The West Wing Weekly

Richard Schiff returns as our guest this week to tell us about his experience directing "A Good Day." For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/617 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This week, we’re joined by Debora Cahn, to talk about her script for "Drought Conditions," and by Richard Schiff , to talk about his heartbreaking performance in it. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/616 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

"Tell me about Barack Obama." That's what Eli Attie said to David Axelrod in 2004, while searching for inspiration to help flesh out the character of Congressman Matthew Santos. In this episode, we talk to both of them to find out what Eli learned and how it shaped the sixth season. And David Axelrod tells us about his own experiences as the guy behind the guy, and what The West Wing means to him....

Eli Attie joins us to discuss the Santos campaign, the return of Amy Gardner, and the Marx Brothers. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/615 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We’re joined by the real-life Professor Lawrence Lessig , who appears as a character in this episode, played by the real-life Christopher Lloyd. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/614 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We have so many great guests for our discussion of “King Corn” that you’re going to look at this podcast episode the way Will Bailey looks at an ice cream sandwich. We talk Ned & Ronna with Evan Arnold & Karis Campbell, we talk Turkey with West Wing writer Lauren Schmidt Hissrich , and Politico senior writer Michael Grunwald walks us through the political maize of supporting ethanol. For m...

You sent in your queries; you know we've got answers—it's a feta compli. In the queso one or two questions, we got a little help from Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford, who sent us some really gouda answers of their own. We're always fondue these episodes, and we hope you'll think this one's grate, too. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/011 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-ch...

There’s only a year left in the Bartlet Presidency—and only 9 months left in the TWWW Podcastency!—and it feels like the last chance to make history. We’re joined by Tony Blinken who once held the same NSA position as Kate Harper, to talk about how hard it is to make long-term plans while you’re putting out little fires everywhere. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/612 Learn about your ad choi...

We’re joined by Mayor Pete Buttigieg , 2020 Presidential hopeful, for our discussion of “Opposition Research,” in which Matt Santos travels to New Hampshire to introduce himself to the electorate. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/611 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Bradley Whitford joins us this week to discuss "Faith Based Initiative," which he wrote! Incredibly, his first time writing for television was this episode of The West Wing. He tells us how it all came together, as we pick it apart. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/610 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We’re joined by Paul Redford, who wrote for West Wing Seasons 1–5, as well as Sports Night and The Newsroom. He’s responsible for some classic West Wing storylines, and we’re long overdue for a chat with him, so we’re making up for lost time with this bonus episode. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/010 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We’re joined this week by Season 6 newcomer Ben Murray, who played Curtis Carruthers, the President’s new body man. He tells us the hilarious story of auditioning to be the guy who had to pick up and carry Martin Sheen. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/609 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Join us in the room to discuss "In the Room," in which the President’s need to be 'in the room' in China is the central topic of discussion in the room—President Room—the Oval Office. We’re joined by magicians Penn & Teller, who light a flag on fire in the (East) Room in this episode. Or did they? (They didn’t.) For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/608 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.pr...

Mary McCormack joins Josh and Hrishi to discuss "A Change Is Gonna Come," recorded live in San Francisco. Plus, Roman Mars , host of 99% Invisible and noted flag expert, drops some vexillological knowledge. Special thanks to Professor Rebecca Nedostup for shedding light on Taiwan and China. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/607 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this special bonus episode, we learn about what it’s like casting The West Wing. Our guest is Tony Sepulveda, who was the casting director for Seasons 3 and 4. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/009 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Wait a second: Is Annabeth Mandy 2.0? Plus Donna pushes Josh away, CJ pushes Toby away, and Santos pulls Josh in with his wily political moves. We need a bipartisan summit with Red Vines families and Twizzler families so we can discuss all of this and more. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/606 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In this episode, a little chess, to test cognitive ability. First move: SUV to Prius. What's the opposite of checkmate? For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/605 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Everything about “Liftoff" feels like a new era is beginning, so we’re welcoming the new year by welcoming Allison Janney ( @AllisonBJanney ) to talk about CJ’s new job as the new chief of staff. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/604 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Big changes are getting announced: CJ is the new Chief of Staff. More importantly, Josh and Hrishi announce "Melon Day" as an official West Wing holiday. Grab a muskmelon and a plate of brownies, and hit play! For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/603 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Hello Mother, I'm elated Here I am at old Camp David I'm respectful, all due deference But I don't really get the Macbeth reference Plus, former ambassador Jacob Walles tells us about the years he dedicated to brokering Mideast peace, including his time at 2000 Camp David Summit, and he tells us what this episode got right about those conversations. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/602 Learn...

It took a lot of diplomacy behind the scenes, but Josh and Hrishi have agreed to come together to negotiate our feelings on Season 6, Episode 1. Pull up a chair and join us for the discussion at Camp Josiah. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/601 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Introducing the folks behind the scenes of our podcast. You can help us make our show, too, by supporting Radiotopia's annual fundraiser, going on right now! radiotopia.fm For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/008 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We literally cannot wait for you to hear how much The West Wing influenced Parks and Recreation. We spoke to the co-creator of the show, Michael Schur , and two of the stars, Rob Lowe and Adam Scott , to learn about the parallels between the Bartlet White House and the Pawnee Parks Department. Stop pooping! Just listen. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/007 Learn about your ad choices: dovetai...

We're wrapping up Season 5 with screenwriter Josh Singer , whose first writing credit was "Memorial Day." We also look back at the past 22 episodes to ask: what kind of season has it been? For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/522 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We're joined by special guests Jason Isaacs and Janel Moloney to discuss the big, ambitious, penultimate episode of Season 5. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/521 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices