The West Wing Weekly

4.8 (647)
TV & FILM
UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

2025-01-16

Bob Roberts (with Adam Scott)

We've got a bonus installment of the Film Fest—with special guest Adam Scott! In addition to his work on Severance, Parks & Recreation, Party Down, and so much more, he's just a genuinely thoughtful and kind person, so we are thrilled to have him back on the podcast. We're discussing the 1992 film Bob Roberts, a satirical mockumentary by Tim Robbins. Tim Robbins on SNL - October 3, 1992 (via Peacock) Tim Robbins 2017 interview in Entertainment Weekly Tim Robbins post on X - July 14, 2024 You can find The West Wing Weekly lapel pin, t-shirts, and more at thewestwingweekly.com/merch. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

57 min
2024-12-03

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

We're trying to savor the Capra-esque quality of this experience by wrapping up with Mr. Smith. Supplemental materials: James Taylor - You've Got a Friend Mr Deeds Goes to Town trailer Sokovia Accords debate from Captain America: Civil War Thank you so much for joining us again for this series! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

51 min
2024-11-26

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 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

50 min
2024-11-19

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! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

53 min
2024-11-12

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! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

52 min
2024-11-05

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) Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

1 hr
2024-10-29

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! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

1h 1m
2024-10-22

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. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

51 min

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

4.9 (542)

FASHION & BEAUTY
Normal Gossip delivers juicy, strange, funny, and utterly banal gossip about people you’ll never know and never meet. Host Rachelle Hampton 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 Se'era Spragley Ricks and Jae Towle Vieira. Created by Kelsey McKinney and Alex Sujong Laughlin. Show art by Tara Jacoby. https://normalgossip.komi.io/

4.7 (453)

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 (825)

MUSIC
From Samin Nosrat (chef and author of Good Things and Salt Fat Acid Heat) and Hrishikesh Hirway (creator and host of the podcast Song Exploder), Home Cooking is back with a brand new season. If you need help in the kitchen, or just want some creative inspiration, we’ve got you covered.

4.7 (583)

FOOD
the memory palace

4.8 (653)

HISTORY
Only If You Get Caught is about how we can better understand sports and culture by appreciating the ways humans cheat in ways big and small. Hosted by Patrick Redford and produced by Alex Sujong Laughlin, each episode will dive into the history and methodologies behind cheating scandals to explore what bending or breaking the rules tells us about ourselves. Created by Patrick Redford, Alex Sujong Laughlin, and Defector Media.

4.4 (7)

HISTORY

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Hrishikesh Hirway

Host
Joshua Malina

Host
Adam Scott

Guest
Jeremy Larner

Guest
Aaron Sorkin

Guest
Thomas Schlamme

Guest

4.8

out of 5

647 Ratings

The Gold Standard for Rewatch Podcasts

2021-09-26

Qov

The intelligent, interesting hosts bring both insight and superb guests, involved in every aspect of production of the television show. There are just enough in jokes to make you feel part of their listener community, but for all their banter they let the television show stand for itself. Excellent production values with good sound, lots of show clips, and consistent editing. Josh and Hrishi have spoiled me for all other episode-by-episode podcast commentaries.
Meh

2023-01-02

upperbeachguy

Meh.
The past is prologue

2020-07-20

Loree tt

Even a year later both The West Wing and the podcast commentary seem just as relevant as ever. Almost wishing that Hrishi and Josh could review it again in the context of these political times.
What a Journey

2020-01-30

GonzoBabins

Thank you, Josh and Hrishi, for four years of an incredible journey. I’m halfway through listening to Tomorrow and Shiffing already

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.