The January TV critics' press tour kicks off early next week, and the latest version of the schedule contained quite the surprise at the end: the very last session of the tour will be for "The West Wing," and here's the list of panelists. Note which two I bolded.
"THE WEST WING"
Kristin Chenoweth, Star
Allison Janney, Star
Josh Malina, Star
Janel Moloney, Star
Richard Schiff, Star
Martin Sheen, Star
Brad Whitford, Star
Alex Graves, Executive Producer
Chris Misiano, Executive Producer
Lawrence O'Donnell, Executive Producer
Tommy Schlamme, Executive Producer
Aaron Sorkin, Executive Producer
John Wells, Executive Producer
Sounds to me like, at very least, Sorkin and Schlamme are coming back to write and direct the Leo farewell episode -- or, as one critic suggested to me after he got a look at the schedule, maybe they're just coming back to do the finale. Or they could be just one and the same.
Absolutely fantastic - this is exactly what the show needs as it enters the final strait.
ReplyDeleteTommy Schlamme is, as far as I know, still credited on the series as "creative consultant."
ReplyDeleteAs for Sorkin, why would he want to step in at the 11th hour to try to repair the hole in that sinking ship?
It is not that he is plugging a sinking ship, it is that he is coming back to send off a show that he created and characters and actors that he loved.
ReplyDeleteI've got mixed feelings about this; on the one hand, if Sorkin does come back for such a send off, of course I'll be there with bells on.
ReplyDeleteBut as a writer (he said pretentiously), I can't imagine leaving characters I created and loved in the hands of someone else for years.
And then having to come back and write a story that honored both who they were...and what they have become.
But Sorkin's a better writer than I am, so it may be just me.
Any information on what other shows/actors are going to be at the press tour for NBC? Thanks.
ReplyDelete[sheepishly]Kevin Williamson provided a similar send-off when he returned to Dawson's Creek for the Finale.[/sheepishly]
ReplyDeleteHmm, well that is interesting indeed...
ReplyDeleteBy they way,what exactly is the NBC press tour? Where and when is it?
It would be an honorable and intelligent thing for Aaron Sorkin to come back to The West Wing; it would honor his characters and the memory of the great John Spencer. Please, Mr. Sorkin, if you read this kind of thing-- do it. The people you created deserve your presence, certainly for their finale....
ReplyDeleteThe press tour is going on right now in Pasadena -- for more info on it, you can check out my press tour blog. NBC is going on the very last day, Jan. 22, with West Wing as the last session of that day.
ReplyDelete