Bartlet4America News Archive

Bartlet, CJ and me

by Iain Duncan Smith
The Guardian

The West Wing depicts an idealistic White House where everyone tries to make the world a better place. Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith doesn't fall for the politics, but still loves the show

A couple of years ago I was waiting in the West Wing of the White House to talk to President Bush about the post-9/11 world. The mission to overthrow Saddam Hussein was already on the administration's agenda. My head was full of thoughts about the meeting, but my assistant was looking distracted: an avid fan of television's The West Wing, she was comparing the real thing with the scenes from the programme. We were a few yards from the most powerful man on the planet but it was the world of Josiah Bartlet that was exciting her.

Initially, most of my knowledge of The West Wing came second-hand from others, but in the past year I've had more time to enjoy it. In West Wing World everyone is glamorous. There's not a beer belly in sight. Even after a long night of speechwriting the shirts are barely crumpled; the stubble is rough but carefully ordered. Endless quantities of coffee are consumed but none is ever spilt on keyboards. The interns are as pretty as in Bill Clinton's dreams. Every speech is like the Gettysburg address. There is never a hair out of place - one of the few West Wing phenomena that I can match.

Then there's perfectly manicured CJ Cregg, the president's press spokeswoman. Always elegant and calm, her effect on men of a certain age is electrifying.No need for an Alastair Campbell-like put-down for her (just imagine the scene: the press corps assembled, CJ stands at the podium, some hack makes an allegation, her retort: "Bollocks on stilts"!) No, no. Somehow you can't see it.

Every politician would give his eye-teeth for some of that West Wing glamour in their team. Yet if I'd been visited by a political fairy godmother and offered one West Wing feature I know which one it would have been. Sam Seaborn's wordsmithery, Leo McGarry's crisis management skills and CJ's ability to charm the press pack would all have been tempting, but what I'd have taken from my political genie would have been The West Wing music score. When Bartlet has a difficult message for the American people his carefully scripted words are supported on a rising tide of rousing music: wonderful music that tugs at the heart strings. So powerful is the effect that frankly he could be reciting the telephone directory and you would be moved to tears. (Who knows, maybe that's what New Labour plan next.)

Perhaps only in Hollywood could America be governed by someone so liberal. An American right-of-centre magazine ran a cover article that dubbed the Emmy-winning series The Left Wing. Series one was first beamed into America's living rooms in 1999, when Clinton was still president, and many of the characters were allegedly based on the Clinton White House. Rob Lowe's Sam Seaborn was said to be modelled on George Stephanopoulos; Allison Janney's CJ on Dee Dee Myers; and Stockard Channing's first lady on Hillary Clinton.

The show's brilliant creator, Aaron Sorkin, is an active supporter and fundraiser for the Democrats. From the earliest episodes of series one, Bartlet was nominating the "most liberal judge in the country" to the supreme court and supporting reparations for the ancestors of enslaved black Americans. But the chances of Americans voting for his liberal policies are about as high as CJ becoming my press officer. Martin Sheen, who plays Bartlet, has clauses written into his contract that permit him to undertake political campaigning. This didn't prevent the series' ratings suffering when he campaigned against the Iraq war and was allegedly asked by Warner Bros to ease off. Equally, when he showed up at a rally for Howard Dean in Iowa, the then pro-war John Kerry bested the Vermont governor by 20%.

One of The West Wing's weaknesses is a tendency to caricature: the only Brit to appear in it, Lord Marbury, is an upper-class, whisky-drinking, womanising, bow-tie-wearing eccentric; strangely, the only obese guy is the Republican Speaker of the House with the awkward name of Glenallen Walken; and surprise, surprise, the stupidest, meanest person we meet is Bartlet's Republican challenger - Governor Robert Ritchie. He is conservative, folksy and favours a tough approach to crime. Behind the scenes he's very unpleasant. "All Republicans Are Mean Like This" doesn't actually flash across the screen, but the viewer gets the idea.

And yet, I enjoy the programme very much. I don't watch it for political re-education. Its agitprop has certainly failed on me. I enjoy The West Wing because of its intelligence, its pace, its interwoven plotlines; for its superb camerawork, magnificent sets, perfect casting and terrific humour. The last series may have lost some of the edge of the earlier ones, in the same way Friends and Frasier lost theirs by series 143. But like so much of American television, the writing is sharp and funny. From Sheen to Lowe the acting is Hollywood-class. The panoply of issues the series covers - war, kidnapping, abortion, gun control, poverty, women's rights, drug abuse, hate crimes - is as wide and fresh as the embrace of modern politics.

But there's something deeper than all of these qualities. My guess is the real secret of The West Wing's success is the idealistic image it portrays of public life. From President Bartlet down, the West Wingers are always trying to do the right thing. Unlike the politicians impersonated by Rory Bremner or invented in Michael Dobbs' House of Cards, Josh, Toby, Sam, Charlie et al are good people. They really believe things can get better. They want to make a difference and in each episode they do.

After being pounded by a cynical media in real life, with every politician cast as a pantomime villain, the public find in The West Wing a refreshing dose of optimism: compare the sunlit optimism of the West Wingers with the grey despondency of the EastEnders. The West Wing is almost Capra-esque in its optimism. When Sam exits the series he's replaced by Will Bailey. Will is an incurable idealist - perhaps named after the George Bailey of Frank Capra's It's A Wonderful Life.

Progress has historically been an idea monopolised by liberals and has made drama - and its raw need for challenging of the status quo - a liberal medium. But I wonder if the times are a-changing. The left is now the defender of much of the status quo. It has built the one-size-fits-all welfare state of its dreams and enacted its criminal-is-the-victim-too beliefs into law. In America conservatives are the new idealists. Unhappy with the left's failed approaches to crime, welfare and international development, it is Giuliani in New York and Schwarzenegger in California who are the agents of change. Ironically, in The West Wing the most prominent African-American is the president's personal aide, Charlie. It takes a real-life Republican administration to appoint America's first black national security adviser and secretary of state.

So, Bartlet is now in his second term and that means the end of his presidency is approaching and, probably, the end of the road for the programme. It would be interesting to see a Republican occupy TV's West Wing, but would Sorkin accept the contract? That possibility would be too optimistic even for The West Wing, I fear.

The new series of The West Wing is on E4 on Tuesdays at 9pm. The previous series is on Channel 4 on Fridays at 7.35pm.

Mark Your Ballots: The Award-Winning Third Season of ``The West Wing'' Comes to DVD This Election Day!

Business Wire

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 29, 2004--Warner Home Video:

-- Just in Time for the Holidays and Election Season, Warner Home Video Brings "The West Wing: The Complete Third Season" to Consumers With Loads of Added Bonuses, Including An Emmy-Winning Documentary Special, Deleted Scenes, Episode Commentaries and Much More...

Prepare to hit the campaign trail with President Josiah Bartlet when Warner Home Video (WHV) releases Season Three of the multiple Emmy Award-winning "The West Wing" on DVD November 2nd. The four-disc collector's set will feature 22 episodes from the high-profile political drama's third season, including the Sorkin-scripted special episode following the tragic events of September 11th. The set will be available for $59.98 SRP and will include an extensive collection of never-before-seen bonus features.

Special features in the DVD set include:

-- Emmy-Award Winning Documentary Special, containing interviews of former Presidents, including Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and members of their staffs.

-- Deleted Scenes

-- A Property Master's Story Featurette

-- The Chief of Stuff Featurette

-- Commentaries on three episodes with Aaron Sorkin, Thomas Schlamme, Allison Janney and others.

"Aaron Sorkin has created one of the most outstanding depictions of American politics for the small screen. From season to season, this remarkable series has continued to receive an extraordinary reception from viewers and critics alike, while continuing to generate impressive ratings and amass award nominations and wins," said Christine Martinez, Vice President, Non-Theatrical Franchise Marketing, Warner Home Video. "`The West Wing: The Complete Third Season' continues to carry on those same wonderful qualities which have made the show such a hit amongst viewers, making it a must have DVD for any television fan."

"The West Wing," created by award-winning writer, producer Aaron Sorkin ("Sports Night," "The American President"), is directed by Thomas Schlamme ("Sports Night") and executive produced by John Wells ("ER," "Third Watch"), and features one of the most talented ensemble casts ever to star in a drama series.

"The West Wing" follows a fictitious U.S. President, his family and staff as they deal with the challenges and responsibilities of running The White House. The highly talented cast includes Stockard Channing as First Lady Abigail Bartlet, Dule Hill as President Bartlet's aide Charlie Young, Allison Janney as Press Secretary C.J. Cregg, Rob Lowe as White House Deputy Communications Director Sam Seaborn, Janel Moloney as Assistant to Deputy Chief of Staff Donna Moss, Richard Schiff as White House Director of Communications Toby Ziegler, Martin Sheen as President Josiah Bartlet, John Spencer as White House Chief of Staff Leo McGarry and Bradley Whitford as Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman.

From Bartlet's riveting re-election campaign to the Administration's attempts to thwart international terrorist threats, "The West Wing: The Complete Third Season" reveals the inner workings of The White House, while embracing issues relevant in today's political climate. This season also features the return of Season Two guest stars Emily Procter as Ainsley Hayes and Tim Matheson as Vice President John Hoynes. Additional guest appearances include Hal Holbrook, Oliver Platt, Mark Harmon, Laura Dern and James Brolin.

"The West Wing's" third season garnered 22 Emmy nominations and 5 wins, including Best Drama Series and Outstanding Special Episode. The West Wing has accumulated 4 Emmy wins for Outstanding Drama Series, one for each season on air. Season Three racked up other awards, including Emmys for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Allison Janney, Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Stockard Channing and Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for John Spencer.

Sheen Stumps for Real-Life Politician

Associated Press

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. - Actor Martin Sheen did some real-life politicking for a congressional candidate who used to work on his television series "The West Wing."

Sheen, who portrays fictional president Josiah Bartlett on the TV series, attended private fund-raisers Saturday in Charlotte and Richmond County for 8th District congressional candidate Beth Troutman.

Troutman, a Democrat who worked for four years as assistant to the executive producer of "The West Wing," is trying to unseat Republican Rep. Robin Hayes.

Sheen made an appearance in Kannapolis, where thousands of jobs were lost last year when a textile plant shut down. He spoke with laid-off workers for about 30 minutes.

"I'm supporting Beth's campaign for Congress," he said, standing across the street from the plant. "This is a clear indication of what is happening all over this country."

Sheen finished the day at a party at the Raleigh home of former Ambassador Jeanette Hyde.

It's hot inside the Actors Studio

by Liz Smith
Newsday

September 23, 2004

'If I were NBC, I would hold another election, bring in a whole new cast and go another eight years!" This is what actor John Spencer, who plays the aide to "West Wing" president Martin Sheen, has to say.

Hmmm ... "The West Wing" has already signed up the great Alan Alda, for its next go-round. Alda is researching to find out how to play a Republican candidate. Alda as a Republican! It boggles the mind.

Spencer has quite a concept. Yes, let the newly elected TV president be a George W. Bush-type Republican and let the series show what it is like for the GOP to be in charge. This would change the cast, tone and intent, and since half the country seems to be voting with the red states, I think it would be a popular idea to say the least.

Allison Janney Wins Emmy Again for 'West Wing'

Reuters

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Allison Janney won her second Emmy Award as best lead actress in a drama series Sunday night for her role as the White House press secretary on NBC's political drama "The West Wing."
Janney also has won two Emmys as best supporting actress for playing presidential spokeswoman C.J. Cregg.

On Sunday, she edged out last year's winner, Edie Falco of HBO's "The Sopranos," along with Jennifer Garner of ABC spy thriller "Alias," Amber Tamblyn of the CBS series "Joan of Arcadia" and NBC's "Law & Order" star Mariska Hargitay."

Few Wednesday shows are sure bets in the television ratings

By Charlie McCollum
Mercury News

In the television industry, it's called a ``jump ball'' -- a time period or even a whole night that's up for grabs in the ratings.

Lately, Wednesday has been anything but a jump ball. NBC has dominated, thanks to the strength of ``The West Wing'' and the original ``Law & Order.'' But this season looks as if it will be very different, with ``West Wing'' and ``L&O'' faltering and the network's new (and very bad) crime show, ``Hawaii,'' already looking like a ratings loser.

Once one of TV's best dramas, ``West Wing'' went south last season after the departure of creator Aaron Sorkin. It just wasn't the same smart, funny, fast-paced show it had been. Viewers deserted the Bartlet administration in droves.

As a result, there will be changes this season, changes leading either to the end of the show, or maybe to a whole new ``West Wing.'' Josiah Bartlet's presidency will enter its final year, with the campaign to replace him scheduled to begin around midseason. The leading candidates: Jimmy Smits as a Texas congressman and Alan Alda as a Republican senator from California, which proves that ``West Wing'' really does exist in a parallel universe.

``Law & Order'' -- entering its 15th season -- also has seen some audience erosion. This season, it faces the loss of Jerry Orbach, who played Detective Lennie Briscoe for 12 years, and the biggest ratings challenge it has had in a long time: ``CSI: NY,'' the ``CSI'' spinoff with film star Gary Sinise and Melina Kanakaredes from ``Providence.''

In other words, the door has been kicked open on Wednesdays, and the other networks are looking to charge in.

Certainly, CBS has a chance.

In addition to ``CSI: NY,'' an almost-guaranteed hit, it has a strong newsmagazine in the Wednesday edition of ``60 Minutes'' (it has dropped the ``II'' from its title) and a good, viewer-friendly sitcom in ``King of Queens.'' The weak spot: the new ``Center of the Universe,'' which is almost painful to watch as it wastes a superb cast, including John Goodman, Jean Smart and Olympia Dukakis.

ABC could take a run at NBC, too, with a revamped lineup anchored by the returning ``The Bachelor.'' While hardly the cultural touchstone it once was, the reality dating show might have another season of ratings juice left in it.

Surrounding ``Bachelor'' are two new shows: ``Lost,'' whose opening episodes are so good that they look like a feature film, and ``Wife Swap,'' a vastly entertaining and surprisingly intelligent reality series.

Co-created by J.J. Abrams of ``Alias,'' ``Lost'' may be the most intriguing new drama of the season. Part sci-fi and part scripted ``Survivor,'' the show's opening two hours are a first-rate thrill ride as a group of strangers tries to survive after a fiery plane crash leaves them stranded on a tropical island. But not just any island. This one has at least one nasty, man-chewing ``something'' out in the jungle.

As for ``Wife Swap,'' it's the show Fox tried to rip off with ``Trading Spouses.'' But where ``Spouses'' is mindless drivel, ``Swap'' -- based on a hit British show -- is about as good as reality TV gets, with some real emotion and very slick production.

And pay attention to what's happening over on UPN. Not only is UPN bringing back its highly addictive ``America's Next Top Model,'' but it also has a new drama that could become a legitimate hit. ``Kevin Hill'' takes a very tired premise -- swinging single guy inherits young child -- and turns it into something with rich emotion and humor. Certainly, Taye Diggs (``Chicago'') is a charming, sexy leading man.

That leaves Fox and the WB as the only networks out of the Wednesday race.

Fox will do some business with its Wednesday comedies. But ``That '70s Show'' is on its last legs, ``Bernie Mac'' has never been the creative or ratings force it could have been, and ``Quintuplets'' and ``Method and Red'' are weak new sitcoms with little to recommend them.

Over on the WB, efforts are being made to juice up ``Smallville,'' the Superman-as-teenager drama, after viewership took a sharp drop last season. (Clark Kent flies for the first time; Lois Lane shows up as a recurring character.) Meanwhile, ``The Mountain'' is so bad that it looks like a parody of a WB teen drama.

Smits to exit 'West Wing,' return to ABC

Springfield, MO, News-Leader

Jimmy Smits will return to ABC to star in his own series and produce other shows after his term as a congressman on NBC's "The West Wing" is over, ABC said.
Smits previously starred in the ABC police drama "NYPD Blue" from 1994 to 1998.

Through his El Sendero Productions, Smits will serve as executive producer of shows that could air on ABC or other outlets owned by The Walt Disney Co.

NBC announced last week that Smits will play a three-term congressman from Houston with "presidential aspirations" on "The West Wing," which returns for its sixth season on Oct 20