TMC
07-10-2023, 11:57 PM
https://popculturereferences.com/when-did-the-west-wing-jump-the-shark/
In a feature looking at if or when a TV series "jumped the shark," Brian asks you all to determine when (or if) The West Wing jumped the shark.
https://popculturereferences.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/west-wing-cast-header.jpg
Today, we look at when (or if) you folks believe that The West Wing “jumped the shark.” (https://web.archive.org/web/20061031125256/http://www.jumptheshark.com/w/wings.htm)
This is “Just Can’t Jump It,” (https://popculturereferences.com/category/just-cant-jump-it/) a feature where we examine shows and whether they “jumped the shark.” Jumped the shark (coined by Jon Hein (http://www.jonhein.com/)) means that the show had a specific point in time where, in retrospect, you realize that show was going downhill from there (even if, in some rare occasions, the show later course-corrected). Not every show DOES jump the shark. Some shows just remain good all the way through. And some shows are terrible all the way through. What we’re looking for are moments where a show that you otherwise enjoyed hit a point where it took a noticeable nose dive after that time and if so, what moment was that?
The West Wing was a popular, highly acclaimed drama series that followed the staff of the President of the United States in the West Wing of the White House. Originally meant to be a bit of a starring vehicle for Deputy Communications Director, Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe), the show quickly became more of an ensemble, and if anyone was the star, it was Martin Sheen’s President Josiah “Jed” Bartlet (originally, the President was going to be a minor presence on the show, mostly off-camera). Writer/showrunner Aaron Sorkin was HEAVILY involved in the series until leaving after four seasons. The final two seasons focused more and more on the campaign for the NEXT President, between Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits) and Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda).
So first…DID IT JUMP THE SHARK? I don’t think it did.
WHEN DID IT JUMP THE SHARK The argument is that it jumped when Sorkin left, and I will agree that the show went through some serious readjustments when Sorkin left and John Wells took over, but I think Wells adjusted pretty well, especially when he started to trust his other writers and producers under him (especially Lawrence O’Donnell), and, of course, when the Santos/Vinick campaign began, the show was revitalized. However, I don’t think it ever got bad enough to say it jumped. I can see other people reasonably disagreeing, and arguing for a jump and then a return to quality later on.
In a feature looking at if or when a TV series "jumped the shark," Brian asks you all to determine when (or if) The West Wing jumped the shark.
https://popculturereferences.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/west-wing-cast-header.jpg
Today, we look at when (or if) you folks believe that The West Wing “jumped the shark.” (https://web.archive.org/web/20061031125256/http://www.jumptheshark.com/w/wings.htm)
This is “Just Can’t Jump It,” (https://popculturereferences.com/category/just-cant-jump-it/) a feature where we examine shows and whether they “jumped the shark.” Jumped the shark (coined by Jon Hein (http://www.jonhein.com/)) means that the show had a specific point in time where, in retrospect, you realize that show was going downhill from there (even if, in some rare occasions, the show later course-corrected). Not every show DOES jump the shark. Some shows just remain good all the way through. And some shows are terrible all the way through. What we’re looking for are moments where a show that you otherwise enjoyed hit a point where it took a noticeable nose dive after that time and if so, what moment was that?
The West Wing was a popular, highly acclaimed drama series that followed the staff of the President of the United States in the West Wing of the White House. Originally meant to be a bit of a starring vehicle for Deputy Communications Director, Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe), the show quickly became more of an ensemble, and if anyone was the star, it was Martin Sheen’s President Josiah “Jed” Bartlet (originally, the President was going to be a minor presence on the show, mostly off-camera). Writer/showrunner Aaron Sorkin was HEAVILY involved in the series until leaving after four seasons. The final two seasons focused more and more on the campaign for the NEXT President, between Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits) and Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda).
So first…DID IT JUMP THE SHARK? I don’t think it did.
WHEN DID IT JUMP THE SHARK The argument is that it jumped when Sorkin left, and I will agree that the show went through some serious readjustments when Sorkin left and John Wells took over, but I think Wells adjusted pretty well, especially when he started to trust his other writers and producers under him (especially Lawrence O’Donnell), and, of course, when the Santos/Vinick campaign began, the show was revitalized. However, I don’t think it ever got bad enough to say it jumped. I can see other people reasonably disagreeing, and arguing for a jump and then a return to quality later on.