"West Wing" cancelled

...and it's about time, too. For most of us the series died when creator-writer Aaron Sorkin left at the end of the fourth season, but the shadow-of-itself, bastardized ER-like version has limped along for an additional three seasons. The death of John Spencer and declining ratings have finally caught up with the show, which was too good for television when it began sank just to the level of tolerable storytelling at its end. I'll miss seeing the actors on a regular basis in their familiar roles, but it's been a slow, lingering farewell and I'm more than ready to let go.

From the CNN article about the cancellation:

Producers are negotiating the return of Rob Lowe, the early series star
who left because he was upset by his diminished role, for the finale.
Series creator Aaron Sorkin -- responsible for the rapid-fire style of
dialogue -- has no plans to return.

Sorkin reportedly has a new series in the making, kind of a "Sports Night meets Saturday Night Live" show. Can't wait.

Previous posts about The West Wing:

Comfort food for the eyeballs
Season Six premiere
CSI, The West Wing, and me