Plans to shoot a segment of the season opener of The West Wing in an empty Staples Center last Friday had to be abandoned when producers learned that the 20-plus media outlets covering the Democratic convention earlier in the week had not departed, Daily Variety columnist Army Archerd reported today (Friday).

Producer Llewellyn Wells told Archerd: "We were gravely disappointed. ... We weren't able to overcome logistical problems, after four months of planning with the DNC."

Source: Studio Briefing