The West Wing is one of the few television series today that are truly excellent, intellectual, and thought-provoking. The series follows the major players on the West Wing (the wing of the White House that houses the presidential offices and staffers). By observing this fictional administration, viewers gain a great understanding of the United States government and its inner workings. There are also lots of great plot points, laughs, and excellently developed and acted characters. Truly stunning. On the content side, there is very little iffy stuff. Violence/scariness can be an issue with wars, death, tense situations, and even a stalker... Mild language is sometimes heard in tense situations (d**n, h**l) and there are a couple of mild sexual situations. In the end, however, it is a face paced and intelligent show that will be lost on anyone too young to appreciate every word.
The West Wing
(Rated TV-PG, Drama, Starring Allison Janney, Martin Sheen, Bradley Whitford, Where to watch: NBC, DVD, Online)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Intelligent political drama for mature viewers.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of The West Wing was written by Elisabeth Chaney
Parents need to know that this show is meant for mature audiences, not because of the language or any type of sexual overtones, but because the dialogue and plots are very intricate. But for a smart high school kid, especially one with an interest in social studies or political science, this show could be a slam dunk. Furthermore, the regular characters are all inspirational role models who work hard to make the U.S. a better place.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about any of the topics around which each episode is based. This can include immigration, war, terrorism, abortion, the use of nuclear energy, and elections. They can also talk about how realistic the portrayal of White House life is.
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More on The West Wing
What’s the Story?
THE WEST WING was the hit political drama that kept people talking for years. The show followed the Bartlett administration and his staff through two terms of political ups and downs, scandals and policy, and the daily hullabaloo associated with the running of the Executive Branch of the United States. Created by Aaron Sorkin, the show starred Martin Sheen as the president. Other cast members included Bradley Whitford, Allison Janney, Rob Lowe, John Spencer, and Stockard Channing.
Is It Any Good?
What truly sets this award-winning show apart from its network drama counterparts is the superb writing. Oftentimes the writing in network dramas seems to pander to the audience so that the least intelligent audience member will understand. Not so with The West Wing, where the dialogue is so rushed, the characters so developed and rich, and the plot so intricate that even the most seasoned political aficionado may have difficulty keeping up.
But the most remarkable component of the writing is the speeches that are written for the president. Whether it's a stump speech at his re-election campaign, a State of the Union address, or a private meeting with a priest or mayor, President Bartlett never ceases to inspire with his strong, patriotic words.
Our Members Say
See all 9 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 15 and give it
Superb Political Drama
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I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Very mature drama.
Love this show
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
One of the few good TV shows
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Smart show for very smart kids/teens/adults.
Smart, funny political drama. The dialouge sort of outpaces the audience, but you can still cath on to the general story. Amazing, best drama ever! Too bad it's ending... :(
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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