I think some of the finest episodes ever created were the ones written by Aaron Sorkin during the early seasons of the West Wing. Please bring this genius back!
I just recently got into TWW. I never watched a live running of it on NBC b/c, it kept beating the Sopranos at the Emmy's (Best Drama) so I became biast towards it. About a month ago, I downloaded season 1 and was hooked from the first episode! Such great writing that just draws you into the story. Now I understand why it won so many awards. I've watched all 6 seasons in less than a month. Season 5 & 6 weren't horrible or anything like that, but they just weren't up to par with Season 1-4 aka Aaron Sorkin's handywork. They really need to bring him back along with Tommy Schlamme. They gave the show the edge that we all loved. NBC BRING BACK AARON SORKIN & TOMMY SCHLAMME OR TWW WILL DIE!!!
Ditto to what everyone else has said. And while we're at it let's get something going along the lines of a Sports Night reunion. Post Sorkin West Wing sucks balls. And I mean that in the most intelligent way.
The executives at NBC need to realize that bringing Mr. Sorkin back would probably increase the show's viewers twofold, and end the series with a bang.
Simply put, this was the greatest show in television history under Aaron Sorkin. As a writer myself, I can only dream of writing the type of quality that he did for the four years he was on The West Wing.
I live outside the USA so only this year got the set and have seen up to 4-10 - I see that
Rob Lowe is leaving - just awful - I guess he decided but cannot understand as it is the beast program ever on TV or movie.
In the DVD extra the whole cast kept saying how the show was because of the brilliance of Aaron Sorkin - they all agreed that it was him and his episodes are indeed the best. I have not yet watched season 5-6 but understand that when Aaron left the show too a nose dive. Why would he leave and why would network let it happen? This show should be required watching in all schools to teach about government and to discuss the important issues the government deeds to decide. The show is not dated so can be used each year form old episodes.
Please though bring back Aaron Sorkin.
Did you not realize you had the best, most prolific, witty, compasionate writer in the land? Even Martin Sheen commented on the fact that his writing was what was really lacking with the show now and what he missed the most. I love The West Wing, but nothing compares to Seasons 1-4. Please bring Aaron back.
Sorkin Is Gold. I no longer watch the show , but I own Seasons 1 - 4 and still watch them regularly. One of the best shows ever until Mr. Sorkin left. I never thought anything would beat "Sports Night". I was mistaken.
I am from the UK and the West Wing is the best viewing I've ever seen. To put it bluntly, if you dont get Aaron Sorkin back, then you may as well kiss goodbye to the West Wing. GET HIM BACK!!!
There are many elements that made The West Wing an amazing, character driven piece of television magic. Those elements are skill, care, and an amazingly deep reservoir of trivial knowledge held in the mind of Aaron Sorkin. The show is slipping and the audience is drifting. If there is a way to save the show from becoming a punchline, and remaining a jewel of entertainment; please find it.
I enjoy watching the West Wing. From the point I saw my first episode (season 1, episode 4) i knew the West Wing was the best show I'd ever seen. Nothing came close. I watched the first 4 seasons and i couldnt wait for the 5th. Then i discovered Sorkin had left. The show was flat, patheic. You could say that it was a god among tv shows when sorkin wrote but now since he left, its become a mortal like the rest. PLEASE COME BACK SORKIN!
I still feel a vague compulsion to watch TWW but it's usually overpowered by my sadness at the evaporation of the pith and charm I loved in the show's first 4 seasons. Please bring Aaron back
I have watched the West Wing from the start and been enthralled by the stunning writing, the twists, the turns, the passion the wit. Buying the DVD as aoon as it is available and not going to bed until I'd seen the whole season. Addictive, compelling and emotional and then something happened. Aaron left. I immediately saw the difference in the writing, you can't miss it. I can't imagine what is stopping the suits from paying this amazing man whatever he wants to start writing for this programme again. Please someone, somewhere, bring him back..
we must go back to issue centric scripts. and for god's sake draft one more petition for santos mc garry. nbc is thinking of a republican president. with all sorts of strange casing, that sullivan is irritating, and so is the CoS of vinick; the show would become a drab. josh and toby MUST stay. fire mcCormack and annabeth. CJ should stay. and sorkin back would be genuinely a miracle. hail to the chief..
Aaron is a modern day shakespeare! I have started to see post sorkin WW and it just isn't the same. There are episodes of S1 and 2 that I have watched like 20 times and still enjoy. It's like poetry. He needs to return to the fold to make the west wing what is was for the first four seasons. Also A Few Good Men is one of the best films ever. Get Sorkin back before mediocrity destroys the greatest TV show ever made
I must confess, Aaron, your show has been a great source of personal inspiration. Although the faith you permit in a fictional government may not exist in real life, it is certainly very refreshing that a writer has the humor and intelligence to create a very appealing television show to inspire Americans to think about the political issues that they and their government face from one day to the next. Even if you have gone under for quite some time, as I'm pretty convinced you have, your genius will not have gone unnoticed. I hope testimonies like this provide enough inspiration to get you back in the game, but perhaps it simply was not meant to be. Your past and your work are both truly impressive and it would be a waste not to continue on a bold and upward trend, as you appeared to be doing. God bless you and your child.
please come back aaron - we need you wit, great dialoge and bantor - it isn't the same without you - this is one series that should live on - and i am a republican.
My first encounter with the West Wing was in 2002. I bought the DVD after hearing a lot about it (I was living in the UK at the time). 16 consecutive hours later, I was hooked, waiting impatiently for Channel 4 to show season 2. That is the mark of a truly great writer and a memorable cast who we all grew to care about. Unfortunately, after moving to the US in 2003 I had to quickly catch up on Bravo in anticipation for season 5, and the chance to finally see it "live". What a let down. Seasons 5 and 6 have been like a road crash. You don't want to look, but you do anyway. You feel compelled to. The loss of Rob Lowe was a big one - and where exactly DID he go after losing the Ca 42nd? TO UK READERS - POSSIBLE SPOILER AHEAD - The loss of John Amos for some cheap ratings (and that fact that his wife ended up having 2 different first names - a continuity error Sorkin never would have made). The lifelessness of the new cast members - Gary Cole, Joshua Malina (great in Sports Night - annoying in TWW) etc. One good thing to come out of the last 2 seasons has been the arrival of Jimmy Smits and Alan Alda, but I guess it's all too late - and despite their acting skills, I really don't think they're being utilised well enough with the current writers.
As for the directing, remember the pilot episode, with the 3 minute sweeping camera movement as it followed Leo around the West Wing? That's now been replaced by the NYPD-standard-issue "ShakyCam" for "drama". I can only imagine Tommy Schlamme's reaction to the poor cinematography now employed by the muppets currently in charge.
One final point - SPOILER AGAIN - John Wells wrote the finale to season 6. When Josh asked Leo to be Santos' running mate as VP - why oh why oh why didn't he have Josh tell Leo "it's what people do for sons of their old friends" in a throwback to when Leo asked Josh 8 years back to come work for the Bartlett campaign.
A
It is a shame that an amazing show like the West Wing can be ruined by a bunch of idiots in the studios. Warner Bros. was pissed because the shows were over budget and often late. I'll tell you what, it was worth every minute and every penny. Since John Wells has taken the reigns the dialogue is nowhere near as witty. The drama used to be in the interaction of the characters not in the situations. Yeah the situations added to the drama but giving someone a heart attack just so you can have some drama, come on.
To those not listening but needing to hear this the most (NBC and Warner Bros.) Whatever is lost in production of this show will be gained EASILY in syndication and DVD sales. I personally would buy any remaining seasons however now I am not really interested because the writing is flat. The writing is exactly how ER became after Crichton left and Wells took over, flat and dull.
I feel without Aaron coming back that the show will not survive the transitions coming ahead. With Martin Sheen clearly headed out as president in the story line... no one but Aaron will be able to keep the thrust of the "feel" of the show with a new cast headed by a new "president".
From: Anne-Marie Rowan (Anne@arowan.fsnet.co.uk)
Subject: Re: What it is to be British
View: Complete Thread (2 articles)
Original Format
Newsgroups: freeserve.chat
Date: 2000/06/09
Dear Scouse
Wait for it...I went to school in north Wales (Holyhead, Anglesey)....grew
up there really, so i am the epitome of the worst case scenario LOL
Yes, you are quite right, there is much that is different between us and the
Americans, thank-God, the Goddess or whatever that our irony has not yet
been big mac'd......however, what informs culture? I've just been reading
allot about Gramsci who talks allot about hegemony and it seems to me that
even though culture is not strictly defined from the economic base, it
certainly has a lot to do with it. I think older generations who grew up
when britishness was less pluralist are not part of the equation and live
their lives in a thoroughly British way (fish n' chips, Only Fools and
Horses, John smiths etc)...however it is the younger generations, my peers
and younger, who have grown up with a more diluted version, and so there
cultures, sub-cultures inform this (Buffy the vampire slayer, home and away,
neighbours, friends, big macs)......I wonder whether British will still be
used in 25 yrs time, when today's infants, nurtured on Pokemon, new-wave
Disney come of age...they will worship at the Mecca of GAP, Taco Bell and
Dunkin Doughnuts.
But yes, at the mo, and I think amongst those who are critical thinkers, or
indeed anyone inclined to think about cultural/national identity atall, will
resist the negative side effects of globalisation, or at least make sure
that indigenous forms are not lost.
Who knows, maybe I'm paranoid....with any luck the multinationals will dies
off - Microsoft will be spilt into two, and monopoly companies will make way
for smaller groups and the market will represent diversity again....however,
i think not, as too many powerful people have t
Simply put, the show only works with Aaron Sorkin. I had fervently watched the show for 4 years only to be reduced to tears (though not literally) upon realizing the slow and agonizing death the show would inevitably undergo without Aaron. I watched the first couple of episodes of the fifth season and was nauseated by the inexplicable character changes and vowed never to waste a single second on the show.
The only thing that would change my mind now is the return of its brilliant original writer.
I think that every possible arguement has been made to convince Mr. Sorkin and Mr Schlamme to return. While I strongly believe that losing these two geniuses hurts this show, I can't believe that they wrote and directed 4 seasons. It is an enormous amount of high quality work and a massive burden to carry. I can understand why they left, however, the selfish part of me that craves a beautiful story secretly hopes they return.
The West Wing began as pure brilliance. Both the writing and the cast were essential. Sorkin was the brain of the show, and Rob Lowe was the heart. Bring them both back - and this time give Sam Seaborn some decent drama and a love interest!
I recently heard the sixth season of the West Wing compared to Moonlighting. If that doesn't shame Aaron Sorkin into returning, I don't know what can. It has just become a ridiculous travesty of a show that mocks the brilliant hour long debate it once was.
I refrain from going into detail because it is too obvious, but the West Wing US seems to be dying a plodding, boring death, and I weep for the future without Sorkin.
I still remember the first time I watched the WW. I didn't move; for the entire 60 minutes, I was hypnotised by the amazing reparte between the characters, the spell-binding plot lines, and well, *inspirational* ambiance. Hell, I even loved the lighting.
But the last two seasons have been *dreadful* -- the characters have lost their sparkle, they seem disparate from each other, and the whole show just continues to plod along at such a boring, predictable pace, I don't even bother watching anymore.
BRING AARON SORKIN BACK or kill it off.
While the most recent episode, "King Corn," was a masterpiece, the show does need Sorkin's humor again. Just imagine his dialog in the hands of Alan Alda! Never happen in a million years, but a worthy petition anyway. Oh... and how's about we bring Lowe back too. Even if just for a quick guest spot.
The fifth season was not bad, per se. It was no 1st or 2nd season, but it wasn't horrible. I just can't watch this show anymore. It's very sad. At least we have seasons 1-4 on dvd and no one can take that away. 3-4 hours a night I watch. Thank you Aaron Sorkin. Take this show off the air! It's just another poorly written NBC drama now- and I hate that. Down with John Wells! I thought he learned his lesson with ER. Such a shame.
Sorkin was the victim of network corpthink terrified by the country's (illusory) shift to the right. Unfortunately, all that happened was that one of the greatest shows ever lost its message, and, saddest of all, its banter. If you won't bring Sorkin back, please give him a vehicle, stand back, and JUST LET HIM DO IT.
Aaron Sorking is genius. I still miss Sports Night and I am deeply saddened by the direction of The West Wing. Aaron's writing has the power inspire. I felt uplifted and willing to work to move mountains after listening to the craft of his dialog. Today, The West Wing is merely a soap opera in a pretty package. It's a crying shame. Shame on you Mr. Wells.... soon you'll be killing babies and mothers to drag feelings out of your viewers like every other episode of ER. Aaron used his power for good.
"If you are dumb surround yourself with smart people, if you are smart, surround yourself with smart people who disagree with you." Genius!
Aaron you are sadly missed!
The WW hasn't been the same since Aaron left. Watching it now has become a painful experience, as it reminds me how good it once was. Come back Sorkin !
I thought the show had just run out of steam at season five, ive still remained a loyal viewer but it all makes sense now. Try to get Sorkin back if you can offer him enough money ;)
I tried, but couldn't bear to watch the fifth season of the WW. It's become ER's political step-sister. Gone are the humor, the wit, the charm.. .hell, the logic, that made the show something that brought me to tears, to smiles, and to cheers for four seasons.
Please bring Sorkin back. The show has suffered tremendously in his absence. The show's humor and poignancy are gone. Now all you have are a bunch of John Wells cliched "big moments." If you can't bring back Sorkin at least get rid of Wells.
there is ONE tv show that comforts me in this rotten age, and that is west wing... it is because of ONE person aaron sorkin. will you miserable, venal, existentially terrified network hacks please say you're sorry and bring him back!?! i'm so tired of having to imagine the iq of each character now, so sick of the completely out of character turns in the plots, and while i think it has improved the last few weeks, goodish can't hold a candle to true excellence --> EVEN in a world massed with dopes who'll watch and think anything you tell them to.
I've been a loyal WW fan for years, but lately, watching it is so painful, it makes surgery without anesthesia seem pleasant. For god's sake, bring back Aaron Sorkin -- the show is suffering, the characters seem less centered and real, and the dialogue (once the absolute *best* part of the show) is nothing but a lot of banal jibberish.
Other than all that, I still like it. Well, not enough to watch, but I like (a lot) what it *used* to be ...
The show's characters act as if they have all had lobotomies. I can't stand watching it. I've tried and I can't.
I contemplate what could have happened if John Kerry had Sorkin write some of his speeches?
Have been watching the reruns of previous seasons (over and over). The writing, which I appreciate more and more with every viewing of each episode, was of immeasureably higher quality than what you're airing now.
Forget the "big name" additions to the cast. What you (and we) need is literate, witty writing, not grandstanding.
I miss the emphasis on process stories...the "crisis of the week" approach that's been taken since Sorkin's departure is insulting to the intelligence of the core West Wing audience. I can enjoy a quality night-time soap opera (like ER), but one of the things that made the West Wing truly unique and my favorite all-time television drama was the way it made political operations (something that's never been terribly interesting to me in the past) fascinating through it's tremendous wit and intelligence and its unwillingness to sacrifice the fidelity of its style and characters just so the PR department has some dramatic snippets to use for 15-second teasers.
The West Wing has provided us with a wonderful alternate universe to inhabit one night a week - a world where the people running our country are incredibly intelligent, altruistic, open-minded, and liberal in the best sense of the word. With the results of the recent elections, many of us really need this weekly escape. Please do whatever's necessary to bring back the true voice of the West Wing universe, Aaron Sorkin.
It was a sad day when Aaron Sorkin left the show, and every episode since has made me sadder, hoping against hope the new writers pick at least a new style compatible with the characters and intent of the show.
He will never come back but it would save the show. The new Sorkin-less West Wing is not even the same show anymore, the characters barely even like each other and the dialogue is like filler.
The West Wing was one of the reasons I started looking into an eventual career in politics. It was, hands down, one of the top television dramas of all time. In its last season, the show has gone from greatness to only sheer mediocrity. Aaron, please come back. We miss the real West Wing
Aaron Sorkin is the greatest writter of his generation. Try as you might to imitate him, you can never recreate the glory of his work. Please, let the man finish his work. Bring him (and Tommy Schlamme) back to end the series with the same strength and power with which it began!
