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'West Wing' creator leaving show

Sorkin will leave the Emmy-winning series after the season finale.
Sorkin will leave the Emmy-winning series after the season finale.

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BURBANK, California (CNN) -- In a stunning development for prime-time television, "The West Wing" creator Aaron Sorkin unexpectedly announced Thursday he is leaving the Emmy-winning series after this season's finale, which airs May 14.

Thomas Schlamme, Emmy-winning director and a co-executive producer, also is leaving.

John Wells, executive producer of "ER," "Third Watch" and "The West Wing," will assume authority over the White House drama following Sorkin's departure.

In a joint statement issued with Schlamme, Sorkin said, "We are extremely grateful for the opportunity that was given to us by NBC and Warner Bros. over the last four years."

He added, "This has been the experience of any writer's dreams."

There was no word from NBC, Warner Bros. Television, which produces the show, or Sorkin on the reason for his departure, but the Associated Press said there have been reports of tension between Sorkin and Warner Bros. over budgets and production delays.

Daily Variety said Sorkin had another year remaining on his contract.

The show, which Sorkin guided to three straight Emmy wins for best drama, has suffered a sharp ratings decline this season, faced with tough competition from ABC's "The Bachelor" and FOX's Wednesday night comedies.

In a statement, NBC President Jeff Zucker and Peter Roth, the head of Warner Bros. Television, hailed Sorkin and Schlamme for their "extraordinary job" helping the show achieve its "remarkable critical and rating success."

In his own statement, John Wells said Sorkin and Schlamme said "will be sorely missed." He called them "irreplaceable" and added, "We always knew this day would come and have been assembling a talented group of writers, directors and producers to assist in this transition."

Cast member Bradley Whitford declined comment on the developments. Calls to representatives of Martin Sheen, Allison Janney and other "West Wing" co-stars were not immediately returned.

The statement from Sorkin and Schlamme said they planned to pursue other film, television and theater projects, but that they will remain "the two biggest fans of 'The West Wing.'"

AOL Time Warner is the parent company of Warner Bros. and CNN.


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