3.05: War Crimes (with Fmr. UN Ambassador David Pressman)

David Pressman is the former US Ambassador to the United Nations and was the first-ever Director for War Crimes and Atrocities on the National Security Council at the White House, and we're thrilled to have him on the podcast to discuss the "War Crimes" episode with us. Plus, Josh and Hrishi get into it over Toby's "we're a team" speech. 

footnotes —
Josh and hugging at the workplace—specifically, at Scandal (Thursdays on ABC!)
The fountain at the end of this episode, aka the Friends fountain, on Google Maps
"Volare" by Dean Martin
Hrishi in the White House Press Briefing Room (doing his CJ Impression)

[ download ] [ transcript ]

3.04: On the Day Before (with Janel Moloney)

For this episode, we're joined once again by Janel Moloney (@NellyMoloney), who was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Emmy in part for her performance in this episode. Alas, she did not help us learn to tie a proper bow tie. (At the end of the podcast episode, you want to be able to pull it open, like Tony Bennett.)

And: new t-shirts

[ download ] [ transcript ]

Well, that was strange. But pretty fun.

A post shared by Hrishikesh Hirway (@hrishihirway) on

3.03: Ways and Means (with Eli Attie)

We’re joined again by our friend Eli Attie, the former speechwriter to Al Gore who went on to join The West Wing in Season 3. Eli has a ‘story by’ credit on “Ways and Means,” and we dig into what that really means. Plus, we talk about the importance and danger that stage directions can provide actors and politicians. Take a listen, you won’t be…DISAPPOINTED!!!!

footnotes —
George H.W. Bush – "Message: I Care."
Hercules - Disappointed!!!

Here are the actual memos that Eli wrote, from his episode binder:

3.02: Manchester, Part II (with Connie Britton)

Josh and Hrishi are joined by Connie Britton (@conniebritton) to discuss the second half of the Season 3 premiere and the role of Connie Tate. In an attempt to reference Josh Lyman's RU-486 and Tobacco mix-ups, I made a joke last week about Freudian slips in the show notes for Part I(“Josh and Hrishi try to sort their way through it all without making any Freudian slips while talking to each mother”), but it really should have gone here, in Part II. Sorry about that. My dad. I mean, my bad.

footnotes —
Octopus RNA Tinkering (our underwater overlords, more powerful than ever)
Davey & Goliath 

[ download ] [ transcript ]