Podcasts · TV & Film

The West Wing Weekly

Joshua Malina & Hrishikesh Hirway

206 episodes · Explicit

From The West Wing to The Diplomat to All the President's Men, we discuss works of political television and film. Co-hosted by Joshua Malina (The West Wing, Scandal) and Hrishikesh Hirway (Song Exploder).

Episodes page 1 of 5

  1. The Diplomat 1.04: He Bought a Hat

    · 47 min · Explicit

    You’ve said you’d listen to us talk about anything, and today we test this thesis. We touch on pigs, contractions, James Bond, and offscreen butts. And we still find time to discuss Russian mercenaries, a sudden death,…

  2. The Diplomat 1.03: Lambs in the Dark (with Andrew Bernstein)

    · 53 min · Explicit

    We’re joined by director Andrew Bernstein to discuss his work on this episode (as well as his work on The West Wing)—and that fight scene between Kate and Hal! For more info and to discuss the episode, visit…

  3. The Diplomat 1.02: Don't Call It a Kidnapping

    · 46 min

    We’re digging into the dynamics of Kate & Hal, Eidra & Stuart, the breathless pace of the show, and its “no good guys” worldview. Josh has an important PSA about drugs. For more info and to discuss the episode, visit…

  4. The Diplomat 1.01: The Cinderella Thing (with Debora Cahn)

    · 1 h 02 min · Explicit

    Our discussion of The Diplomat begins at the beginning with the creator of the series, Debora Cahn, who tells us about the show's origin story. For more info and to discuss the episode, visit…

  5. Introducing: The Diplomat

    · 4:12 · Trailer

    We’re very excited to announce a new series here on The West Wing Weekly, discussing the Netflix hit political thriller The Diplomat, episode by episode. Coming soon! Join us LIVE in London for the season 1 finale, on…

  6. All The President's Men

    · 56 min

    We're discussing the 1976 Oscar-winning classic directed by Alan Pakula and written by William Goldman (one of Aaron Sorkin's screenwriting heroes). WOODSTEIN! If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode,…

  7. A Few Good Men

    · 1 h 09 min

    Did you order the Code Red? You're goddamn right I did!—if by "Code Red" you mean an hour of Josh & Hrishi discussing this Aaron Sorkin / Rob Reiner classic. (We're not in the Marines, but we still like giving things…

  8. Bob Roberts (with Adam Scott)

    · 57 min

    We've got a bonus installment of the Film Fest—with special guest Adam Scott! In addition to his work on Severance, Parks & Recreation, Party Down, and so much more, he's just a genuinely thoughtful and kind person, so…

  9. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

    · 51 min

    We're trying to savor the Capra-esque quality of this experience by wrapping up with Mr. Smith. Supplemental materials: • James Taylor - You've Got a Friend • Mr Deeds Goes to Town trailer • Sokovia Accords debate…

  10. Dave

    · 50 min

    Starring Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, and Kevin Kline. This one was a Patreon subscriber pick! Additional materials: • an article about the making of Dave • Kevin Kline plays Mr. Fischoeder in Bob's Burgers •…

  11. The Candidate

    · 53 min

    Is The Candidate, in fact, the anti-West Wing? A political story that ends not with a bang, but with a question of existential dread. • Interview with screenwriter Jeremy Larner in Brooklyn Magazine • The trailer for…

  12. A Face In The Crowd

    · 52 min

    Did this movie predict Trump back in 1957? We discuss the film debut of Andy Griffith in a role so dark, anyone who knows the Andy Griffith show might experience some uncomfortable dissonance. Some goodies that came…

  13. Network

    · 1 h 00 min

    This week, we dive deeper into the role of the fourth estate, as we discuss Network, the Oscar-winning film that was meant to be a wild satire at the time it was released, but ended up uncannily predicting the future.…

  14. Bulworth

    · 1 h 01 min

    This week, we're discussing the 1998 film Bulworth, which features a rapping Warren Beatty, a young Josh Malina, a few problematic moments, and some wonderful and strange ones, too. For a real treat, watch the music…

  15. Judas and the Black Messiah

    · 51 min

    What's more terrifying in Martin Sheen's depiction of J. Edgar Hoover—the racism, or the makeup?! We discuss ALL the important aspects of this cat-and-mouse thriller, which was nominated for six Oscars, including Best…

  16. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

    · 49 min

    This week, we're discussing the hilarious — and terrifying—Dr Strangelove. A few goodies: • An interview with title designer Pablo Ferro • "Are We the Baddies?" from That Mitchell and Webb Look George C Scott…

  17. In the Loop

    · 47 min · Explicit

    This week, we're discussing the razor-sharp dialogue and side-splitting comedy of In the Loop (2009), one the greatest political satires. Here are footnotes for some of the stuff outside of the film that came up in the…

  18. The American President

    · 1 h 03 min

    It's the first installment of the Political Film Fest, and we've got: Martin Sheen in the oval office! "What is the virtue of a proportional response?" The GDC! There are so many familiar elements in The American…

  19. Introducing: The West Wing Weekly Political Film Fest!

    · 4:25

    After four years away, we're bringing back The West Wing Weekly in a new form. As this election season heats up, we're taking a weekly respite from the stress of reality, and turning towards political cinema instead.…

  20. 0.21: Celebrating the new West Wing book "What's Next?" (live with Mary McCormack, Melissa Fitzgerald, Aaron Sorkin, and

    · 1 h 07 min

    On Saturday, August 10, we celebrated the publication of the new book "What's Next: A Backstage Pass to the West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy of Service" by Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack.…

  21. 0.20: A West Wing Weekly Special to Discuss A West Wing Special To Benefit When We All Vote (with Aaron Sorkin)

    · 1 h 16 min

    We’re back! The West Wing cast reunited for this special episode, so we got back together to discuss it. And Aaron Sorkin joins us to talk about his experiences adapting "Hartsfield’s Landing" for this voter turnout…

  22. Introducing: Home Cooking

    · 18 min · Bonus

    We want to introduce you to a brand new emergency quarantine podcast mini-series called Home Cooking. It’s from Hrishi and chef Samin Nosrat, author of the award-winning cookbook Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, and host of the…

  23. 7.22: Tomorrow (Live with cast and crew of The West Wing)

    · 2 h 12 min

    As the Bartlet administration ends, so does our podcast. We recorded our finale live in Los Angeles, at the Theatre at the Ace Hotel. This episode has two parts: first, we discuss "Tomorrow," with several guests…

  24. 7.21: Institutional Memory (with Janet Ashikaga)

    · 1 h 13 min

    CJ & Danny and Will & Kate all ponder what's next, and Josh & Hrishi do, too, as we discuss "Institutional Memory." We're joined by someone who also posseses institutional memory: the fantastic Janet Ashikaga, editor…

  25. 7.20: The Last Hurrah (with Mary-Louise Parker and Teri Polo)

    · 1 h 19 min

    We discuss "The Last Hurrah" in this, our antepenultimate hurrah. And what a hurrah it is, with not one, but two great guests: Mary-Louise Parker and Teri Polo. Hurrah! For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/720 Learn…

  26. 7.19: Transition (Live with Bradley Whitford)

    · 1 h 17 min

    We traveled all the way to London to make a lot of references to "Fiddler on the Roof." Bradley Whitford joined us to record this episode in front of a sold-out crowd at the Hammersmith Apollo. For more, visit…

  27. 0.19: John Wells

    · 1 h 01 min

    For our last episode of the year, we've got a special one with television legend John Wells. We've been talking about him for seven seasons, and now we finally got him to talk to us directly. Our conversation spans the…

  28. 7.18: Requiem (with memories of John Spencer from the cast and crew)

    · 1 h 13 min

    In this episode, some thoughts on John Spencer, shared by Richard Schiff, Bradley Whitford, Janel Moloney, Rob Lowe, Jimmy Smits, Kristin Chenoweth, Matthew Del Negro, Emily Procter, Eli Attie, Michael Hissrich, and…

  29. 0.18: Small Block of Cheese Day (The West Wing Weekly Forever)

    · 15 min

    In the main foyer of our podcast, we have this small block of cheese, there for any and all who might want a snack. We want this block of cheese to stick around forever, and never get moldy, or get thrown out! To do…

  30. 7.17: Election Day, Part 2 (with Jimmy Smits)

    · 1 h 18 min

    As we finish the long arc of the Presidential campaign with this momentous West Wing episode, Jimmy Smits joins us to tell us about his experience playing Matt Santos. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/717. Right…

  31. 7.16: Election Day, Part 1 (with Lauren Schmidt Hissrich and Michael Hissrich)

    · 1 h 14 min

    This week’s episode is one of love and loss, but with our guests this week, we’re celebrating the joyful side. Lauren Schmidt Hissrich wrote this episode, and she and her husband, West Wing line producer Michael…

  32. 0.17: Casting the Pilot (with John Levey)

    · 41 min

    Before we get to the end, we're going back to the beginning. For this bonus episode, we talk to John Levey, Emmy-winning casting director for the first two seasons of The West Wing, about putting together our renowned…

  33. 7.15: Welcome to Wherever You Are

    · 51 min

    In this week's episode, Toby says, "You should do the crossword," so Hrishi made a mini puzzle to go along with our discussion. Get a PDF of the puzzle at thewestwingweekly.com/715. ACROSS 1. Grammy-winning singer and…

  34. 7.14: Two Weeks Out

    · 45 min

    We take this episode in our bone-crushing grip and shake it with everything we've got. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/714 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

  35. 7.13: The Cold (with Janel Moloney and Bradley Whitford)

    · 1 h 09 min

    Josh and Donna There on my TV K-I-S-S-I-N-G Let's discuss. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/713 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

  36. 7.12: Duck and Cover (with Eli Attie)

    · 56 min

    Eli Attie joins us to discuss this tension-filled episode about a potential nuclear disaster. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/712 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

  37. 7.11: Internal Displacement (with Bradley Whitford and Annabeth Gish)

    · 58 min

    Bradley Whitford returns to gleefully tell us about writing this episode and giving Josh the lines, "I can't act. I'm a terrible actor." And Annabeth Gish joins us, too! (How lucky are we?) We talk to her about the…

  38. 0.16: Annabeth Schott (with Kristin Chenoweth)

    · 41 min

    This week, the great Kristin Chenoweth joins us to discuss her role as Annabeth. She's an Emmy and Tony Award winning actress and singer, and we’re so glad she’s finally joining us! For more, visit…

  39. 7.10: Running Mates (with Matthew Del Negro)

    · 1 h 09 min

    This week, we discuss the beautiful performance by John Spencer in "Running Mates," the first episode of his to air posthumously. We’re also joined by Matthew Del Negro to discuss Bram, telebrams, and more. For more,…

  40. 7.09: The Wedding (with Nina Siemaszko)

    · 58 min

    Today, we’re talking about "The Wedding" (or The Marriage, or The Espousal, or The Nuptials, or The Union). We’re joined by Nina Siemaszko, who tells us about the twist in this subplot that she didn’t see coming. For…

  41. 7.08: Undecideds

    · 44 min

    In "Undecideds," Santos gives a speech meant to uplift and inspire, but Josh and Hrishi are "Unconvinceds." Plus, we look at Toby’s apartment, Godwin’s Law, and Will’s butt. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/708…

  42. 7.07: The Debate (Part II, with Ronald Klain and Beth Myers)

    · 58 min

    How did Santos and Vinick do in the debate? To help us judge the candidates on both substance and style, we’ve enlisted the people in charge of debate prep on either side of the 2012 Presidential election. Ronald Klain…

  43. 7.07: The Debate (Part I, with Lawrence O'Donnell)

    · 1 h 01 min

    In our first of two episodes on "The Debate," we talk to Lawrence O’Donnell, who took on the challenge of writing a live episode — one that takes place entirely in the context of a Presidential debate. For more, visit…

  44. 7.06: The Al Smith Dinner

    · 51 min

    At long last, everyone is ready to unleash their negative ad campaigns. Here's one Hrishi came up with. JOSH MALINA—he's not nearly as mean as he makes himself out to be! He says he "ruined The West Wing," but even…

  45. 7.05: Here Today (with Richard Schiff)

    · 1 h 14 min

    Richard Schiff joins us to discuss this gorgeous, eerie, heartbreaking episode and to tell us his true feelings about Toby’s storyline. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/705 Learn about your ad choices:…

  46. 7.04: Mr. Frost

    · 54 min

    Joshua Malina and Hrishikesh Hirway (collectively, “The Hosts”) have been served a subpoena to appear on this episode of the podcast, to testify in regards to the above television episode. Pursuant to this agreement,…

  47. 0.15: Alex Graves

    · 52 min

    At long last, West Wing director and executive producer Alex Graves joins us to talk about his time on the show. From "In Excelsis Deo" to "17 People" to our current episodes in Season 7, we discuss some of the big…

  48. 7.03: Message of the Week

    · 39 min

    This week, the message is The Message of The Week. Just to brief you: we're keeping it brief. As they say in athletics. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/703 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

  49. 7.02: The Mommy Problem

    · 54 min

    In this mother of an episode, Alex Graves cranks the style up to 11. We’re introduced to the character of Louise Thornton (played by Janeane Garofalo). We get real-time text answers to our quests from the unstoppable…

  50. 7.01: The Ticket

    · 56 min

    It’s the Season 7 premiere! Which begins, naturally, with a scene from the Season 10 premiere! Suspense hovers over this episode, like a space station in need of maintenance—or a baker about to be sent home from the…

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