. While "Isaac and Ishmael" received mixed critical reviews, it illustrated the show's flexibility in addressing current events. The cast of the show state during the opening of the episode that it is not part of The West Wing continuity. A sequential look at United Flight 175 crashing into the south tower of the World Trade Center The September 11, 2001 attacks (often referred to as 9/11—pronounced nine eleven or nine one one) consisted of a series of coordinated terrorist[1] suicide attacks upon the United States, predominantly... September 21 is the 264th day of the year (265th in leap years). ... October 3 is the 276th day of the year (277th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Terrorist redirects here. ... September 11 is the 254th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (255th in leap years). ... In fiction, continuity is consistency of the characteristics of persons, plot, objects, places and events seen by the reader or viewer. ...

In a surprising plot twist, Speaker of the House Glen Allen Walken temporarily becomes Acting President while Zoey Bartlet is kidnapped.

While the September 11th attacks do not occur in The West Wing continuity, the country does enter into a variation of the War on Terrorism. The war begins during the show's third season, when a plot to blow up the Golden Gate Bridge was uncovered; in response, the President orders the assassination of terrorist leader Abdul ibn Shareef. At the end of the fourth season, the conflict escalates when Zoey Bartlet (Elisabeth Moss), the president's youngest daughter, is kidnapped by Islamic extremists from a fictional country named Qumar. The result of this kidnapping is the bombing of Qumar. This storyline draws similarities to the real-world U.S. invasion of Afghanistan as well as U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia, as it brings the Middle East to the forefront of U.S. foreign relations and elevated terrorism as a serious threat in The West Wing universe. Image File history File links Westwing_actingpresident. ... Image File history File links Westwing_actingpresident. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Chief Justice Associate Justices Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Counties, Cities, and Towns Other countries Politics Portal      The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the... Glen Allen Walken (sometimes spelled Glenallen or Glen Alan Walken) is a fictional character on The West Wing played by John Goodman. ... Acting President of the United States is a temporary office in the government of the United States, established under the auspices of the Constitution of the United States, particularly its 25th Amendment (ratified in 1967). ... This article is about U.S. actions after September 11, 2001. ... The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening into the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. ... Abdul ibn Shareef, former defense minister of Qumar, is a fictional character played by Al Nomani on the television serial drama The West Wing. ... Elisabeth Moss as Zoey Bartlet in The West Wing episode Commencement (2003). ... American actress, Elisabeth Moss, in her role as Zoey Bartlet on The West Wing. ... Qumar is a fictional Middle Eastern country in the television show The West Wing. ... Qumar is a fictional Middle Eastern country in the television show The West Wing. ... Combatants Taliban al-Qaeda IMU Hezbi Islami Afghanistan Northern Alliance United Nations: ISAF NATO, including: Canada United Kingdom Netherlands France United States Commanders Osama bin Laden Mohammed Omar Obaidullah Akhund Mullah Dadullah† Bismillah Khan Tommy Franks David Fraser Ton van Loon David Richards Dan McNeill Strength 12,000 claimed by...

In the middle of the fourth season, Bartlet's White House is confronted with the genocide in the fictional African country of Equatorial Kundu which was compared to Rwandan Genocide of 1994. The result was new foreign policy doctrine for Bartlet Administration and military intervention to stop the violence, which came after much hesitation and reluctance to call the conflict a genocide. In reality, Clinton Administration didn't intervene in Rwanda, making series events look like a moral imperative.^[27] The Republic of Equatorial Kundu is a fictional African country from the television series The West Wing. ... The Rwandan Genocide was the 1994 mass extermination of hundreds of thousands of ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutu sympathizers in Rwanda and was the largest atrocity during the Rwandan Civil War. ... President Clintons Cabinet, circa 1993 Headed by President of the United States Bill Clinton, the Clinton Administation was the executive branch of the federal government of the United States from 1993 to 2001. ... A moral imperative is an ethical responsibility. ...

In the sixth and