'The West Wing' team shuns 'reality' TV shows

HOLLYWOOD — You could argue that a lot of what happens on "The West Wing" is based in reality, but you could never confuse it with a so-called "reality show."

At least the people involved in making the show certainly hope you don't.

Executive producer John Wells tried to be tactful about it, hauling out TV-speak platitudes about how there's room on television for all sorts of shows.

"Well, it is broadcasting, and I think that this show is part of the proof that there's a large audience available for all different kinds of programming," said Wells, whose other shows include "ER" and "Third Watch."

But it's clear he's no fan of shows like "Fear Factor," "Survivor" and "The Bachelor." Which isn't surprising, given that for every additional "reality show" there's one less scripted program on TV — which means less work for people like him.

"I personally have to say, without naming any shows, that there are plenty of times when I kind of turn on the television set and watch in sort of a stupefied manner," Wells said, "watching people eat things. And it's just not what I'm interested in."

Bradley Whitford, who stars as deputy chief of staff Josh Lyman on "The West Wing," was less tactful.

"I, as a father, am horrified by a lot of what's on television," he said. "I feel like I have to protect my kids from a lot of things, a lot of behavior or situations that are specifically designed to bring out the worst in people so that we can laugh at them."

And — again not surprisingly — he's a fan of shows that employ actors.

"I've always believed in this arena," Whitford said. "And I believe in writing, and I believe in acting. I think that the aspiration of this show has always been high. And no one is more critical of the show than we are.

"I think that that remains a virtue of the show — that we're not trying to peddle a product that we don't believe in."

THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION? "The West Wing" would seem to have a finite lifespan — having been re-elected in November 2002 to a second four-year term, the fictional President Bartlet's (Martin Sheen) administration would seemingly come to an end in January 2007. Which would come midway through the show's eighth season.

But if the ratings are still good enough, could the show continue after that? Perhaps with another president in the Oval Office?

"It might," Wells said. "I'm sure it could, although that's a decision for several years from now."

Joshua Malina, who plays Will Bailey, chief aide to Vice President Robert Russell (Gary Cole), quickly interjected, "Vote Russ for president!"