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College students participate in interactive seminar with members of 'The West Wing' By
Jen Feinstein
Students from colleges and universities around the country tuned in to an interactive satellite event with the creator, executive producer and two cast members from the television series "The West Wing" on Monday. After 30 minutes of clips from the hour-long political drama, Aaron Sorkin, creator and executive producer; Thomas Schlamme, executive producer; Bradley Whitford who plays Josh Lyman and Janel Moloney who plays Donna answered questions via satellite from students who called in. Sorkin, who also wrote the screen play for "A Few Good Men" and "American President," attributed the success of the show to the hard work and talent of the cast and crew. "I think it has done well simply because it's well done," he said. Sorkin said there were skeptics who felt the show was too idealistic and that there was a "snicker factor" before the show began. Some said it wouldn't work because it was a political show but Sorkin disregards those kinds of statements. "I think that rules (like that) were made up by people who don't know the rules because the real rules are much harder to learn," he said. Whitford said the show gained popularity because it takes place in the White House. "There is a real curiosity about what goes on behind the doors," he said. The show has a research staff to make the show more realistic and the Oval Office and Roosevelt Room are to scale. Sorkin explained that the desire for a realistic feel to the show was also the reason the Bartlet administration has a party affiliation. He said that the audience expects to hear words like 'democrat' and 'republican' in a political show. Despite the realistic feel to "The West Wing," Sorkin said its important to remember it is a fictitious White House and the goal is to entertain. "First and foremost what we're trying to do every Wednesday is make sure you're having a really good time while you watch us," he said. "The West Wing" airs at 9 p.m. MST, Wednesdays on NBC.
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