FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I heard about a sponsor on the podcast, but now I can’t remember the link or the promo code. Where can I find a list of sponsors and their offers for West Wing Weekly listeners?
Here’s a list of our current sponsor offers. Not for nothing, but you’ll be supporting the podcast by giving them your business and using our links and codes. So, thanks for that.
Is there an easy-to-browse list of every episode you've released, in chronological order?
Why, yes, there is.
Do you recommend watching the episode first or listening to the podcast first?
We think you should watch the West Wing episode first, then listen to the corresponding episode of the podcast.
Are there going to be spoilers for first-time viewers?
We're focusing just on the episode in front of us, and will try to make sure no spoilers come out in the discussion. Nota bene: That means if there is a scene or moment that will be referenced or expanded upon or contradicted in a future episode, we will wait for the later episode to comment on it.
Why? Are you really worried about spoilers at this point, all these years after the show aired? I've seen every episode ten times!
Well, our hope is to appeal to both new viewers and old fans. Also, if we tried to connect every cross-reference throughout the series, mentioning things from episodes we haven't yet discussed, each podcast episode would be a mess and would probably take too long to make.
What’s the best way to share my thoughts about episodes with you two?
You can leave a comment on the episode page, or on our Facebook page. You can also leave a review on iTunes, or tweet at us (@WestWingWeekly, @JoshMalina, @HrishiHirway).
Can I download the intro beat as a ringtone?
Yes, you can download it in iPhone ringtone format or as an MP3. You can also download The West Wing Weekly art as wallpaper for your phone.
I love the podcast. How can I support the show?
You can get all kinds of merch – pins, t-shirts, hats, posters, and more – from our merch store. And if you see someone else wearing something from The West Wing Weekly, give them the signal (as demonstrated below by Sam Seaborn.) If you don’t want merch, but still want to support our efforts, you can simply donate to the podcast here.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
dweomer noun. In Dungeons & Dragons, the aura given off by a magical object. (See Episode 1.06.)
flentl noun. Any non-musical sound heard when the audio from the final scene of an episode continues past the fade-to-black and the Executive Producer credits. (See Episode 1.11, and this poster.)
frontl noun. The inverse of a flentl. Any non-musical sound that begins an episode, under the episode title card, before the scene appears on screen.
hrynopsis noun. Hrishi's synopsis of the episode. The H is silent. (See Episode 1.21)
lymanspreading noun. The act of doing this terrible manuever. Please don't do this. (See Episode 1.15.)
octopuses plural noun. The plural of octopus is not octopi; it's octopuses. They are frighteningly smart and would be our overlords if we lived underwater. (See Episode 1.07.)
poo-poo interjection. In Jewish tradition, a superstitious saying in order to ward off the evil eye after mentioning an auspicious thing or a wish for an auspicious thing. (See Episode 1.18.) Example: "When your plane lands safely – poo-poo – give me a call."
telladonna noun. The often-used device when a character explains a policy or procedural issue in the episode to another character. Most frequently – but not exclusively – employed with Josh Lyman explaining (or mansplaining, or Lymansplaining) an issue to Donnatella Moss.
ABOUT THE SHOW
THE WEST WING WEEKLY is an episode-by-episode discussion of one of television’s most beloved shows, co-hosted by one of its stars, Joshua Malina, along with Hrishikesh Hirway of Song Exploder. We're a proud member of the Radiotopia podcast network, from PRX.
JOSHUA MALINA: Upon graduation from Yale University with a B.A. degree in Theatre, Josh made his professional acting debut in the Broadway production of A Few Good Men, written by West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin. Josh went on to star as Jeremy Goodwin in Sorkin’s critically-acclaimed television series Sports Night. He worked with Sorkin once again on The West Wing, joining the cast in the fourth season. On the big screen, he has appeared in Bulworth, In the Line of Fire, and A View from the Top, among others. Most recently, Josh starred as U.S. Attorney General David Rosen in ABC’s hit show Scandal. (@JoshMalina)
HRISHIKESH HIRWAY: Hrishi is a musician and composer. Most recently, he wrote the original music for the Netflix series Everything Sucks. His credits also include the films Our Nixon and Save the Date. Hrishi makes records under the name The One AM Radio, and is one half of the band Moors along with Lakeith Stanfield. Hrishi is also the creator and host of the award-winning podcast Song Exploder, where musicians take apart their songs and tell the story of how they were made. He studied art and design at Yale University, and lives in Los Angeles. (@HrishiHirway)