VIDEO: Aaron Sorkin Talks 'West Wing,' 'The Newsroom on THE BIG INTERVIEW

As Aaron Sorkin will remind viewers in Monday's premiere of "The Big Interview" on AXS TV, Sidney Poitier was approached to play the president on NBC's hit drama "The West Wing." Sorkin explains to Dan Rather, who will conduct all the interviews for the limited entertainment-industry interview program, debuting Monday, "I don't think I've said this to anyone before, because I have not wanted Martin Sheen to think he was anything but our first choice at the beginning." Check out the clip below!

Although Entertainment Weekly broke the casting story a long while ago, Sorkin says it is irrelevant. "And here's the point that I'm trying to make. I never say, 'We have too much of this and we need a little less of that and we've got to get the color mixture right.' I absolutely, when it comes to casting, want to put the best athletes on the field."

After discussing his politically correct casting for "The West Wing," Sorkin changed the subject to his HBO series "The Newsroom," which is about to conclude its second season. Though it is not entirely clear as to why, "The Newsroom" is at the top of many television viewers' "hate-watching" lists, including those of countless television reporters. Rather, however, watches the show without disdain and does not conceal his adoration for the series.

Along with Sorkin, Rather will be conducting interviews with Roger Daltrey, Cody Simpson, Merle Haggard, Daryl Hannah and others on AXS TV, the entertainment channel, formerly known as HDNet, owned by a consortium of Mark Cuban, Ryan Seacrest Media, Anschutz Entertainment Group, and Creative Artists Agency.

The entire schedule of episodes follows (all shows air 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET | 5-6 p.m. PT):

Monday, September 16 AARON SORKIN: THE BIG INTERVIEW Aaron Sorkin talks with the venerable journalist about the fictional news channel he created for his latest show THE NEWSROOM and his successful, and controversial, career as a screenwriter, for both memorable television series and movies. The two tackle criticisms about several of Sorkin's projects from accusations of left wing propaganda to sexism. And Sorkin opens up about his inspirations and his writing process. He even reveals his first choice to play the President on THE WEST WING. Video clips representing this episode can be viewed at http://bit.ly/16n7Ibb and http://bit.ly/17Z11La .

Monday, September 23 ROGER DALTREY AND CODY SIMPSON: THE BIG INTERVIEW Shot in the Gibson Guitar Center in New York, Daltrey talks about his work with teens who have cancer. His organization has created youth oriented centers here and in the U.K. for young people receiving cancer treatment. Pop singer Cody Simpson joins Daltrey during the interview to talk about his role in Teen Cancer America. Daltrey offers insight into the rocky roads of rock 'n roll, speaking intimately about his sometimes tumultuous relationship with legendary The Who guitarist, Pete Townshend.

Monday, September 30 MERLE HAGGARD: THE BIG INTERVIEW There are few music artists who are genuinely considered legends. With 40 No.1 hits, Merle Haggard is certainly one of them. For more than 50 years Haggard has been singing a style of country western music that he helped pioneer. Haggard rarely grants interviews but before a performance at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in North Carolina, Haggard sat down for an extended conversation with Dan Rather, speaking candidly about everything form his time in prison to his politics, touring with Bob Dylan, and his biggest fear in life.

Monday, October 7 DARYL HANNAH: THE BIG INTERVIEW Produced in Santa Monica, Hannah talks about her relationships (she dated both JFK Jr. and RFK Jr.) and what it was like Being around the Kennedys. Hannah offers insight into the challenges faced by older women in Hollywood, and tells us why she's an environmental activist who has been arrested several times for protesting projects like the Keystone Pipeline. She also takes Dan Rather for a spin in her car that runs on bio-diesel.

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