The West Wing Weekly

4.8 (940)
TV & FILM
UPDATED WEEKLY

ENDLESS RADIOTOPIA

Your favorite shows & hosts, now ad-free!

$6.99/month or $79.99/year

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.

3 DEC

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

51 min
26 NOV

Dave

Starring Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, and Kevin Kline. This one was a Patreon subscriber pick! Additional materials: an article about the making of Dave Kevin Kline plays Mr. Fischoeder in Bob's Burgers "clever" as an insult in Fight Club

50 min
19 NOV

The Candidate

Is The Candidate, in fact, the anti-West Wing? A political story that ends not with a bang, but with a question of existential dread. Interview with screenwriter Jeremy Larner in Brooklyn Magazine The trailer for Downhill Racer (1969) Jerry Seinfeld on Letterman: "You're rooting for clothes." Let us know what you thought of the film!

53 min
12 NOV

A Face In The Crowd

Did this movie predict Trump back in 1957? We discuss the film debut of Andy Griffith in a role so dark, anyone who knows the Andy Griffith show might experience some uncomfortable dissonance. Some goodies that came up in our conversation: The dance of joy from "Perfect Strangers" This essay about the film on the Criterion website Albert Brooks and Holly Hunter in a great scene from Broadcast News The 'ten-word-answer' scene from The West Wing What did you think of the film, on a scale of 1–10 grains of inert matter? Let us know!

52 min
5 NOV

Network

This week, we dive deeper into the role of the fourth estate, as we discuss Network, the Oscar-winning film that was meant to be a wild satire at the time it was released, but ended up uncannily predicting the future. Some additional reading material: Mad As Hell, Dave Itzkoff's book about Network Directors' Guild of America post about Sidney Lumet at a 2003 screening of Network Vanity Fair article on the legacy of Network (which includes thoughts from Aaron Sorkin)

1 hr
29 OCT

Bulworth

This week, we're discussing the 1998 film Bulworth, which features a rapping Warren Beatty, a young Josh Malina, a few problematic moments, and some wonderful and strange ones, too. For a real treat, watch the music video for Ghetto Supastar, which also features a young Josh Malina! What did you think of Bulworth? Join the conversation over on our Patreon and let us know on a scale of 1–10 forced calls!

1h 1m
22 OCT

Judas and the Black Messiah

What's more terrifying in Martin Sheen's depiction of J. Edgar Hoover—the racism, or the makeup?! We discuss ALL the important aspects of this cat-and-mouse thriller, which was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture, and won two: Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Daniel Kaluuya. For additional viewing: The Lucas Brothers William O'Neal's full interview for Eyes on the Prize II Hoover and Sheen-as-Hoover, side by side: What did you think of Judas and the Black Messiah? Let us know on a scale of 1–10 simultaneously played saxophones over on our Patreon page, patreon.com/thewestwingweekly.

51 min
15 OCT

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

This week, we're discussing the hilarious — and terrifying—Dr Strangelove. A few goodies: An interview with title designer Pablo Ferro "Are We the Baddies?" from That Mitchell and Webb Look George C Scott side-by-side with Tim Robinson (from I Think You Should Leave) Let us know what you thought of the film, on a scale of 1–10 precious bodily fluids! Join the conversation on our Patreon at patreon.com/thewestingwingweekly.

49 min

See All (198)

Normal Gossip delivers juicy, strange, funny, and utterly banal gossip about people you’ll never know and never meet. Host Kelsey McKinney discusses reader-submitted comedic gossip with guests, diving into the lives and decisions of complete strangers. The second-hand truth really is stranger than fiction. Produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin. Show art by Tara Jacoby. https://normalgossip.komi.io/

4.8 (265)

COMEDY
Song Exploder is a podcast where musicians take apart their songs, and piece by piece, tell the story of how they were made. Each episode features an artist discussing a song of theirs, breaking down the sounds and ideas that went into the writing and recording. Hosted and produced by Hrishikesh Hirway.

4.8 (406)

MUSIC
From Samin Nosrat (chef and author of the cookbook Salt Fat Acid Heat) and Hrishikesh Hirway (creator and host of the podcast Song Exploder), Home Cooking is a mini-series to help you figure out what to cook—and keep you company—during the quarantine. If you need help or just want some creative inspiration for your kitchen, we’ve got you covered. Do you have a quarantine cooking question, story, or anxiety you want to share with us? Send a voice memo to us at alittlehomecooking@gmail.com, or call us at 201-241-COOK.

4.7 (195)

FOOD
the memory palace

4.8 (322)

HISTORY
Personally connecting the dots. All of them. Benjamen Walker’s Theory of Everything is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. Learn more at radiotopia.fm.

4.3 (75)

PERSONAL JOURNALS
Articles of Interest is a show about what we wear. Produced and Hosted by Avery Trufelman

4.9 (251)

FASHION & BEAUTY

View Subscription FAQs

4.8

out of 5

940 Ratings

Top Shelf Podcast for WW fans

25/09/2022

LivvyAndTheFace

The content is accessible while remaining at a top level intellectually. The analysis of each episode is hugely satisfying from a fans POV. Cast guests are great, some issue based guests drag a little. Josh Melina’s arrogance is really the only reoccurring downside.
My fave podcast

02/12/2021

736374848/:)36

Love it. Best podcast I’ve ever listened to.
Billiant

28/09/2021

Jaan82

I love this podcast as much as the show it is really interesting to hear analyses of the show, the experience of the cast and crew and all the extra insights that come from the guests. Hrishi and Josh deserve the finest muffins and bagels in all the land!
Just brilliant

12/08/2021

EMC Tweeter

Can’t believe I took so long to listen to this I’ve been from beginning to end twice - it’s simply fabulous thanks chaps

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.