Bartlet4America News Archive

Saunders: NBC to 'Wing' it 2 more years

By Dusty Saunders
Rocky Mountain News

April 30, 2003

President Josiah Bartlet was "re-elected" to a two-year term in February.

But it could be a rocky TV administration for Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and his cabinet, even though NBC has given the green light for two more full seasons.

Audience ratings for The West Wing, three-time Emmy winner as best TV drama, have been down this season for a variety of reasons, both external and internal.

While a definitive survey has not been published, NBC must be aware that Sheen's vigorous antiwar stance is partially responsible for some viewer tune-out.

Even if Sheen hadn't vehemently protested the Iraqi war, the series' popularity probably would have diminished because of a comparison to the real world.

As President Bartlet was attempting to avoid conflicts with fictional countries, the real White House was dealing with Baghdad.

Also, the overall mood of the country has changed considerably since The West Wing premiered in 1999 and the fictional liberal Democratic president began working to cure the ills of the world in a peaceful manner.

The events of Sept. 11 jolted many out of make-believe politics.

The West Wing never has been the darling of conservatives. Talk-show hosts bashed it at its inception, even though the series has been one of the most compelling, well-written programs on network television.

One research analyst noted two seasons ago that while conservatives listened to Rush Limbaugh because of his politics, some watched The West Wing in prime time simply to be entertained.

Before Iraqi war coverage began, NBC's Wednesday lineup of Ed, The West Wing and Law & Order had the most upscale prime-time audience in network television.

The West Wing also has been hurt this season by more intense competition, mainly ABC's The Bachelor. Some younger viewers, initially intrigued by the political story line and characters, have moved to the world of "reality" dating programming.

Internally, The West Wing has gone through a problematic season, starting with the announcement last summer that Rob Lowe would leave in March after his widely publicized salary dispute with producers Warner Bros. Television.

Then the fall election story arc fell flat dramatically as Bartlet defeated a strawman Republican candidate portrayed by James Brolin - the husband of the very liberal Barbra Streisand.

The episodes would have been much more intriguing if Brolin's character had featured some combative substance.

The West Wing always has been a "pay-attention" series. You can't watch while thumbing through a magazine, paying bills or arguing with a spouse.

Creator Aaron Sorkin's scripts, while erudite and witty, are extremely talky. And too often the dialogue is difficult to understand as characters stroll along in the West Wing's halls.

In January, I mentioned this problem to co-producer Tommy Schlamme, who admitted other viewers had voiced similar complaints.

Like all network series, The West Wing is caught up in May sweeps fever, partially relying on guest star Matthew Perry of Friends fame to help draw viewers.

Perry's character, assistant White House counsel Joe Quincy, arrived last Wednesday, along with a story line that featured a sniper outside the White House.

During tonight's hour (not previewed) Quincy finds some unsettling information that leads to a scandal. A print ad promoting the show blares: "Vice president resigns."

Politics aside, The West Wing remains a superior drama, even when subpar.

Still, I'm left with the feeling the production trio of Sorkin, Schlamme and Denver's John Wells will feel relief when this season ends.

The West Wing might never return to its glory days because of the ongoing blurring of the lines between fact and fiction and news and entertainment.

Still, the acting, writing and production talents should be able to recapture some of the dramatic magic that made the series a favorite of many - even conservative viewers.

Incidentally, KTVD-Channel 20, the local UPN outlet, will air The West Wing repeats on a syndicated basis, beginning in September.

General manager Greg Armstrong says the schedule has not been set. He assumes the episodes will be sent in chronological order.