West Wing Series 7 - is that the one after Santos wins the Democratic nomination?

[neenztwinz]

I was watching WW through dvd rental from Amazon and I think I got to the end of series 6 - then my twins were born..

Anyway, normal life has more or less resumed and I'd like to start watching it again but can't remember which series I am up to. The last thing I watched was Santos winning the Democratic nomination - is that the end of Series 6? I have looked at Amazon to see if I can find previously rented titles but they have changed to lovefilm now and it doesn't seem to want to show me previously rented titles!

Yup - Series 7 is the Presidential Race - much less of Bartlett and co, but very good. One episode is astonishing - the "Live" presidential debate between Santos and Vinick, and it did actually go out live at the time. The actors did a lot of it off the cuff - amazing actors, especially Alan Alda.

(West Wing Geek emoticon)

The best series imo. I wish they hadn't stopped.

Isn't it amazing how similar Santos is to Obama? And Vinick to McCain?

Yes it is. Season 7 covers the presidential elections.

Did you know (WW geek here) that they partially based the character of Santos on a bright young Chicago Senator called Barack Obama?

And did you know that the character of Josh Lyman is based on a real DC politician called Rahm Emmanuel, who is now Obama's Chief of Staff?

And finally, did you know that Rahm Emanuel's brother, Ari Emanuel, is the inspiration for the character Ari Gold in the series Entourage?

We live in the world that Hollywood has created for us..

Wow, that is amazing with the live debate. What a fab show. Alan Alda is great. The box set is only £10 from Amazon!

I said to DH the other night how Obama is going to be like Bartlett, always doing the right thing for the greater good and not for his own ends. I hope. If only real life could be like The West Wing

Taliac - wow, is that right?

I love Entourage too.

Series 7 of the West Wing and Obama in the White House - I can hardly contain myself.

I wish they'd do some more series of the West Wing. I really miss it and strangely watching the box-set I had for christmas just isn't as satisfying.

I love the West Wing so much. I wish they would do a new series with Rob Lowe as the president.

Would Obama have been elected without the West Wing? Discuss.

I'm at least a little bit serious. First seeing President Bartlett, a president that made moral, liberal decisions. Then later Santos as a non white Democratic presidential candidate (no spoilers, Neenz I promise!)

I think seeing things like that on screen make people more accepting of it in real life.

Ditto seeing Morgan Freeman as president in Deep Impact of course.

I just don't think it would be the same without Bartlett as president.
I did really enjoy the series on the campaign trail but it did't really feel like the same programme, if you know what I mean.

Maybe a WW spin off is needed?

I actually really enjoyed Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, I wish they'd bring that back.

You definitely have a point there, Taliac, so how do you explain Bush being voted in twice? I have often wondered that... Americans see the West Wing and see how great a liberal leader can be? Obviously not in Bush's case! Not enough people watch it obviously.

Hmmm Bush, theres a toughy..

Maybe the liberals didn't bother voting as they already had Bartlett???

We had a great discussion in work yesterday about how America needed 2 terms from Bush to elect Obama. Fascinating stuff. I love how American politics is all about a charismatic leader, far more so than this country.

Thought this from the Guardian was amusing.

Thanks for that link taliac