The West Wing Weekly

Kathleen "Bird" York ( @birdyork ) talks to us about playing Congresswoman Andrea Wyatt, and Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson ( @karenaboutgary ), former CEO of The National Association of Drug Court Professionals and current mayor of Gary, Indiana, talks to us about mandatory minimums. More at: thewestwingweekly.com/episodes/120 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This episode of the West Wing represents the lowest point so far for the Bartlet team, but perhaps the highest point so far for the series. Josh and Hrishi are joined by The Honorable Patrick Murphy (@USAMurphy), Under Secretary of the Army. While he was a Congressman from Pennsylvania, Secretary Murphy helped overturn Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The Good: a conversation about reparations; the Bad: Mandy and pandas; and the Ugly: Josh and Sam dancing (?) to “The Jackal.” Plus, a few words from West Wing music supervisor Anne Kline (@theannkline).  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

If you don't like this episode, just be wrong. Just stand there in your wrongness and be wrong and get used to it. Plus, Hrishi brings back a field report from the Democratic National Convention, with thoughts on The West Wing from former DNC CEO Amy Dacey (@AmyKDacey), Senator Chris Coons of Delaware (@ChrisCoons), and Zeke Miller of TIME (@ZekeJMiller). Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx....

We live in Los Angeles, but no one has offered *us* a development deal. We're going to the wrong parties. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Former White House Press Secretary Jay Carney ( @JayCarney ) joins Josh and Hrishi to discuss Josh Lyman's secret plan to fight inflation, and other ways press briefings can go horribly, horribly wrong. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Josh and Hrishi team up with the FiveThirtyEight Elections Podcast to discuss how polling is used in The West Wing, by looking at a few scenes from the show. This episode was recorded live at the Crest Theatre in Los Angeles. We talk about scenes from seasons 1–4, so there are spoilers throughout. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Like Toby in this episode, Josh and Hrishi go to shul to try and learn more about the death penalty and faith. They have a conversation with Rabbi Jonathan Spira-Savett. Plus, we email Aaron Sorkin to ask how Marlee Matlin came to be cast as Joey Lucas. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This episode of the West Wing deals with hate crimes, and our discussion comes close on the heels of the massacre in Orlando. So, we asked Senator Bob Casey ( @SenBobCasey ) about the current state of hate crime legislation. We also talk to Liza Weil ( @liza_weil ) about her role as Karen Larson, as well as the Executive Director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation ( matthewshepard.org ). Learn abou...

Is it right to defend someone, even when they've asked you not to? Josh and Hrishi debate. Plus, a supercut of The West Wing opening theme music with accompanying lyrics, from submissions sent to us by West Wing Weekly listeners. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Live from the ATX Television Festival, a panel discussion looking back at the West Wing. With Aaron Sorkin, Thomas Schlamme, Janel Moloney, Richard Schiff, Bradley Whitford, Dulé Hill, Melissa Fitzgerald, and Joshua Malina, moderated by Lawrence O'Donnell. (For any of listeners watching the series for the first time, there are spoilers throughout the discussion.) Learn about your ad choices: dovet...

According to Encyclopedia Brittanica, Josh and Hrishi are joined by William Duffy ( @WilliamDuffy_ ) and Peter James Smith ( @PJSActor ), who played Ed and Larry. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

On this Memorial Day, we bring you a special episode with Melissa Fitzgerald ( @maffyfitz ) talking about her work with Justice for Vets . Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Richard Schiff ( @Richard_Schiff ) joins Josh and Hrishi to talk about "In Excelsis Deo." His performance as Toby in this episode earned him his first Emmy win. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The path to a Supreme Court nomination takes us through a discussion of the right to privacy. Plus, Ronald Klain ( @RonaldKlain ) tells us about the real-life short list that he put together for President Clinton that led to the appointment of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Retribution, romance, and The Antiquities Act. Plus, Josh and Hrishi attempt their own Big Block of Cheese Day. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Josh and Hrishi largely disagree with each other about this episode. Plus, award-winning costume designer Lyn Paolo (@lynpaolo) discusses her work on the series and on this episode in particular, which earned her an Emmy nomination. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Janel Moloney (@nellymoloney) joins Josh and Hrishi to talk about playing Donna, and Ben Casselman (@bencasselman) gives an update on the state of the census. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

For Big Block of Cheese Day, Josh and Hrishi are joined by Eli Attie, who was Vice President Al Gore's chief speechwriter before leaving politics and joining The West Wing as a writer and producer. Plus, the truth about David Rosen. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The limits of practical idealism. Plus, Hrishi sets Leo's dialogue to music, and Josh unwittingly reveals a secret. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Dulé Hill joins Josh and Hrishi to talk about shooting his first episode of The West Wing, visiting the real White House, and losing to Martin Sheen in 1-on-1. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Latin, the Vice President, Morris Tolliver, and more. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Josh and Hrishi discuss the West Wing’s pilot episode, in the pilot episode of this podcast. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Introducing The West Wing Weekly. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices