2.03: The Midterms

October 04, 2016 by The West Wing Weekly

While you may be mistaking this for your monthly meeting of the Ignorant Tight-Ass Club, it's in fact the weekly meeting of the West Wing TV Book Club. (The Ignorant Tight-Ass Club meets down the hall, on the right.)

footnotes —
Hrishi here: I now understand how the math at the end of the episode could make sense, if the Democrats had taken two seats from the Republicans outside of those last twelve races, so it balanced out in the end. Derp. #acalculia

Yankee Doodle Coffee Shop (RIP) in New Haven, CT, purveyor of vanilla egg creams.

As requested by Josh Malina, here's a GIF of Josh Lyman hitting his head against the headboard. [ GIF ]

Dr Jenna Jacobs and her crab brooch. [ photo ]

[ download ] [ transcript ]

2.01 – 2.02: In the Shadow of Two Gunmen (with Thomas Schlamme, Bradley Whitford, and Michael O'Neill)

September 28, 2016 by The West Wing Weekly

"In the Shadow of Two Gunmen" was the Season 2 premiere of the West Wing. The two-part episode aired as a special 2-hour broadcast. In honor of that, here's our own two-part episode.

In Part I, we're joined by director and executive producer Thomas Schlamme, who created the visual language of The West Wing around Aaron Sorkin's words. We ask him about his directorial decisions for the show, and for this cinematic premiere. And we ask: what happened with Mandy?

[ download - Part I ] [ transcript ]

In Part II of our double header, Bradley Whitford (@WhitfordBradley) makes his West Wing Weekly debut to talk about getting the role of Josh Lyman, and starting the season by getting shot. But first, we speak with Michael O'Neill, who played Special Agent Ron Butterfield. Plus, a few thoughts on Emily's List from its former executive director, Amy Dacey (@AmyKDacey).

[ download - Part II ] [ transcript ]

footnotes –
Josh, Hrishi, and Tommy Schlamme [ photo ]
Josh, Hrishi, and Bradley Whitford [ photo ]
Jerry Parr (Michael O'Neill's adviser) wrote a book: In the Secret Service.

2.00: Special Interim Session (with Aaron Sorkin)

September 20, 2016 by The West Wing Weekly

Josh and Hrishi are joined by West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin for a special episode. Aaron reflects on the experience of making the first season of the West Wing while making the second season of Sports Night at the same time. We look back on the previous season, and look ahead to the upcoming one.

footnotes —
Aaron Sorkin with Josh and Hrishi (photo)
The West Wing Weekly is now a part of the Radiotopia podcast network!

[ download ] [ transcript ]

1.22: What Kind of Day Has It Been (with Tim Matheson)

September 06, 2016 by The West Wing Weekly

For the finale of season one: you get Hoynes. Tim Matheson (@Tim_Matheson) joins us as we reflect on what kind of season it has been. Plus, a little preview of what's next.

footnotes —
The Newseum Archives on YouTube
Killing Reagan trailer
Lin-Manuel Miranda giving the signal at the Tonys (gif)

[ download ] [ transcript ]

1.21: Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics (with Bill O'Brien)

August 30, 2016 by The West Wing Weekly

Josh and Hrishi are joined by Bill O'Brien to talk about his role as Kenny Thurman. This West Wing episode focuses on polling, so here's a poll question: do you approve or disapprove of the lack of Oxford comma in the title?

footnotes —
The ending of Waiting for Godot
NEA Military Healing Arts Partnership

[ download ] [ transcript ]