 Despite mostly positive reviews, the show, which aired on NBC on Friday nights, was cancelled after 10 episodes after the show only ranked 58th in the yearly ratings (9.83 million viewers, 6.7/12 rating/share)

Although it had numerous similarities to "The West Wing" in style and tone (especially the show's idealistic attitude towards politics) and the unnamed president in the series is stated to be a Democrat, it was not set in the same universe as O'Donnell's other political show.It is unknown if a cross-over would have ever occurred had "Mister Sterling" not been cancelled; however Steven Culp played presidential aspirant Sen. Ron Garland on "Mister Sterling" and House Speaker Jeff Haffley on "The West Wing", and Democrats appeared to be in the majority in the US Senate on "Mr Sterling", while in "The West Wing" consistent Republican control of both Houses of Congress was a key plot point.James Whitmore was nominated for a 2003 Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for playing former Governor Bill Sterling, the senator's father.