‘West Wing’ reunites cast with a mission: Get out the vote
LOS ANGELES » While “The West Wing” creator Aaron Sorkin was gratified to bring an episode of the drama series to life on the stage, he’d rather discuss the bigger return he wants to see.
“We’re just trying to push fans of ‘ The West Wing’ to the polls,” Sorkin said. The re- enacted “Hartsfield’s Landing,” from season three of the acclaimed White House saga, is the centerpiece of a HBO Max voting special debuting Thursday.
In the episode, Martin Sheen’s President Josiah “Jed” Bartlet faces staffers Sam (Rob Lowe) and Toby ( Richard Schiff) in chess games, echoing the test of Bartlet’s strategic skills in a clash with China. Meanwhile, deputy chief of staff Josh (Bradley Whitford) is preoccupied with a primary election outcome in a bellwether New England town.
The story “ends up being kind of an ode to voting,” Sorkin said.
That dovetails with the special’s goal of spotlighting When We All Vote, a non-profit group created to increase election participation. Its co- chairs include former first lady Michelle Obama, who will be heard from during intermissions. Former President Bill Clinton, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Samuel L. Jackson and others will also take part.
Sorkin said he realizes that the participation of top Democrats could make some viewers leery of what may seem to them a “leftleaning gesture.” But he insists that the intent isn’t to proselytize in service of any candidate.
“We are sincerely just asking people to vote. And that’s what When We All Vote is. Yes, one of its founders is Michelle Obama. But it is a nonpartisan organization,” Sorkin said. “At no point during this special will you hear the words ‘Joe Biden,’ ‘Donald Trump,’ ‘Democrat’ or ‘Republican.’”
He ruefully concedes that today’s polarized environment may have thinned the ranks of thosewho appreciated the show’s respect for public service and its stories and characters — even if those characters’ politics differed from their own.
Casey Patterson, an executive producer for the special, said its only agenda is to inspire.