SHEEN TAKING 'WING'?

June 9, 2001 -- "West Wing" producer Aaron Sorkin and star Martin Sheen had
a presidential-scale blowup over Sorkin's drug problems, show insiders tell
The Post.

The fight happened at the end of May during NBC's so-called up-front week,
when new shows are presented to network execs.

Show sources said Sheen threatened to quit playing President Josiah Bartlet
if Sorkin doesn't get help for a drug problem.

"Martin confronted Aaron about his drug use and said, 'If you don't get
help and go to drug rehab and get this problem fixed now - I am leaving,'"
one source on the set said.

Sorkin, miffed at Sheen's ultimatum, discussed the fight with "The West
Wing" cast members and told the assembled crowd, "Isn't this outrageous?"

Several in the group agreed, but some didn't.

"There is now a divided house on 'The West Wing' - those who agree with
Martin and those who are siding with Aaron," said a mole, who added: "There
is a chance Martin, who feels very strongly about drug use, will leave the
show."

But NBC and Sorkin deny Sheen threatened to leave - and they claim there
was no dust-up in the first place.

"It's simply not true," Sorkin said. "Martin and I have never argued,
publicly or privately, about this or anything else."

Sheen's rep, Tracy Shaffer, offered a similar statement.

"There is zero truth to this," Shaffer said. "Aaron and Martin are very
close and they have mutual respect. Their relationship could not be any
better."

Sorkin, a 39-year-old Scarsdale native, was busted April 15 when security
officers at Burbank Airport found cocaine, marijuana and mushrooms in his
luggage.

He missed a court date last week, claiming a bad back. The charges can
carry a three-year prison term, but Sorkin is expected to get probation.

He called his arrest "an isolated stupidity" that hasn't interfered with
"The West Wing."

Sorkin spent time in drug rehab six years ago, but he says his drug
problems are in the past.

Though famed for his liberal politics, Sheen has publicly backed tough
punishment for drug offenders. His son Charlie - who stars in the ABC
sitcom "Spin City" - is a recovering drug addict.