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The West Wing is widely considered one of the best television dramas about the political landscape in America. It remains one of Aaron Sorkin's greatest projects, and the show's quality rarely dipped throughout its seven-season run. The acclaimed show follows Democratic United States President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and his tenure as a two-term president, focusing on the work done in the White House as his cabinet ran the country daily while avoiding attacking either side of the political spectrum.

The series was a huge success, winning a then-record nine Emmy wins for its first season and winning Outstanding Drama Series in four consecutive seasons. Since The West Wing's seven seasons follow more than eight years (three different presidential terms in the show's fictional world), there would be plenty of changes in the cast, including notable departures from staple actors like Rob Lowe. This was especially true after...

Unfortunately, there are several great TV show characters whose exits are far more anticlimactic than they deserve. It’s not unusual for a character to depart mid-way through a show’s run, and many of the best TV shows of all time feature an exit from one of their most beloved figures. However, not all of these storylines are necessarily well written, or even make any sense.

There are plenty of examples of TV show exits that are out of character, but they are still dramatic and interesting enough to keep audiences engaged. For some actors, their departure storylines don’t do their character justice, and after years of starring in their respective shows, their final scenes fall flat. A bad or boring TV character exit is often annoying, but an anticlimactic one is often a lot worse.

Mandy Hampton The West Wing

The most annoying thing about Mandy Hampton...

In today’s troubled political times, “The West Wing” feels even more quaint and nostalgic than it did when it premiered 25 years ago, which means we need it now more than ever. An idealized vision of a Presidential administration functioning at its very best despite Washington’s many complications, the Aaron Sorkin-created series captivated audiences with its whip-smart dialogue and dense storytelling. In honor of its 25th anniversary, let’s take a look back at 20 of its greatest episodes, ranked worst to best.

“The West Wing” centered on the ins and outs of a White House staff, with Martin Sheen front and center as the noble, dedicated President Jed Bartlet. There’s Chief of Staff Leo McGarry (John Spencer), Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford), Communications Director Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff), Deputy Communications Director Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe), Press Secretary C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney) and Deputy...

Mandy Hampton vanished from The West Wing after season 1 due to mutual agreement she wasn't working in the show as intended. Her departure led to the "Mandyville" trope where characters disappear without explanation, highlighting a flaw in the series. Actress Moira Kelly went on to star in One Tree Hill and other TV shows after leaving The West Wing, finding success in her career.

After The West Wing season 1, primary character Mandy Hampton (Moira Kelly) disappeared and was never heard from again, prompting many fans of the popular White House show to wonder what happened to her and why an explanation was never given. Mandy Hampton was a savvy political operative who transitioned from a Senatorial staff member into the White House after a lucrative career in public relations. She was involved in many high-profile storylines in season 1, which made her exit all the more mysterious.

The West Wing is...

Matthew Perry's character on The West Wing, Joe Quincy, was underused despite making a lasting impact and receiving Emmy nominations. Quincy's storyline involved uncovering a scandal and negotiating the retirement of a close friend, showcasing Perry's dramatic acting skills. Perry's commitments to Friends prevented him from taking on a larger role on The West Wing, limiting his opportunities for more dramatic projects.

Matthew Perry impressed with his brief stint on NBC’s political drama The West Wing but the Matthew Perry West Wing character was totally underused. The West Wing had a lot of great characters come and go after just one season or a handful of episodes. In fact, it was such a common thing that the trend even had its own name in The West Wing fandom; "going to Mandyville." This is a nod to the abrupt departure of Mandy Hampton (Moira Kelly) after season 1, with...

In today’s troubled political times, “The West Wing” feels even more quaint and nostalgic than it did when it premiered 20 years ago, which means we need it now more than ever. An idealized vision of a Presidential administration functioning at its very best despite Washington’s many complications, the Aaron Sorkin-created series captivated audiences with its whip-smart dialogue and dense storytelling. In honor of its 20th anniversary, let’s take a look back at 20 of its greatest episodes, ranked worst to best.

SEEEmmys Best Drama Series Gallery: Every Winner in Emmy Awards History

“The West Wing” debuted on September 22, 1999, centering on the ins and outs of a White House staff, with Martin Sheen front and center as the noble, dedicated President Jed Bartlet. There’s Chief of Staff Leo McGarry (John Spencer), Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford), Communications Director Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff), Deputy Communications...

Jan 9, 2019

Hyundai, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, Game of Thrones, and more in today's daily Link Tank!

Psychologists approve of Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.

"It’s fitting that Netflix released Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on the first day of a new year. In the series, Kondo, an organizing consultant and worldwide phenomenon, goes into messy homes and shares the principles of her highly praised “art of decluttering.” Though she’s not scientifically trained, her system resembles what psychology researchers recommend to boost well-being."

Read more at Inverse.

Not everyone is pleased with Mary Poppins' behavior in 1964's Mary Poppins.

"As the parent of a toddler who watches Mary Poppins at least once a week, there are a few things I know. (1) The 1964 Mary Poppins film is indeed practically perfect in every way, and (2) Mary Poppins herself is not a nice person. Now, it’s debatable whether Mary Poppins is a person at all.