'WEST WING' CREATOR WILL LEAVE SERIES.Byline: Staff and Wire Services Burbank - Aaron Sorkin Aaron Benjamin Sorkin (born June 9 1961) is an American screenwriter, producer and playwright. After graduating from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre in 1983, Sorkin spent much of the 1980s in New York as a struggling, largely unemployed , creator of Emmy-winning White House drama ``The West Wing'' is leaving the series after this season, he said Thursday. Sorkin, who was involved in writing most of the scripts for the NBC NBC in full National Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. commercial broadcasting company. It was formed in 1926 by RCA Corp., General Electric Co. (GE), and Westinghouse and was the first U.S. company to operate a broadcast network. series, also served as executive producer. Director Thomas Schlamme Thomas Schlamme (born May 22, 1950) is an American television director. In 1973 he moved from his native Houston to New York. After serving in several low level positions for production companies, he founded his own company, Schlamme Productions, in 1980. , another executive producer, also is leaving. The changes are bound to have a significant effect on the future of the show because ``The West Wing'' has always been a product of Sorkin's personal vision. He has written all but one of the episodes, and it has been consistently characterized by the intricately crafted dialogue that Sorkin is known for. Schlamme also has been widely praised for his innovative techniques in the show's look and camera movement. Retaining the show's distinctive voice and look will be a sizable challenge without Sorkin and Schlamme, one of the people involved with the show conceded. The show will continue with John Wells John Wells may be: People:
There had been reports of tension between Sorkin and the Burbank studio that produces the show, Warner Bros. Television Warner Bros. Television is the television production and distribution arm of Time Warner's Warner Bros. Entertainment and The CW Television Network (in which Warner has a 50% ownership stake). . Sorkin, known for last-minute script revisions, reportedly had been cautioned about budgets and production delays. With its large ensemble, ``The West Wing'' has become one of the costliest series in production. Last summer, star Martin Sheen renewed his contract for $300,000 an episode while four others held out for $70,000 apiece. Also, the series has slipped somewhat in the ratings this season, possibly because of an upswing of conservatism among viewers that runs counter to the series' Democratic tone, or because of competition from ABC's ``Bachelor'' and ``Bachelorette'' hits. ``The West Wing'' debuted in September 1999 during the Clinton administration Noun 1. Clinton administration - the executive under President Clinton executive - persons who administer the law . ``No show on television was more affected by the changes wrought by 9-11,'' said one executive who has worked with Sorkin. ``It's been a challenge for Aaron to work with the changed zeitgeist. He's a brilliant guy and incredibly gifted, but he's also very sensitive. The falling ratings did upset him. He's been under a tremendous amount of stress. This move makes a lot of sense for him.'' The statements about the decision suggested an amicable parting. The two were lauded by the studio and NBC. ``Aaron Sorkin and Tommy Schlamme have done an extraordinary job in their four years at the helm of 'The West Wing,''' NBC entertainment chief Jeff Zucker Jeffrey Zucker (born April 9, 1965) is an American television executive, and President & CEO of NBC Universal. He is a 5-time Emmy Award winner known for his aggressive promotion of his network's programs. and Warner Bros. Television President Peter Roth Peter Roth may refer to:
CAPTION(S): photo Photo: From left, executive producers Thomas Schlamme and Aaron Sorkin and actor Bradley Whitford celebrate their 2001 Emmy awards from their work on ``The West Wing'' series. Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press |
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