Michael Schmidt

Lore & Background

The source does not provide any information about Michael Schmidt's background, history, or role within the West Wing universe. The seventh season principally follows Santos and Vinick on the campaign trail, while also addressing the aftermath of the space shuttle leak investigation. The Bartlet administration's last year in office is featured, but not prominently. Toby admits to leaking the story about a military spacecraft and President Bartlet is forced to fire him. Later, Toby refuses to name his recently deceased brother as the source of the classified information. C.J.'s tenure as Chief of Staff becomes more stressful as she deals with the war between Russia and China over Kazakhstan. The presidential race tightens up when Vinick's lead is dampened by an accident at a nuclear plant he had championed. Leo suffers a heart attack and dies on the night of the election, reflecting the death of actor John Spencer. Santos wins the election, and the last few episodes show the final days of the Bartlet administration and Santos' transition. In the series finale, Santos is sworn in as president.

In Their Own Story

The source does not provide any specific story or narrative involving Michael Schmidt. The seventh season had star billing for thirteen major roles, with the previously recurring Kristin Chenoweth joining twelve returning main cast members from the sixth season. Jimmy Smits is the only actor to appear in all 22 episodes. Sheen (12 episodes), Alda (12 episodes), Janney (17 episodes), Whitford (19 episodes), McCormack (12 episodes), Chenoweth (10 episodes), and Spencer (7 episodes) are credited for all 22 episodes, despite appearing in a diminished capacity. Spencer died of a heart attack in December 2005. Hill (5 episodes), Channing (4 episodes), Schiff (11 episodes), Malina (13 episodes), and Moloney (13 episodes) are only credited for the episodes in which they appear.

Reader's Guide

The source does not provide any information about Michael Schmidt's character guide, writing style, music, or legacy. The season was produced by John Wells Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. The executive producers were John Wells, Christopher Misiano, Alex Graves, Lawrence O'Donnell and Peter Noah. The West Wing was created by Aaron Sorkin. For the seventh season, regular staff writers were Wells, O'Donnell, Noah, Eli Attie, Debora Cahn, Josh Singer and Lauren Schmidt, while cast member Bradley Whitford wrote his second episode of the series. The regular directors were Misiano, Graves, Andrew Bernstein and Lesli Linka Glatter.

Did You Know?

• The seventh and final season of The West Wing aired from September 25, 2005, to May 14, 2006, and consisted of 22 episodes.
• The series changed time slots from Wednesdays at 9:00 pm to Sundays at 8:00 pm for its final season.
• Leo McGarry suffers a heart attack and dies on the night of the election, reflecting the real-life death of actor John Spencer in December 2005.
• One episode, 'The Debate', was aired as live television.
• The season was nominated for six Primetime Emmy Awards in 2006, winning two, including Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Alan Alda.