As I stand amidst the remnants of the West Wing, a testament to a time when the idealism and passion for public service was not just a fleeting dream but a reality, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia tinged with awe. Being a part of that show, even if only for a brief moment, has left an indelible mark on my life.
On Friday, Aaron Sorkin was deeply touched by his trip to the White House for the 25th anniversary celebration of “The West Wing,” and it’s making him seriously consider a reboot of the widely acclaimed political series.
Later on, Sorkin responded to EbMaster by saying, ‘If a thought crossed my mind, absolutely.’ In truth, I hadn’t given it much consideration until today… Tomorrow will tell what transpires. However, at this moment, this is what I can express about my feelings.
Thomas Schlamme, director and executive producer, along with stars Martin Sheen, Richard Schiff, Dulé Hill, Janel Moloney, Emily Procter, Melissa Fitzgerald, and Mary McCormack had a meeting with President Joe Biden in the Map Room. Subsequently, they were given a private tour of the building. Later on, President Biden departed for meetings in Delaware. Later in the day, First Lady Jill Biden conducted an official Rose Garden ceremony for the show, which was staged near the actual West Wing and Oval Office.
While strolling through the White House, Sorkin came up with several concepts for episodes. He pondered questions like, ‘Why hasn’t this been done before? Why was that action taken?’
As a passionate cinema enthusiast, I’ve often pondered about resurrecting “The West Wing” due to my apprehensions that the audience might pine too much for the original cast. I mused, “A new president would likely struggle to match the brilliance of Martin Sheen and his iconic character, President Jed Bartlet, etched deeply in our memories.” However, with enough time elapsing, it feels like a fresh chapter could be starting. A generation, who thanks to streaming platforms, believe we’re creating the show right now!
According to Sorkin, he doesn’t approach the idea of a “West Wing” revival from a political perspective. Instead, he finds the environment an intriguing setting for storytelling. He mentioned that there are numerous tales that can be told and the optimistic, idealistic, and romantic style of writing appeals to him.
Indeed, the political landscape has undergone a significant transformation since “The West Wing” concluded its seven-season run in 2006. Even Aaron Sorkin acknowledged that it would be challenging for them to concoct tales as extraordinary as the real-life events unfolding today.
He acknowledged that maintaining a lofty, optimistic narrative could prove challenging under current circumstances. “Since it’s inherently idealistic,” he explained, “it needs to seem plausible within our reality for it to resonate effectively. It needs to feel like something that could happen in our world. Therefore, it would be difficult, but as Brad Whitford, Josh Lyman says in the Season 3 premiere of ‘The West Wing,’ ‘it’s going to be hard,’ and Toby adds, ‘it’s the struggle that makes it worthwhile.’
Sorkin expressed that it’s an intriguing thought if another Trump presidency might enhance or decrease his interest in reviving “The West Wing.” He stated, “It would definitely provide motivation, but also challenges. The concern would be that whatever we portrayed on the show could be viewed as counterarguments to the world of Donald Trump.
Channing Dungey, TV chairman for Warner Bros., who attended the White House event, expressed her willingness to support whatever Aaron Sorkin decides to pursue, which could potentially include a revival of “The West Wing.” (Previously, she has indicated an openness towards such a project.)
Currently, numerous shows are undergoing reboots, and though returning to ‘The West Wing’ might prove challenging, I believe Aaron Sorkin is capable of pulling it off given his intelligence. He’s a talented individual whose work I admire. What makes ‘The West Wing’ special for me is that it wasn’t a show driven by partisan politics; instead, it portrayed characters who were passionate about something greater than themselves. They frequently engaged in debates and disagreements across political lines. I appreciate this aspect as an idealistic representation of how things could function. If the show were to start today in our current climate, it would undoubtedly be different. The political landscape has undergone significant changes since its creation.
At the White House gathering, both Dr. Biden, Sorkin, and Sheen took turns delivering speeches. Notably, Sorkin received a round of applause when he mentioned that Joe Biden’s decision in July to halt his presidential bid for the sake of the nation seemed like a selfless, idealistic scene reminiscent of “The West Wing” television series.
Through the years, I’ve observed a pattern: when political tensions are high, commentators often caution us not to anticipate a moment like the one portrayed in “The West Wing,” not to expect noble acts of leadership, not to expect individuals putting their country above all else. However, as Sorkin stated in his speech, such ‘West Wing’ moments do indeed occur. And Madam Dr. Biden, we witnessed evidence of this on July 21st.
Later on, Sorkin mentioned that when he heard about Biden withdrawing from the campaign, it reminded him of a selfless act straight out of “The West Wing” so much so that one could almost imagine the background music swelling.
Aaron Sorkin finds it gratifying when critics compare certain events to a “West Wing” moment. He expressed that it’s something worth striving for, particularly in the current complex and polarized political climate. Despite the gloominess that surrounds us, he believes there is still hope for improvement. He thinks we haven’t reached a point of no return yet; perhaps we can correct our mistakes.
At the White House event, there were many special nods to the TV series “The West Wing.” For instance, the White House Marine Band played the theme from “The West Wing,” and a drink called “The Jackal” was served, named after a dance and lip sync routine by C.J. Cregg, the show’s press secretary, portrayed by Allison Janney. There was also a large block of cheese, another reference to the show, along with various memorabilia inside a White House exhibit marking the 25th anniversary of “The West Wing,” as well as a miniature replica of the show’s set.
Sorkin remarked that countless individuals, ranging from Marine Corps personnel, band leaders, Secret Service agents, and top advisors, have shared with him that ‘The West Wing’ inspired them to pursue careers in public service, which was a significant impact. On this particular day, it was evident that they had all seen the show.
Dungey commented: “It’s incredible to witness the impact ‘The West Wing’ has made over time. It was truly remarkable to see so many people eager to meet their favorite characters on screen. The sight is awe-inspiring, and it was especially touching when they played the theme song with the Marine Band while we were on the balcony of the East Wing. Everyone’s eyes filled with emotion.
In her speech, Biden praised the narrative style of “The West Wing”: “When ‘The West Wing’ illuminates our screens, each swelling note in the opening theme, each rapid conversation and brisk walk through endless corridors – every performance – alters our perception of the public officials behind those white walls, working tirelessly for a brighter future. So whenever we find ourselves slipping into skepticism or indifference, we should be reminded of Jed Bartlet’s White House. A place where there are communal blocks of cheese and everyone feels included. Where you do good. That’s the story ‘The West Wing’ told America: this community we form here, bound by a purpose larger than any one of us.
Later, Biden presented Sheen, who delivered an impassioned speech reminiscent of President Bartlet during his campaign rallies, reciting “Where The Mind Is Without Fear” by Rabindranath Tagore. (Originally penned about India under British rule, the poem concludes with the line “let my country awaken,” which might now serve as a rallying cry for citizens to take action against the threats democracy currently faces in America.)
Initially, Sorkin had only intended to casually chat with Schlamme via email, reflecting on the 25 years since “The West Wing” premiered. However, in collaboration with Warner Bros. TV, this simple idea has morphed into a week-long festival – culminating in a cast reunion during this year’s Emmys on Sunday.
From the outset, ‘The West Wing’ aimed to challenge the common portrayal of politicians in pop culture as either manipulative or foolish. Instead, it proposed that our political leaders could be just as committed and capable as the heroes depicted on medical dramas, police procedurals, or legal series like David E. Kelley’s. Our goal during the show’s airtime from 9 to 10 PM was to keep you engaged and entertained. Anything beyond that was a bonus.
At the White House event, several celebrities were absent due to their commitments to ongoing film projects, such as Alison Janney, Rob Lowe, and Bradley Whitford. Sorkin made a humorous remark, “It seems the rest of us are jobless.” Biden responded with a witty comeback, “Not just yet!” she playfully said.
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2024-09-21 05:47