Post by First Lady on Aug 27, 2003 23:28:09 GMT
'The West Wing' Hits the Ground Running
Wed Aug 27, 3:49 PM ET
LOS ANGELES - President Josiah Bartlet has a lot of explaining to do when the fifth season of "The West Wing (news - web sites)" gets under way.
Last season ended with the president's daughter, Zoey, being kidnapped from a nightclub as she was celebrating her graduation. Martin Sheen, who plays the president, said he doesn't want "to spoil it" — but they go after the kidnappers and try to get her back.
"There's a lot of family conflict because it's revealed that I gave the OK to assassinate Sharif," Sheen told AP Radio. "And this kidnapping of my daughter is a retaliatory action it seems. So I have to confront the family on my decision."
The NBC hit, which received 15 Emmy nominations last month, is a three-time best drama series winner. However, "The West Wing" slipped in the ratings and in critical esteem last season — and writer-producer Aaron Sorkin's recent departure from the show could affect Emmy voting.
For the first time in four seasons, the cast is having to do without Sorkin. After a few weeks of shooting without him, Sheen said his absence can be felt.
"We appreciate Aaron's talent now, perhaps more than ever," Sheen said. "That doesn't belittle what we're doing now. It's just different. And we have to let go of the old and accept the new.
"Nonetheless, it's still 'The West Wing.' It's still his creation. We are still the characters he started with. And we're still going in the direction he pointed us."
With football season and the fall television season fast approaching, Sheen has sports on his mind when describing the show without Sorkin.
"It's like having the same players, with a new playbook and a new coach."
"The West Wing" season premiere is Sept. 24.
Wed Aug 27, 3:49 PM ET
LOS ANGELES - President Josiah Bartlet has a lot of explaining to do when the fifth season of "The West Wing (news - web sites)" gets under way.
Last season ended with the president's daughter, Zoey, being kidnapped from a nightclub as she was celebrating her graduation. Martin Sheen, who plays the president, said he doesn't want "to spoil it" — but they go after the kidnappers and try to get her back.
"There's a lot of family conflict because it's revealed that I gave the OK to assassinate Sharif," Sheen told AP Radio. "And this kidnapping of my daughter is a retaliatory action it seems. So I have to confront the family on my decision."
The NBC hit, which received 15 Emmy nominations last month, is a three-time best drama series winner. However, "The West Wing" slipped in the ratings and in critical esteem last season — and writer-producer Aaron Sorkin's recent departure from the show could affect Emmy voting.
For the first time in four seasons, the cast is having to do without Sorkin. After a few weeks of shooting without him, Sheen said his absence can be felt.
"We appreciate Aaron's talent now, perhaps more than ever," Sheen said. "That doesn't belittle what we're doing now. It's just different. And we have to let go of the old and accept the new.
"Nonetheless, it's still 'The West Wing.' It's still his creation. We are still the characters he started with. And we're still going in the direction he pointed us."
With football season and the fall television season fast approaching, Sheen has sports on his mind when describing the show without Sorkin.
"It's like having the same players, with a new playbook and a new coach."
"The West Wing" season premiere is Sept. 24.