The West Wing Weekly

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An episode-by-episode discussion of The West Wing, one of television’s most beloved shows, co-hosted by one of its stars, Joshua Malina, along with Hrishikesh Hirway of Song Exploder.

Joshua Malina & Hrishikesh Hirway

  • Oct 28, 2020 LATEST EPISODE
  • infrequent NEW EPISODES
  • 1h AVG DURATION
  • 186 EPISODES


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Latest episodes from The West Wing Weekly

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

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2020 75:54


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 initiative. Please go to whenweallvote.org to donate! For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/020

Introducing: Home Cooking

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2020 17:31


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 Netflix show by the same name. The first episode just came out, and features Josh as the special guest. If you’ve missed hearing Josh and Hrishi in conversation, we thought you’d appreciate this excerpt. The rest of the episode centers around giving people advice about what to cook with whatever they’ve got in the house, and we think you’ll really enjoy it! Listen and subscribe to Home Cooking on your favorite podcast app, or at homecooking.show.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2020 132:24


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 joining us. Then, we take a fond look back at the entire series, along with thirty (30!) guests from the cast and crew, including Aaron Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme. Here’s everyone who was with us on stage: Aaron Sorkin, Thomas Schlamme, Martin Sheen, Bradley Whitford, Richard Schiff, Marlee Matlin, Jack Jason, Kathleen York, Allison Smith, Melissa Fitzgerald, Ramon de Ocampo, Evan Arnold, Karis Campbell, Teri Polo, Christopher Misiano, Dylan K. Massin, Matthew Del Negro, Eli Attie, Jimmy Smits, Josh Singer, Mary McCormack, Kevin Falls, Lawrence O'Donnell, Paul Redford, Ron Ostrow, Kim Webster, Peter James Smith, William Duffy, Tim Davis-Reed Thanks for listening to the podcast. We're very grateful for the experience we’ve had making this over the past four years. Okay. What's next? For more, including photos from the event, visit thewestwingweekly.com/722

7.21: Institutional Memory (with Janet Ashikaga)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2020 72:43


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 on The West Wing (including this episode), as well as Sports Night and Seinfeld. Plus: listen to the trailer for Hrishi’s new podcast, Partners, and subscribe to it here. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/721

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

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2020 79:19


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

7.19: Transition (Live with Bradley Whitford)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2020 77:16


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 thewestwingweekly.com/719

0.19: John Wells

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2019 60:56


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 entire history of The West Wing, since John Wells served as Executive Producer for every single episode. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/019 Right now, Radiotopia is holding its annual fundraiser. Help us keep The West Wing Weekly available and free forever by supporting the network. Make your mark. Go to **radiotopia.fm** to donate today.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2019 73:02


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 Josh Malina. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/718 Support The West Wing Weekly and Radiotopia. Make your mark. Go to radiotopia.fm today.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2019 14:31


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 so, we’re hoping you’ll support our wonderful podcast network, Radiotopia, the refrigerator that keeps our show fresh in this increasingly painful metaphor. We’re sharing some stories from you, our lovely listeners, in hopes that you’ll want to chip in and help keep this podcast around forever. Make your mark, go to http://radiotopia.fm to donate today. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/018

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

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2019 78:01


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 now, Radiotopia is holding its annual fundraiser. Help us keep The West Wing Weekly available and free forever by supporting the network. Make your mark. Go to radiotopia.fm to donate today.

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

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2019 73:36


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 Hissrich, join us to tell us how their path together mirrored and influenced Josh and Donna’s. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/716

0.17: Casting the Pilot (with John Levey)

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2019 41:17


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 ensemble. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/017

7.15: Welcome to Wherever You Are

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2019 51:20


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 creator of questionable slogans, Bon _ 5. Nights before, like Erevs Yom Kippur 6. What Josh wants when he yells, "I want the numbers!" 7. __ chunks, like when you eat way too much candy DOWN 1. POTUS’s rap name, maybe 2. The room where it happens 3. To do this, actually, you stamp it, then sign it 4. The second thing Caesar said he did, in a saying

7.14: Two Weeks Out

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2019 45:12


We take this episode in our bone-crushing grip and shake it with everything we've got. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/714

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

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2019 69:02


Josh and Donna There on my TV   K-I-S-S-I-N-G Let's discuss. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/713

7.12: Duck and Cover (with Eli Attie)

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2019 55:48


Eli Attie joins us to discuss this tension-filled episode about a potential nuclear disaster. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/712

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

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2019 58:00


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 complicated character of Liz Bartlet Westin, whom she portrayed so thoughtfully. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/711

0.16: Annabeth Schott (with Kristin Chenoweth)

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2019 40:57


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 thewestwingweekly.com/016

7.10: Running Mates (with Matthew Del Negro)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2019 69:22


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, visit thewestwingweekly.com/710

7.09: The Wedding (with Nina Siemaszko)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2019 58:03


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 more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/709

7.08: Undecideds

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2019 43:50


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

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

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2019 58:25


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 led President Obama’s debate prep, and Beth Myers was in charge of Senator Mitt Romney’s prep. It was fascinating to speak to both of them together for this bipartisan episode of our podcast. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/707-part2

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

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2019 61:07


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 thewestwingweekly.com/707

7.06: The Al Smith Dinner

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2019 51:14


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 Richard Schiff says 'Arctic Radar' is one of the best episodes of the series. What else is Josh hiding? JOSH MALINA—actually pretty nice. (My name is Hrishikesh Hirway, and I approve this message.) For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/706

7.05: Here Today (with Richard Schiff)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2019 74:13


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

7.04: Mr. Frost

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2019 54:16


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, you (“Listener”) are required to listen to our nonsense. Failure to do so may result in missing out on some dumb thing that gets called back later, like a reference to a 2004 movie about dance battles. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/704

0.15: Alex Graves

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2019 51:53


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 moments in the series that he helped shape. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/015

7.03: Message of the Week

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2019 39:19


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

7.02: The Mommy Problem

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2019 54:11


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 Eli Attie. So get ready cuz, as Steve Miller says, "we go down Carolina!" For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/702

7.01: The Ticket

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2019 56:00


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 tent—as Josh and Hrishi sort through both the wise and foolish acts of our heroes. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/701

0.14: Veep (with Gary Cole and David Mandel)

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2019 46:53


We wanted to honor the end of Vice President Bob Russell's storyline in The West Wing with Gary Cole, who played Bingo Bob. Gary also plays Kent Davison in the brilliant, vicious, hilarious Veep, so we decided to celebrate two great(?) Vice Presidents in one episode. It's a Veep special! We're also joined by Veep showrunner David Mandel, a huge West Wing fan, to talk about where these two very different, political, Emmy-winning shows intersect. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/014

6.22: 2162 Votes (Live with Mary McCormack and Lawrence O'Donnell)

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2019 71:03


We wrap up Season 6 with a live taping from Washington, DC, joined by special guests Mary McCormack (@marycmccormack) and Lawrence O’Donnell (@lawrence). Cue the balloons! Go balloons! Uhhh, where are the balloons?! For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/622

6.21: Things Fall Apart (with Jennifer Palmieri)

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2019 66:14


Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the DNC, The delegate tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of democracy is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.  With special guest, Jennifer Palmieri. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/621

6.20: In God We Trust (with Alan Alda and Rev. Katey Zeh)

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2019 80:46


The legendary Alan Alda joins us this week to discuss Arnie Vinick, the Constitution, and eating ice cream. Plus, we speak to Reverend Katey Zeh, the executive director of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/620

6.19: Ninety Miles Away

Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2019 43:17


"Ninety Miles Away" really takes us somewhere, and we're not talking about Cuba. Josh and Hrishi try to navigate their way through wigs, termites, and Hemingway. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/619

0.13: Graphic Design for President! (with Michael Bierut and Leslie Wah)

Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2019 60:07


When you’re running for President, how you present yourself to the public is crucial. The West Wing often underscored that it’s not just what one says, it’s how one says it. So in this special episode, we look at what goes into designing a Presidential campaign – both fictional, and non-fictional. Michael Bierut designed Hillary Clinton’s ubiquitous 'H' logo, and Leslie Wah designed the logos and signage for all of the West Wing candidates in Season 6. This might be the nerdiest episode of the West Wing Weekly yet! For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/013

6.18: La Palabra (with Eli Attie and Angelica Salas of CHIRLA)

Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2019 62:16


Eli Attie joins us again to talk about his third episode in the trilogy of Santos campaign episodes that he wrote for Season 6. We also hear from Angelica Salas of CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights) on the real story behind California’s fight over driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/618

6.17: A Good Day (with Richard Schiff)

Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2019 59:01


Richard Schiff returns as our guest this week to tell us about his experience directing "A Good Day." For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/617

6.16: Drought Conditions (with Debora Cahn and Richard Schiff)

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2019 74:20


This week, we’re joined by Debora Cahn, to talk about her script for "Drought Conditions," and by Richard Schiff, to talk about his heartbreaking performance in it. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/616

0.12: How Barack Obama Shaped Matthew Santos (with David Axelrod and Eli Attie)

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2019 34:51


"Tell me about Barack Obama." That's what Eli Attie said to David Axelrod in 2004, while searching for inspiration to help flesh out the character of Congressman Matthew Santos. In this episode, we talk to both of them to find out what Eli learned and how it shaped the sixth season. And David Axelrod tells us about his own experiences as the guy behind the guy, and what The West Wing means to him. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/012

6.15: Freedonia (with Eli Attie)

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2019 72:23


Eli Attie joins us to discuss the Santos campaign, the return of Amy Gardner, and the Marx Brothers. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/615

6.14: The Wake Up Call (with Lawrence Lessig)

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2019 57:35


We’re joined by the real-life Professor Lawrence Lessig, who appears as a character in this episode, played by the real-life Christopher Lloyd. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/614

6.13: King Corn (with Karis Campbell, Evan Arnold, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, and Michael Grunwald)

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2019 80:20


We have so many great guests for our discussion of “King Corn” that you’re going to look at this podcast episode the way Will Bailey looks at an ice cream sandwich. We talk Ned & Ronna with Evan Arnold & Karis Campbell, we talk Turkey with West Wing writer Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, and Politico senior writer Michael Grunwald walks us through the political maize of supporting ethanol. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/613

0.11: Big Block of Cheese Special

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2019 38:13


You sent in your queries; you know we've got answers—it's a feta compli. In the queso one or two questions, we got a little help from Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford, who sent us some really gouda answers of their own. We're always fondue these episodes, and we hope you'll think this one's grate, too. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/011

6.12: 365 Days (with Fmr. Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2019 56:12


There’s only a year left in the Bartlet Presidency—and only 9 months left in the TWWW Podcastency!—and it feels like the last chance to make history. We’re joined by Tony Blinken who once held the same NSA position as Kate Harper, to talk about how hard it is to make long-term plans while you’re putting out little fires everywhere. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/612

6.11: Opposition Research (with Mayor Pete Buttigieg)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2019 65:02


We’re joined by Mayor Pete Buttigieg, 2020 Presidential hopeful, for our discussion of “Opposition Research,” in which Matt Santos travels to New Hampshire to introduce himself to the electorate. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/611

6.10: Faith Based Initiative (with Bradley Whitford)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2019 55:06


Bradley Whitford joins us this week to discuss "Faith Based Initiative," which he wrote! Incredibly, his first time writing for television was this episode of The West Wing. He tells us how it all came together, as we pick it apart. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/610

0.10: In the Writers' Room (with Paul Redford)

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2019 45:22


We’re joined by Paul Redford, who wrote for West Wing Seasons 1–5, as well as Sports Night and The Newsroom. He’s responsible for some classic West Wing storylines, and we’re long overdue for a chat with him, so we’re making up for lost time with this bonus episode. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/010

6.09: Impact Winter (with Ben Murray)

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2019 48:42


We’re joined this week by Season 6 newcomer Ben Murray, who played Curtis Carruthers, the President’s new body man. He tells us the hilarious story of auditioning to be the guy who had to pick up and carry Martin Sheen. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/609

6.08: In the Room (with Penn & Teller)

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2019 50:31


Join us in the room to discuss "In the Room," in which the President’s need to be 'in the room' in China is the central topic of discussion in the room—President Room—the Oval Office. We’re joined by magicians Penn & Teller, who light a flag on fire in the (East) Room in this episode. Or did they? (They didn’t.) For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/608

6.07: A Change Is Gonna Come (Live with Mary McCormack and Roman Mars)

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2019 66:54


Mary McCormack joins Josh and Hrishi to discuss "A Change Is Gonna Come," recorded live in San Francisco. Plus, Roman Mars, host of 99% Invisible and noted flag expert, drops some vexillological knowledge. Special thanks to Professor Rebecca Nedostup for shedding light on Taiwan and China. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/607

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