The West Wing
By Elisabeth Chaney,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Intelligent political drama for mature viewers.
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The West Wing
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Based on 5 parent reviews
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A bit of mature themes, but overall fine for your tween.
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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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about any of the topics around which each episode of The West Wing 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.
How do the characters in The West Wing demonstrate humility and integrity? Why are those important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 22, 1999
- Cast: Allison Janney , Bradley Whitford , Martin Sheen
- Network: NBC
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Humility , Integrity
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: January 23, 2023
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