Aaron Sorkin on bringing back the West Wing, Trump and Molly's Game (full interview)

He’s Hollywood’s most celebrated and highest-paid screenwriter, known for razor-sharp dialogue in his TV series The West Wing and films such as The Social Network. Now Aaron Sorkin has directed a film for the first time.
Molly’s Game, starring Jessica Chastain, is the true story of a woman once dubbed the ‘Poker Princess’ after running private gambling games for the Hollywood elite. She later found herself a target of the FBI and immersed in a court case involving millions of dollars and the Russian Mafia.
Subscribe to us and get more videos from Channel 4 News
/ channel4news

[@georgewashington1106]

West Wing again? Please, please, please, pretty please. Episode 3.14 - Hartsfield's Landing... Bartlett: "Sam, you're going to run for President one day. Don't be scared. You can do it. I believe in you". Start there.

[@PeterSedesse]

except Sorkin hated Rob Lowe.

[@TheSpiritOfTheTimes]

Everything that has happened in the world since shows Sorkin's worldview is completely wrong lol

[@Mozart1220]

@@PeterSedesse So do I but he was great as Sam.

[@sovak75]

Sorken and Rob Lowe don’t get along. That’s actually part of why he left TWW after season 4

[@thebacons5943]

No everybody hates Rob Lowe he pushed Sorkin out of the show and he’s a Republican

[@kthybrown007]

I started re-watching West Wing and was struck how most of the issues were applicable to now and how the characters seemed so much more capable than the people we have in office.

[@Fletch360PS]

Would love a new west wing but what the world needs a a new Newsroom that highlights real travesties of the current partisanship politics.

[@jamesbingham1007]

The NBC China sitch could be episode 1.

[@DCPLMinistry]

Let one episode be about how cnn has sold out on the us citezens

[@remychase]

Totally agree. I think I might love The Newsroom even more than I did The West Wing, but it’s a close race.

[@Chris-tc3oh]

Personally, I'd LOVE to see Toby and Josh in 2018 discussing current events.

[@cynthiahigginbotham9940]

I have been watching the West Wing since November 10, 2016. Every day. Since 2016. It's my haven from the lunacy that is passing as government in this country right now. I heartily agree with Josh Lyman, congress makes me want to vomit. Watching the show now, it's actually anazing how prophetic it is with regard to the issues we are facing in 2020. Aaron Sorkin, you are a genius. Bartlet for America.

[@Lovelylizzette]

Completely understand.

[@frankhoffman3566]

The West Wing was the most intelligent, best written, best acted show in the history of television. That was due most of all to Aaron Sorkin. Bringing it back would be hard.. As far a sexual harassment is concerned, it must first be recognized that men come out of a situation seeing it as light hearted fooling around, whereas women come out of the same situation feeling degraded and humiliated.

[@frankhoffman3566]

Phelan... Of course I agree my statement is '...not always'' true. I do, however think it is true in most cases. I am certainly of the opinion that women are corrupt in the same percentage as men are. They aren't a different, more virtuous species. When money or fame is a likely outcome of an accusation against a man, I certainly believe fabrication should be aggressively investigated. I do also believe that women have not adequately dealt with the abuse/forgiveness syndrome. More than one police officer has grown frustrated by the constant return trips to the same battered women. Let's also accept that, when multiple women accuse a man of similar sexual abuse, that has significant credibility.

[@kponly]

I loved Sports Night, The West Wing, and Newsroom. I love the touching moments and that he hides real information in a lot of episodes.

[@douglas2938]

What about Studio 60 on the Sunset Street?

[@TheSpiritOfTheTimes]

@@douglas2938 Two terrible shows that broke the brain of a generation of well-meaning liberals. Imagine still thinking these were good shows in the age of Trump

[@rhh3582]

I never missed an episode of The West Wing ....... it was the best drama series on the tube at the time and I believe, if it were brought back, it would again be the best drama series of television.

[@stuartwills566]

Sam Seaborne running for president, that's something I would watch

[@Engma-qg6jz]

Stuart Wills or Charlie young

[@anitak3985]

En1gma575 Charlie's time would come; he's quite young. It should open with the Seaborn campaign and perhaps end with Charlie prepping for his first election.

[@kenbradley1480]

Sam seaborn as president, first lady either AINSLEY OR MALLORY, Will Bailey Chief of staff, his sister doing the press briefings, Josh as vice president with Amy or Donna as his wife, Charley as the comminications director, but bring in some new actors to fill in the other departments

[@anitak3985]

Ken Bradley Agree on all but Josh as Vice. Would prefer Vice to be a career politician, preferably a woman. I like Andy for this as it will involve Toby in the administration which he might otherwise not want to be visibly associated with.

[@jackhughes3981]

howabout start the show 2 years into an republican administration headed by idealistic republicans (ainsley hayes, Cliff Calley, Joe Quincy types) but give more focus to the democratic opposition as well ?

[@grandpa1398]

Oh please, oh please, oh please bring the "West Wing" back. Not because of President Trump or the sorry state our country is in; but because it was truly the best show on television and I waited every week for the next edition. Mr. Sorkin is the best screen writer/show developer in history.

[@kazimierzgarshin3924]

Sorkin is a great guy. He tells it like it is with the Trump tax plan when he says that he can buy 5 extra Ferraris.

[@ryanlehnhoff654]

"Hi, Rob Lowe, it's Aaron Sorkin... How would you feel about breathing some life into Sam Seaborn again?"

[@antmagor]

Don’t bring back the West Wing, bring back the newsroom!!!

[@susanoppat3138]

antmagor personally, I see no need to choose. Both!

[@debbiep99]

Both!!

[@aaronnicholes6423]

SEABORN FOR PREZ! Please, Aaron, make this show. We need it so badly.

[@cjgubb8791]

Studio 60 on the sunset strip should have got a second season!

[@grandpa1398]

Absolutely!!! NBC had both Studio 60 and 30 Rock with the racist tool Tracy Morgan. Instead of backing Sorkin and a superb Studio 60, they went with 30 Rock. What a travesty!!!

[@cjgubb8791]

I never watched 30 Rock.

[@susiesimmons2796]

One of the absolute best television dramas ever written!!! AND I am STILL watching reruns up to this point in time.....really! Loved every single one of the characters. They were perfectly cast.....and Martin Sheen has from the very beginning of the show, been my forever candidate for President w/a capital P. No one in real life has ever come close. To be honest however, I must add this. When Alan Alda, who I normally love as an actor and Jimmy Smits started on the show, my interest from there on plummeted......... except for the love interest between Donna and Josh of course! But the show then for me anyway, got way tooooooo political w/o the interaction of the original cast and their chemistry. Early years were just perfect..............

[@KerrieRedgate]

Yes, I think it lacked Aaron Sorkin's wit and dialogue, especially after the 4th season when he left the show. But 7 seasons of that intensity was quite a haul!

[@30secondstomarsMBH]

You can't bring back The West Wing, because it was the people that made it what it was. You could introduce similarly compelling characters, but it was the characters that were created that fit so well together. Because they were so well fleshed out, they created this world around them that made sense with each other in it. A reboot or new season would have to have different actors and different characters and would just be a rehash of what we already saw and new and loved. The NEWSROOM on the other hand, needs bringing back, because it's basically social commentary. It's a way for people to watch what's going on, and because of the parameters ACN set itself, within the world, which it would have to stick to if the major cast were brought back, there would be no chance for it to stray into leaning or lying. It would have to tell the facts and tell it how it is, whilst doing the job of the News and discrediting things that aren't true or are misleading. It would eviscerate the Trump administration and would only work better if ACN were real. That's how I see it anyway.

[@theolamp5312]

+30secondstomarsMBH - I agree. Leave TWW legacy intact.

[@richarddarlington1139]

The West Wing was lightning in a bottle. A reboot would only suffer from constant comparisons, falling far short of impossibly high standards the original series created and exceeded for themselves.

[@somebodyelse714]

The first four and a bit series of TWW was some of the greatest TV I have ever seen. One thing I thought might be interesting stems from a line Bartlet said to Sam one episode, something like "you're gonna run for president one day" - other than that seeing those characters again could only be a disaapointment.

[@brianbroussard8179]

I both agree AND disagree with you. The characters that were written so well and played so brilliantly made WW one of the greatest television dramas of all time. HOWEVER, with that same genius writing, in this current time and atmosphere, we NEED The West Wing to come back. If the show taught us one thing about the White House, it is that it is about the institution and those who have "part-time" jobs there. We elect the leaders, the leaders staff the building, the institution continues for another four years. Peaceful transition of power. I will FOREVER LOVE the West Wing, but it's been over 11 years since the show went off of the air. I'd be interested to see if Sorkin put in a conservative president and staff, or if he would continue with a progressive president and staff. Either way, I am sure that his genius writing would make it worth a watch!!!

[@nickcampa4590]

Just throwing it out there, don't reboot, continue two or three terms later, Josh Malina already said he'd be in, bring most the cast back in positions they'd be in years later, Toby and Josh becoming party elders of the caliber of Leo at the start of the West Wing originally.

[@fatesrequiem]

Aaron, idea for West Wing revival: Sam Seaborn is president.

[@iLuckyCharms]

The West Wing had a nice long run on TV. The Newsroom, however, did not. I rather see that.

[@KerrieRedgate]

I’ve watched all 7 seasons of the West Wing (though Aaron Sorkin was only there for 4) five times over!!! Absolutely compelling series. I don’t think it could be done again, it would wreck a great thing. But I’m sure someone out there is working on the Trump era script! - and I hope that ends up being a comedy rather than a drama: we’re still waiting for the Ending.

[@thomasmcginnis3783]

Meh! They said the same thing about _Star Trek._ With sufficient cause for a break in canon, it could happen tomorrow. There is some truly quality writing out there, and actors to carry it off. With a bit of luck and a small bolt of lightning, it'll happen. (That's my opinion, anyway.)

[@KerrieRedgate]

@@thomasmcginnis3783 Though, what I’d really like to see is the original 7 series set rebooted on TV, or whatever platform is most popular, for the younger generations to watch. I think it was just too perfect to be remade. Very little violence, just implied by the fabulous acting and script-writing. A very hard act to follow these days, as things are not so subtle now.

[@Samplesurfer]

@@KerrieRedgate I saw the show on the channel 4 platform UK. Registered there with my email and used a VPN to the UK. I actually had registered there to see their late 1980s "A very British Coup" again, after the UK went Brexit. That one is actually abouth the British deep state and a press baron modelled on Rupert Murdoch (before he moved to the USA and launched Fox News). Another brilliant series (6 episodes) but about local politics in the UK, which is hardly ever re-run is G.B.H. with lead Michael Palin. That one was about a rather rogue Labour politician taking over the city where Palin lives as a special needs school headmaster, but with a band of thugs and then wrecking Palin's livelyhood. It gradually evolves from drama into a political thriller. What you think is going on during the first two episodes is entirely overturned after you've seen the finale revelations.

[@Samplesurfer]

@@KerrieRedgate I actually saw the West Wing for the first time only recently and after I saw The Newsroom.

[@KerrieRedgate]

@@Samplesurfer I'm glad you got to see it. The cast was also brilliant, along with Aaron Sorkin's dialogue and stories. But it was so fast at times, that you may find you pick up more after seeing it again!

[@LeoWhalen1933]

If anybody downplays the importance of dialogue have them watch the episode "17 People" from WW. This was the most intense television I've ever seen.

[@c.s.544]

He's promoting his film. The reporter just wants to talk about Trump. Every single question is Trump 'this' or 'that'.

[@renegodde5483]

If anything, that should be C.J. running for president...

[@grandpa1398]

I agree Mike Healy; and Rene Godde; CJ Craig was a poorly developed character. They started her out as a brainless twit and made her the Chief of Staff in just a few years. That was the one ridiculous move the show made. Of course Sorkin was gone by then, but you can not take a bimbo and in 4-5 years make her so politically sharp that she can be the Chief of Staff. Impossible and of course improbable. Or the other way around. You get what I'm saying.

[@tadtranclere3729]

Mike Healy oh dear, no thank you. I never liked Sam.

[@cryofpaine]

Everyone saying he should have Sam as president, I don't think that would work. Mostly because he and Rob don't like each other. But I would love to see CJ as president.

[@pennymccormick3471]

Rob Lowe insisted that he was hired to be the lead character on TWW. That didn't happen because Bradley Whitford became popular as Josh Lyman and Martin Sheen was brilliant as Bartlett. Rob threw a tantrum and quit. He doesn't deserve to come back as President. It should be CJ Craig, because even Leo knew she had the right stuff. 😉

[@mobiz711]

Ohh, he looks down after he says he doesn't have an idea. He does have something cooking!! Bring it, Aaron, bring it!!!!!

[@firstnamesecondname5341]

America should have just voted Aaron Sorkin for President, how different the world would be

[@hadasdubrawsky1026]

Never seen Aaron Sorkin before; I thought he'd look like Toby on The West Wing.

[@sovak75]

CJ Craig should run for President with Donna Moss as her campaign manager

[@amyliaclenny1866]

What movie are they talking about? Because West Wing is a TV Series.

[@sfreemanoh]

A West Wing without Jed Bartlet? I dunno...

[@normancarter5419]

For someone who writes so brilliantly and smoothly, and his brain and thought process must make him the Secretariat of screen and scriptwriters, he sure fumbles a lot when he talks.

[@danielorovec8506]

A look back at a young Jed Bartlett as a congressman going to Washington...that's what you do

[@wilson2455]

Learnt 99.9% about the U.S. political system from watching West Wing. A quote from 'Abby' to a senior staffer has always stuck in my mind, and is probably more important today than at any other time. Abby - " He (Bartlett) is the most level headed liberal president that you will see in your lifetime. Enjoy it while it lasts... ". Also, Sorkin predicts that Roy Moore will win. Thank God that even a genius can get something wrong...

[@terrypogue]

The West Wing was genius The Newsroom just missed the mark. I tried Sorkins sport show and just could not connect with the people

[@balfizan]

If you're going to reboot the series I would want it to focus on more than just one thing. Sam Seaborn running for Senate AND Charlie running for Congress AND Josh running a presidential campaign for someone, we know from the beginning due to an ambiguous flash forward where Toby and CJ are talking that two win and one loses but not who. Donna as a Rachel Maddow type news anchor with a night time show on MSNBC (or some faux equivalent for WW)

[@cheriemeade4753]

rick sats aaron sorkin is the best writer you could get any actor would touch aarons cloak to get any script from him hes that good

[@donnaclinton5578]

Then 46 came and it's the greatest disaster in our history, an absolute disgrace.

[@jameswilhite8522]

Bring it back.

[@dobermanpac1064]

Get involved in politics is going to hurt this man...I'll be number one...no more Sorkin for me. LOL

[@rgwak]

Season 1, episode 3. The president wants to take out his anger on Syria with an disproportionate response. The Chief of Staff has to talk him down and save him from showing his anger at the loss of American life. He even uses the example of why death sentences for drug dealers (something t'rump suggested last week) would never work as a deterrent. Now, who in the current administration is going to save t'rump from his own bad decisions? If we were to enter a military war, would anyone trust him to not do things out of his own self-interest and ratings?

[@willieboy8798]

weither you like the topic or not! bravo....

[@javm2825]

If The Newsroom had have only gone on into the trump era. Oh the storylines he could have explore.

[@ianbettley7121]

I love The West Wing. It could have done another Two Seasons. Especially Never Resolved Who shot Charlie's Mum

[@judithmclaughlin4635]

Maybe unrealistic to think that she'd be found. A lot of crimes never get solved

[@shadedmuse]

Shadedmuse wants to know what happened with Matt Santos presidency?

[@granjmy]

Interesting article on The West Wing: www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/west-wing-uncensored-aaron-sorkin-703010

[@Fangtorn]

I loved The West Wing but The Newsroom was so melodramatic I wanted to blow my brains out.

[@granjmy]

I absolutely love The Newsroom, except for over use of the F word. Superb dialogue and acting!

[@30secondstomarsMBH]

It wasn't melodramatic, it was brilliant.

[@willemoranje]

I never understood why The Newsroom was cancelled,it was brilliantly done with a very good cast.

[@granjmy]

Willem, (or to salute Sloan- "Well, WIL-lem" ) you got me curious, so I'm going to go searching for the reason.

[@penboyasgod6103]

Possibly .... because of the constant main character personal romances that shouldn't have been part of it?

[@maniak1768]

Do a new 'West Wing' with a woman as POTUS!

[@tokyworld]

shower thoughts are the best.

[@pferreira1983]

Putting aside the totally biased interview here (seriously what was the interviewer thinking?) Sorkin was part of the same industry that allowed all this to happen. Sorkin ain't no saint himself with his constant recreational drug taking. But that's okay right?

[@grandpa1398]

P, just shut up please. Your ignorance is overwhelming.

[@pferreira1983]

@grandpa1 About what?!

[@pferreira1983]

@Craig Smith I'm saying impaired judgement from reckless behaviour leads to stuff like sexual assault. Sorkin is separating himself but he's part of the problem with his previous reckless behaviour.

[@Daveheardt]

I am sorry, sir, but your logic is invalid. Putting recreational drugs next to sexual assault because some attackers were on drugs while performing attacks is just like saying that meditation leads to criminal acts. Sometimes criminals meditate right before committing crimes and by your logic we should prosecute meditating people to prevent crime. Do you see how wrong you are?

[@pferreira1983]

@The Dave I think you're drawing invalid comparisons. This isn't about meditation, this is about Sorkin claiming to be above it all when he has as much as a reckless and irresponsible history as people who have had allegations brought against them.

[@mikesmith-pj7xz]

Oh Aaron...there's another way to think about all that snappy banter: rauldukeblog.wordpress.com/2017/11/21/white-jazz-aaron-sorkin-and-the-romantic-liberals/

[@morrowaa]

Full dose. Tug

[@Hypercube9]

Hey Sorkin, you know you and your Hollywood elite buddies can always pay MORE in taxes if you don't appreciate Donald Trump's tax cuts! I for one will enjoy keeping more of MY money in my pocket! And I'll especially love not having to spend $3,300 per year on healthcare now that the individual mandate is gone!

[@pferreira1983]

That is an important point.

[@grandpa1398]

Yeah, I'm guessing you didn't recoup much in the way of tax savings and you will lose it and more in the next ten years. And I'm not aware of anyone that had to spend $3,300 dollars under Obamacare. A true shame Chump has whittled so much of it away. All of those poor people without insurance again. Well, the GOP strikes again.

[@libertyann439]

You're obviously not spending any of you fictional mirage money on an education.

[@penboyasgod6103]

As much as I enjoy Aaron Sorkin's works, he has two major flaws when writing (and later being translated through the directors): 1. He wastes way too much time on the personal romances of the main characters and not enough time to their actual roles in which they're attempting to portray. This was the primary reason _The Newsroom_ failed and being aired for only 3 seasons. 2. He's way too fucking religious.

[@danielueblacker9118]

Aaron Sorkin you think too highly of yourself, god your not. West Wing very creative writing. Come on down son, get back to the real world....

[@jamesgrey785]

Masonic tv

[@DaveTingwaldd]

Just another typical Hollywood democrat. The interviewer was also very biased as well. All in all, just a poor excuse for an interview. I know, let the hate comments begin.

[@daveinstlouis]

Where specifically is the bias? What was said that upsets you so much?

[@pferreira1983]

@daveinstlouis You missed the part where he said he was liberal?

[@grandpa1398]

I did.

[@luqas99]

It's hard not to be biased against a lying fraudster who admits to sexual assault on tape and is revered by the lowest elements of western civilization, but that's just me.

[@pferreira1983]

@Yokai No one said Trump was great but when you have liberals going far left who exactly is in the wrong?