<p>Given the dearth of watchable TV right now (the writers’ strike notwithstanding), I can’t help but wonder what has happened to all the West Wing writers. I can’t find any trace of WW’s quality of writing – its wit and occasional eloquence – anywhere on TV now, with the possible exception of The Daily Show and the Colbert Report. (I love Grey’s Anatomy but it’s a very different sort of show.) Anybody know what kind of life there is for a writer after a show like WW? (This sounds like a question for TheDad.)</p>
<p>Well, at least for a while the writers went to “Studio 60”. (Problem with that show is that they acted as if putting on a live skit show - something that’s already passe - was as important as running the White House.) Then the strike, so who knows? With any luck, Sorkin will develop another show with a topic weighty enough for the writing, or the writers will learn how to lighten up while still being intelligent, witty and eloquent.</p>
<p>I had such hopes for Studio 60 but, as you pointed out, Chedva, they took themselves much too seriously. It’s a shame because the show had such potential, especially with that great cast.</p>
<p>Many of the West Wing writers have gone on to write for shows like House and a few are in NYC writing for the various Law & Order shows. Aaron Sorkin, the brains behind (most seasons of) WW, and a fabulous writer, has been busy, as always, writing for film and stage. He wrote the screenplay for Charlie Wilson’s War and his play, The Farnsworth Invention is currently running on Broadway. It’s nice to see him return to his beginnings on stage.</p>
<p>I avoided the show like poison because of the graphic bugs/blood stuff, but in desperation have been watching DVD’s of CSI, Las Vegas. Some of it is surprisingly witty and nuanced, and the characters, particularly Grissom, are interesting.</p>
<p>House has gone off the rails a bit IMO. </p>
<p>I have to admit it (face red with shame) I do like Project Runway. Secret clothes addict, and D, the perfect Barbie doll. I have trained her to like only really well designed clothes, and now my wallet is crying.</p>
<p>She showed me a shirt she bought in London on Skype. What a riot.</p>
<p>CSI: Las Vegas has improved with age. I’ve watched since it started and I agree, mythmom, Grissom is a very interesting character. I think the nuanced humor is what keeps the show alive, and is something which is lacking in both of its counterparts, Miami and NY, which take themselves much too seriously.</p>
<p>Just to get back to excellent writing, as epitomized in WW, for a minute. I think that, in addition to excellent writing, part of what made WW successful, and I believe it was a large part of its success, was terrific acting. Many of its regulars, as well as its guest stars, had their acting origins in theatre. It showed. Other successful shows which have used the same formula of excellent writing and excellent acting, with casting theatre actors, are the L&O series, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Oz, and more recently, Dexter. Interestingly, many actors have easily moved between two or more of those series.</p>
<p>I identify with Catherine.
Although she is prettier than I am, we have the same color hair, are the same age- are moms & have a thing for Warrick 
I also liked her on China Beach</p>
<p>I watched CSI miami a few times- but IMO David Caruso, is not as great as he thinks he is and in the shows I saw- Ainsley did not get as much screen time- which is why I was watching it in the first place.</p>
<p>I agree tht the writing on West Wing suffered much when Aaron Sorkin moved on.- and as expectations had risen very high- it is disappointing.
Still excellent-
But now I know what I am going to rent next 
I think I will start from the beginning & maybe D will watch it with me- she has AP Am Gov this semester & I have never even taken Am Gov ( I didn’t graduate from high school)</p>
<p>No josh. My testimony about 4’s without really taking the class true for both kids.</p>
<p>The best thing about WW is that it began the Fall of my DS’s 6th grade year, and ended a few weeks before he graduated HS. I liked the continuity. We watched nearly every episode together… right up to our WW Wrap Party, on Mother’s Day, 2006 (complete with decorations and parting gifts – he gave me “An Idiots Guide to American Democracy”, I gave him Season 6 on DVD, a Santos/McGarry Mug… and a WW Book.) </p>
<p>The show convinced him of 2 things: 1. He wants to go into Political Broadcast Journalism; and 2. He wants to live in DC. So… where is he now? He is a soph at GW, in the School of Media & Public Affairs, majoring in Journalism! He learned so much about the world, politics, people… etc. from this show! He is a major Sorkin fan… he discovered Sports Night on DVD, and was a die-hard Studio 60 advocate; when he was home for a weekend doctor visit in Oct., we saw Farnsworth Invention on Broadway, while it was in previews (make sure you catch it – amazing!). </p>
<p>I don’t know which character I’m most like, but DS is a cross between Josh & Toby. Josh when he’s being a ****-eyed optimist; and Toby when he’s a cranky pessimist. He amuses me with his AIM away messages… they are a variety of WW quotes… when he’s writing, its a Sam Seaborne quote… when he’s frustrated, it’s Toby… having a great day… Josh! Occasionally, he’ll throw in an odd one, or a Studio 60 for a change of pace. </p>
<p>I miss great TV!</p>
<p>And perhaps a wonderful son to watch it with. I know I do. </p>
<p>Your DS sounds awesome, and what a testimony to the show.</p>
<p>We all miss our kids! </p>
<p>It really was kind of cool to watch him watch the show, and to see him learn about our government… if in a fictional way. I think – well, I know – that was the best part of it for me. No one was able to interrupt our WW time, that was our hour/week. </p>
<p>During his senior year, as he was awaiting his Early Decision answer… and then for the remainder of the final WW season once he knew he’d be in DC … everytime they had an arial shot of the National Mall… with the memorials, and the Washington Monument --the steps of the Capitol – I could see him start to salivate… and my eyes would tear up. I sincerely doubt he’ll ever move out of DC, unless he has to.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for sharing the impact WW had on you and your kids. I always thought that what my S and I had was special and unique…LOL… </p>
<p>This thread really resonates with the CC audience, TheDad, judging from the energy/enthusiasm of the responders…not surprising but definitely reinforcing that good minds think alike!! </p>
<p>Thanks for starting this…</p>
<p>nymom: I’m afraid Sex & the City did that for D. She is in London now and vows she will never live anyplace but NYC (or its immediate suburbs?) again, though she likes London.</p>
<p>She would react just as your son whenever she saw shots of the Low Library in movies about NY. Thank goodness she got to Barnard.</p>
<p>TheDad: Sex & the City was about the clothes! for her.</p>
<p>Mythmom: Everyone told me Sex & The City was great… but I never got into it. I’ve caught a couple of episodes in reruns, and it seems pretty good, though. There are worse places to live than NYC!</p>
<p>One other thing, I didn’t mention before… the night John Spencer died, was a Fri. night… Dec. 16th 2005… I’ll never forget it. it was the date that GW swore via email that all ED applicants would receive their email notifications… that is, we found out all ED applicants except those who applied through SPMA – their decisions would be delayed several days. Except… no one told us that. All night, my son sat by the computer waiting for the email that was not to arrive. And there was nothing we could do until Monday morning. Except get through the weekend… which included the sad death of John Spencer… and my best friend’s daughter’s Bat Mitzvah. Sp in a weird, weird way, WW is even more tied in with his GWU experience.</p>
<p>Like some of the other moms/dads on this thread, I kind of thought our WW time was unique. I’m surprised to see that other parents had this strong connection with their kids through this TV show. I really dont have anything like that with S2… we watch movies & basketball together, but that’s about it…</p>
<p>But! I wonder if anyone else has a West Wing Wrap Party? It was seriously a lot of fun for us. I made the whole family come here for Mother’s Day, so we would be home, and not stuck in a car at 8 PM. I decorated the Living Room with Red/White/Blue bunting (not a lot, just a few…). We had R/W/B sparkle hats…, cupcakes & serving trays (it helped being a few weeks from the Memorial Day weekend, the party stores were stocked). And, as I said before, parting gifts. The photos bring back great memories!</p>
<p>Before we put this thread to bed, if it’s going in that direction, just a few words of wonder for Martin Sheen as Bartlet. He was the heart of the show IMO. And although Bartlet could be a pompous blowhard at times, his warmth carried the show. And Martin Sheen is such a committed man, too.</p>
<p>nymom: No big wrap party here. Sounds fun.</p>
<p>About Sheen - a bit of trivia (that the owners of the DVDs probably know): Originally, the President was a bit role; the show was to focus on Sam and the other West Wing staffers. But Sheen was so powerful, even in that first episode, that they couldn’t write the show without him. That’s one of the reasons that Rob Lowe left.</p>
<p>I was also quite amused during Season 6 & 7 when everyone talked about Santosrunning to become “the first Hispanic president”, given that Sheen’s real name is Ramon Antonio Gerard Estevez. Of course, Bartlet was a blue blood, but still . . .</p>
<p>Next year when DS is home for his 5 week winter break, I’m going to buy or rent the complete WW. I loved that show, but DS was a bit too young for it and not interested at that time. Now he’s becoming interested in politics… I bet he’d really enjoy it. It could be a bonding thing with us… or I could end up watching alone, which would be ok too, I guess.</p>
<p>I love the West Wing! When I started my degree, I didn’t have a tv and had only a handful of DVDs, but buying the complete West Wing series by series off ebay opened the floodgates :o.</p>
<p>I’ve actually used the West Wing as evidence in arguments and then realised I was citing a work of fiction as fact - oh if only!</p>
<p>I’d say character wise I’m somewhere between Donna (especially with my Josh-esque boyfriend) and the President (my trivia knowledge knows no bounds! :D).</p>
<p>Watched the episode “The Supremes” tonight. Good episode. Captures how some breathtaking compromises can be obtained. </p>
<p>Chedva, interesting about Lowe leaving. I didn’t realize it was a conflict of egos with Sheen. I thought the Sam Seaborn character was interesting even if I occasionally wanted to smack him.</p>
<p>MM: “pompous blowhard” seems a little harsh, especially with dealing with Bartlett’s level of erudition. Most blowhards couldn’t touch him.</p>
<p>I also really liked Mrs. Landingham and was very sad when her character was killed off. But Lily Tomlin playing the new secretary is a hoot.</p>
<p>The “pompous blowhard” was indeed able to “display” a high level of erudition, especially with delivering lines written for him. I think that some of the very best lines in the show addressed a national tragedy. By the way, the term “pompous blowhard” fits the actor a lot better than his character in WW. Actually, it fits Estevez from dad to sons to a tee. </p>
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<p>And, fwiw, I also think that the lowest point of WW was the 9-11 special. That atrocity of an episode came much earlier than the pathetic Season Seven.</p>
<p>FYI… reruns are on the Bravo network… they used to be fairly regularly, now it appears more sporadic. I noticed that there’s a marathon all day this Monday, 1/28… but I can’t figure out when its usually on. Good luck!</p>