The West Wing

rokdog49 · #1 03-19-2023, 09:18 AM

My wife and I are kind of binge-watching this rerun on Netflix,
It’s amazing how little things have changed in almost two decades.

Bob from Brooklyn · #2 03-19-2023, 09:23 AM

I’m not a TV watcher but I’m on my 2nd rotation on this series. A master class on writing and acting.

Chickee · #3 03-19-2023, 11:13 AM

I don’t remember the holiday weekend, but just recently they did this series from the first to last episode with six hour breaks on the overnights. I couldn’t get enough of it.

frank d.

Methos1979 · #4 03-19-2023, 11:26 AM

The West Wing is my all-time favorite TV show. The writing (love Aaron Sorkin's writing), directing, acting, heck - even the lighting was a game changer on that show. I've watched the series dozens of times from start to finish. It's what I wish real politics was like.

I love that even though Sorkin chose a Democrat administration they never demonize the opposition instead showing that they have real and honest opinions and concerns that need to be discussed and debated openly, fairly and rationally. Mostly, anyway.

If you're into podcasts there was one called The West Wing Weekly (I think) where they discussed the show episode by episode, breaking each one down oftentimes with guest actors, writers and directors from the show on to comment. I enjoyed listening to that as well.

Sorkin has some amazing writing credits and I never tire of his shows and movies. He wrote 'A Few Good Men', 'The Newsroom', 'Sports Night' and another favorite of mine (that sadly got canceled after just one season) 'Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip.' Check them out as well.

rule18 · #5 03-19-2023, 11:40 AM

One of the best series ever produced for TV. We watched it the first time around and have since re-watched the entire series. So good.

KenL · #6 03-19-2023, 11:49 AM

Great characters, great writing, and snappy dialogue. I liked it.

Colin_Mac · #7 03-19-2023, 11:52 AM

Currently working through series 2, but it's our fourth time around. Can't imagine anything like it being made today.

Dogma · #8 03-23-2023, 02:27 PM

In my house, Martin Sheen is referred to as "The President." Or, "The Real President!" Love that show.

dirkronk · #9 03-23-2023, 03:27 PM

Thanks for the heads up that West Wing is on Netflix. It’s a series that my wife and I never watched, and we’re always looking for a decent show that is (1) worth watching and (2) doesn’t have another “maybe” season in the offing. Those ain’t easy to find!

Cheers,
Dirk

lowrider · #10 03-23-2023, 03:45 PM

The West Wing was the best thing ever on TV. Everything about it was better than anything else ever!

President Bartlett wasn't supposed to be a major part of the show. It was suppose to be about his support staff. Rob Lowe was supposed to be the featured character but he was out shined by the others and his part got downsized to be like the others. That's why he left.

I didn't watch it when it was first on but once I got started on it I loved it and I've seen it at least 2 times.

All time greatest!

M19 · #11 03-23-2023, 05:13 PM

On a tangent, we're watching Madam Secretary again. Spookily prescient in year two on Russia/Ukraine. Like WW, great characters in this show.

Dogma · #12 03-23-2023, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowrider

The West Wing was the best thing ever on TV. Everything about it was better than anything else ever!

President Bartlett wasn't supposed to be a major part of the show. It was suppose to be about his support staff. Rob Lowe was supposed to be the featured character but he was out shined by the others and his part got downsized to be like the others. That's why he left.

I didn't watch it when it was first on but once I got started on it I loved it and I've seen it at least 2 times.

All time greatest!

Well, I think The Wire gives it a run for the money. The two shows are, however, a bit different (from each other!) WW's lack of violence makes it particularly remarkable even in its time.

radiokid · #13 03-24-2023, 12:20 AM

I just stumbled on All in the Family on FreeVee. Incredible, that whole first season is mind bending look at where we all came from juxtaposed with todays culture. Should be required viewing in all middle schools.

rokdog49 · #14 03-24-2023, 07:15 AM

BTW, an interesting underlying sidelight, the character “Toby” played by Richard Schiff was a somewhat disturbed man.
At least that was my perception.

Chickee · #15 03-24-2023, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rokdog49

BTW, an interesting underlying sidelight, the character “Toby” played by Richard Schiff was a somewhat disturbed man.
At least that was my perception.

If you watch the series, they do at some point say what they think of Toby Ziegler and why he is the way he is. Keep in mind, Toby’s father was a hitman for the mob….but thats not the reason he is different.

fd