Aaron Sorkin Is ‘Reluctant’ to Revisit ‘The West Wing’: ‘It Won’t Live Up to the Memory of Making It’

Full disclosure, this writer has rewatched the entirety of NBC’s landmark political drama “ The West Wing ,” all seven seasons/156 episodes, roughly 10 times. This may read as a lot for some, but considering the show’s been around 25 years come September 22, it’s just a drop in the bucket compared to the viewership habits of more die-hard fans. According to Nielsen, since being dropped on Max in 2020, the series has clocked 212 million viewing hours, but not amongst those tuning in is the show’s creator , Aaron Sorkin .

“I’m always reluctant to go back and visit it, out of fear that it won’t live up to the memory of making it,” Sorkin said in a recent interview with The New York Times . “There have been a couple of times when I’ve had to go back and watch an episode. Four years ago, we did a get-out-the-vote special , staged in sort of ‘Playhouse 90’ form, and I went back to watch a couple of episodes to choose one.

And I was pleasantly surprised.” Despite his disinterest in revisiting his past work, Sorkin is more than aware of his show’s impact on current and future leaders, but never intended to use “The West Wing” as a soap box or some kind of recruiting device. Nevertheless, he’s touched by the effect it’s had on others.

“I will read that someone was inspired to get into public service because of ‘The West Wing.’ Our goal when we’re making the show is, we just want to give you the best hour that we can, Wednesdays from 9 to.