By Richard Lee

Twenty-five years ago today, The West Wing debuted on NBC. Over seven seasons, the show brought us into the inner workings of the White House and garnered widespread acclaim.

Not only was The West Wing entertaining and engaging, it was — for those of us who worked in government and politics— a fairly accurate portrayal of our daily routines, which were never “routines” because of the unpredictable nature of our jobs. 

As a professor, I use videos from the show to illustrate points and concepts I want my students to grasp. Often they parallel my personal experiences as a journalist who covered government politics, as well as the years I spent working in press secretary jobs. Here are five of my favorites.

Josh’s Press Nightmare (Celestial Navigation, S1, E15)

On the top of my list is the disaster that ensues when Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman decides to conduct the daily press briefing because White House Press Secretary C.J. Gregg has just had a root canal.

Despite his Ivy League degrees, Josh is no match for the White House press corps and somehow ends up telling the reporters the President Bartlet has a secret plan to combat inflation, even though the president has no such plan. 

The clip provides a great example of how difficult it is to stand behind a podium or on the other end of a microphone and answer questions on behalf of your boss or your organization. I used it in PR classes to show the dangers of winging it at a press conference. I’ve also used it in journalism classes to show how reporters challenge and follow up when the answers they receive don’t add up.

It’s also an amusing and entertaining segment, especially when Josh has to break the news to the president that he now has a secret plan to fight inflation. 

Turkey Pardon (Shibboleth, S2, E8)

Let’s face it. The week before Thanksgiving break is not the time for spirited class discussions or complex assignments. That is why the turkey pardon episode is ideal subject matter before students head home for the holiday. 

When candidates campaign, it’s the big issues that dominate the agenda, not the many odds and ends that come with the job, such as pardoning a turkey every Thanksgiving. In the episode, the staffers have a lot of fun the with the task, which provides a welcome break from the demands of their high press jobs. 

My favorite exchange comes when C.J. tells the president why he has to pardon — not one but two turkeys.

“They sent me two turkeys,” she says. “The more photo-friendly of the two gets a presidential pardon and a full life at a children’s zoo. The runner-up gets eaten.”

To which the president responds, “If the Oscars were like that I’d watch.”

State of the Union (“He Shall, from Time to Time…” S1, E12)

When the State of the Union approaches, I spend time discussing speeches. I enjoy using this clip because I can identify with the speechwriters as they nervously check their last-minute changes while the president is on his way to the capitol. 

The scene captures two contrasting elements of State of the Unions — they are messages to Congress, but they also are spectacles.

As President Bartlet and members of his inner circle walk quietly to the House Chamber, Bartlet breaks the awkward silence with a simple request to the sergeant-at-arms who stands by the door.

“Mr. Feeney, would you tell the speaker I’d like to see him please?” he asks.

The request sounds like the president is asking for a simple meeting. But when the the sergeant-at-arms opens the door and bellows at the top of his lungs, “Mr. Speaker, the president of the United States,” it becomes clear that this is no simple meeting; it’s a formal address to the members or the House and Senate with all the trimmings that come with such an event.

Debate Prep (Debate Camp, S4, E5)

As with the State of the Union, I use this video when a debate takes place during the semester.

The video is a great teaching tool, and it’s realistic. Inside the debate prep session, we see a president who clearly would like to be someplace else — and a staff that is scrutinizing every word of his answers.

We even get to see how they coach the president to reply to a difficult question with a pivot that moves the response to one of his administration’s strong points.

The segment also reminds us of one of the challenges that confront incumbents. They don’t have the luxury of being full-time candidates. They have to govern, and that can force them off the campaign trail.

As the debate prep swings into high gear, a worried Leo McGarry, the president’s chief of staff, enters the room and shares the news of a terrorist attack in Asia and the need for Bartlet to prevent the violence from escalating.

A Day in the Life of a Press Secretary (Access, S5, E18)

When I worked in the New Jersey governor’s office, The West Wing was regular viewing for many of us in the press shop, but Access generated more conversations than the usual. 

Access was unlike any West Wing episode. The show was presented from start to finish as a PBS documentary on a day in the life of a press secretary. Like all episodes, Access had its realistic moments, but for anyone watching in government communication office, it hit home. 

As a teaching tool, every scene is a lesson.

The program had it all – informal and on the-record conversations with journalists, meetings with the president and members of his adminsiutration, schedule changes, breaking news and a live hostage situation.

As any good press secretary knows, it’s all in a day’s work. At least until someone utters Josiah Barlett’s signature phrase — “What’s next?”

Richard Lee, executive director of the Jandoli Institute, covered politics and government as a reporter and later served as Deputy Director of Communication for two New Jersey governors.

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