Aaron Sorkin interview on leaving 'The West Wing' (2003)

Aaron Sorkin, creator of the acclaimed NBC television series "The West Wing," explains why he left the show, and briefly discusses his work on a new TV project.

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[StorytellingHeadshots]

Can you imagine writing scripts of that quality of writing every 8 days?!?! Insane. He’s more of a genius than I realized.

[jamieraynsford]

Aaron Sorkin I am not a Democrat but you made me pay attention to the party and I loved The West Wing. Brilliant and ahead-of-its-time. You had the dream team as well which includes you. As well as directors, producers, cameramen, makeup and costume as well as the other writers everything was on point always!

[frankhoffman]

Aaron Sorkin is a hero to me. When every other show on broadcast tv was out to dumb people down, Sorkin somehow pulled off a brilliant, intelligent drama, that didn't underestimate American intelligence. I still don't know how he managed to do it, but I'm glad he did. He set a precedent for a new era of television lasting still to this year. It was the kind of television the networks (supposedly) agreed to at its birth. Mr Sorkin, once again I thank you

[tutonelylesnaranjo]

Incredible work Aaron Sorkin and I loved The Chicago 7, Brilliant cast. Brilliant writing.❤️ Congrats on your career. Everything you do is magical.

[MrMarkpark]

Not only is he brilliant, but he’s humble. And thats refreshing.

[temporarystranger]

Brilliant writer who achieved his objective throughout his vast array of work: his dialogue sounds likes music.

[GalacticCoast]

Best I can tell he is the best scriptwriter of my lifetime..

[janameehan]

Sorkin should live and reign. God bless him.

[HUNDOLOS]

3:32 'A deal with the devil I was never offered.' line, later used in Steve Jobs.

[WalterFrith]

'The West Wing' is one of the top 5 shows that's ever been on TV along with 'The Sopranos', 'All in the Family', 'The Twilight Zone' and 'Breaking Bad'. Unfortunately, it was never a #1 show. It only cracked the top 10 once and that was in season 3. At least that's what the Nielsen ratings say on the show's Wikipedia page. Top marks for a top show. Aaron Sorkin is currently America's best writer and I thank him for all he's given us.

[ariochiv]

As a (moderate) conservative, I was never bothered by the West Wing's Democratic point of view. The "villains" in each episode were as likely to be other Democrats as Republicans, and the Republican point of view was often articulated better than most real conservatives do, through characters like Ainsley Hayes. Unlike most Hollywood liberal writers, Sorkin clearly understands points of view even when he disagrees with them.

[richcus]

The years that Aaron was writing for the show was pretty evident especially when he departed the show, you noticed that there was something missing and the shows were not quite the same. In time, it didn't matter so much because the network kept the show.

[hanscombe]

Sports night, Studio 60, Charlie Wilson's war, Social network, Newsroom. Steve Jobs
How does this guy's brain function?

[shadowfx]

Thank you for posting. A revelation about Sorkin's exit from West Wing, which has nagged me for years.

[cynthiahusband]

Left a comment already but can’t leave out, social network one of my favorite movies, absolutely, he’s brilliant !

[greathornedowl]

Loved the series, well written. I was most surprised by the sprinkling of great actors

[Zseventyone]

Agnostic me says: God bless both of these gents.

[zacharias]

Watching this interview with Aaron after watching the interview Rose did with Aaron and a bunch of cast members the day before the 2nd season finale shows you how much better Aaron got after his arrest and his ensuing sobriety.

[darinsingleton]

Had to stop. Could not get passed Rose's insufferably long, cascading interruptions.
Not much has changed with him, and his penchant for bloviating.

[JustSomeCanadianGuy]

Jesus Christ imagine if he stayed.

IMAGINE if he stayed those last 3 seasons.