Martin Sheen and John Spencer, The West Wing
During this, The West Wing's seventh season, the NBC drama's producers have had to make one difficult decision after another. When should the on-screen election air? Who should win? Could the show continue on past this season, following Bartlet's successor? In the wake of original cast member John Spencer's sudden passing, how should Leo's absence be addressed? And lastly, once it was determined that this would in fact be the final season, how should the show come to an end?
Thinking back to the fall and the issue of the show's longevity, executive producer John Wells says, "We had a decision to make: Do we try to press NBC to continue the series [with] another presidency? Or were we coming to the natural end of our storytelling? The series
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The West WingIn an eerie bit of synchronicity, tonight's West Wing focused on Leo McGarry, just three weeks after the sudden death of actor John Spencer. While I assumed there would be a special intro mentioning his passing, I was unprepared for how moved I was by Martin Sheen's words. Johnny, we hardly knew ya, indeed. This episode was a fitting tribute, a reminder of all the splendid work Spencer has done over the years. From playing the usually unflappable Leo as vulnerable and self-doubting in the beginning of the debate prep, to the inevitable revelation that he was leaking bad reports on himself to the press because he knew Josh wouldn't — it was classic Leo. (By the way, for my money, the greatest Leo moment in the history of the series: "So a guy's walking down
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The West WingIn an eerie bit of synchronicity, tonight's West Wing focused on Leo McGarry, just three weeks after the sudden death of actor John Spencer. While I assumed there would be a special intro mentioning his passing, I was unprepared for how moved I was by Martin Sheen's words. Johnny, we hardly knew ya, indeed. This episode was a fitting tribute, a reminder of all the splendid work Spencer has done over the years. From playing the usually unflappable Leo as vulnerable and self-doubting in the beginning of the debate prep, to the inevitable revelation that he was leaking bad reports on himself to the press because he knew Josh wouldn't — it was classic Leo. (By the way, for my money, the greatest Leo moment in the history of the series: "So a guy's walking down
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One of the biggest, and saddest, stories of the new TV year is how The West Wing will deal with the unexpected death last month of John Spencer, who brought such dignity, authority and wit to the role of Leo McGarry. My hope, as I've stated elsewhere, is that the writers will not try to replace him with another actor at this late date in the show's life, but instead will find a way to honor him and the character while providing the show with the sort of closure that is only fitting in what seems certain to be The West Wing's final season.
My faith in The West Wing to do the right thing was bolstered by Sunday's (Jan. 8) terrific episode, which by eerie but satisfying happenstance focused on Leo's character as he prepared for a vice-presidential debate, ultimately exceeding everyone's (including his own) low expectations. In a special introduction, Martin
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The West WingIn an eerie bit of synchronicity, tonight's West Wing focused on Leo McGarry, just three weeks after the sudden death of actor John Spencer. While I assumed there would be a special intro mentioning his passing, I was unprepared for how moved I was by Martin Sheen's words. Johnny, we hardly knew ya, indeed. This episode was a fitting tribute, a reminder of all the splendid work Spencer has done over the years. From playing the usually unflappable Leo as vulnerable and self-doubting in the beginning of the debate prep, to the inevitable revelation that he was leaking bad reports on himself to the press because he knew Josh wouldn't — it was classic Leo. (By the way, for my money, the greatest Leo moment in the history of the series: "So a guy's walking down
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John Spencer, The West Wing
Question: I am sure this is your one millionth e-mail regarding the shocking death of John Spencer. I have enjoyed his work since L.A. Law. I know it may be premature and difficult to speculate, but how do you think The West Wing will deal with this? I would like to see them show respect for his death and pay tribute to Leo in a meaningful way. Simply recasting him may be better for the story line, but it would be a shame if the show did not address this loss. Wouldn't it be wonderful if this could be turned into a powerful episode? The loss of Mrs. Landingham paved the way for a very heartfelt performance from Martin Sheen. Thoughts?
Answer: There was quite an outpouring of mail over this very sad situation, and I don't envy the West Wing producers as they deal with this crushing blow, since the show is already limping off into the sunset. John Spencer was the epitome of a character actor, and Leo McGarry was his crowning role, a character of great authority and moral heft whose
...
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Once Martin Sheen has finished up his second term at The West Wing, he'll move behind the scenes to exec-produce a sitcom about a guy rooming with his gay brother, his brother's boyfriend and the straight man's mother-in-law, a fundamentalist Christian. The Hollywood Reporter adds that the premise is reminiscent of a sitch that arose in his own extended family. Speaking of which...
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Two and a Half Men
Two big questions surround Season 3 of CBS' Two and a Half Men, premiering Sept. 19: Can America's No. 1 sitcom hold on to its title? And what on earth brings the president of the United States (albeit a fictional one) into the Harper men's lives? With regards to the former query, the Men at least have the comfort zone of pursuing that goal in the time slot in which everybody loved Raymond. But still, cast members must feel some pressure to rule the ratings, right?
"I don't," says Jon Cryer, who plays verbally harangued brother to Charlie Sheen on the series. "It's been a great working experience so far, and we have no reason to expect that to change — unless [executive producer] Chuck
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Criminal Minds
Two and a Half Men
9:10 am The session begins, and with Charlie Sheen up there like a sitting duck, I'm bummed that the first question isn't, "So, why did Denise dump you?" Does that make me a bad person? I think it does.
9:19 "We have to have fart jokes [on the show]," reasons Sheen's TV mom, the regal Holland Taylor, "because everyone in the cast farts constantly." Tee-hee. Holland Taylor said "farts."
9:25 A reporter asks another question that isn't, "I have to ask: You. Denise. What's the deal there, huh?" Bummer.
9:40 Scoop! Charlie confirms that his real-life pa, Martin Sheen, will guest-star this season.
9:45 Speaking on behalf of chiropractors everywhere, a reporter informs Jon Cryer — who plays a back-cracker on Men — that "they love the fact that you're giving them a face."
9:50 Scoo
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Don't count The West Wing out yet. The once-mighty series may have lost much of its buzz, but its loyal and upscale audience was enough to filibuster cancellation. Still, expect major changes when the seventh season begins this fall — starting with a move to Sundays at 8 pm/ET. Budget and potential pay cuts may result in the exodus of some veteran cast members. And if producers have their way, a certain dead Desperate husband will be returning to Washington.
"We had a licensing reduction of 50 percent [from NBC], and every actor's contract has to be renegotiated," executive producer John Wells says. "My hope is that everybody is going to want to come back."
So far, Martin Sheen (outgoing President Jed Bartlet), Alan Alda (Senator Arnold Vinick) and Jimmy Smits (Congressman Matt Santos) are signed for the new season. So is Stockard Channing (First Lady Abigail Bartlet), who will shoot her West Wing scenes ar
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