# Sorkin and Schlamme Leaving West Wing

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorkin-and-schlamme-leaving-west-wing/172640>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [May 2, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorkin-and-schlamme-leaving-west-wing/172640 "2003-05-02T15:21:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Realhoops](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8dc957/32.png) [@Realhoops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Realhoops)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorkin-and-schlamme-leaving-west-wing/172640/1 "2003-05-02T15:21:04Z")

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[Fox News Report](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,85764,00.html)

I looked for a thread on this and didn’t see one anywhere. My apologies if I somehow missed it.

I know there are TWW fans here. So… what’s everyone think? I want to be optimistic, but given the quality of the non-Sorkin written episode earlier this season, I am finding it very difficult… I fear next season could be a disaster.

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**Author:** ![stolichnaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorkin-and-schlamme-leaving-west-wing/172640/2 "2003-05-02T15:46:09Z")

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Does he really write all of this stuff? I remember hearing rumors that his writing is mostly of the last-minute-polish-and-dialogue variety. I guess either way, we’ll know now.

If he is writing all of these episodes, it’s an amazing thing. I love the show, it would be a real shame if it descended to mere mediocrity. Although I look forward to whatever else he’s got on the radar.

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**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorkin-and-schlamme-leaving-west-wing/172640/3 "2003-05-02T16:00:09Z")

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There have been articles stating that Sorkin has gotten so late in turning in the scripts that getting the show done on time has been jeopardized. I can understand wanting to get off that treadmill.

And I can also see a real decline in quality in the shows that aren’t credited to him. The shows he has sole credit for are usually amazingly good.

With the lower ratings the show has been receiving this year, I wonder if NBC will simply pull it rather than taking a huge chance that it will crash and burn. They’ve finished four years and that’s enough for syndication.

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**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorkin-and-schlamme-leaving-west-wing/172640/4 "2003-05-02T16:09:42Z")

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Oh geez - I see a “jumping the shark” in the near future.

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**Author:** ![light\_strand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a6a055/32.png) [@light\_strand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/light_strand)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorkin-and-schlamme-leaving-west-wing/172640/5 "2003-05-02T16:51:08Z")

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The show has already been renewed for two more years. Sorkin writes almost every word, and has only _not_ written one show, so I’m sure I’m following you Exapno.

I hope the show retains it’s quality, and quick dialog. I also hope that it goes back to a more cohesive show. It’s seems to be a spastic lately, with plot-lines showing up, and then, just disappearing without mention.

Here’s some more [information](http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/02/business/media/02TUBE.html?ex=1052452800&en=bb84938cfba55dbb&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE).