Aaron Sorkin Thinks Life Still Imitates 'The West Wing' [View all]

The political drama debuted 25 years ago. But the creator believes the politics were mostly beside the point.

When it premiered on NBC on Sept. 22, 1999, “The West Wing” contained elements of both what great television had been and what great television would become.

It had the strict structure, self-contained episodes and PG-13 language of esteemed network contemporaries like “NYPD Blue” and “ER.” (John Wells was an executive producer of both “ER” and “The West Wing.”)

But the show’s sophisticated content, idiosyncratic sensibility and season-long story lines anticipated the prestige-television boom of cable and eventually streaming. It was a ratings hit and won the Emmy for outstanding drama series four times, one of only five programs to do so. (The others: “Hill Street Blues,” “L.A. Law,” “Mad Men” and “Game of Thrones.”)

Twenty-five years later, “The West Wing” is a cultural touchstone: dissected by podcasts, parodied for its trademark style, still viewed regularly on Max — more than 212 million viewing hours’ worth since 2020, according to Nielsen. Several cast members were feted at the Emmy Awards last Sunday, and on Friday, the first lady, Jill Biden, will honor the series at the real White House.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/19/arts/television/aaron-sorkin-the-west-wing-25th-anniversary.html