West Wing + Will & Grace Ending

Joseph T. Cool

Administrator & WC HOF'er

Two of the most-honored shows in NBC's recent history will say goodbye at the end of this season, as the network is preparing sendoffs for "The West Wing" and "Will & Grace."

NBC said going into this year that 2005-06 would be the last for "Will & Grace," and speculation had been growing that this would be it for "The West Wing" as well. With the latter show still headed toward its election night, it looks like there won't be much time for a new administration to take hold.

"We are proud to have had the opportunity to bring television viewers one of the most acclaimed series in television history," NBC Entertainment chief Kevin Reilly says of "The West Wing." "From the venerable, moving performances by the first-rate cast to the sterling creative team behind the camera, this series has left an indelible imprint on the landscape of television drama."

Reilly also has high praise for "Will & Grace," saying the show "assembled one of the finest comedic casts on television, bringing to life the hilarious, groundbreaking scripts from [creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan] and their writing team to create what has truly become one of the classic comedies on television."

"The West Wing" will end at 8 p.m. ET Sunday, May 14, with a one-hour retrospective preceding the last episode. "Will & Grace" will bow out four days later with an hour-long episode, also paired with a look back.

Between them, the two series have won 38 Emmys -- 24 for "The West Wing" and 14 for "Will & Grace." ("The West Wing Documentary Special" also won an award for special-class program in 2002.) The awards for "Wing" include four consecutive wins for outstanding drama series, while each of the four principal actors on "W&G" has an Emmy.

Tyler Durden

Never seen West Wing, but Will & Grace has usually been good fun to watch, even if it's probably gone on a little too long now (like so many others do).

Invictus

I've just bought all six series of the West Wing on DVD and I adore it. Its the best TV show to hit my screen since 24 and possibly better than that. Intelligent and very funny too. Good to see ti will end before fading away into obscurity.

Mr. WikipediaSpamBot

I've never seen The West Wing, but I don't find Will & Grace funny at all so I don't care that it's ending.

This makes me wonder how different TV will be this fall with so many long running shows ending or possible ending.

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

I have also never seen West Wing. Will & Grace is way past its time to go.

Goodbye Jack.

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Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

January 22, 2006
"The West Wing" won't be returning after it finishes its seventh season in May, and "Will & Grace," in its eighth season, will be saying goodbye as well, NBC announced Sunday. "West Wing," the critically acclaimed political drama starring MARTIN SHEEN and JIMMY SMITS has been suffering in the ratings since its move to Sundays.
"Seven years, my my it's been great fun, it had to end sometime, it was gonna end for me anyway, and most of us that had started out, this was our final year, there'd be a new administration," Sheen tells ET.
Martin heard the news on Sunday as it was announced at an annual gathering of television critics in Pasadena, CA. NBC said the decision to end the show was made before the passing of series regular JOHN SPENCER and that John's co-stars have already held two memorial services for the late actor.
"But on both of those private occasions, frankly they very quickly turned to great levity and laughter when we started talking about him and remembering him, who he really was, where he came from, what he stood for and how enthusiastic he was about what we all did for a living," Martin said.
"The West Wing"'s cancellation surprised many NBC faces, including "ER"'s JOHN LEGUIZAMO. "Another really bright, smart show on the air, it's so weird to think it's over, that's bizarre," he says.
"I think it's a great show and it was very, I think, groundbreaking and I'm sorry to see it go, it's a wonderful show and a wonderful ensemble," Golden Globe winner and "The Office" star STEVE CARELL said.
An NBC spokesperson said that the show's creators, AARON SORKIN and THOMAS SCHLAMME, will not be involved in the series finale, which will air on May 14 after a one-hour retrospective.
"The West Wing" has won four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series; in 2004, co-star ALLISON JANNEY earned an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as C.J. Cregg.
"Will & Grace," one of the first sitcoms to feature a homosexual as a lead character, has won 14 Emmy Awards, eight GLAAD Media Awards, two TV Guide Awards and one Directors Guild Award.

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