now i wish i actually watched an episode LOL
so much for must see TV





Posted 1/22/2006 2:23 PM Updated 1/22/2006 5:29 PM


NBC cancels 'The West Wing,' makes several midseason moves
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — The new president on The West Wing will be a real short-timer: NBC announced Sunday it was pulling the plug on the Emmy-winning political drama after seven seasons in May.

NBC, struggling to regain its footing after the worst season in its history, also outlined several midseason schedule changes — including the moves of popular dramas Law & Order and Las Vegas.

The West Wing announcement wasn't much of a surprise. Although this season's story line with a presidential campaign involving a Democrat played by Jimmy Smits and Republican portrayed by Alan Alda has been strong critically, ratings have sunk with its move to Sunday nights.

The decision to cancel it was made before actor John Spencer, who played former presidential chief of staff Leo McGarry, died of a heart attack Dec. 16, said Kevin Reilly, NBC entertainment president.

"There's a point when you look at the ratings and say, it feels like it's time," Reilly said.

The series finale will be May 14, preceded by a one-hour retrospective. The campaign to replace the fictional Josiah Bartlet as president will be settled, NBC said.

Producers Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme, who created the show and guided it through its early years, will not be involved in the finale, Reilly said.

The West Wing won four Emmy Awards for best television drama in a row for its tales of political intrigue. At its prime, it also offered NBC two valuable benefits: critical acclaim and the most upscale audience on television, an important drawing point for advertisers.

NBC's revamped schedule offered veteran Law & Order producer Dick Wolf good and bad news. NBC is putting Wolf's new drama Conviction, about young prosecutors in New York, on Friday's schedule starting March 3. But it is moving Law & Order up an hour to Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET — competing directly with ABC's blockbuster Lost.

NBC is also moving Las Vegas from Monday to Friday starting in March. Donald Trump is changing addresses again, with The Apprentice moving to Monday where it will be preceded by the Howie Mandel-hosted game show Deal or No Deal.

The network has two more midseason shows: Heist, a cops-and-robbers drama from the director of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Teachers, a comedy about a high school English teacher.

The Office will go off the air at the end of March so star Steve Carell can film a movie, Reilly said. He said he also hasn't figured out what to do with the ill-fated Friends spinoff Joey, which has 12 new episodes done but no place on the schedule.

"NBC is stable and our vital signs are encouraging," Reilly said. "Most predictions were that we were going to go from bad to worse this year, and that hasn't happened."


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[Edited 1/22/06 15:48pm]

MotherFUCKER!!

that show was still on?

Word is Commander in Chief might be next if the ratings don't improve due to the award it just won.

2the9s said:

What he said!

Yayyyyy

I saw Rob Lowe getting ready to ski today.

luv4u said:

2the9s said:

luv4u said:

Why for you no like West Wing?!

2the9s said:

9sy

2the9s said:

It's sooooo boring

I prefer chicken wings

luv4u said:

Oh please, luv4u! Please!!

NOOOOO!

I love the West Wing

The decision to cancel it was made before actor John Spencer, who played former presidential chief of staff Leo McGarry, died of a heart attack Dec. 16, said Kevin Reilly, NBC entertainment president.

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