A Face In The Crowd

12 November 2024 - 51 mins
Podcast Series The West Wing Weekly

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!

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51 mins

Series Episodes

All The President's Men Playing

All The President's Men

We're discussing the 1976 Oscar-winning classic directed by Alan Pakula and written by William Goldman (one of Aaron Sorkin's screenwriting heroes). WOODSTEIN!  If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/thewestwingweekly. Here are some extra tidbits: "Telling the Truth about Lies" - a featurette on the making of the film An article Gordon Willis wrote for American Cinematographer in 1976 about his work on the film, including his use of split diopters. Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later - which features Josh Malina in the role of Deep Throat

56 mins

7 August Finished

A Few Good Men Playing

A Few Good Men

Did you order the Code Red? You're goddamn right I did!—if by "Code Red" you mean an hour of Josh & Hrishi discussing this Aaron Sorkin / Rob Reiner classic. (We're not in the Marines, but we still like giving things code names.) We wanted to pay tribute to the late Rob Reiner and this film that, in some ways, would eventually lead to The West Wing. Plus, A Few Good Men was Josh's film debut, based on the play that was his Broadway debut, so he has lots of stories. We hope—we strenuously hope—you'll join us for this conversation about one of the all-time great courtrooms drama.

1 hour 8 mins

28 July Finished

Bob Roberts (with Adam Scott) Playing

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.

57 mins

16 January 2025 Finished

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Playing

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!

50 mins

3 December 2024 Finished

Dave Playing

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 

49 mins

26 November 2024 Finished

The Candidate Playing

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 mins

19 November 2024 Finished

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