The West Wing is no more. The show had declined since its Aaron-Sorkin-written prime, but the acting was still solid, even when the script was weak. (The final episode was particularly disappointing, consisting mainly of the characters taking meaningful glances around empty rooms.) Maybe I kept tuning in, though, because it gave me an hour-long delusion each week about the country under a more liberal government. Maybe I liked being reminded that there’s good in the basic American political system, regardless of administration. Maybe I just liked C. J. Cregg in her impeccable suits.
The West Wing also stood out for me because it championed LGBT issues without being about them. Its second-season speech against a fictionalized “Dr. Laura” character is a much-discussed classic. More recently, the audience learned that a minor campaign staffer is a lesbian, but it was a non-event, mentioned in passing—and that was the point. (In a more subtle lesbian connection, the staffer later became executive assistant to the new president, taking over for the character played by out lesbian actor Lily Tomlin.)
(On a side note, several of the West Wing actors have played LGBT-related roles elsewhere. Allison Janney was Meryl Streep’s partner in The Hours, Mary McCormack was a lesbian lobbyist in K Street, and Stockard Channing played Judy Shepard, Matthew Shepard’s mother, in The Matthew Shepard Story.)
Will & Grace, which also ends its run this week, was more obviously about being gay, albeit in an exaggerated, fictional way. This makes me wonder which show had more success in furthering LGBT rights. One could argue that the purpose of both shows was primarily to entertain. Still, the writers of any show that touches on LGBT issues have to know they are taking a political stance, like it or not. Was Will & Grace’s “we’re here, we’re queer, we’re funny” schtick more effective than The West Wing’s dramatic, intellectual approach? I suspect it varies from individual to individual. The shame is that the people who most need to hear the message probably weren’t watching either show.
Me? I’m getting the DVD collection of the first four (Aaron Sorkin) seasons. Maybe they’ll serve to motivate my son in his high-school civics class one day.
Interesting to read your different take on TWW’s importance and value. I’ll miss it, along with W&G.
Thanks. And I agree with the nice touches you point out in the final episode. After watching the first episode just beforehand, though, the last one seemed to lack energy, in my opinion. But maybe that was appropriate.
I should also clarify that I don’t believe The West Wing’s only value was in promoting LGBT rights, or even the liberal cause overall. Mostly, its value was in showing what a well written, well cast, and well acted drama looked like (and perhaps inspiring some Americans to learn a little more about the workings of their government).
No clarification required :), and I certainly agree with your final point.
TWW was important, I feel, because it challenged its viewers to think and, perhaps, to research further the issues it raised.