In 2006, NBC produced a show called Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. It was created, produced, and directed by the same crew that developed The West Wing, and much like its political predecessor, showcased what it was like "behind the scenes" of a late-night sketch comedy show (a la Saturday Night Live) when the cameras weren't rolling and the actors, writers, producers, grunts, and bosses were trying to make a show happen every week. It was well-written, poignant, realistic, and swear to God it was funny. Stars for the show included Matthew Perry, Amanda Peet, D.L. Hughley, Bradley Whitford, and Steven Weber.
I love The West Wing and I rather enjoyed this show, as well - I have it on my DVD rack, but it doesn't occupy a lot of space there because it was cancelled after only one season. It didn't get a lot of viewership, and the conclusion most critics have reached for this is the show was ultimately "too smart". I find this regrettable because I tend to believe it means our society is kowtowing to the 24-hour cable crap devoted to "reality" television or bad soap operas all trying to pass themselves off as important. Could we maybe have cancelled Jersey Shore instead of this?