The West Wing Weekly

We’re joined by three guests for our discussion of "No Exit." Former Senator Tom Daschle tells us about what it was like getting sent anthrax in the mail; Wilson Cruz tells us about playing Jack Sosa for his two episodes on The West Wing; and Eli Attie tells us about the writing of the episode, specifically the Will and Toby scenes, which he co-wrote with Peter Noah. But first, a poem that this ep...

We're joined by Richard Schiff to discuss this episode, his television directing debut! Hear what it was like for him to step behind the camera for this story about power and labor and international trade. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/519 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

In "Access," we're given a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to work inside the West Wing. …wait a second, what have all these other episodes been about? Let's discuss. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/518 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We hereby appoint the Honorable Debora T. Cahn , West Wing writer, for the position of Chief Guestice of The Supremes episode. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/517 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

They tried to get us to renounce The West Wing, but Eppur Si Puodcaste! Josh and Hrishi investigate some of the real world mechanics behind NIH grants and the federal judiciary with help from cancer researcher Dr Muller Fabbri and political journalist Jason Zengerle . For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/516 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Full disclosure: you’re going to hear the words 'full disclosure' a lot in this episode, as we discuss "Full Disclosure." Lawrence O’Donnell joins us to discuss how he wrote this episode, how Richard Schiff changed its meaning without changing a word, and how Josh Lyman’s plot line landed him in Hillary Clinton’s crosshairs. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/515 Learn about your ad choices: do...

In this episode, the past is laid bare like a nude portrait, or at the very least, like a photo of your ex in a bikini. Grab your copy of Latin Phrases for Awkward Situations, and parachute in with us. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/514 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

A potential nuclear threat looms on the horizon, so let’s head down to the Situation Room to discuss The Warfare of Genghis Khan. We’re joined by former congressman and nonproliferation advocate John Tierney , who catches us up on nuclear politics then and now. And Josh and Hrishi manage to listen to the arguments of NASA analyst Jacob Keaton without him even having to take them stargazing or anyt...

Sleep in! We'll wake up the President for you to tell him about our great idea to record a podcast about the Slow News Day episode of the West Wing. Joining us in this historic endeavor is returning guest Eli Attie , who shares his memories about real and fictional West Wing attempts to build a legacy. Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works , also drops by to tell us just how Toby's effo...

This week, we discuss "The Benign Prerogative," and the not so benign aspects of Presidential pardons. We're joined once again by Janel Moloney to talk about Donna's moving storyline in this episode. Plus, Lin-Manuel Miranda makes a little cameo (#Hameo) to help us with the original text by Alexander Hamilton from which this episode takes its name. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/511 Learn a...

It's the 100th episode of The West Wing! Our guest this week is Bellamy Young , who made her first appearance in a TV White House here, some years before joining Josh on Scandal as PRESIDENT Mellie Grant. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/510 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

"Cauliflower." For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/509 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Shut! It! Down! Josh and Hrishi are walking right up to the hallway outside your office to talk about “Shutdown.” Gene Sperling , former White House Director of the National Economic Council, joins them to compare Bill Clinton's shutdown game plan to Jed Bartlet's apparent lack of one. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/508 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The Supreme Court is looking at a case that relates to Korematsu v. United States, while the White House starts to make their moves towards appointing a new justice. But ai yai yai, we aren’t talking about last month’s headlines—we’re talking about “Separation of Powers,” from November 2003. And this week, we’re joined by special guest Michael Hyatt who plays Angela Blake. She gave us a wonderfull...

We're joined this week by Alexa Junge and returning guest Lauren Schmidt Hissrich . They co-wrote "Disaster Relief," and together, we try to propulgate the backstory of this episode onto the frontstory. Like President Bartlet in Oklahoma, you'll never want to go back to work! For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/506 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

What is a “Constituency of One”? You know, it’s all about that boss, ‘bout that boss, those troubles. It’s all about that boss, ‘bout that boss, those troubles. Toby and POTUS. Will and Bob Russell. Amy and the First Lady. Plus, we speak with Communications Director Jennifer Palmieri , whose list of bosses includes Secretary Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama. For more, visit thewestwingwe...

Listener beware - like the episode we're discussing, Han, this installment of The West Wing Weekly has more sad piano music than all previous episodes combined. When they're not lost in a sadness so deep no tears will come, Josh and Hrishi interview Paula Yoo , the writer who came up with the story of a would-be North Korean defector who visits the White House. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.co...

Jefferson lives, but the President's dreams for a strong VP die—killed by committee. But Josh and Hrishi, pilgrim detectives, are on the scene to investigate. PS: Jefferson is also dead. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/503 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Friends, Romans, people in other places, lend us your ears. We come to dissect this episode, and to praise it, or at least the parts we liked. So cry "havoc!" and let slip this podcast into your downloads. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/502 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Josh and Hrishi take a deep breath and dive headfirst into the post-Sorkin years. They're joined by guests Bradley Whitford and Ronald Klain to discuss the suspense of the Season 5 premiere — a fateful moment for the characters, and the show itself. Recorded live at Georgetown University. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/501 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We’ve reached the end of the fourth season, and the end of Aaron Sorkin’s tenure on The West Wing. For this special farewell, Aaron himself joined us on stage at the historic Town Hall in New York to teach us how to say goodbye. He surprised us with his candor, and we surprised Aaron and the audience with special guest Emily Procter, as well as heartfelt messages sent in by the cast and crew. For...

Recorded live in Boston, Tommy Schlamme joins Josh and Hrishi to talk about the last days of the Sorkin-Schlamme era as they recap the episode Twenty Five. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/423 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Live from the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC, Josh and Hrishi discuss the penultimate episode of Season 4—and all its trip-hop-laced anomalies—with special guests Bradley Whitford , Ronald Klain , and Melissa Fitzgerald . Plus: a surprise guest who’s surprised to be part of the podcast. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/422 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We’re live in London! Josh and Hrishi discuss Life on Mars with guests Richard Schiff ( @Richard_Schiff ) and Eli Attie ( @EliAttie ). Plus some special West Wing-themed musical performances from Debbie Fiderer’s favorite a capella group, The Swingles ( @swinglesingers ). For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/421 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

We’re live in Dublin to discuss Evidence of Things Not Seen with special guests Richard Schiff, Marlee Matlin, her interpreter Jack Jason, and a pint of Guinness that is like an angel crying on Richard’s tongue. Cilantro! For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/420 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices