Editing The West Wing (section)

=== Background ===
NBC originally ordered the pilot episode in March 1998 for a midseason premiere the following year, and the casting of Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Bradley Whitford, Allison Janney and Richard Schiff was officially reported in March 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hontz |first=Jenny |date=March 2, 1998 |title=No Reubens for fall NBC |url=https://variety.com/1998/tv/news/no-reubens-for-fall-nbc-1117468261/ |access-date=February 18, 2025 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hontz |first=Jenny |date=March 30, 1999 |title=Sheen elected prez for NBC's 'Wing' |url=https://variety.com/1999/tv/news/sheen-elected-prez-for-nbc-s-wing-1117492808/ |access-date=February 18, 2025 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> NBC officially picked up the series in May 1999 for its fall schedule.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lowry |first=Brian |date=1999-05-17 |title=NBC Makes Some Serious Changes |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-17-ca-37991-story.html |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

In an interview on the first season DVD, Bradley Whitford said that he was originally cast as Sam, even though Aaron Sorkin had created the Josh character specifically for him. In the same interview, Janel Moloney stated she had originally auditioned for the role of C.J. and that Donna, the role for which she was eventually cast, was not meant to be a recurring character. Other actors were seriously considered for other roles, including [[Alan Alda]] and [[Sidney Poitier]] for the President, [[Judd Hirsch]] for Leo, [[Eugene Levy]] for Toby, and [[CCH Pounder]] for C.J.<ref>{{cite web |first=Bob |last=Sassone |url=http://www.aoltv.com/2006/05/07/a-look-back-at-the-west-wing-entertainment-weekly-in-60-seconds/ |title=A look back at The West Wing: Entertainment Weekly in 60 seconds |publisher=[[AOL TV]] |date=May 7, 2006 |access-date=May 19, 2006 |archive-date=February 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225160517/http://www.aoltv.com/2006/05/07/a-look-back-at-the-west-wing-entertainment-weekly-in-60-seconds/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Each of the principal actors made approximately $75,000 per episode, with the established Sheen receiving a confirmed salary of $300,000.<ref name="Errico">{{cite web |first=Marcus |last=Errico |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/41940/detente-on-west-wing-set |title=Détente on ''West Wing'' Set |publisher=[[E!]] |date=July 21, 2001 |access-date=December 12, 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110190330/http://www.eonline.com/news/41940/detente-on-west-wing-set |archive-date=November 10, 2013}}</ref> Disparities in cast salaries led to very public contract disputes, particularly by Janney, Schiff, Spencer, and Whitford. During contract negotiations in 2001, the four were threatened with [[breach of contract]] suits by [[Warner Bros.]] However, by banding together, they were able to persuade the studio to more than double their salaries.<ref name="Errico"/> Two years later, the four again demanded a doubling of their salaries, a few months after Warner Bros had signed new licensing deals with NBC and [[Bravo (American TV network)|Bravo]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Lia |last=Haberman |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/45571/west-wing-salarygate |title=''West Wing'' Salarygate |publisher=[[E!]] |date=July 28, 2003 |access-date=November 25, 2011 |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121005923/http://www.eonline.com/news/45571/west-wing-salarygate |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2002, it became public that Rob Lowe, who had a separate salary deal from the other main cast members, would be leaving the series during the fourth season, which ''Variety'' attributed to salary dissatisfaction and the evolution of Martin Sheen's character to have a more primary regular role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Michael |date=2002-07-24 |title=Lowe won't be back on 'West Wing' |url=https://variety.com/2002/scene/markets-festivals/lowe-won-t-be-back-on-west-wing-1117870177/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CNN.com - Rob Lowe leaving 'West Wing' - July 24, 2002 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/TV/07/24/west.wing.lowe/index.html |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-07-25 |title=Lowe confirms West Wing exit |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2150891.stm |access-date=2025-03-09 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-08-30 |title=West Wing's Lowe considers staying |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2225406.stm |access-date=2025-03-09 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-10-19 |title=Sorkin: 'Door Is Always Open' for Lowe on 'West Wing' |url=http://tv.zap2it.com/news/tvnewsdaily.html?27962 |access-date=2025-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021019055948/http://tv.zap2it.com/news/tvnewsdaily.html?27962 |archive-date=October 19, 2002 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-07-24 |title="West Wing": Low Pay Sparks Lowe Exit |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/43631/west-wing-low-pay-sparks-lowe-exit |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=E! Online}}</ref> He would return for guest appearance roles at the end of the final season.

Joshua Malina's role as a series regular was first reported in December 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adalian |first=Josef |date=2002-12-13 |title=Malina will 'Wing' regular gig |url=https://variety.com/2002/scene/markets-festivals/malina-will-wing-regular-gig-1117877414/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-02-24 |title=Sports Night Star Replaces Rob Lowe |url=http://www.tvguide.com/newsgossip/insider/030205b.asp |access-date=2025-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030224035420/http://www.tvguide.com/newsgossip/insider/030205b.asp |archive-date=February 24, 2003 }}</ref> The teaser of the Season 4 Christmas episode ''Holy Night'' is almost entirely in [[Yiddish]], in part inspired by Richard Schiff's own family history.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-20 |title=Interview: Richard Schiff on Becoming Eve, His Welcome Return to His New York Theater Roots - TheaterMania.com |url=https://www.theatermania.com/news/interview-richard-schiff-on-becoming-eve-his-welcome-return-to-his-new-york-theater-roots_1767846/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Aushenker |first=Michael |date=2002-12-19 |title='West Wing'-ing It |url=https://jewishjournal.com/judaism/up_front/7185/ |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=Jewish Journal |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-08-29 |title='The West Wing' Is Still the Jewiest Show for Our Post-Jewish Times |url=https://forward.com/opinion/348688/the-west-wing-is-still-the-jewiest-show-for-our-post-jewish-times/ |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=The Forward |language=en}}</ref>

The show was renewed for two seasons in January 2003 despite falling ratings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lowry |first=Brian |date=2003-01-14 |title=Parties Close to a Deal on 'West Wing,' Sources Say |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jan-14-fi-westwing14-story.html |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-01-22 |title=NBC Signs Two-Year 'West Wing' Deal |url=http://apnews.myway.com/article/20030118/D7OKHT600.html |access-date=2025-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030122092622/http://apnews.myway.com/article/20030118/D7OKHT600.html |archive-date=January 22, 2003 }}</ref>

The news of Aaron Sorkin's and Tommy Schlamme's departures from the show was reported at the beginning of May 2003 with many sources referring to growing tensions over budgets, delayed scripts and ratings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Producers leaving 'West Wing' |url=https://www2.ljworld.com/news/2003/may/02/producers_leaving_west/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=LJWorld.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-05-02 |title=Schlamme, Sorkin leave NBC's 'Wing' |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hollywoodreporter/frontpage/brief_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1878687 |access-date=2025-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030519095703/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hollywoodreporter/frontpage/brief_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1878687 |archive-date=May 19, 2003 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-05-01 |title=E! Online News - Sorkin, Schlamme Quit "West Wing" |url=http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,11712,00.html?eol.tkr |access-date=2025-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030621095412/http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,11712,00.html?eol.tkr |archive-date=June 21, 2003 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Carter |first=Bill |date=2003-05-02 |title=Writer of 'The West Wing' Is Resigning From the Show |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/02/business/writer-of-the-west-wing-is-resigning-from-the-show.html |access-date=2025-03-09 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lowry |first=Brian |date=2003-05-02 |title=A Changing of the Guard at NBC's Broken 'West Wing' |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-02-fi-westwing2-story.html |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-05-02 |title=West Wing Creator Quits! What Now? |url=http://www.tvguide.com/newsgossip/insider/030502a.asp |access-date=2025-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030519224843/http://www.tvguide.com/newsgossip/insider/030502a.asp |archive-date=May 19, 2003 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-05-01 |title='West Wing' Creator Aaron Sorkin Quits Ailing Series - The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2003/05/02/west-wing-creator-aaron-sorkin-quits-ailing-series/82d9ad0e-a4d1-45b3-9201-69dae73c03c2/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Burkeman |first=Oliver |date=2003-05-07 |title=Next week on The West Wing ... erm |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/may/07/television.channel4 |access-date=2025-03-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqbiRdd67d8 |title=John Wells discusses Aaron Sorkin leaving "The West Wing" - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG |date=2017-04-14 |last=FoundationINTERVIEWS |access-date=2025-03-10 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

The show was renewed for a seventh season in March 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-03-20 |title=NBC Keeps "Wing," "Joey," "Jordan" - Mar 17, 2005 - E! Online News |url=http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,16146,00.html |access-date=2025-03-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050320053651/http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,16146,00.html |archive-date=March 20, 2005 }}</ref>

In the seventh and final season, many of the actors appeared in fewer episodes as the show faced budget constraints, but were still paid the same amount for the episodes they were in, according to Richard Schiff.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Owen |first=Rob |date=August 1, 2005 |title=Tuned In: Group reshaping indecency debate |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05213/546910.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050913171210/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05213/546910.stm |archive-date=September 13, 2005 |access-date=March 9, 2025 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}}</ref> Schiff, who has been very vocal about his unhappiness with his character's final storyline, was contracted for 11 episodes after initially being offered four episodes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 13, 2019 |title=7.05: Here Today (with Richard Schiff) |url=https://thewestwingweekly.com/episodes/705 |access-date=March 9, 2025 |website=The West Wing Weekly |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 21, 2005 |title='West Wing' actor bitter |url=https://www.deseret.com/2005/10/21/19918301/west-wing-actor-bitter/ |access-date=March 9, 2025 |first=Scott D. |last=Pierce |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 1, 2006 |title=From The West Wing To George Street |url=https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/getarticle.php?titlelink=from-the-west-wing-to-george-street |access-date=March 9, 2025 |first=Gary |last=Wien |website=New Jersey Stage |language=en}}</ref>

[[John Spencer (actor)|John Spencer]] died of a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] on December 16, 2005, about a year after his character experienced a nearly fatal heart attack on the show.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-12-16-spencer-obit_x.htm |title='West Wing' actor John Spencer dies |work=[[USA Today]] |first=Bill |last=Keveney |date=December 16, 2005 |access-date=October 30, 2013 |archive-date=November 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101153149/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-12-16-spencer-obit_x.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Martin Sheen gave a brief memorial message before "[[Running Mates (The West Wing episode)|Running Mates]]", the first new episode that aired after Spencer's death. The loss of Spencer's character was addressed beginning with the episode "[[Election Day Part I|Election Day]]", which aired on April 2, 2006.

The ending of the series was announced in January 2006, with NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly saying the decision had been made before John Spencer's death, citing lower ratings.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-01-22 |title=NBC Cancels 'The West Wing' - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nbc-cancels-the-west-wing/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

High profile real life guest appearances over the course of the show included [[Yo-Yo Ma]], [[Jon Bon Jovi]], [[Foo Fighters]], [[The Whiffenpoofs]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-11-22 |title=Whiffenpoofs Journey to Hollywood for West Wing Appearance {{!}} Yale News |url=https://news.yale.edu/2002/11/22/whiffenpoofs-journey-hollywood-west-wing-appearance |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=news.yale.edu |language=en}}</ref> [[Penn & Teller]], and characters from ''[[Sesame Street]]''.

Interior scenes were filmed on soundstages at [[Warner Bros. Studios Burbank]] in California.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Steinberg |first=Jacques |date=April 10, 2006 |title='West Wing' Writers' Novel Way of Picking the President |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/10/arts/television/west-wing-writers-novel-way-of-picking-the-president.html |access-date=February 16, 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqOpobIwOzs |title=Leo McGarry's Visual Guide to The West Wing offices |date=October 17, 2018 |last=The West Wing Weekly |access-date=February 17, 2025 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Glassman |first=Thea |date=September 17, 2024 |title=7 Secrets of The West Wing Sets |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/secrets-of-the-west-wing-sets |access-date=February 17, 2025 |website=Architectural Digest |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Political Animal |url=https://www.dga.org/Craft/DGAQ/All-Articles/1204-Fall-2012/DGA-Interview-Thomas-Schlamme |first=Amy |last=Dawes |date=Fall 2012 |access-date=February 17, 2025 |website=DGA Quarterly Monthly |language=en}}</ref> The production also filmed exterior scenes on  trips to the Washington, D.C. area, including at what was then the [[Newseum]] building in [[Rosslyn, Virginia|Rosslyn]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Friedlander |first=Whitney |date=June 18, 2024 |title=How 'The West Wing's' 'difficult' assassination-attempt episodes were pulled off |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/awards/story/2024-06-18/west-wing-assassination-episode-season-2-premiere |access-date=February 17, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=A West Wing Extras Journal |url=https://www.angelfire.com/journal2/josta/westwing.html |access-date=February 17, 2025 |website=www.angelfire.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Typecasting, meme formats and working with Aaron Sorkin: Q&A with Bradley Whitford |url=https://www.miamistudent.net/article/2024/03/bradley-whitford-q-a-miami-university-actor-get-out-the-west-wing |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Typecasting, meme formats and working with Aaron Sorkin: Q&A with Bradley Whitford - The Miami Student |language=en-US}}</ref> Maryland,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Slagle |first=Eric |date=May 18, 2004 |title=Hollywood in Thurmont: 'The West Wing' goes on location |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/archives/hollywood-in-thurmont-the-west-wing-goes-on-location/article_dc315d8b-1f75-52ae-b331-6ac074aecf56.html |access-date=February 17, 2025 |website=The Frederick News-Post |language=en}}</ref> New York City,<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 14, 2002 |title=West Wing' Comes to Broadway: NBC Shoots Prez Drama at Booth Theatre |url=https://playbill.com/article/west-wing-comes-to-broadway-nbc-shoots-prez-drama-at-booth-theatre-com-105762 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020183129/https://www.playbill.com/article/west-wing-comes-to-broadway-nbc-shoots-prez-drama-at-booth-theatre-com-105762 |archive-date=October 20, 2020 |access-date=February 17, 2025 |website=Playbill}}</ref> Pennsylvania,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crowell |first=Susan |date=August 29, 2002 |title=Tinseltown comes to tiny town |url=https://www.farmanddairy.com/news/tinseltown-comes-to-tiny-town/324.html |access-date=February 17, 2025 |website=Farm and Dairy |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='The West Wing' films in Greene County |url=https://www.heraldstandard.com/news/2002/aug/28/the-west-wing-films-in-greene-county/ |first=Frances |last=Borsodi Zajac |date=August 28, 2002 |access-date=February 17, 2025 |website=Herald-Standard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/library-to-serve-as-train-station-in-west-wing-episode/ |title=Library to serve as train station in 'West Wing' episode |website=TribLIVE.com |first=Treshea |last=N. Wade |date=August 14, 2002 |access-date=February 14, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=VOLANT, PA. 'West Wing' extras are ready to roll |url=https://vindyarchives.com/news/2002/aug/22/volant-pa-west-wing-extras-are-ready-to-roll/ |date=August 22, 2002 |access-date=February 17, 2025 |website=Vindy Archives}}</ref> and in Ontario, Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |title=West Wing flies north |url=https://playbackonline.ca/2004/11/22/westwing-20041122/ |website=Playback |date=November 22, 2004 |access-date=February 17, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Craig |last=Campbell |title=White House interested in Valley Town |url=http://www.dundasstarnews.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=brabant/Layout/Article&c=Article&cid=1100213416475&call_pageid=1069851996007&col=1073476868082 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050313075841/http://www.dundasstarnews.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=brabant/Layout/Article&c=Article&cid=1100213416475&call_pageid=1069851996007&col=1073476868082 |archive-date=March 13, 2005 |access-date=February 17, 2025 |website=Dundas Star News}}</ref>