Bartlet4America News Archive

'West Wing' cast is upbeat

By Matthew Gilbert
Boston Globe

HOLLYWOOD -- While many viewers have been disappointed with "The West Wing" since writer-producer Aaron Sorkin left the series at the end of last season, the cast was upbeat about the show's new feel as they greeted TV critics on Wednesday evening. About the departure of Sorkin and director Tommy Schlamme, Bradley Whitford said, "It was bewildering and disorienting. I always say being on a one-hour drama is like being in an acting cult, and it's like David Koresh left." But he also said that the cast has felt a "tremendous sense of relief" with "interesting stories to act out" in this season's scripts.

Richard Schiff was even more effusive about the show's direction. The absence of Sorkin's "romantic lyricism," he said, has paralleled the post-honeymoon phase of "the real White House." He called the series a "reality-driven drama now," explaining that "this is why Leo isn't as attractive a character as he might have been last year and why Josh and Toby get into fights."

Goodbye romantic lyricism, hello chaos.