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Show Overview

Show Score

 
8.9 Great
3,781 votes

Your Score

Status

Ended

Premiered

September 22, 1999

Ended

May 14, 2006

Genre

Drama

Theme

Political

Final Episode

More Episodes
Tomorrow
Episode Score
 
9.4

Tomorrow

Inauguration Day (Series Finale) - After seven seasons of the Award-winning drama series, the Bartlet Administration prepares to leave the White House and The West Wing. While Santos and his winning camp are nervously gearing up for the presidential inauguration, current President Bartlet, CJ and the others fondly look back as they prepare to leave the White House forever.

Aired: 05/14/06

Show Summary

The West Wing provides a glimpse into presidential politics in the nation's capital as it tells the stories of the members of a fictional presidential administration. These interesting characters have humor and dedication that touches the heart while the politics that they discuss touch on everydayMore life. The first six seasons focused on the administration of President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet (Martin Sheen). The seventh and final season transitioned to the 2006 Presidential Election between Democrat Congressman Mathew Vincente Santos of Houston, Texas (Jimmy Smits) and Republican Senator Arnold Vinick of California (Alan Alda). Broadcast History: Seasons 1-6: NBC, Wednesdays, 9:00pm EST Season 7: NBC, Sundays, 8:00pm EST Theme Music: The theme tune is an original composition by W.G. Snuffy Walden. There is a CD available of his work, which includes not only a suite from The West Wing, but also his music from Felicity, Once and Again, & thirtysomething, plus other non-TV compositions. Walden can be contacted at his official website wgsnuffywalden.com. Awards: As of October 24, 2008: The show and its stars have won 26 Primetime Emmys, 1 ADG Award, 2 ALMA Awards, 2 Artios Awards, 2 ASC Awards, 1 Banff Rockie Award, 2 CAS Award, 1 Christopher Award, 2 DGA Awards, 1 Eddie Award, 2 Family Television Awards, 2 Golden Globe Awards, 4 Golden Laurel Awards, 5 Golden Satellite Awards, 3 Humanitas Awards, 2 Imagen Awards, 2 Peabody Awards, 1 Prism Award, 6 SAG Awards, 2 Shine Awards, 4 Television Critics Association Awards, 3 TV Guide Awards, 3 Viewers for Quality Television Awards, 2 WGA Awards and 2 Wilbur Awards. The show has been nominated for a total of 93 Primetime Emmys and holds the record for the most Emmys won in a single season for a single show which is 9 (for its first season). The show also was named 1 of the 10 AFI TV Programs of the Year, received 1 Special Recognition from GLAAD Media Awards and 4 Commendations from the Prism Awards. Syndication: Airs all the time on Bravo (which is also part of the NBC Universal empire) and in some local areas during the "midnight hours." DVD Releases: All seven seasons have been released in all regions. There was complete series box set released in November 2006.

From the Forums

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  • Why was Mallory so mad at Sam?

    The West Wing provides a glimpse into presidential politics in the nation's capital as it tells the stories of the members of a fictional presidential administration. These interesting characters have humor and dedication that touches the heart while the politics that they discuss touch on everydayMore life. The first six seasons focused on the administration of President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet (Martin Sheen). The seventh and final season transitioned to the 2006 Presidential Election between Democrat Congressman Mathew Vincente Santos of Houston, Texas (Jimmy Smits) and Republican Senator Arnold Vinick of California (Alan Alda). Broadcast History: Seasons 1-6: NBC, Wednesdays, 9:00pm EST Season 7: NBC, Sundays, 8:00pm EST Theme Music: The theme tune is an original composition by W.G. Snuffy Walden. There is a CD available of his work, which includes not only a suite from The West Wing, but also his music from Felicity, Once and Again, & thirtysomething, plus other non-TV compositions. Walden can be contacted at his official website wgsnuffywalden.com. Awards: As of October 24, 2008: The show and its stars have won 26 Primetime Emmys, 1 ADG Award, 2 ALMA Awards, 2 Artios Awards, 2 ASC Awards, 1 Banff Rockie Award, 2 CAS Award, 1 Christopher Award, 2 DGA Awards, 1 Eddie Award, 2 Family Television Awards, 2 Golden Globe Awards, 4 Golden Laurel Awards, 5 Golden Satellite Awards, 3 Humanitas Awards, 2 Imagen Awards, 2 Peabody Awards, 1 Prism Award, 6 SAG Awards, 2 Shine Awards, 4 Television Critics Association Awards, 3 TV Guide Awards, 3 Viewers for Quality Television Awards, 2 WGA Awards and 2 Wilbur Awards. The show has been nominated for a total of 93 Primetime Emmys and holds the record for the most Emmys won in a single season for a single show which is 9 (for its first season). The show also was named 1 of the 10 AFI TV Programs of the Year, received 1 Special Recognition from GLAAD Media Awards and 4 Commendations from the Prism Awards. Syndication: Airs all the time on Bravo (which is also part of the NBC Universal empire) and in some local areas during the "midnight hours." DVD Releases: All seven seasons have been released in all regions. There was complete series box set released in November 2006.

    3 comments, last one Dec 14, 2009
  • thinking of an ep

    The West Wing provides a glimpse into presidential politics in the nation's capital as it tells the stories of the members of a fictional presidential administration. These interesting characters have humor and dedication that touches the heart while the politics that they discuss touch on everydayMore life. The first six seasons focused on the administration of President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet (Martin Sheen). The seventh and final season transitioned to the 2006 Presidential Election between Democrat Congressman Mathew Vincente Santos of Houston, Texas (Jimmy Smits) and Republican Senator Arnold Vinick of California (Alan Alda). Broadcast History: Seasons 1-6: NBC, Wednesdays, 9:00pm EST Season 7: NBC, Sundays, 8:00pm EST Theme Music: The theme tune is an original composition by W.G. Snuffy Walden. There is a CD available of his work, which includes not only a suite from The West Wing, but also his music from Felicity, Once and Again, & thirtysomething, plus other non-TV compositions. Walden can be contacted at his official website wgsnuffywalden.com. Awards: As of October 24, 2008: The show and its stars have won 26 Primetime Emmys, 1 ADG Award, 2 ALMA Awards, 2 Artios Awards, 2 ASC Awards, 1 Banff Rockie Award, 2 CAS Award, 1 Christopher Award, 2 DGA Awards, 1 Eddie Award, 2 Family Television Awards, 2 Golden Globe Awards, 4 Golden Laurel Awards, 5 Golden Satellite Awards, 3 Humanitas Awards, 2 Imagen Awards, 2 Peabody Awards, 1 Prism Award, 6 SAG Awards, 2 Shine Awards, 4 Television Critics Association Awards, 3 TV Guide Awards, 3 Viewers for Quality Television Awards, 2 WGA Awards and 2 Wilbur Awards. The show has been nominated for a total of 93 Primetime Emmys and holds the record for the most Emmys won in a single season for a single show which is 9 (for its first season). The show also was named 1 of the 10 AFI TV Programs of the Year, received 1 Special Recognition from GLAAD Media Awards and 4 Commendations from the Prism Awards. Syndication: Airs all the time on Bravo (which is also part of the NBC Universal empire) and in some local areas during the "midnight hours." DVD Releases: All seven seasons have been released in all regions. There was complete series box set released in November 2006.

    4 comments, last one Dec 5, 2009
  • The Debate: Season 7 DVD

    The West Wing provides a glimpse into presidential politics in the nation's capital as it tells the stories of the members of a fictional presidential administration. These interesting characters have humor and dedication that touches the heart while the politics that they discuss touch on everydayMore life. The first six seasons focused on the administration of President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet (Martin Sheen). The seventh and final season transitioned to the 2006 Presidential Election between Democrat Congressman Mathew Vincente Santos of Houston, Texas (Jimmy Smits) and Republican Senator Arnold Vinick of California (Alan Alda). Broadcast History: Seasons 1-6: NBC, Wednesdays, 9:00pm EST Season 7: NBC, Sundays, 8:00pm EST Theme Music: The theme tune is an original composition by W.G. Snuffy Walden. There is a CD available of his work, which includes not only a suite from The West Wing, but also his music from Felicity, Once and Again, & thirtysomething, plus other non-TV compositions. Walden can be contacted at his official website wgsnuffywalden.com. Awards: As of October 24, 2008: The show and its stars have won 26 Primetime Emmys, 1 ADG Award, 2 ALMA Awards, 2 Artios Awards, 2 ASC Awards, 1 Banff Rockie Award, 2 CAS Award, 1 Christopher Award, 2 DGA Awards, 1 Eddie Award, 2 Family Television Awards, 2 Golden Globe Awards, 4 Golden Laurel Awards, 5 Golden Satellite Awards, 3 Humanitas Awards, 2 Imagen Awards, 2 Peabody Awards, 1 Prism Award, 6 SAG Awards, 2 Shine Awards, 4 Television Critics Association Awards, 3 TV Guide Awards, 3 Viewers for Quality Television Awards, 2 WGA Awards and 2 Wilbur Awards. The show has been nominated for a total of 93 Primetime Emmys and holds the record for the most Emmys won in a single season for a single show which is 9 (for its first season). The show also was named 1 of the 10 AFI TV Programs of the Year, received 1 Special Recognition from GLAAD Media Awards and 4 Commendations from the Prism Awards. Syndication: Airs all the time on Bravo (which is also part of the NBC Universal empire) and in some local areas during the "midnight hours." DVD Releases: All seven seasons have been released in all regions. There was complete series box set released in November 2006.

    1 comments, last one Nov 16, 2009
More Topics
  •  
    10 Perfect

    With Peggy Noonan, speech writer for President Reagan, among the staff writers of the first three seasons, Aaron Sorkin's "The West Wing" brought an unmatched political realism to viewers. After season 4, John Wells took over with a new writers. hide show

    As a teacher, I love this show. It's intelligent and it gives viewers something worthwhile to think about when they think about elected officials, news media and history. When I say worthwhile I mean this is the stuff of education and healthy citizenship. We've got to know how to participate and how to discern what is meaningful from what is merely persuasive. I also love that this show instills value in the rule of law. The story lines of this show do not feature arrogant Vice Presidents who persuade attorney(s) to do their bidding in a secret effort to increase the power of the Presidency beyond the limits imposed on by our Constitution. The ending of the 3rd season was, I think, the beginning of the end for this series. In that episode, a Secret Service agent got shot. Ratings went up. Beginning with the fourth season, ratings began slipping. At end of season 4, Aaron Sorkin and the staff writers were replaced with John Wells and a new staff of writers. I'd like to see a production feature this type of dramatization for "turning points" in U.S. history such as FDR's New Deal, the Lincoln Presidency, John Marshall and the growth of the Supreme Court, etc.

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  •  
    7.5 Good

    Decent show. hide show

    My favorite parts of the series was the very good acting and the characters. I found most of the show quite interesting and also entertaining. It was nice to see a different side of politics and to see the contrasts between real-life politics and show politics. I do have to say I didn't care much for some of the storylines and plots. They really got unrealistic in the last two seasons. Who is going to buy Texas being a blue state and California being red? Overall, this was still a decent show and also has some really good actors and actresses. Thank you.

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  •  
    10 Perfect

    Amazing hide show

    When I first started watching the West Wing I did it by borrowing tapes from a friend I work with. I was immediately impressed by the show but also saddened by the fact that it was canceled. It is truly the first show that I have ever watched that was both informative and entertaining. It shows the president and his posse as flawed yet productive humans. I had never been interested in politics and voted for the first time in this election of 2008. Partly due to this show and the fictional President Bartlet. He gave me hope that maybe not all politicians are liars and thieves. Then when I saw a video for Barack Obama I thought I was seeing Jed Bartlet in real life. This show also doesn't make you feel stupid but it makes you learn and pay attention at the same time. Hopefully that comment makes sense. It, unlike most shows, has a so many good qualities it hard to summarize them. But overall it is simply an amazing show, spectacular writing, amazing cast and great entertainment.

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  •  
    10 Perfect

    One of the best shows ever for the main reason of being able to present complicated albeit boring subject matter in a fresh way. hide show

    One of the best shows ever for the main reason of being able to present complicated albeit boring subject matter in a fresh way. Despite the liberal leanings of the writers, they brought in conservative consultants and certainly presented both parties in a fair light. The comedy was also excellent using the setting to create believable situations even given the gravity of where all the staff worked. Following Season 5 where they struggled a bit, Season 6 rebounded, though the transition from the old administration to the new one was handled somewhat awkwardly. This show honestly could have continued, there was a lot of ground to cover, though sadly like another classic, Homicide: Life on the Street, the show only managed to last 7 years. The irony is it basically lasted the Bush years, and now with a Democrat being back in the White House, the show is gone. A weird situation to say the least. The lists of parallels between the series and reality continues to grow as it was uncanny how the 2008 Presidential race mirrored The West Wing's. Classic.

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  •  
    10 Perfect

    Spectaculor writing, great cast, fantastic finish hide show

    This was clearly the best drama television writing and performing since MASH finished on our televisions. It us a shame that political real-life doesn't compare to what we saw on our screens every week in this series. The final seasons with Jimmy Smits debating against Alan Alda are classic material. This show managed to combine great humour with impeccible moments of drama and gave us a real insight into how politics work and where our money really ends up. Whilst seemingly a vehicle for a Rob Lowe comeback to begin with this show turned into much, much more and should be remembered for years to come.

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      1 0
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