TVSquad

The story is still there, if the writing improves to tell it well. I'm staying the course however the constant shifting of play date, time and constant pre-empting has made it more than "difficult" for fans.
Hopefully this cast run will end with an excellent script. Someone with "foresight" could recapture what we loved originally which was really "intelligent scripts at a lively pace" with discussions among characters rather than "to" each other. Let's hope they find a way to extend the program with quality. The actors, and characters, lost will be missed.

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I've been watching The West Wing on DVD, so perhaps I don't share the same enthusiasm as those who watched it week by week.

The West Wing had run its course; it had reached its natural end, even before John Spencer's death.

Mr. Schiff had been in the series for seven to eight years, so for him to say it had been time for him to move on is hardly earth-shattering. He was perfectly frank about his motives for staying with the series longer (good hours, better money), but he is like many actors who want to stretch themselves and/or do something different.

I'll miss the West Wing characters too, but all good things come to an end.

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Well I have to agree with Mr. Schiff on a few points here; 1) the show definitely isn't what it once was. And as with all things it's time and tide I suppose because we all have that innate tendency to resist change in all its forms. 2) Being a fan of the show since its inception I find it hard to believe that "Toby" would ever divulge any sensitive information that act being in direct contrast to the wishes and instructions of "President Bartlet". It just wouldn't happen in the West Wing Universe!!!
3) The entire cast and writing staff have made such great "music" together for so very long that now with the more than noticeable absence of Mr. Spencer, as well Rob Lowe, the show sounds like a symphony missing those key instruments. And unfortunately when Mr. Schiff does indeed leave the series, well that will further compromise that sound.

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Thank you Mr. Schiff for saying what we've all known for a while now. You give it credence and authority.

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Regardless of whether the show's shark-jumping is true or not, I find it incredibly inconsiderate for him to piss on his dear friends' bread. If he likes his castmates so much, why would he try to discredit even more the show and put in jeopardy everybody's job? See my point? It's like saying "I love you but I hope you will lose your job."... Sounds stupid to me.

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I might add this may be a great lesson for everyone: in some cases an actor can be out-smarted by the character he plays...

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I totally agree with richard i love the show and belive the first 4 seasons especially make it the greatest show of all time. amazingly well written stunning acting everything abvout it was a work of genuis and the cast went together perfectly but now its a different show. Its never recovered from losing Rob Lowe he bought the comedy and the glamour and then once Sorkin left the magic was completely lost. Its a show that should be remembered for its brilliance and not left to drag on into eternity like a empty soul. If they want to keep it running with Jimmy Smitts they should change the rest of the cast and re invent it but not trade off the old days which were so brilliant.

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God bless Richard, he's right, you know. I realize The West Wing has ebbed and flowed over the years with the comings and goings of various actors and creative talent, however, by comparison, ABC's Commander in Chief, which has received critical kudos is inferior even to a less-than top-of-their-game West Wing. West Wing, even now, offers wit, intelligence, humor and humanity. How can a drama like Commander be so lacking in all of the above qualities and still pass for a quality dramatization of the nation's politicos? President Bartlet, CJ, Josh, dear Leo, Toby and all the others plainly illuminate the lackluster, dismal, doom and gloom, taking-themselves-way-too seriously crowd at Commander. The West Wing has made me cry, laugh and think over the years. I dread a season without it with Commander as a poor substitute.

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[I find it incredibly inconsiderate for him to piss on his dear friends' bread. If he likes his castmates so much, why would he try to discredit even more the show and put in jeopardy everybody's job? See my point?]

He was saying that his time had passed, that if the show recreated itself anew that was fine with him.

Perhaps HIS unsaid point is that they all want to jump over to the NEW Sorkin/Schlamme show. Though I think Richard Schiff really wants to go back to the NY theatre.

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I have been a fan of the West Wing from the begining. When I first read Richard Schiff's comments that Toby would not do that in 10 million years I disagreed. I had thought that his convictions would allow him to overstep his authority in order not to "leave someone behind". But as I have been watching the DVDs of the series, I realize he is absolutely right. The Toby character is first and foremost a team player. He may be a miserable SOB but he would not turn against the team.

I do hope to see the series continue but I have my doubts. I will miss all of these characters regardless, especially Toby.

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I agree with Richard that his character would not have acted the way he did. I'll take it a step further and say none of the West Wingers would have done this. It was contrived and done just to get rid of the Toby character. Just another sign of a lack or imagination.

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I watched 25 (season 4 finale) again and now I know for sure Toby would not have done what he did. He told the president (in 25) that the people in the room would rather die than let him down. But the idea of it being part of a larger plan is interesting. It may be a little far fetched but I like this idea much better than the way it is.

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