NBC Cancels 'West Wing' After 7 Seasons By DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer
51 minutes ago



PASADENA, Calif. - 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 in May after seven seasons.



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."

Wolf, who has had at least one show on NBC's schedule for 21 years, shrugged when asked about the move.

"It's like a long-term marriage," he said. "There are stresses and strains intermittently, but we are kind of stuck with each other."

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






This had been the best season since season 4, too. RIP to an amazing show.

They should've pulled the plug when Sorkin left.


And I hope the L+O move forces them to actually come up with some decent stories to compete with Lost (although they'll obviously lose). These past few seasons have sucked.

Yeah, I used to make the effort to watch every new episode, but I just haven't cared as much lately. I just stick with the TNT reruns.

WHAT?! urgh. my favourite show, cancelled. now, i'm bummed.

Great show, NBC really blows now. Actually, TV as a whole really blows now.

boo

Tonight's ep was real good. They've been sharp as ever this season--definately the best since Sorkin left.

It's too bad he won't be returning to write the series finale, as rumored.

In honour of this show, I pledge to walk the corridors of my next workplace and grab someone to walk-and-talk with me all day long with lightning-paced anecdotes about how much the other guy sucks at his job or his/her latest screw up.

Maybe for the finale they'll cast Geena Davis as a guest where she kills one of the candidates and takes over in the White House from Bartlett.

Wouldn't you rather it go out on a high note, like this season, instead of seeing it slowly decay into utter crap? (see: Alias)

Makes sense, really. Started with the beginning of the Bartlett admin. Wit that ending, so should the show.

It's unfortunate, but I could see it coming. It's a shame they're ending it when a new president is coming in. I was kind of looking forward to a season or two with Smits or Alda as president. Makes sense though they are beginning and ending it with Bartlett.

don't fret, there'll be a remake film in 5 - 10 years, i'm sure.

I....have....never...watched...this...show.....ever.

I always had this vision of the final scene of the series with Bartlet and Leo sitting on his porch in his New Hampshire home...the day after Bartlet leaves office...and Bartlet asking Leo..."What's Next?".

Im so sad this show is ending, but I think its a bit over due. If Sorkin were still writing the show, Im sure it would still be amazing...but its lost something since he left, and Im glad to see the show go out on at least a relatively good note.

RIP John Spencer...

And then Mrs Landingham comes by and tells him he's got 5 appointments and he better get along and attend to them

Rob Lowe is coming back!

I read that the other day, Im pumped for that! Also, make sure to check out Sorkin's new show coming out this year!! There's alot of former West Wing actors that are gonna have good roles in the show!

sigh, sigh. i'm going to redevelop my crush on sam it seems.

I think last night was John Spencer's last episode, how appropriate that Leo's last major scene is with Bartlett in the oval.

Last night when Santos' team was waiting for Bartlett, Leo was standing there and said nothing. Before (Lilly Tomlin) came to get him. Did it sem like he was digitally added. I'm sure he wasn't, but it just seemed eerie.