I like workplace shows and White House was a very glamorous workplace to set a show in; it appealed to a sense of romanticism and idealism that I have.

Film doesn't have to worry. Movies are awesome. There's no war going on, theaters aren't going to lose.

It's nice that HBO is in business with the audience and not with the advertisers. There's a difference.

Just to clarify the division of labor on the show, I write the show and Alan [Poul] does everything else.

There's a great tradition in storytelling that's thousands of years old, telling stories about kings and their palaces, and that's really what I wanted to do.

It's important to remember that, first and foremost, if not only, this is entertainment. 'The West Wing' isn't meant to be good for you.

I think that if I couldn't write, I would be unemployable.