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May 01, 2003
'West Wing's' Sorkin elects to leave
By Scott Collins
The Hollywood Reporter
May 01, 2003
"West Wing" creator Aaron Sorkin is leaving the Emmy Award-winning NBC drama at the end of this season. Sorkin and executive producer Thomas Schlamme announced Thursday that they would not return to the White House drama, which has struggled in the ratings recently. "West Wing" starts its fifth season in September. Warner Bros. Television, which produces the series, will hand the reins over to executive producer John Wells. "This has been the experience of any writer's dreams," Sorkin said in a statement. "I had the best job in show business for four years and I'll never forget that." While a source close to Sorkin says the decision to exit the show was "complicated," insiders say the writer came under tremendous pressure from NBC entertainment president Jeff Zucker, who believes the show has lost its creative spark over the past year. Sorkin has also suffered from well-publicized substance abuse problems. Earlier this year, NBC announced a two-year renewal deal for "West Wing" that will keep the show on the air at least through 2004-05 season; the network also has an option for a third season. NBC is believed to pay $6 million per episode for the series under the new deal. (Scott Collins)
Posted by Jo at May 1, 2003 05:24 PM