Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Telly addicts

Related: Film discussion forum.

Original poster

BartlettNet - The West Wing Appreciation Society - May Contain Spoilers!

442 replies

CaveMum · 19/05/2011 13:28

A thread for the discussion of West Wing - the best tv show ever made!

If you haven't seen all 7 Seasons be aware that this thread may contain spoilers!

OP posts:
tribpot · 03/06/2011 22:04

Are you sure, Acekicker? He was married to someone called Lynne Miller but Wiki doesn't mention her being an actress.

Grandhighpoohba · 03/06/2011 22:42

iirc, Bruno became a real life political consultant after WW. I think he died last year from cancer? Loved Bruno.

"I will stick a pitch-fork so far up your asses you will quite simply be dead.?

changeforthebetter · 04/06/2011 00:06

Ron Silver died which I thought was sad. He was much less sympathetic as a character in Bartlet's re-election campaign then with the Vinnick campaign. Oh a Sheila rocks too (a bit, she is a Republican! Grin)

Acekicker · 04/06/2011 10:38

tribpot - I think so [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0798779/bio imdb]] seemed to reckon he was and their ages would kind of match up...

NewYorkBellini · 04/06/2011 19:11

Oh no, didn't know he'd died, and so young Sad

fiderer · 05/06/2011 08:21

I love Bruno, especially the way he speaks. That scene in the barn is very funny. The President of the US calls on him to bring some order to the squabbling staffers and instead of an inspring if stern lecture he says he'll lock them all in, set fire to the building and then the pitchfork quote Grin

He did give such a scathing indictment of Republican values during the Bartlet re-election campaign that I was surprised he wanted to work for Vinick. I know he says that he thinks Vinick's capable of bringing the country together but the Republican factions (hard right, religious groups etc.) are so powerful, how much could Vinick have changed if he had won?

Read that Ron Silver became a "9/11" Republican so it must have been plausible for him.

Loved the scenes with Margaret; "Red-haired girl" and the necklace with her name.

Bumperlicioso · 05/06/2011 08:36

Talking of Rons doesn't everyone love Ron the Secret Service guy. The look on his face when he has to tell Leo about Zoe...

Acekicker · 05/06/2011 11:24

Ah - Special Agent Ron, he was fab. I loved the way in the car after Roswell he was bleeding and wouldn't take any crap off the President...

When they first introduced Bruno they said they didn't know what his political affiliation was or even if he'd ever voted in his life, I presumed that was why he was happy to work for the Republicans the next time.

Original poster
CaveMum · 05/06/2011 19:01

Can I give special honourable mentions to the following constant, but often overlooked members of West Wing staff:

Ed
Larry
Carol
Bonnie

Any others?!

OP posts:
Hassled · 05/06/2011 19:05

Ed and Larry crack me up. And Carol - I wish we'd seen more of her. And Reena/Rina - Toby's assistant for a while. The one in the inappropriate dresses.

There was a program on R4 today talking to former Chief of Staffs - fascinating stuff. I can only hear such programs now in a WW context.

The DSs have guinea-pigs (as of today). DS2's is called Sam Seaborn. DS3's is called Bart - DS2 whispered to me "in my head, Bart is short for Bartlet" :o

Paschaelina · 05/06/2011 19:20

That scene where Sam goes and fires the two idiots who sent the dead bouquet to Ainslie by writing "you're fired, Sam Seaborn" .

Comes over all chivalrous, gets me every time.

cjbartlett · 05/06/2011 21:00

Why is it always raining or snowing?!

Acekicker · 05/06/2011 21:13

There was Cathy as well another one of the secretaries for the Communications office...

...and also Nancy the secretary whose sole job was to show people into the Oval but she doesn't count because that was an artificial role created solely to employ Martin Sheen's daughter.

Have we discussed Ainsley yet? I liked her, specifically I was in awe of her ability to constantly eat and be that thin!

TinyPawz · 05/06/2011 21:28

I didn't realise that Nancy was Martin Sheen's daughter.....nepotism alive and well then

tribpot · 05/06/2011 23:44

Well, better Renee Estevez than Charlie Sheen

Lest we forget: Ginger! Also Toby's ex-wife Andy. Mallory was great if a bit highly strung and as for Ainsley: "text books are important. If no other reason than they would accurately place the town of Kirkwood in California and not Oregon". Sam [off-camera]: "Please, please let them not be watching".

Just having a series 1 fest - in hindsight I find it rather unlikely that the V-P knew about the President's MS before Leo. Or that you could be invited to a State Dinner without being subject to a background check a la Britney/Laurie/Dr Cuddy out of House. Of course, this was pre 9/11 I suppose ...

Deliaskis · 06/06/2011 10:13

Big yay for Ainsley Hayes, I think she totally stole every scene she was in. I think I actually have a little crush on her, even though she's a republican, she's such a ... lovely noble one.

Also noteworthy:

Oliver Babish
Joe Quincy

In fact legal eagles in general on WW are great!

I also quite like the young annoying Ryan character as although he was young and annoying, he was also in some cases funny and at other times actually a very good foil for Josh - sometimes won by doing things differently. I thought they could have done more with him.

D

Alconleigh · 08/06/2011 21:41

I have a new boyfriend who despises Josh. I am contemplating whether I can continue the relationship, quite frankly.

Original poster
CaveMum · 08/06/2011 22:43

Ditch him!

Wink
OP posts:
Alconleigh · 08/06/2011 22:55

People have been ditched for far less CaveMum, I think you will agree. It did however stop me revealing the (frankly barking) level of emotional investment I had in the Josh and Donna situation in Season 7, which may be no bad thing......He does seem to love Toby though, so it's not completely hopeless.

Original poster
CaveMum · 08/06/2011 22:59

Hmmm, sounds salvageable. Point out to him that Toby likes Josh, so if he likes Toby ergo he can't hate Josh [twisted logic] Grin

[shakes head at the notion anyone could not adore Josh]

OP posts:
LadyClariceCannockMonty · 09/06/2011 12:54

I'm afraid I don't adore Josh.

I don't even like him that much. Although he does get some good lines.

NormanTebbit · 09/06/2011 21:17
LadyClariceCannockMonty · 10/06/2011 11:19

I know, I know. I DID say he gets some good lines/scenarios (and I love that bit too!) but I don't like him much as a person or aesthetically.

Also the way he speaks. As if he's constantly got indigestion and is stifling a burp.

changeforthebetter · 10/06/2011 11:27

LadyC am also not in the adoring Josh crew. I like him because he is fundamentally a goodie, but he is rude, arrogant, impatient and arsey and treats Donna abysmally (sp?) for too long. I don't fancy him at all but he is part of WW which I do adore as a whole so he is essential.

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 10/06/2011 11:37

Thank you, change!

That's a good point about his 'I'm really so insecure and it comes off as arrogance' schtick. That sort of excuse-making pisses me off in RL and it pisses me off in Josh too.

But OF COURSE he is essential to the WW and I love him as part of the package. Just don't fancy him, or like him all that much.