All Episodes Talk: Walk With Me

[AriAu]

Quote

It looks like the world could use Lord John Marbury right about now. 

and..."It looks like we are one bad bottle of tequila away from all out war in West Asia"

[AriAu]

Six Degrees goes here, I guess

Kathryn Helmond died

Kathryn Helmond was in Soap with

our managing editor Robert Guillaume who was in Sports Night with

Jeremy Goodwin/Joshua Malina

[AriAu]

Just saw that Luke Perry died-he's not only younger than me, but when I was a "grown-up", he was still playing kids on 90210, so this is shocking.

Luke Perry was in Normal Life with

Ashley Judd who was in A Time to Kill with'

Oliver Platt

[PeterPirate]

Jan Michael Vincent was in The World's Greatest Athlete with
John Amos, aka Admiral Percy Fitzwallace

And just to throw this out there:

Kathryn Helmond was in Soap with 
Billy Crystal who was in Forget Paris with 
John Spencer  

[Driad]

A clip involving daylight saving time.  (Donna, Toby, and Josh in Indiana.)

[PeterPirate]

From Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics:

Josh - You should've been more impressed that I was able to quote Theodore Roosevelt.
Joey - I was impressed that you knew what 'polyglot' meant.
Josh - 760 S.A.T. word, baby.  

[BW Manilowe]

On 3/8/2019 at 5:34 PM, Driad said:

A clip involving daylight saving time.  (Donna, Toby, and Josh in Indiana.)

Happily this doesn’t happen here any longer. Indiana began observing Daylight Savings Time in April, 2006.

[Kohola3]

On 3/8/2019 at 5:34 PM, Driad said:

A clip involving daylight saving time.  (Donna, Toby, and Josh in Indiana.)

That whole episode never fails to crack me up.

And when that was still going on in Indiana my sister worked in one time zone and lived in another.  And their TV stations came from two different cities on different time zones. And the airport was an hour earlier than their home.  It was like living in the Twilight Zone to visit there.

[ottoDbusdriver]

7 hours ago, Kohola3 said:

That whole episode never fails to crack me up.

Agreed.  Josh and Toby in rural Indiana is comedy gold, then toss in the time zone stuff and Toby losing the bet -- it's an awesome 2-part episode.

Sidenote: The actor that plays Tyler in that clip ended up playing Jim Harper in 'The Newsroom' (another Aaron Sorkin series) 10 years later.

[ProudMary]

I love trivia and have a pretty wide range of trivial knowledge. That said, I am a dunce when it comes to chemistry.  Seriously, I know maybe 2 or 3 chemical abbreviations off the top of my head.   However, today I was taking a Sporcle quiz which included this question: "SCIENCE: The chemical formula NaCl represents which edible compound?"  I had no trouble providing the correct answer! 😄                                                  Thank you C.J. (and Aaron.) Being a TWW nerd sometimes has its benefits.

For the very few who won't recognize the reference:
https://youtu.be/KOdrbf5sX_M?t=99

[PeterPirate]

From In The Shadow Of Two Gunman, Part 2:

Josh - Governor, California. You have to go the ballroom and give a victory speech in primetime and go to California.

Edited April 9, 2019 by PeterPirate

[BW Manilowe]

Limited Edition Autographed The West Wing Print

Available for 6 days only, as I write (I think it said).

Edited April 10, 2019 by BW Manilowe
To add italics.

[Moose135]

Are those old prints someone found in a warehouse, or did someone "sign" John Spencer's name on a new print?

[PeterPirate]

Yo Yo Ma rules.

[Kohola3]

2 hours ago, PeterPirate said:

Yo Yo Ma rules.

Poor Josh.  Donna was driving him crazy. 

But ultimately saved him.

[PeterPirate]

Another Six Degrees entry:

Georgia Engel was in The Mary Tyler Moore Show with
Ed Asner who was in Lou Grant with
Mason Adams and Robert Walden 

By the way, All The President's Men just arrived at Netflix, featuring Robert Walden and Hal Holbrook. 

[AriAu]

The West Wing Weekly this week is on Drought Conditions and is outstanding. I only made it thru the Debra Cahn portion and have not made it to the Richard Schiff conversation, but it gave GREAT insights into what I think is in the Top 5 post Sorkin episodes (still doesnt beat The Supremes, which I still think Sorkin wrote and gave to Debra Cahn to turn in!).

I even went back to the TWOP recap

[A.Ham]

On 5/2/2019 at 1:06 PM, AriAu said:

The Supremes, which I still think Sorkin wrote and gave to Debra Cahn to turn in!

Lol, I hadn’t thought of this but suddenly think it’s plausible (and hilarious-like he just couldn’t help himself but write one more).

[PeterPirate]

In the commentary to The Supremes, Cahn gives a long explanation that her mother was in the hospital when she wrote it; in response to the stress of sitting in her mother's room, she infused the script with a lot comedy.  Perhaps the lady doth explaineth too much?  

Also:
Peter Mayhew was in Star Wars with 
Harrison Ford who was in Regarding Henry with
Annette Bening who was in The American President with
Martin Sheen 

Edited May 4, 2019 by PeterPirate

[Bastet]

3 hours ago, PeterPirate said:

Perhaps the lady doth explaineth too much?

Or perhaps the woman wrote a great script of which she is proud and for which she rightly received credit - both among fans and per WGA rules - and, whether or not she's even half as tired as I am of hearing it must have been written by Aaron Sorkin instead, when asked about the creative process she is happy to share details.

[PeterPirate]

Well, the idea is new to me.  I didn't start posting about this show until late in the last season, so was not exposed to such discussions.  I have to say, I don't find it totally implausible.

[Guest]

3 hours ago, PeterPirate said:

Well, the idea is new to me.  I didn't start posting about this show until late in the last season, so was not exposed to such discussions.  I have to say, I don't find it totally implausible.

This is the first I've heard about it.  But I find it implausible as well just with how contracts and stuff typically works.  Not saying it couldn't happen, but it just doesn't seem likely to me.

[PeterPirate]

I agree the notion seems impractical from a logistical perspective.  For one thing, Swimtern plays a critical role in getting his uncle to go along with Plan Swappity-Do.  It seems highly improbable that Sorkin was involved in developing the character's backstory over several episodes just for that moment.  

On the other hand, I would definitely say The Supremes doesn't seem like a typical Debra Cahn product.   She wrote two of my favorite episodes, Abu El Banat and Institutional Memory.  They are both focused on relationships and the effect political careers have on people.  The last few seconds of IM, when CJ realizes she doesn't want to work at the White House anymore, is one of my favorite moments in the whole series. 

The Supremes is the opposite of that.  It is packed with constitutional issues and the politics that go into getting new justices onto the Court.  Mulready's reference to Harlan's Dissent is another signature moment of the series.  I watched the episode again a couple days ago and continue to be impressed by it.  

And then there's the casting.  They got a lot of high-powered players for this one episode.  Glenn Close(!), Bill Fichtner, Robert Picardo, Mitchell Ryan, and Milo O'Shea.  Maybe they did plan way in advance to create this one swansong for Aaron Sorkin.  

In the end it's impossible to know the truth.  In the commentary Cahn mentioned having many conversations with the support staff about the political process.  One also has to wonder if Sorkin could have come up with the idea of a compromise involving cookies.  I don't really care one way or the other and I don't need to know the answer; for me it was more valuable to think about the question. 

Edited May 12, 2019 by PeterPirate

[ProudMary]

Good analysis, @PeterPirate!

[AriAu]

Couple of sad 6 Degrees

Doris Day was in Move Over Darling with

James Garner who was in My Fellow Americans with

Bradley Whitford

and

Tim Conway was in one very funny episode of Mad About You with

Helen Hunt who was in What Women Want with

Cliff Calley, I mean, Mark Feuerstein

[AriAu]

Quote

(still doesnt beat The Supremes, which I still think Sorkin wrote and gave to Debra Cahn to turn in!).

Quote

Or perhaps the woman wrote a great script of which she is proud and for which she rightly received credit - both among fans and per WGA rules - and, whether or not she's even half as tired as I am of hearing it must have been written by Aaron Sorkin instead, when asked about the creative process she is happy to share details.

So, I haven't been on the site in a little while and I see this little flurry of activity and I want to make something clear....I don't actually think Sorkin wrote the episode and gave it to her. I have been saying that to be funny for a long time, probably since it aired since it was so good and soooooo much better than anything in Season 5 and almost felt like it was from Seasons 1-4.

I think Debora Cahn is a GREAT writer and I enjoy her stuff A LOT. I do think it has the feel of a vintage Sorkin episode ("I Love her....I love her mind...I love her shoes" is well.... Sorkinesque)and what I am really trying to say is that good writers borrow from other and great writers steal outright, and she borrowed and stole the tone and style of one of the best.

[PeterPirate]

On 5/14/2019 at 9:58 AM, AriAu said:

good writers borrow from other and great writers steal outright, and she borrowed and stole the tone and style of one of the best.

There's this from Abu El Banat, wherein Jed and Abby are talking about their children.

Abby - We didn't beat them.
Jed - There's still time.  

[BW Manilowe]

Congratulations to Dulé Hill & his wife (& Ballers co-star), Jazmyn Simon, on the recent birth of their first son & first child together, Levi Dulé Hill. Dulé apparently also has a 14-year-old daughter, Kennedy, from a previous relationship.

[PeterPirate]

Rob Lowe Is “Ready” For ‘The West Wing’ Reboot & Knows Who Should Play The President

[ProudMary]

Hey everyone, The West Wing has made it to the finals in two of the Primetimer Awards categories. Yay!  Let's see if we can't push it to a victory in one or both categories.  Here are direct links to both categories to make it easier for everyone here to vote.  Get clicking!

Get Your GOAT: Favourite Show of All Time

Oldie but a Goodie (or Bestie Even): Favourite Show that no longer airs

[Kohola3]

8 hours ago, ProudMary said:

Hey everyone, The West Wing has made it to the finals in two of the Primetimer Awards categories.

Buffy?  Buffy is beating WW?  What in the hell is this world coming to?

[PeterPirate]

I spoke with Aaron Sorkin.  He said he would have voted for West Wing, but his hands were carrying his four Emmy Awards.  

Less good news:  John Wells On Possibly Rebooting ‘ER’, ‘The West Wing’ & ‘Southland’

Quote

It is the question that comes up all the time, but Aaron and I have talked about it many times and have not really felt that it was the right thing to do. But again, you never know.

[PeterPirate]

Episode 1.03 is A Proportional Response.  The word "proportional" is spoken 8 times.  The word "proportionate" is never said.   

Edited June 21, 2019 by PeterPirate

[PeterPirate]

From The Drop-In:

Donna - Ambassador Marbury was just telling me about how royal men are schooled in the ways of courtship. King George III, for example, sailed his bride up the river Thames to music that was specially composed.

Leo - Yeah. That was just a few years before we opened up a big can of whoopass on him at the Yorktown Airport.

[ProudMary]

And it packed a bigger punch as it was the hometown of Cornwallis.

[PeterPirate]

Rip Torn played Nixon in Blind Ambition, wherein Martin Sheen played John Dean.

(It can currently be found on YouTube.)

[AriAu]

Quote

Rip Torn played Nixon in Blind Ambition, wherein Martin Sheen played John Dean.

Rip Torn was also in The Lyon's Den, the show that Sam, Sam the Sunshine Man starred in when he wasnt getting enough attention so he left The West Wing!

[BW Manilowe]

Congratulations to Bradley Whitford on receiving his 6th Emmy nomination earlier today (July 16th)! This year Bradley’s nominated in the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series category, for his portrayal of Commander Joseph Lawrence in The Handmaid’s Tale, which streams on Hulu (&, in a “6 Degrees” connection, stars Elisabeth Moss who, of course, played the youngest First Daughter, Zoey Patricia Bartlet, in TWW). The Creative Arts Emmys, which include presentation of the Guest Acting Emmy Awards, are supposed to air on the FXX cable channel; I think on September 21, 2019.

Also, look for Bradley’s new NBC sitcom, Perfect Harmony, which will air on Thursday nights at 8:30PM Eastern/7:30PM Central, premiering on September 26, 2019. Bradley stars in it & is 1 of the Executive Producers. This kinda snuck up on me, until recently, even though the new TV schedule was announced in May.

[caitmcg]

2 hours ago, BW Manilowe said:

Also, look for Bradley’s new NBC sitcom, Perfect Harmony, which will air on Thursday nights at 8:30PM Eastern/7:30PM Central, premiering on September 26, 2019. Bradley stars in it & is 1 of the Executive Producers. This kinda snuck up on me, until recently, even though the new TV schedule was announced in May.

Trailer...

  Very much not my speed, but best of luck to them!

[BW Manilowe]

From Extra: TV Co-Stars Bradley Whitford and Amy Landecker Tie the Knot

Congratulations to the happy couple! After having been engaged for a little over a year, Bradley & his Transparent co-star (though they never shared any scenes), actress Amy Landecker, were married Tuesday in Santa Barbara, CA. It’s the second marriage for both; Bradley has 3 children, Frances, George & Mary Louisa from his first marriage.

[Zola]

Well I have been away for a few months, only to return and not only to find PTV getting a makeover (which I really do not like at all!), but also to find TWW, and one or two other of my fave shows (The Wire, being another) unceremoniously dumped into the dungeon!

That said, it has been awhile since I last watched TWW in its entirety,, and on a recent re-viewing I found myself skipping through quite a lot of S1 - which back in the day would have been unforgivable of course!

I haven't found the motivation to bother with S2 yet, which again would be sacrilege only a couple of years ago when I had quite frequent boxset marathons over a number of weekends. But these days I just can't seem to find sufficient mojo to want to bother!

Perhaps with so many great shows from non-network channels to choose from these days, along with new and varied writing styles and storylines, I think I am finding TWW a little staid, safe and perhaps a little dated for this far more dynamic and interactive digital-media age.

I think the only character that really draws me into the show is Leo. For me he is The West Wing, and although the likes of CJ, Josh, Toby, Bartlet and to a lesser extent Sam, were all fully rounded and interesting characters, I always looked to Leo for his reassuring and pragmatic demeanour, and for his fatherly reassurance when things go a little awry. And of course his tragic alcoholism backstory, always has an effect on me.

As for the talk of reboots - well if it is more than just a rumour let them carry on and do one, but I don't think I'll be tuning in. 

 What's next?

[Guest]

Most emotional words of the whole series for me is the end of Election, Part 2. “Thanks, boss.”

[galaxygirl76]

I recently found the West Wing Weekly podcast and have started a rewatch for refreshment reasons. It's a very enjoyable way to watch the show in my opinion.

I just watched Let Bartlet Be Bartlet, which features a fabulous cold open which always makes me laugh:

Toby: Sam?

Sam: Damn it!

Leo: What?

Sam: I forgot to do something.

President Bartlet: As I look out over this magnificent vista...

[PeterPirate]

Valerie Harper was in Rhoda with

Julie Kavner who was in Forget Paris with

John Spencer

[PeterPirate]

From H. Con-172:

Bartlet - It's an old map. An old map. Spin that.

Edited September 5, 2019 by PeterPirate

[BW Manilowe]

On 7/16/2019 at 9:10 PM, BW Manilowe said:

Congratulations to Bradley Whitford on receiving his 6th Emmy nomination earlier today (July 16th)! This year Bradley’s nominated in the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series category, for his portrayal of Commander Joseph Lawrence in The Handmaid’s Tale, which streams on Hulu (&, in a “6 Degrees” connection, stars Elisabeth Moss who, of course, played the youngest First Daughter, Zoey Patricia Bartlet, in TWW). The Creative Arts Emmys, which include presentation of the Guest Acting Emmy Awards, are supposed to air on the FXX cable channel; I think on September 21, 2019.

And further congratulations go out to Bradley Whitford!  He won the Emmy Award, earlier tonight, for Guest Actor in a Drama Series, for his portrayal of Commander Joseph Lawrence in Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale.

I think that makes 3 wins (TWW, Transparent, The Handmaid’s Tale) for 6 nominations (besides the 3 wins, 2 additional nominations for TWW, as I remember; 1 additional nomination for Transparent, for playing a totally different character than the 1 he won the Emmy for portraying the previous year/TV season).

The Creative Arts Emmy Awards, during which they present the awards for Outstanding Performance by a Guest Actor/Actress in a Comedy &/or Drama Series, will be presented on the FXX (with 2 X’s) cable network next Saturday, September 21st. At least an edited version of the presentation of Bradley’s newest Emmy & the accompanying acceptance speech should air during their broadcast.

[PeterPirate]

Aron Eisenberg was in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine with
Rene Auberjonois who was in Benson with 
Robert Guillaume who was in Soap with
Billy Crystal who was in Forget Paris with
John Spencer

What can I say, I'm a DS9 fan.  

[BW Manilowe]

From USA Today: Watching ‘The West Wing’ 20 Years Later Can Be Depressing... and Hopeful

[shapeshifter]

6 hours ago, BW Manilowe said:

From USA Today: Watching ‘The West Wing’ 20 Years Later Can Be Depressing... and Hopeful

I was not really a TV watcher when TWW first aired, and just began watching it for the first time when a daughter gave me Netflix for last Mothers Day. 

Like the author of this article describes, it is both “depressing” and “hopeful.” 

Watching it for the first time now (just finished 4.3 last night) I feel like I have opened a time capsule 20 years after the apocalypse. 

But not only do I have better technology with which to view this time capsule’s contents than did the contemporaries it depicts, and not only does this time capsule heartbreakingly reveal the social interactions of an extinct way of life, but the quality of the writing, directing, and acting would be enthralling on its own to any TV archaeologist. 

Anyway, I feel kind of indescribably special watching it for the first time now, and wonder if Sorkin or any of the others involved in the show had any inkling of preserving a snapshot of the peak of political self-awareness and moral introspection for a future generation after the apocalypse. 

________________

article originally published at https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/media/2019/07/19/watching-the-west-wing-20-years-later-both-sad-and-hopeful/1721335001/

Edited September 24, 2019 by shapeshifter

[Kohola3]

3 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

....quality of the writing, directing, and acting would be enthralling on its own to any TV archaeologist. 

Amen to that.  All of it, at least in the first several seasons, was just extraordinary.  I don't think anything these days comes even close.