Revisiting "The West Wing"

Revisiting "The West Wing"
Date: Friday, March 28, 2014 - 04:00PM
More video info at iop.harvard.ed...
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The West Wing’s Bradley Whitford (“Josh Lyman") joined moderator Lawrence O’Donnell, MSNBC host and former writer and executive producer of The West Wing, for a panel discussion on the making of the popular political drama. They were joined by Janel Maloney ("Donna Moss") via video conference and Richard Schiff ("Toby Ziegler") via telephone.

[@donnahi9504]

I truely miss the calibre of the creation, writing and acting of this show. The pace was fascinating and of so stimulating. There has been nothing to compare, then and now.

[@JazTrance]

Best and smartest show ever made. This just reminded me that I need to watch it again from the beginning (for the umpteenth time!)

[@donnahi9504]

Absolutely

[@MaryAnderson-x9j]

same here

[@gregmerritt4278]

Yes. Time to watch it again. Great tv

[@robynjoan1778]

I vividly remember watching the 1st episode of the West Wing, and what struck me the most, how quickly the hour flew by. I knew then, that this show was going to be a hit. I watched every show as it came out. I loved this show and at the age of 62, I still love this show! ❤

[@tonychan8558]

Referencing the final question: Years ago, I heard Richard Schiff was disappointed with how the writers wrote Toby, making him a miserable person because they simply didn't understand the character, and only Arron Sorkin did. I agree with that comment, because I remember watching the show and not recognizing Toby as a character, especially during his conflicts with Will Bailey; it just didn't feel right.

[@papadopp3870]

Agreed. Toby was a favorite until Aaron left. He lapsed into a depression that didn’t lift. Laurence recall didn’t know what to do with Toby.

[@irenegewinner8193]

Toby was the most complex, interesting character.

[@sweettea6706]

I adored TWW. The character of Toby always struck me as someone who lost his way, which is something that happens to the best of people.

[@SJKM]

Who didn't want to rescue Toby? Ha ha

[@lindaireland3105]

Writing not nearly as poignant after Sorkin left.

[@Pamanasuejo]

They need to switch seats, Bradley needs to answer his phone a few times and it could be Celestial Navigation

[@peterkazmir]

That was my first thought - deja vu!

[@elizabethmckenna5397]

I never watched the show when it aired. I started watching clips on KZbin. I just finished bingeing it on Max. I’m going to buy the CD set. I am a “wingnut” now. This show is such a gift. And even twenty five years after its debut, the topics are still relevant. I wish a network would put it back on.

[@iamanomas]

The best show ever. I think the US population was smarter then than now.

[@slbain9000]

Agreed. Maybe the show helped some people to be smarter.

[@Laudon1228]

The opening music gives me goosebumps every time.

[@dennysmith5284]

I've not yet seen an Aaron Sorkin movie or series that I didn't instantly love. That man has the touch--the Spielberg of writers?

[@heidimckee8492]

Also, I have watched this series at least three times! One of the greats

[@heidimckee8492]

The more I watch of this, the more I am so grateful that I came across it! Mr. O’Donnell… You just got bigger in my heart! I would love to shake your hand, but I will never kiss a ring LMAO

[@heidimckee8492]

OK, so I just now learned that Mr. O’Donnell… One of my favorite newscasters was one of the writers on my favorite fucking show of all time and excuse my French! This is wicked, exciting… I should say this is extremely exciting and now I have to look deeper intomy favorite Lawrence O’Donnell… Although Rachel Maddow and Ari Melber are a close second if not on the same line… Very interesting

[@davidfrederick6003]

When they discuss the death penalty scene; character Charlie Young says "I'd want to do it myself"

[@tonychan8558]

I thought of Ving Rhames in 'Pulp Fiction' when Charlie Young said that line, and how Marcellus Wallace said he was going to make his r**ist suffer with a crowbar and an acetylene torch. I think Charlie would not hesitate using that torture technique on his mom's murderer, despite his exterior calmness when he said that line to POTUS. I know I wouldn't hesitate if anyone hurt my mom. Despite the ending of that episode, where POTUS is talking to his religious leader in the Oval Office, I'm actually glad he didn't call off the execution. What someone does years after their actions does not atone to what they did in the past. N.B. I'm heavily against the death penalty, but I talk from a place of privilege, i.e. I have no association with anyone who has been affected by a crime resulting in a death penalty. But, as I said before, if I were, I would go full Marcellus Wallace on their ass!

[@gregmerritt4278]

That was a very powerful episode

[@brendacurrie358]

Lawrence is brilliant . Gotta love Brad.

[@gregmerritt4278]

I could watch the whole season and then start all over and watch it again. Just real great tv. Made you think.

[@tmarsden1878]

Such a unique programme, Well written, and produced. Funny, heartwarming and Interesting. I stumbled upon it by accident and it got a stoned 14yr old English idiot interested in US politics and led me to Jon Stewart. It redefined "Good Television"

[@joanmurphy2166]

Thank you. My favorite tv series!

[@sydney4087]

Did… uh… did Joshua Malina get to pick the thumbnail for this? ‘Cause Bradley’s face is…

[@cynthiahigginbotham9940]

I have been watching The West Wing continuously since 2016.

[@robynjoan1778]

I really needed to watch it through those 4 years of hell, (2016-2019) in order to keep me from going insane!

[@cbalmori]

"Rahm Emmanuel in a Speedo rescuing a Haitian baby…" HAHAHAHAHAHA… I want to have drinks with Bradley Whiiford

[@cbalmori]

That could have been an amazing Steely Dan line

[@judyl5260]

Toby was always the conscience of the West Wing

[@gregmerritt4278]

I just loved toby

[@MrMgblue22]

It’s such a pity that this great series has not been re-run remastered in HD, I have the boxed set of dvds but the quality compared to shows of today is not so good.

[@gregmerritt4278]

My dvd are worn out cause I watched them so many times

[@gldenterprisescommunicatio9278]

Would love to see a similar retrospective discussion like this post-Trump and pre-Trump two.

[@davidalehed3364]

Whitford is such a good person and actor!

[@vegaspowerlifting]

I am currently watching series for the 10th time and I just started season 7. My ritual, I watch the series from start to finish then right after the last episode I watch the first one because I love to compare the characters from last to the first.

[@pippasmith4813]

I hope US audiences realise that House of Cards was a British production many years before the US version took up the story with the US characters. If you think the US version is dark, go back and watch the original!

[@kmcg6444]

Loved the original British "House of Cards" almost as much as "West Wing." "Veep" was prescient. I reject the premise.

[@irenegewinner8193]

Life imitates art in WW.

[@ChaseNCSU]

Speaking to the first scene they showed, where Josh hires Donna, I would have done the same thing as Josh. Anybody that shows that much drive and initiative, I don't really care what their initial motivation is.

[@ChaseNCSU]

Pending a thorough background check of course. 😂

[@StorytellingHeadshots]

That Donna Josh scene was a weird one to pick since the “retrospective, how they met” seemed so forced. It was infused with the “will they won’t they?” energy that the fan base really wanted - as if they couldn’t just have great “work chemistry” without making it sexual. I did not “ship” Josh and Donna, they were great as a work pair but very weird to think of them as a couple. The power imbalance was too high, also, Donna was great at her job! And it was the very character of why they worked together so well that is different from “lovers” chemistry. This scene felt strained and really unbelievable. Very much a “jump the shark” scene where they were grasping for story lines. Strange choice to start this talk with.

[@SJKM]

Awww where's the romance? Or just the love. They just loved each other. ♥️

[@SJKM]

Oh my god, the way your man Laurence is ragging on Janel's kids 🙈 Old Skool.

[@MrKbsweeney]

Too bad. I loved this show. This audio quality is unlistenable

[@gregmerritt4278]

I think we need great tv shows like this and not the crap reality shows

[@nicholby2112]

Did you think the audience at Harvard was going storm the stage so you put a rope across the stage ?

[@geoffevans8360]

West Wing Thing Podcast. Just saying…

[@russellloveland6269]

Its a tv show..... a fab one but still just a tv show. Ignorant despots and uselessness is still being elected. Lawers, fkn lawers bend and twistbut try not to break...