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September 25, 2002
'West Wing' Visits Pennsylvania For Season Premiere; Cast Wants Rob Lowe To Come Back
thekcrachannel.com
VOLANT, Pa. -- Fresh off of a best drama series win at the Emmys this past Sunday, it was back to business for the cast of the "West Wing"
The show was filming part of its season premiere in the Philadelphia area.
The script said they were in Indiana, but for the season's opener of the "West Wing," they decided to shoot in Lawrence County in western Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh.
The crowd cheered enthusiastically for the fictional president played by Martin Sheen. At times the crowd is too enthusiastic, according to filmmakers.
"Do you hear them? They were complaining about you, but I stood up for you," Sheen joked with the crowd.
What do you expect from the show that has won the Outstanding Drama Emmy award for the third year in the row.
"I think we had 607 nominations," Richard Shiff (Toby Ziegler) said. "Seriously, I suppose it's a good thing and it's a tribute to the reaction to the work that we're doing."
The producers invited WCAU-TV from Philadelphia behind the scenes during the filming of the season premiere episode last month.
Bradley Whitford, who plays Josh on the show, spent most of his childhood in Philadelphia.
"Say hi to my mom in Chestnut Hill," Whitford told the crew.
Whitford credits the show's raging success to the writers, who brilliantly entertain while raising important political issues.
"Twenty million people will watch whatever issue we'll discuss. But, again, that's not why we're here, you know, we're not here to serve America its civic vegetables. It's a TV show," Whitford said.
Sheen happily spent part of his day posing for pictures with fans on location.
"We have a venue and we can talk about some of the more serious issues that our country is faced with in these difficult times. If we offer some service in that regard, I don't think it can get any better than that," Sheen said.
Aside from the politics, there are a few questions fans wanted to know. For example, Allison Janney (C.J. Cregg) talks 100 mph on the show, but what is she like in real life?
"No way ... I cannot talk that fast," Janney said.
And Josh and Donna? Are they ever going to hook up?
"I don't know," Janel Moloney, who plays Donna Moss, admitted. "They constantly bring us together and then apart and back together. Your guess is as good as mine."
Off screen, the biggest question this season is what do they all think about the fact that Rob Lowe is leaving the show?
"We're all hanging on to him. Nobody wants to see this guy leave the 'West Wing.' Are you listening, Rob? We adore him and he's so vital to our show," Sheen said.
Posted by MorganG at September 25, 2002 12:30 PM