2.15: Ellie (with Nina Siemaszko)

In this episode, we look at the uncomfortable contiguity of Bartlet the President and Bartlet the Dad. Along the way, we discuss zeugma, gloriosky!, Smoot-Hawley, and other ridiculous sounding words. We also talk to Nina Siemaszko (@MsSiemaszko) about her role as Ellie Bartlet.

footnotes—
Michelle Bachmann on "Hoot-Smalley" [video]
School of Rock [the movie]
School of Rock [the Broadway musical]
"Gee Officer Krupke" from West Side Story [video]
Screen shot of Sam's monogrammed shirt

[ download ] [ transcript ]

2.14: The War at Home

Stockard Channing was nominated for an Emmy based on her performance in this episode. Though her performance in the first part of this two-part arc was also excellent, we discuss why this second episode may have had the edge. Plus, a discussion around the language used to identify different groups of Americans. 

footnotes —
Ed Begley Jr. in "Son of the Invisible Man" [video]
"Will you go to lunch?" Kevin Spacey in "Glengarry Glen Ross" [video]

Donate to Mazon in honor of Josh's birthday today.

[ download ] [ transcript ]

What's Next? featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda

The West Wing Weekly presents an ode to The West Wing. Hrishi made a beat, an extended remix of our podcast’s intro theme, for the biggest West Wing fan we know— Lin-Manuel Miranda — who wrote lyrics and recorded vocals for the track! What's next?

download the song:
[ Explicit version ]
[ Clean version ]

Special thanks to engineer Nicholas Cavalieri, mixer Zach McNees, and video editor Michael Raines.

2.13: Bartlet's Third State of the Union (with Don Baer, Fmr. White House Communications Director)

In this episode, we're joined by Don Baer, who was the chief speechwriter for President Bill Clinton, to tell us what it's really like to write a State of the Union Address. And when you're done listening and you're ready to go home, we only have one question for you: How's Grampy?

footnotes —
President Clinton's speech at Normandy [video]
Jon Hershfield (Pollster #2)'s impressive scalp control [gif]

Sweatshirts and t-shirts are available to order again.

Send us questions about "The Stackhouse Filibuster" for our live taping with Bradley Whitford in San Francisco this weekend.

[ download ] [ transcript ]
 

0.03: Big Block of Cheese II

For the last episode of the year, we answer listener questions in our 2nd edition of The West Wing Weekly Big Block of Cheese Day. Thanks so much for listening to the show this year and giving us a great 2016 — apart from, well, everything else that happened.

If you are looking for good causes to support this holiday season, we suggest:
Mazon
The Pablove Foundation
Southern Poverty Law Center
Bet Tzedek 
Justice for Vets

[ download ] [ transcript ]

footnotes —
Hrishi's West Wing cast: full cast list
Our West Wing prequel: starring roles with photos