West Wing going off the air

I think that in the short term I kind of like the fact that the show is going off the air. It adds an element of uncertainty that I don't think would've been their had the show been picked up for next season. Because the show is going off the air, they can have Vinick realistically winning. Before it seemed pretty obvious to me that Santos would win, because if he didn't then they'd have to get rid of pretty much the entire cast.

This show has been great. The "media" is acting as though this show has only aired for 2 years! Nuff said.

They started in 1999. The first season was a little rough stylisticly, trying to find the groove, but it was always an excellent show.

I don't think I have ever seen a show gel so well from the very beginning. I recently rented the 1st season out of nostalgia, and I was amazed at how the first episode was handled--they just jumped right into the moment, without the usual lengthy character introductions and background information.

It was amazing. :)

IIRC, that was the "Dr. Laura" type character smack-down. No?

:rofl: I wanted to kiss Josh for saying that!

You may be thinking of an episode soon after the assassination attempt. It was a dinner with radio talk show hosts and President Bartlett really gave that woman hell. I rewound it and watched it three consecutive times. It was utterly beautiful. *sigh* We can only dream to find such a wonderful pres.

That's an absolutely great scene, one of my favorites. Bartlet is making brief remarks to a standing crowd at a White House reception for talk radio hosts, but is distracted when he sees this woman sitting at one of the tables.

BARTLET
I'm sorry, um... you're Dr. Jenna Jacobs, right?

JENNA JACOBS
Yes, sir.

BARTLET
It's good to have you here.

JENNA JACOBS
Thank you.

BARTLET
The awesome impact of the airwaves and how that translates into the furthering of our national discussions but obviously also how it can... how it can... (He sighs, and addresses Jenna Jacobs again.)

BARTLET
Forgive me, Dr. Jacobs. Are you an M.D.?

JENNA JACOBS
Ph.D.

BARTLET
A Ph.D.?

JENNA JACOBS
Yes, sir.

BARTLET
In Psychology?

JENNA JACOBS
No sir.

BARTLET
Theology?

JENNA JACOBS
No.

BARTLET
Social work?

JENNA JACOBS
I have a Ph.D. in English Literature.

BARTLET
I'm asking, 'cause on your show, people call in for advice and you go by the name of Dr. Jacobs on your show. And I didn't know if maybe your listeners were confused by that, and assumed you had advanced training in Psychology, Theology, or health care.

JENNA JACOBS
I don't believe they are confused, no sir.

BARTLET
Good. I like your show. I like how you call homosexuality an abomination.

JENNA JACOBS
I don't say homosexuality is an abomination, Mr. President. The Bible does.

BARTLET
Yes, it does. Leviticus.

JENNA JACOBS
18:22.

BARTLET
Chapter and verse. I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I had you here. I'm interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. (small chuckles from the guests) She's a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, and always clears the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be? While thinking about that, can I ask another? My Chief of Staff, LeoO McGarry, insists on working on the Sabbath, Exodus 35:2, clearly says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself or is it okay to call the police? Here's one that's really important,
'cause we've got a lot of sports fans in this town. Touching the skin of a dead pig makes us unclean, Leviticus 11:7. If they promise to wear gloves, can the Washington Redskins still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point? Does the whole town really have to be together to stone my brother, John, for planting different crops side by side? Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads?

(Jenna Jacobs fidgets uncomfortably.)

BARTLET
Think about those questions, would you? One last thing, while you may be mistaking this for your monthly meeting of the Ignorant Tightass Club, in this building, when the President stands, nobody sits.

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In my defense, when I said that the first season was rough at times, I mostly meant that there were a few episodes which weren't as polished as the rest.

He smacked down Dr. Laura later in Season One. The pilot was Jed finding common ground with the religious right, among whom was the excellent character actress Annie Corley.

The only thing I didn't like about S1 was the Mandy character. She was superfluous.

It started with Sam and the hooker and POTUS having a bicycle accident (annd that was BB before bush). That Thanksgiving WW is still one of my all time favorites - CJ and the Turkeys, the history of yams, just HIlarious!

Show hasn't been the same since he left

Show has been for the last couple of years its been getting destroyed in the ratings. Nielsen has it at I believe #71 right now, and when you take into account the fact that it has a big name, ie expensive, cast its no wonder the show is going off the air.

The minute they start moving a show's time slot around its the kiss of death.

Shame really, a republican ass-kicking in the election followed by the first few years of the Santos Administration would have been fun...

The Wednesday time slot. It was getting destoyed by Lost last year.

It was OK, but not really the West Wing.

it was not as good and also it would be off for weeks at a time - never would know when it would be on.

By the way Ithought Santos was going to win the election - has that been announced?

came out against the war in Iraq. They wounded it at that time though. Sorkin leaving says a lot to me!

Leo apparently dies next week.