Shows / The West Wing Weekly
The West Wing Weekly
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
The West Wing Weekly0.12: How Barack Obama Shaped Matthew Santos (with David Axelrod and Eli Attie)
"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…
The West Wing Weekly6.15: Freedonia (with Eli Attie)
Eli Attie joins us to discuss the Santos campaign, the return of Amy Gardner, and the Marx Brothers. For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/615 Learn about your…
The West Wing Weekly6.14: The Wake Up Call (with Lawrence Lessig)
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…
The West Wing Weekly6.13: King Corn (with Karis Campbell, Evan Arnold, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, and Michael Grunwald)
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…
The West Wing Weekly0.11: Big Block of Cheese Special
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…
The West Wing Weekly6.12: 365 Days (with Fmr. Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken)
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…
The West Wing Weekly6.11: Opposition Research (with Mayor Pete Buttigieg)
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…
The West Wing Weekly6.10: Faith Based Initiative (with Bradley Whitford)
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 Weekly0.10: In the Writers' Room (with Paul Redford)
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…
The West Wing Weekly6.09: Impact Winter (with Ben Murray)
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…
The West Wing Weekly6.08: In the Room (with Penn & Teller)
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…
The West Wing Weekly6.07: A Change Is Gonna Come (Live with Mary McCormack and Roman Mars)
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…
The West Wing Weekly0.09: Casting Special (with Tony Sepulveda)
In this special bonus episode, we learn about what it’s like casting The West Wing. Our guest is Tony Sepulveda, who was the casting director for Seasons 3 and…
The West Wing Weekly6.06: The Dover Test
Wait a second: Is Annabeth Mandy 2.0? Plus Donna pushes Josh away, CJ pushes Toby away, and Santos pulls Josh in with his wily political moves. We need a…
The West Wing Weekly6.05: The Hubbert Peak
In this episode, a little chess, to test cognitive ability. First move: SUV to Prius. What's the opposite of checkmate? For more, visit…
The West Wing Weekly6.04: Liftoff (with Allison Janney)
Everything about “Liftoff" feels like a new era is beginning, so we’re welcoming the new year by welcoming Allison Janney (@AllisonBJanney) to talk about CJ’s…
The West Wing Weekly6.03: Third-Day Story
Big changes are getting announced: CJ is the new Chief of Staff. More importantly, Josh and Hrishi announce "Melon Day" as an official West Wing holiday. Grab…
The West Wing Weekly6.02: The Birnam Wood (with Fmr. Ambassador Jacob Walles)
Hello Mother, I'm elated Here I am at old Camp David I'm respectful, all due deference But I don't really get the Macbeth reference Plus, former ambassador…
The West Wing Weekly6.01: NSF Thurmont
It took a lot of diplomacy behind the scenes, but Josh and Hrishi have agreed to come together to negotiate our feelings on Season 6, Episode 1. Pull up a…
The West Wing Weekly0.08: Meet the Twwweam (Bonus Mini-Episode)
Introducing the folks behind the scenes of our podcast. You can help us make our show, too, by supporting Radiotopia's annual fundraiser, going on right now!…
The West Wing Weekly0.07: Parks and Recreation (with Rob Lowe, Adam Scott and Michael Schur)
We literally cannot wait for you to hear how much The West Wing influenced Parks and Recreation. We spoke to the co-creator of the show, Michael Schur, and two…
The West Wing Weekly5.22: Memorial Day (with Josh Singer)
We're wrapping up Season 5 with screenwriter Josh Singer, whose first writing credit was "Memorial Day." We also look back at the past 22 episodes to ask: what…
The West Wing Weekly5.21: Gaza (with Jason Isaacs and Janel Moloney)
We're joined by special guests Jason Isaacs and Janel Moloney to discuss the big, ambitious, penultimate episode of Season 5. For more, visit…
The West Wing Weekly5.20: No Exit (with Fmr. Senator Tom Daschle, Wilson Cruz, and Eli Attie)
We’re joined by three guests for our discussion of "No Exit." Former Senator Tom Daschle tells us about what it was like getting sent anthrax in the mail…
The West Wing Weekly5.19: Talking Points (with Richard Schiff)
We're joined by Richard Schiff to discuss this episode, his television directing debut! Hear what it was like for him to step behind the camera for this story…
The West Wing Weekly5.18: Access
In "Access," we're given a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to work inside the West Wing. …wait a second, what have all these other episodes been…
The West Wing Weekly5.17: The Supremes (with Debora Cahn)
We hereby appoint the Honorable Debora T. Cahn, West Wing writer, for the position of Chief Guestice of The Supremes episode. For more, visit…
The West Wing Weekly5.16: Eppur Si Muove (with Dr Muller Fabbri and Jason Zengerle)
They tried to get us to renounce The West Wing, but Eppur Si Puodcaste! Josh and Hrishi investigate some of the real world mechanics behind NIH grants and the…
The West Wing Weekly5.15: Full Disclosure (with Lawrence O'Donnell)
Full disclosure: you’re going to hear the words 'full disclosure' a lot in this episode, as we discuss "Full Disclosure." Lawrence O’Donnell joins us to…
The West Wing Weekly5.14: An Khe
In this episode, the past is laid bare like a nude portrait, or at the very least, like a photo of your ex in a bikini. Grab your copy of Latin Phrases for…
The West Wing Weekly5.13: The Warfare of Genghis Khan (with Fmr. Congressman John Tierney and Jacob Keaton)
A potential nuclear threat looms on the horizon, so let’s head down to the Situation Room to discuss The Warfare of Genghis Khan. We’re joined by former…
The West Wing Weekly5.12: Slow News Day (with Eli Attie and Nancy Altman)
Sleep in! We'll wake up the President for you to tell him about our great idea to record a podcast about the Slow News Day episode of the West Wing. Joining us…
The West Wing Weekly5.11: The Benign Prerogative (with Janel Moloney)
This week, we discuss "The Benign Prerogative," and the not so benign aspects of Presidential pardons. We're joined once again by Janel Moloney to talk about…
The West Wing Weekly5.10: The Stormy Present (with Bellamy Young)
It's the 100th episode of The West Wing! Our guest this week is Bellamy Young, who made her first appearance in a TV White House here, some years before…
The West Wing Weekly5.09: Abu el Banat (with Joe Fab)
"Cauliflower." For more, visit thewestwingweekly.com/509 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
The West Wing Weekly5.08: Shutdown (with Gene Sperling)
Shut! It! Down! Josh and Hrishi are walking right up to the hallway outside your office to talk about “Shutdown.” Gene Sperling, former White House Director of…
The West Wing Weekly5.07: Separation of Powers (with Michael Hyatt)
The Supreme Court is looking at a case that relates to Korematsu v. United States, while the White House starts to make their moves towards appointing a new…
The West Wing Weekly5.06: Disaster Relief (with Alexa Junge and Lauren Schmidt Hissrich)
We're joined this week by Alexa Junge and returning guest Lauren Schmidt Hissrich. They co-wrote "Disaster Relief," and together, we try to propulgate the…
The West Wing Weekly5.05: Constituency of One (with Jennifer Palmieri)
What is a “Constituency of One”? You know, it’s all about that boss, ‘bout that boss, those troubles. It’s all about that boss, ‘bout that boss, those…
The West Wing Weekly5.04: Han (with Paula Yoo)
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…
The West Wing Weekly5.03: Jefferson Lives
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…
The West Wing Weekly5.02: The Dogs of War
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!"…
The West Wing Weekly5.01: 7A WF 83429 (Live with Bradley Whitford and Ronald Klain)
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…
The West Wing Weekly4.24: Season 4 Retrospective (Live with Aaron Sorkin and Emily Procter)
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…
The West Wing Weekly4.23: Twenty Five (Live with Thomas Schlamme)
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…
The West Wing Weekly4.22: Commencement (Live with Bradley Whitford, Ronald Klain, and Melissa Fitzgerald)
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…
The West Wing Weekly4.21: Life on Mars (Live with Richard Schiff, Eli Attie, and The Swingles)
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…
The West Wing Weekly4.20: Evidence of Things Not Seen (Live with Richard Schiff and Marlee Matlin)
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…
The West Wing Weekly0.06: Hamilton Special (with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Thomas Kail)
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!…
The West Wing Weekly4.19: Angel Maintenance (with Fmr. Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning)
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…
The West Wing Weekly4.18: Privateers (with Allison Janney, Jeff Perry, Helen Slayton-Hughes, and the DAR)
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…
The West Wing Weekly4.17: Red Haven’s on Fire (with Senator Tammy Duckworth and Lauren Schmidt Hissrich)
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…
The West Wing Weekly4.16: The California 47th
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…
The West Wing Weekly0.05: Big Block of Cheese Live (with Dulé Hill, The Memory Palace, The Allusionist, and more)
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…
The West Wing Weekly4.15: Inauguration: Over There (with Gene Sperling)
For our discussion of Inauguration: Over There, Josh regales Hrishi with tales of shooting in his underwear and throwing snowballs at Janel Moloney. Plus…
The West Wing Weekly4.14: Inauguration: Part 1 (with Danica McKellar)
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…
The West Wing Weekly4.13: The Long Goodbye (with Jon Robin Baitz and The Alzheimer’s Association)
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…
The West Wing Weekly4.12: Guns Not Butter (with MAZON and The ONE Campaign)
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…
The West Wing Weekly4.11: Holy Night (with The Whiffenpoofs and Robert Malina)
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…
The West Wing Weekly4.10: Arctic Radar (with Richard Schiff, John David Coles, and Fmr. Cabinet Secretary Chris Lu)
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…