« Political Shakeup: Big changes are in store on West Wing | Main | This White House »
October 18, 2004
Saunders: Politics back in 'West Wing'
By Dusty Saunders
Rocky Mountain News
Martin Sheen has occupied the White House for five years (nearly two terms in TV drama time).
So who's going to replace him as "president"?
Jimmy Smits, another Democrat? Or Alan Alda, a Republican?
And don't forget Vice President Gary Cole is still in the mix - and on the series.
While George Bush and John Kerry battle for the White House, the parallel political universe that exists on The West Wing will offer several fascinating dramatic scenarios when beginning its sixth season Wednesday.
And here's a bit of interesting speculation: Will The West Wing eventually feature a Republican administration?
But first comes the finale of last May's soap opera-style cliffhanger when Donna Moss (Janel Moloney), aide to Josh Lyman, (Bradley Whitford), deputy chief of staff, was critically injured after being caught up in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict while on assignment in Gaza.
That scenario will be wrapped up on the season's first two episodes, and then The West Wing will get back to what it does best - set up and deliver intriguing political scenarios.
And Denver's John Wells, who co-created the series with Aaron Sorkin (who left the series), is stirring up a boiling political pot, centering on the political reality that President Josiah Bartlet (Sheen) is winding down his second term as president during the series' sixth NBC season.
His successor?
"We'll set up all the scenarios this season, but the election probably won't be held until season seven," Wells told critics on a conference call.
Season seven?
The 2004-05 season is the last under the current contract between NBC and the Warner Bros. series. And because audience ratings have declined during the past two seasons, speculation exists that this will be the series' grand finale.
"I don't believe this will be our last season," Wells said with a confident tone. He acknowledged that while The West Wing is not extremely popular among the desired 18-to-49 age demographic, it pulls the high-end- income viewers that NBC also covets.
"The West Wing has a specialized audience," Wells said. "For many viewers, the show is appointment television.
"It would be a mistake to cancel it."
Wells also noted he has influence at NBC, since he is also responsible for two other network series: ER and Third Watch.
Noting NBC is facing stiff audience competition in the drama field, particularly from CBS' CSI franchise, Wells added: "NBC will have to hustle."
He feels the addition of Smits and Alda will add "a new cast vitality."
Smits portrays a congressman and a former mayor of Houston, while Alda plays a popular GOP senator from California.
Both characters will be introduced in fall episodes.
Giving further indication The West Wing will have a seventh season, Wells said both actors will be available for an "election year."
Sheen's contract is up at the end of the current season and his future with the series is uncertain, according to Wells.
Meanwhile, look for changes in the lives of President Bartlet's staff.
Leo McGarry (John Spencer) will have heart problems and will relinquish his chief of staff duties to C.J. Cregg (Emmy-winner Allison Janney), currently the press secretary. Spencer will remain with the series.
Donna will leave her White House position, meaning an away-from- the-office romance could really develop with Josh, who will become more disillusioned with the White House political process.
So what would happen to President Bartlet's staff if a Republican were "elected" on The West Wing?
Such decisions are in the hands of the producers and scriptwriters and agents of the actors.
Wells noted The West Wing will have a programming continuity that often has been lacking during recent seasons.
Repeats won't exist.
NBC will broadcast nine consecutive episodes, beginning Wednesday. The West Wing will be pre-empted during the holiday season, returning in January with 13 successive weeks of new hours before moving out of the schedule in late spring.
"Such continuity should please fans who have understandably been upset in recent years by the insertion of reruns," Wells said. "Continuity is a vital component for a series like The West Wing."
Posted by Jo at October 18, 2004 07:24 AM