Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

3 days ago

Trump Says He’s Willing to Let Migrant Farm Laborers Stay in US

3 days ago

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

4 days ago

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

4 days ago

Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Wins Congressional Approval

4 days ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

4 days ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

4 days ago

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

5 days ago

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

5 days ago
'West Wing' Reunites Cast With a Mission: Get Out the Vote
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
October 14, 2020

Share

LOS ANGELES — While “The West Wing” creator Aaron Sorkin was gratified to bring an episode of the drama series to life on the stage, he’d rather discuss the bigger return he wants to see.

“We’re just trying to push fans of ‘The West Wing’ to the polls,” Sorkin said. The re-enacted “Hartsfield’s Landing,” from season three of the acclaimed White House saga, is the centerpiece of a HBO Max voting special debuting Thursday.

In the episode, Martin Sheen’s President Josiah “Jed” Bartlet faces staffers Sam (Rob Lowe) and Toby (Richard Schiff) in chess games, echoing the test of Bartlet’s strategic skills in a clash with China. Meanwhile, deputy chief of staff Josh (Bradley Whitford) is preoccupied with a primary election outcome in a bellwether New England town.

The story “ends up being kind of an ode to voting,” Sorkin said.

That dovetails with the special’s goal of spotlighting When We All Vote, a non-profit group created to increase election participation. Its co-chairs include former first lady Michelle Obama, who will be heard from during intermissions. Former President Bill Clinton, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Samuel L. Jackson and others will also take part.

Sorkin said he realizes that the participation of top Democrats could make some viewers leery of what may seem to them a “left-leaning gesture.” But he insists that the intent isn’t to proselytize in service of any candidate.

“We are sincerely just asking people to vote. And that’s what When We All Vote is. Yes, one of its founders is Michelle Obama. But it is a nonpartisan organization,” Sorkin said. “At no point during this special will you hear the words ‘Joe Biden,’ ‘Donald Trump,’ ‘Democrat’ or ‘Republican.’”

He ruefully concedes that today’s polarized environment may have thinned the ranks of those who appreciated the show’s respect for public service and its stories and characters — even if those characters’ politics differed from their own.

Casey Patterson, an executive producer for the special, said its only agenda is to inspire, and “there are no villains.”

TNT Is Offering an Alternative: Friday Marathons of Election-Themed Episodes Leading up to Nov. 3

Asked if “West Wing’” buffs really need a push to vote, the Oscar-winning Sorkin (“The Social Network”) cites the lesson of Dr. Seuss’ “Horton Hears a Who!”: Every person counts, whether in Whoville or an election.

Cast members reunited for the taping at a Los Angeles theater last month, with coronavirus precautions in place. Allison Janney, Dulé Hill and Janel Moloney also reprise their roles from the Emmy-winning series that aired on NBC from 1999-2006.

“We were able to have the actors sort of fall right back into place of their characters. They were incredibly game for it,” director Thomas Schlamme said.

Sterling K. Brown of “This Is Us” stepped in for the late John Spencer as chief of staff Leo McGarry and was “incredibly generous with his time,” Sorkin said.

Spencer was “a profoundly beloved and respected member of the company,” he said. “We wanted someone we thought that John would admire and (is) obviously a great actor.”

The staged episode is in the style of the classic series “Playhouse 90,” done as a teleplay with commercial breaks — in this case, with pitches for the electoral process, not merchandise.

Since the pandemic-forced shutdown of film and TV production in March, idled celebrities have been popping up regularly in virtual reunion specials, whether for charitable causes, to stoke voter engagement or just for fun. Among them: stars from shows and movies including “Parks and Recreation,” “Veep,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “The Princess Bride” and “The Lord of the Rings.”

For “West Wing” fans without a HBO Max subscription, TNT is offering an alternative: Friday marathons of election-themed episodes leading up to Nov. 3.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

DON'T MISS

Netanyahu Meets Trump at White House as Israel, Hamas Discuss Ceasefire

DON'T MISS

Trump Executive Order Seeks End to Wind and Solar Energy Subsidies

DON'T MISS

US Threatens California With Legal Action Over Transgender Sports Law

DON'T MISS

US Veterans Affairs Will Cut Nearly 30,000 Jobs, Far Fewer Than Planned

DON'T MISS

Houston Astros Donate $1M to Help Recovery From Texas Floods

DON'T MISS

Tucker Carlson Aired Interview With President of Iran

DON'T MISS

California Fails to Stop 23andMe Founder From Re-Acquiring Company

DON'T MISS

Madera County Multi-Agency Effort Leads to Arrest of Felony Suspect in Atwater

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Arrest DUI Driver During Crackdown on Illegal Street Racing and Sideshows

UP NEXT

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67

UP NEXT

There Are Fresno Area Fireworks Shows Galore Through Sunday

UP NEXT

What’s Next for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs After His Sex Trafficking Trial?

UP NEXT

The Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Story: From Recording Studio to Criminal Trial

UP NEXT

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Convicted on Prostitution Counts, but Cleared of More Serious Charges

UP NEXT

Jury Reaches Verdict on Some Counts at Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Sex Trafficking Trial

UP NEXT

The Chainsmokers to Headline Dog Daze Festival at Chukchansi Park

UP NEXT

Shaver Lake and Reedley 4th of July Shows Are Wednesday. Who Else Is Celebrating?

UP NEXT

Jury in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Sex Trafficking Trial to Start Deliberating

UP NEXT

Fourth of July Celebrations Begin Saturday. Here’s Your Fresno Area Guide

US Threatens California With Legal Action Over Transgender Sports Law

4 hours ago

US Veterans Affairs Will Cut Nearly 30,000 Jobs, Far Fewer Than Planned

4 hours ago

Houston Astros Donate $1M to Help Recovery From Texas Floods

4 hours ago

Tucker Carlson Aired Interview With President of Iran

4 hours ago

California Fails to Stop 23andMe Founder From Re-Acquiring Company

5 hours ago

Madera County Multi-Agency Effort Leads to Arrest of Felony Suspect in Atwater

5 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest DUI Driver During Crackdown on Illegal Street Racing and Sideshows

5 hours ago

July 4 Weekend Was No Picnic for Fresno-Area Firefighters. How Bad Did It Get?

6 hours ago

Tulare County Seizes 300 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks Over Fourth of July

6 hours ago

US Proposes Rules That Could Boost Oil, Gas Output in US West

7 hours ago

Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

WASHINGTON – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday told President Donald Trump he had nominated him for the Nobel Peace ...

3 hours ago

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on during a bilateral dinner with U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured), at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 7, 2025. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
3 hours ago

Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 7, 2025. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
3 hours ago

Netanyahu Meets Trump at White House as Israel, Hamas Discuss Ceasefire

A wind farm is shown in Movave, California, U.S., November 8, 2019. (Reuter File)
4 hours ago

Trump Executive Order Seeks End to Wind and Solar Energy Subsidies

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon testifies before a Senate Appropriations hearing on U.S. President Donald Trump's budget request for the Department of Education, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 3, 2025. (Reuters File)
4 hours ago

US Threatens California With Legal Action Over Transgender Sports Law

United States Department of Veterans Affairs logo and U.S. flag are seen in this illustration taken April 23, 2025. (Reuters File)
4 hours ago

US Veterans Affairs Will Cut Nearly 30,000 Jobs, Far Fewer Than Planned

A group of search and rescue workers paddle a boat in the Guadalupe River in the aftermath of deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, U.S., July 7, 2025. (Reuters/Sergio Flores)
4 hours ago

Houston Astros Donate $1M to Help Recovery From Texas Floods

4 hours ago

Tucker Carlson Aired Interview With President of Iran

Attendees visit the 23andMe booth at the RootsTech annual genealogical event in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S., February 28, 2019. (Reuters File)
5 hours ago

California Fails to Stop 23andMe Founder From Re-Acquiring Company

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend