The West Wing Weekly

Episodes page 3 of 5

1. 5.04: Han (with Paula Yoo)

   20 Jun 2018 · 1 h 06 min

   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…

2. 5.03: Jefferson Lives

   13 Jun 2018 · 48 min

   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…

3. 5.02: The Dogs of War

   6 Jun 2018 · 49 min

   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,…

4. 5.01: 7A WF 83429 (Live with Bradley Whitford and Ronald Klain)

   30 May 2018 · 1 h 08 min

   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…

5. 4.24: Season 4 Retrospective (Live with Aaron Sorkin and Emily Procter)

   16 May 2018 · 1 h 24 min

   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…

6. 4.23: Twenty Five (Live with Thomas Schlamme)

   9 May 2018 · 1 h 21 min

   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…

7. 4.22: Commencement (Live with Bradley Whitford, Ronald Klain, and Melissa Fitzgerald)

   3 May 2018 · 1 h 08 min

   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…

8. 4.21: Life on Mars (Live with Richard Schiff, Eli Attie, and The Swingles)

   25 Apr 2018 · 1 h 26 min

   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…

9. 4.20: Evidence of Things Not Seen (Live with Richard Schiff and Marlee Matlin)

   19 Apr 2018 · 1 h 11 min

   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.…

10. 0.06: Hamilton Special (with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Thomas Kail)

    4 Apr 2018 · 1 h 11 min

    AARON BURR: How does a podcast, web thing, Recap and chat on The West Wing, Dropped on the internet by nostalgic pals On a fake President—it makes no sense! How do Josh and Hrish, on balance, Manage to land two major…

11. 4.19: Angel Maintenance (with Fmr. Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning)

    28 Mar 2018 · 1 h 02 min

    Please set your cell phones to airplane mode, it’s Angel Maintenance time. In this episode we’re joined by former Acting Secretary of the Air Force (and former Secretary of the Army) Eric Fanning for lots of juicy…

12. 4.18: Privateers (with Allison Janney, Jeff Perry, Helen Slayton-Hughes, and the DAR)

    21 Mar 2018 · 1 h 21 min

    Privateers has a special place in our hearts because we love the scene where Allison Janney can’t stop laughing - and she’s here with us to talk about the fugue state necessary to create such memorable giggles. We’re…

13. 4.17: Red Haven’s on Fire (with Senator Tammy Duckworth and Lauren Schmidt Hissrich)

    7 Mar 2018 · 1 h 16 min

    The Laurens make good! West Wing writer Lauren Schmidt Hissrich joins us to recap Red Haven's on Fire and share stories of the real world Lauren confusion behind this episode. And Senator Tammy Duckworth tells us what…

14. 4.16: The California 47th

    28 Feb 2018 · 54 min

    Ah, Miss Hamantaschen! It's the California 47th. Josh and Hrishi discuss the linguistic nuance of Rice Krispies and what one calls the treats made from them. And, Mrs Hottentot, Hrishi introduces a handy online tool…

15. 0.05: Big Block of Cheese Live (with Dulé Hill, The Memory Palace, The Allusionist, and more)

    21 Feb 2018 · 1 h 10 min

    A live Big Block of Cheese Day from San Francisco Sketch Fest! Hrishi and Josh are joined by Dulé Hill to answer questions from fans - including a semi-surprise guest. Nate DiMeo of The Memory Palace (@thememorypalace)…

16. 4.15: Inauguration: Over There (with Gene Sperling)

    14 Feb 2018 · 1 h 04 min

    For our discussion of Inauguration: Over There, Josh regales Hrishi with tales of shooting in his underwear and throwing snowballs at Janel Moloney. Plus, we’re joined by West Wing writer and former Director of the…

17. 4.14: Inauguration: Part 1 (with Danica McKellar)

    7 Feb 2018 · 1 h 10 min

    Inauguration: Part I is the first part of our two-part series about a two-part series of West Wing episodes. Josh and Hrishi dig up fun facts about presidential bibles, and cast a critical eye on CJ's flirting and…

18. 4.13: The Long Goodbye (with Jon Robin Baitz and The Alzheimer’s Association)

    31 Jan 2018 · 48 min

    As the West Wing takes a trip to Dayton, OH, for The Long Goodbye, Josh and Hrishi talk to playwright Jon Robin Baitz, who playwrought the episode. He talks about how his own father's illness informed the script in…

19. 4.12: Guns Not Butter (with MAZON and The ONE Campaign)

    24 Jan 2018 · 1 h 09 min

    For our discussion of Guns Not Butter, Josh and Hrishi go on a hunt for Hrishi’s Hebrew name that is almost as intense as Donna’s quest to get Josh’s phone into the hands of Senator Hardin. Tom Hart of ONE…

20. 4.11: Holy Night (with The Whiffenpoofs and Robert Malina)

    17 Jan 2018 · 1 h 13 min

    On the West Wing, it’s Toby’s birthday (December 23), and his father visits. On the West Wing Weekly, it’s Josh’s birthday (January 17), and HIS father visits. We turn to Mr Robert Malina for some Yiddish info and some…

21. 4.10: Arctic Radar (with Richard Schiff, John David Coles, and Fmr. Cabinet Secretary Chris Lu)

    20 Dec 2017 · 1 h 31 min

    One of us! One of us! Will Bailey finally arrives in the West Wing and we've got a trio of guests to welcome him. Former Cabinet Secretary Chris Lu (@ChrisLu44) talks about the (nonexistent) precedent for cabinet…

22. 4.09: Swiss Diplomacy (with Kevin Falls and Eli Attie)

    13 Dec 2017 · 1 h 14 min

    Eli Attie (@EliAttie) and Kevin Falls (@KevinFalls) are our guests to talk about the “break glass in case of emergency” writing that went into “Swiss Diplomacy”, a rare episode without a Sorkin writing credit. These…

23. 4.08: Process Stories (with Joanna Gleason)

    5 Dec 2017 · 58 min

    Stock up on Cheetos, because Joanna Gleason (@TheRealJGleason) is our guest and she’s got a drinking game - sorry, an eating game - for anyone who loves to pick apart Bradley Whitford’s acting technique. Needless to…

24. 4.07: Election Night (with Clark Gregg)

    21 Nov 2017 · 1 h 07 min

    As the characters anxiously await election results and Donna tries to swap votes with Christian Slater, Josh and Hrishi interview Clark Gregg (@ClarkGregg) about how everybody wants to call him Agent Something. And,…

25. 4.06: Game On (with Rob Lowe, Bradley Whitford, and Joshua Malina)

    15 Nov 2017 · 1 h 26 min

    Hrishi and Josh welcome special guest Joshua Malina to talk about Joshua Malina’s first episode as Will Bailey. [fanfare] With special appearances by Bradley Whitford, Rob Lowe, and Joshua Malina. For more, visit…

26. 4.05: Debate Camp (with Ronald Klain)

    7 Nov 2017 · 59 min

    To discuss the Bartlet Administration's debate camp, we're joined once again by Ronald Klain, who has been in charge of debate prep for every Democratic presidential candidate since 2004. For more, visit…

27. 4.04: The Red Mass

    1 Nov 2017 · 54 min

    Pretty much one long “ai yi yi.” For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/404 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

28. 4.03: College Kids (with Aimee Mann and Fmr. Secretary of Education John King, Jr.)

    25 Oct 2017 · 1 h 14 min

    This week, we’re joined by former Secretary of Education John King, Jr. (@JohnBKing) and Aimee Mann (@aimeemann) to discuss “College Kids”. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/403 Learn about your ad choices:…

29. 4.02: 20 Hours in America, Part Two (with Christopher Misiano)

    18 Oct 2017 · 1 h 24 min

    Josh and Hrishi discuss second part of Season 4 premiere with episode director, Christopher Misiano. West Wing Weekly love episode! For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/402 Learn about your ad choices:…

30. 4.01: 20 Hours in America, Part One (with John Gallagher, Jr.)

    11 Oct 2017 · 1 h 00 min

    Our discussion of Season 4 begins! We’re joined by John Gallagher, Jr., who made his Sorkin debut in the premiere, years before he would go on to star in The Newsroom. Here we go, cuties! For more, visit…

31. 4.00: President Bartlet Special (with Martin Sheen)

    4 Oct 2017 · 1 h 05 min

    Martin Sheen joined Josh and Hrishi for a conversation about The West Wing, The American President, Aaron Sorkin, and more. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/400 Learn about your ad choices:…

32. 0.04: Big Block of Cheese III (with 99% Invisible)

    27 Sep 2017 · 59 min

    Before we dive into Season 4, we're answering some pressing listener questions like: why hasn't Martin Sheen been on the podcast yet? Plus questions about music, musicals, and underwear. (Don't be scared.) And to go…

33. 3.22: Posse Comitatus (Live with Aaron Sorkin, Allison Janney, and Melissa Fitzgerald)

    20 Sep 2017 · 1 h 04 min

    To discuss the Season 3 finale, we traveled to San Francisco to record a live episode at the Castro Theatre. We'd announced the show would be with a special guest: Aaron Sorkin. But what we didn't tell anyone was that…

34. 3.21: We Killed Yamamoto

    13 Sep 2017 · 48 min

    Josh and Hrishi discuss a few conflicts central to this episode and its making: Amy vs Josh, President Bartlet vs moral absolutes, and script deadlines vs directing schedules. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/321.…

35. 3.20: The Black Vera Wang (with Mark Harmon)

    6 Sep 2017 · 1 h 03 min

    We’re joined by Mark Harmon to discuss all things Simon Donovan. Our interview with him spans the rest of Season 3, so if you're watching The West Wing for the first time, be warned that spoilers abound during that…

36. 3.19: Enemies Foreign and Domestic

    23 Aug 2017 · 1 h 00 min

    A correction: Eli Attie's teacher, Mrs Morello, is alive. A reminder: Paxton Whitehead, who played Bernard, is also alive. Josh and Hrishi discuss Russians being played by non-Russians, Tom Lehrer, and the Sorkinism of…

37. 3.18: Documentary Special (with William Couturié)

    16 Aug 2017 · 35 min

    This week, Josh and Hrishi speak with the director of The West Wing Documentary Special episode. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/318. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

38. 3.17: Stirred (with Eli Attie and Fmr Deputy Labor Secretary Chris Lu)

    9 Aug 2017 · 1 h 06 min

    This week we're joined by Chris Lu (@ChrisLu44), who served as the White House Cabinet Secretary during the first term of the Obama administration and the Deputy Secretary of Labor during the second term. He gives us…

39. 3.16: The U.S. Poet Laureate (with Television Without Pity and David Wade)

    2 Aug 2017 · 1 h 07 min

    We’re joined by two of the co-founders of the website Television Without Pity, Tara Ariano (@TaraAriano) and Sarah D. Bunting (@TomatoNation), to discuss the lemonlyman.com plotline—inspired by Aaron Sorkin’s own posts…

40. 3.15: Dead Irish Writers (with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau)

    26 Jul 2017 · 1 h 02 min

    In light of Donna's brief time as a Canadian in “Dead Irish Writers,” we’re honored to be joined this week by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau). (We know. We can't believe it either.) The PM…

41. 3.14: Hartsfield's Landing

    19 Jul 2017 · 1 h 00 min

    This week, our discussion ranges from chess and poker games, to code switching, to West Wing Weekly themed fart machines. All this, plus Josh, the master prankster, ranks the pranks in CJ and Charlie’s prank war. For…

42. 3.13: Night Five

    12 Jul 2017 · 1 h 14 min

    To get some real-world insight into the Sam/Ainsley/Celia scene in Night Five, we invited three West Wing Weekly listeners – Amy Carlson, Jamie Lynn Crofts, and Debora Verdier, employment attorneys in three different…

43. 3.12: The Two Bartlets (with Blanche Sindelar)

    28 Jun 2017 · 1 h 06 min

    President Bartlet and his father; CJ and her father; Bob Engler and his father…this episode is the Dada of Dada issues. And Josh and Hrishi talk to Blanche Sindelar, the property master for all seven seasons of The…

44. 3.11: 100,000 Airplanes (with Dr. Leo Mascarenhas)

    21 Jun 2017 · 1 h 02 min

    This week, we’re joined by Dr Leo Mascarenhas, the Deputy Director of the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases and the Section Head of Oncology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, to discuss the cancer…

45. 3.10: H. Con-172

    14 Jun 2017 · 50 min

    Is Cliff Calley actually a good guy? Hrishi thinks it’s obvious. Josh thinks he’s not so great. Meet us in the Georgetown Law Library so we can discuss. For more, go to thewestwingweekly.com/310. Learn about your ad…

46. 3.09: Bartlet for America (with John Spencer)

    7 Jun 2017 · 1 h 25 min

    To accompany our discussion of "Bartlet for America," we're thrilled to present an interview with John Spencer, who won an Emmy for his performance. We talk to David Daniel (@CNNLADavid), who is a senior producer at…

47. 3.08: The Women of Qumar (with Allison Janney and Fmr UN Ambassador Sarah Mendelson)

    31 May 2017 · 1 h 17 min

    This week's episode gets a bit dark, as does our discussion of it. We're honored to have two amazing guests. We learn more about the realities of trafficking with former UN Ambassador Sarah Mendelson (@SarahMendelson).…

48. 3.07: The Indians in the Lobby (with W.G. Snuffy Walden)

    24 May 2017 · 1 h 12 min

    Thanksgiving! Native Americans! Turkey! Foodborne illness! Hrishi's dad! All this, plus we present the recording of our live interview with Emmy-winning West Wing composer Snuffy Walden (@snuffywalden). For more, visit…

49. 3.06: Gone Quiet

    17 May 2017 · 52 min

    Our discussion of this episode takes many a twist and turn: from the NEA to JFK, from Star Trek to Eddie Murphy. Plus, Toby's confession that he is no fan of musicals leads us to the next chapter of "Hrishi Hruins a…

50. 3.05: War Crimes (with Fmr. UN Ambassador David Pressman)

    9 May 2017 · 1 h 24 min

    David Pressman is the former US Ambassador to the United Nations and was the first-ever Director for War Crimes and Atrocities on the National Security Council at the White House, and we're thrilled to have him on the…