I've been watching all the seasons of The West Wing this summer and i just discovered how amazing this show was! I never understood it when it began in 1999 and never was really interested in politics, least of all American politics.

But when I watched the show this summer, I just realized how brilliant, and brave and witty and funny this show was. Almost every episode is just gold, and the lines and actors are just perfect and I realized now why it used to sweep the Emmys every year.

Any other West Wing fans here?

My favorite show next to mad men.

Never ever saw it before. Rented a few discs last summer and then bought the whole box set.
We've been slowly working our way through it. Two seasons left.

Love the directing and writing. Great great show.

It's only for smart people. It amazes me that NBC replaced this with shows like biggest loser and Americas got talent.

Sad state.

I absolutely LOVE The West Wing. It was complete in every way. The writing was probably the best for a TV show I've ever seen. Seriously satisfies everything you want from a quality TV show; too bad there's nothing on its level right now (Scott, I've yet to watch Mad Men, but am excited to get started one day!).

I do wish I supported the series by purchasing it, but definitely coudln't afford it. If you're interested, this site has most of the episodes on megavideo. Get ready to keep reaching your 72 minute limit in the middle of your 2nd consecutive episode lol. Here's the link.

I ended up finding it on ebay for like $80, the brief case box set.
I will watch it, take my time, then I plan to rip it all into iTunes one day (month), and then probably gonna sell the set.

Great show.

And yes, Mad Men is stellar as well...

WOW! Ok im glad Im not the only one ...

this show had some really powerful lines and scenes and acting.

What are your favourite quotes guys??

I've only watched the first episode so far - I loved it.
I was the same way as you, I never understood why this show was on television as a kid. The same applied for Frasier. But watching these shows now, I absolutely love them!
They are so smart and funny, I only wish television shows were like this now :/
Mad Men is also a show I want to start watching, I love Christina Hendricks

Apparently, Martin Sheen wasn't even supposed to be a lead character in the show, he was only going to be in a couple of episodes, and only play a minor part, but obvs the audience loved him and he stayed, which turned out to be a very good thing.

Originally Posted by Deegs14

Apparently, Martin Sheen wasn't even supposed to be a lead character in the show, he was only going to be in a couple of episodes, and only play a minor part, but obvs the audience loved him and he stayed, which turned out to be a very good thing.

The whole show was supposed to center around Rob Lowe's 'Sam Seaborn' but the audience loved all the characters so much that it was made into a multi-character story rather than focus on one.

Loved the evolution of this show. I've seen that good shows are good because they consider and care about what their audience feels and suggests and feels and then adds their brilliance and ideas to the mix.

Originally Posted by Deegs14

I've only watched the first episode so far - I loved it.

The pilot of this show is awesome! A swing @ the right-fringe lunatics ...

Van Dyke: If our children can buy pornography on any street corner for five dollars, isn't that too high a price to pay for free speech?
President Bartlet: No.
Van Dyke: Really?
President Bartlet: On the other hand, I do think that five dollars is too high a price to pay for pornography.
C.J: Why don’t we all sit down?
President Bartlet: No. Let’s not, C.J. These people won’t be staying that long. May I have some coffee, Mr. Lewis? Al, how many times have I asked you to denounce the practices of a fringe group that calls itself The Lambs of God?
Caldwell: Sir, it’s not up to me to—
President Bartlet: Crap. It is up to you, Al. You know, my wife, Abbey, she never wants me to do anything while I’m upset. [a staffer hands him coffee] Thank you, Mr. Lewis. Twenty-eight years ago, I come home from a very bad day at the State House. I tell Abbey I’m going out for a drive. I get in the station wagon and put it in reverse, and pull out of the garage full speed. [Leo and Sam appear in the doorway and quietly enter into the room.] Except I forgot to open the garage door. Abbey told me to not drive while I was upset and she was right. She was right yesterday when she told me not to get on that damn bicycle while I was upset, but I did it anyway, and I guess I was just about as angry as I’ve ever been in my life. It seems my granddaughter, Annie, had given an interview in one of the teen magazines. And somewhere between movie stars and makeup tips, she talked about her feelings on a woman’s right to choose. Now Annie, all of 12, has always been precocious, but she’s got a good head on her shoulders and I like it when she uses it. So I couldn’t understand it when her mother called me in tears yesterday. I said, "Elizabeth, what’s wrong?" She said, "It’s Annie." Now, I love my family and I’ve read my Bible from cover to cover. So I want you to tell me from what part of the Holy Scripture do you suppose the Lambs of God drew their Divine inspiration when they sent my 12 year-old granddaughter a Raggedy Ann doll with a knife stuck through its throat? [pause] You’ll denounce these people, Al. You’ll do it publicly. And until you do, you can all get your fat asses out of my White House. C.J., show these people out.
Mary Marsh: I believe we can find the door.
President Bartlet: Find it now.

That episode just convinced me ... this is a good show ... follow along!