Like a behind-the-scenes documentary into the beloved TV series, we learn a lot about the authors and their cast mates as well as the good will that defined the show ans it turns out, the people behind it. A wonderfully inspiring book that any West Wing fan will be sure to love’!

my favorite show of all time and god did this capture everything I loved about it. It was nostalgic and insightful. made me miss josh lyman

If you’re a fan of the West Wing and wish you could watch it again for the first time, this is as close as you’re going to get. This is an interesting behind the scenes look at the show and the characters. As someone who occasionally likes to revisit the West Wing, this was an enjoyable read.

“Up above a small unmarked door leading to Soundstage 23 on the Warner Bros lot, a red light sits mounted, silent and still. ”
Here are reasons to read the Non-Fiction book:

So normally I give reasons to read, and this book is very specific to people. If you are a Wingnut or have even watched a few episodes of West Wing, then this book is for you. They don’t go through each episode, but rather select a few important ones from the show’s run. They talk about how everyone got cast, and they talk about how they got along. The viewpoint of this book is service, both in the community, through politics, or to each other. Many times I caught myself getting very choked up because stories of this large of a cast being such decently good people is extremely rare. This is a show I watch over and over, and it is still just as valid and important as it was before. Watch the show, read the book. What’s Next?

This book was like a constant IV drip of heart-warming nostalgia. I loved revisiting this beloved cast and learning how close they still are. If you loved the West Wing, this is for you.

What do I say about this book? It was everything I wanted & more.

I became a Wingnut in 2005 when I decided to check out this show that Lisa Edelstein (my celebrity crush at the time) had been on. I did not realize at the time that it was only a handful of episodes in the first season and I don’t know if that knowledge would have changed things at the time but I’m glad it didn’t. I devoured that season & the next & the next. That lead to my dad surprising me with the first 6 seasons on DVD when Target was having a massive sale (remember when you could buy DVDs at Target?) & I binged those all in time to watch the last season.

I share all of that with you so you know that I don’t use the term “fan” loosely. I rewatch the show on Election Day & holidays, when I’m depressed or when I’m in the need of a hood slow burn romance. I am the type of person this book is made for. Because even though I’ve seen the show an uncountable amount of times there were still stories I’d never heard. I loved hearing some of the people who were considered for roles & the stories about the organizations that are close to the casts heart. My heart broke all over again reading the chapter about John Spencer’s death (I think i went through an entire pack of tissues during that part.)

This book is a thick one, coming in at around 600 pages, but it is one that I will be rereading again & again.

I loved this book - as a fan of the West Wing this was the coziest thing to read. I loved all the behind the scenes tidbits and reliving my favorite moments of the show through the book and the interviews inside it. This is definitely a must read for fans of the show!

Very witty and entertaining behind the scenes look at a favorite tv show of mine. Back stories of characters and the actors that created them -- lives before, during and after the show and the causes they support. Makes me want to pull our my DVD collection of the series and start watching from the pilot episode to the conclusion.

As a huge fan of The West Wing, I was very excited to see a book about the show was being published. What's Next explores the creation of the series, supported by interviews with many of the actors and crew members involved in creating the show. It was great to hear all of the behind the scenes tidbits, and I think the interviewees were particularly open to sharing stories with the authors since they both were actors on the show.

The book also explores the lives of the actors after the show ended. Many of the cast members have devoted and continue to devote their time to supporting causes and service projects. This feels particularly unique to The West Wing, and the book explores how the series inspires acts of service.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. While I would've liked even more information on the making of the series itself, I appreciated how much the authors discussed the influence the show had on them and their castmates. The next time I rewatch the show, I'll be glad to do it with the added context gained from this book.

I've rewatched The West Wing several times since it ended. It's one of those series that I love to watch again and share with others, especially around election time. This book definitely made me want to rewatch the series again.

I liked the behind-the-scenes bits and found it interesting to read about all the good things the cast/crew have done. I don't know how interesting this book would be if you're not familiar with the show, but it's a must read if you are.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book

5 stars to a book that reawakened the Wingnut in me. I laughed, I cried several times and I smiled even more. I would’ve loved to have had this closer to when the show was still on the air but it required to have some distance and some time to reinforce the overall message. TWW brought together committed people that inspired each other and the viewers and continues to do so to this day.

You really need to be a West Wing fan to fully appreciate the entirety of the book but the messages are universal. Be a person for others, pursue your passions and even small actions can have huge influence.

Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

I've revisited The West Wing several times since it ended. It's one of those series that keeps drawing me back to it, especially around election time. This book definitely made me want to rewatch the series again.

I liked the behind the scenes bits here and found it interesting to read about all the good things the cast/crew have done. I don't know how interesting this book would be if you're not familiar with the show, but it's a must read if you are.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

WHAT'S NEXT by Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack lives up to its subtitle: "A Backstage Pass to The West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy of Service." Fitzgerald played Carol on The West Wing and is known for her work as an actor, producer and social justice advocate (affiliated with organizations like Voices in Harmony and All Rise). McCormack, another actor, producer and activist, played Deputy National Security Advisor Kate Harper. Together they have compiled a series of stories and interviews which cover the inception of the show, the casting decisions, various episodes and the many, many service projects supported by the cast. The provocative and excellent Aaron Sorkin television series first aired twenty-five years ago (9/22/99) and still has impact today, as described, for example, in this recent New York Times opinion piece. True fans ("wing-nuts") may already know much of what Fitzgerald and McCormack share, they will love purusing this book and the many memories it evokes. I began happily re-watching the first season – the pilot is still amazing.

More than a memoir, this book t has all the stories you didn't know you wanted to hear. From the accidental origins of the show, to the casting calls, to the writer's room, these are the stories as told by the people who experienced them. Compiled and written by two of the shows veterans, they share not only their own memories, but anecdotes and notes from other cast members, touching stories of just what the show meant to everyone who worked on it. It had me laughing on one page and crying on the next. And while these are trying times, this book brought back the hope and inspiration that were the biggest legacy of the show.

Some people call us Wingnuts, sometimes superfans. Whatever you call yourself, this book is for you. It is a love letter to the fans.

Oh I just loved this book! Loved!!!! So much love. Any fan of WW is going to enjoy this book, but it’s more than just WW. I enjoyed so much the background of certain cast and crew and their dedication to service. WW was one of those Frank Kapra shows that is so pure, and I think this book shows that the reason behind that feeling is from the people behind it. Written so well by Mary and Melissa. Thank you so much NetGalley and Dutton publishing!

4.5 - “There are issues today that is of course remain colossal and overwhelming, even more so than they did back in the day of The West Wing.”

I love The West Wing so much. So much that I immediately rewatched the pilot episode which is an absolute masterclass. I remember falling in love during that first walk-and-talk with Leo. They covered so much throughout the series' run, and it’s amazing how relevant it still is.

This book is an insight on to how the series came to be and how the cast was compiled, which were some of my favorite parts. It also focuses on how the actors themselves became involved in charities, activism, and politics in their real lives. This provides an interesting perspective on how the series affected them personally. I think this is a really interesting way to frame the book. It provides such a deeper connection for the reader as you can clearly see that working on the show affected the actors and others who worked on the show.

Since it’s written by two actors from the show, they provide great asides and a lot of fun details about filming. I particularly enjoyed stories about the late John Spencer, who is the actor that truly pulled me into the series. There is this feeling of mutual respect and admiration you can feel as the cast talk about each other and it’s so fun to read. I also loved that they discuss how the actors were cast, and one of the difficulties was how quick Aaron Sorkin's dialogue is.

“The President, while riding his bicycle on his vacation in Jackson Hole, came to a sudden arboreal stop.”

My only really complaint is that is just feels a bit long and the format threw me off a bit, but I think that couldn’t be different in the finished book. As a person who adores this show, this was such a blast to read.

What’s Next by Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack—This behind-the-scenes look at one of my all-time favorite dramas comes out on 8/13. Full of content from the actors, crew, writers, showrunners, this book is perfect for any fan of The West Wing. I love this type of book about shows that I love to watch. Great! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance digital copy.

Did you love West Wing? You need to read this book! Go….come back when you are done so we can discuss.

What’s Next, a nod to President Bartlet’s famous line, provides so much insight into the making of the show, stories of the cast, and how they are still family. I walked away impressed how much service means to the cast, how involved the cast in different causes and non-profits. Service not only was a key pert of the show, but a huge part of the cast’s personal life.

Things I did while reading this book: cried (John Spencer will always be missed), rewatched episodes (how did I never notice the jacket) loved rewatching for the fishbowl, and laughed. What a special insight to a very special show.

Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for an ARC, and to remind me how magical this show was and still is.

this is a great read for a west wing lover. however, even for the most die hard wingnut, over 550 pages is . . . a lot. it definitely seems to me that some sections could have been shorter. also i would've loooooooooved if there had been pictures!!!! more of a coffee table book vibe would have made it perfect. it was a good book, though, overall. the section(s) about John Spencer made me cry! and the different sections about service were interesting, although sometimes too naive and simplistic, in my opinion.

What's Next is a tribute to "The West Wing" television show that both writers were actors on. They provide an insider's look at the origins of the television show - how Aaron Sorkin created the show and created an ensemble of actors and scripts that still resonate with us today!

Fans of the show are referred to as "Wingnuts." I guess that you could call me one, because I jumped at the chance to read this book! I enjoyed the behind the scenes look, interviews with the cast members and stories from the cast and crew about the making of the show, and their extra curricular activities beyond the show. Anyone who watched the show knows that the stories focused on public service, and each of the cast members showcases their "charities of choice" or "pet projects." That portion became a bit redundant, but was acceptable to the premise of the book, how public service, both on the show and in real life, should be a focus in our lives.

The authors tell us up-front that not all the episodes of the show will receive a feature, but most of the fans' favorites will be highlighted. I especially enjoyed the stories of the cast in their off hours, and the fact that they indeed, do feel like a "family," even twenty years after the end of the show.

Special thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book!