The West Wing Thing

The West Wing Thing is finished! Come check out our new thing, The Audit!   https://the.levernews.com/podcasts/#the-audit

Transcribed - Published: 18 October 2022

Enough people asked us for the whole story, so here it is - Josh & Dave's full history with Vladimir Putin's most fearsome foe. 

Transcribed - Published: 22 September 2022

We did it. We finished it, and we're not dead.   

Transcribed - Published: 31 August 2022

The one you've been waiting for! Will it live up to your expectations? 

Transcribed - Published: 29 August 2022

With only one episode left to go, the boys are joined by the hosts of one of the very great Citations Needed to enjoy the cast's bout with senior-itis. Will CJ stay on at the White House or go on to make a fortune helping a billionaire whitewash his reputation? And will he or won't he? Time is running out for Bartlett to pardon Toby.  Plus - Havinq vanquished the K-Hive, we turn our attention to Ana Kasparian.

Transcribed - Published: 23 August 2022

Uh oh

Transcribed - Published: 22 August 2022

Pete & Dave team up to join Josh & Dave as they marvel at one of the most West Wingy moments in the history of The West Wing. Plus - Is there life after Wang? All is revealed!

Transcribed - Published: 17 August 2022

They did it. Those crazy bastards. They went and did it.  One time and one time only... The Newsroom    

Transcribed - Published: 15 August 2022

Wil Anderson comes back to wish us well, only to discover America has rendered all of his jokes moot.

Transcribed - Published: 8 August 2022

It's the beginning of the new Santos administration, and being a good Democrat, he's lining his administration with Republicans.  Our friends T&V make swing by to tell Josh & Dave how much they'll miss them, and we force them to stay and watch an episode of The West Wing.  We are bad people.   

Transcribed - Published: 1 August 2022

Katie Halper returns to say adios to Josh and Dave and endure not just one but TWO godawful seventh season episodes.  Josh & Donna finally do the deed, Leo croaks, and Santos wins the presidential election, and it's STILL awful.     

Transcribed - Published: 25 July 2022

We continue to wind down with one more visit from our old friend Luke Savage to discuss the dumbest scene ever on The West Wing and to say goodbye to us forever. Also, our NEW friend Blaire Erskine stops by to tell us about her experience discovering the most wonderful people on social media, the K-Hive!

Transcribed - Published: 18 July 2022

Not sure if you heard, but the Supreme Court shot down Roe last week, so we asked our friend Jared to drop by and talk about whether or not that will have any meaningful impact. And since we're awful, we made him watch another episode of The West Wing. Who's got the briefcase?

Transcribed - Published: 29 June 2022

Our old pal Tom Sexton stops by to say a find farewell, and we force him to watch another episode of the fucking West Wing. This is the one where Donna finallty acts on all those years of abuse and misogyny and.... for fuck's sake, are you kidding?  Hey, did you hear about Roe? That happened after we recorded this. Sorry.   

Transcribed - Published: 27 June 2022

Will the California nuclear power plant blow up, taking most of Southern California with it? Or will the problem just go away? Who could possibly guess? Also, Josh challenges Dan Pfeiffer to a steel cage wrestling match. 

Transcribed - Published: 20 June 2022

Someone or other is having an affair or something, and there's a nuclear war brewing between China and Russia or somesuch shit... Also, even after all those farewell tears AND a new Diesel Boots song... we have a brand new Psaki Bomb. How is this even possible!   

Transcribed - Published: 30 May 2022

Lisa Curry joins Josh and Dave to bag on Bill Maher, say goodbye to Jen Psaki, and watch an episode of The West Wing with Josh.    BECAUSE DAVE FUCKING FORGOT TO DO HIS HOMEWORK!    

Transcribed - Published: 23 May 2022

The West Wing finally steps up and challenges Seinfeld - this week's episode is a show about nothing. But don't worry - Will Menaker is here to help us fill the void. 

Transcribed - Published: 16 May 2022

After six and a half seasons, the entirely white writers of the West Wing FINALLY do an episode that touches on racial issues, and it ROCKS even harder than you'd expect it to.     

Transcribed - Published: 9 May 2022

It's the most incredible hour of television you've ever seen! This week.... the legendary LIVE DEBATE.    We hate to break it to you... it's not good.   

Transcribed - Published: 2 May 2022

It's our special Trial of the Chicago 7 episode, in whichthe great film critic Bilge Ebiri joins us to battle for the streets of Chicago and the hearts and minds of liberals. Plus, Danny Bessner stops by to talk about being an eyewitness to history. 

Transcribed - Published: 25 April 2022

It's All Abortion All The Time! as the West Wing gang takes on America's ickiest issue. The suspense is killing us! Who will win the election? The vaguely pro-choice Democrat, or the vaguely pro-choice Republican? 

Transcribed - Published: 18 April 2022

At long last! Tobey stands revealed! Heads must roll! We're joined by our pal Pete D'Allessandro to discuss the most notorious episode in West Wing history. 

Transcribed - Published: 11 April 2022

In an effort to shine a light on stories the mainstream media avoids, Josh and Dave discuss the recent Academy Awards, and a thing that happened at them. Plus - did not see this coming - The West Wing comes down on the wrong side of Intelligent Design.    Also - Is this the final Psaki Bomb?????  

Transcribed - Published: 4 April 2022

Once again, we dive into the surreal universe where Republicans are hard to beat in California, and Democrats have a lock on the Latino vote.

Transcribed - Published: 28 March 2022

This week's episode goes out with love to Michael McFaul, who is very much not worse than Hitler. 

Transcribed - Published: 21 March 2022

At long last, we begin the dreaded FINAL SEASON of The West Wing. Will Josh & Dave make it across the finish line?  Only time will tell.

Transcribed - Published: 14 March 2022

Briana and Katie join Josh and Dave to wrap up The Hillary Thing  by watching Hillary and Huma discuss the meaning of life.  Plus: That amazing victory speech! Plus plus: Lee Camp stops by to talk about the demise of RT, and how opposing war makes you a Commie.

Transcribed - Published: 7 March 2022

This week, it's all about sexism and ambition. Ashley Stevens & Meagan Day join us as Hillary explains how she managed to persevere in the face of the horrific misogyny of sexist pigs like Bernie Sanders. Also, some war stuff, more COVID ranting, and Josh's head explodes.

Transcribed - Published: 28 February 2022

Josh & Dave are joined by their pals from The Trillbillies Workers' Party to learn negotiation skills from the master herself.  Plus, Shanti Singh stops by to breakdown the school board recall in San Francisco, and to help us prove that Lee Fang is an idiot.

Transcribed - Published: 21 February 2022

Julia Claire & Kate Willett join Josh & Dave as Hillary explains public speaking and how to handle hecklers. 

Transcribed - Published: 14 February 2022

The first of our multi-part examination of Hillary Clinton's version of If I Did It.  We really will do anything to avoid going back to The West Wing. 

Transcribed - Published: 7 February 2022

Dave and Josh aren't emotionaly there yet, so season 7 isn't happening this week. Instead, Brian Siano - our amazing research dude in Philly - pops by for a visit. Plus, fun with the Supreme Court!

Transcribed - Published: 31 January 2022

SIX SEASONS DOWN! We're almost there, folks. Walker Bragman joins us to dissect the thrilling climax to the DNC storyline. Who will the Democratic presidential nominee be? 

Transcribed - Published: 24 January 2022

Impossible space shuttle problems, decent Republicans, and the horrors of a contested Democratic convention. It's a very special science fiction episode of The West Wing!

Transcribed - Published: 17 January 2022

Comedian James Fritz joins Josh and Dave to talk about God, children, ice cream, and the awesome January 6 celebration, with a special appearance by West Wing superfan Lin-Manuel Miranda.  Plus, an interview with social epidemiologist Justin Feldman about his terrific piece on the Biden administration and Covid, which you can read here:  https://jmfeldman.medium.com/a-year-in-how-has-biden-done-on-pandemic-response-88452c696f2

Transcribed - Published: 10 January 2022

Cuba Libre! Soft core 90s porn! Brian Dennehy! All this, AND we take on the Don't Look Up non-controversy. 

Transcribed - Published: 3 January 2022

We force the great comedian Eddie Pepitone to watch his first ever episode of your favorite show, then laugh at his howls of anguish. Plus - did we just hear the stupidest line of dialogue ever spoken on The West Wing?

Transcribed - Published: 27 December 2021

Matt Stoller returns to discuss THE most important issue facing mankind today. We're talking about the deficit, of course.    Here's Matt's piece on the FDA creep responsible for the rapid test shortage:  https://mattstoller.substack.com/p/the-mustached-villain-behind-the

Transcribed - Published: 20 December 2021

Jen Briney from Congressional Dish joins us to witness a truly massive return to Sorkinian misogyny on this week's episode. Plus, Josh cries while reading his acceptance speech. 

Transcribed - Published: 13 December 2021

After weeks of running away from the job, Josh and Dave are back to discuss the latest episode of the show that must not be named. 

Transcribed - Published: 6 December 2021

We HAD to do it - Briahna Joy Gray joins us for a deep dive into Crooked Media's very weird West Wing video. If you must see it, here's the link:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eHe0GHC_6c

Transcribed - Published: 1 December 2021

Josh and Luke did it so you - and Dave - don't have to. We watched the entire Mayor Pete documentary. We walk Dave through every horrifying moment. Plus, Alex Press stops by to give us an update on the IATSE vote. 

Transcribed - Published: 22 November 2021

No show this week, kiddies, but we'll be back in seven days with a very special one. In the meantime, take a walk down Memory Lane with some of Diesel Boots' greatest WWT hits... plus - something new! Even when we're giving you nuthin', we give you sumthin'!

Transcribed - Published: 15 November 2021

We're joined by Chapo Trap House's Amber A'Lee Frost to discuss the Cold War, Belarus, sexy ladies, and the joy of feeding Skittles to cows. 

Transcribed - Published: 8 November 2021

The best goddam Pete in Democratic politics returns to discuss Iowa, corn, and the difference between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Plus: Everyone gets horny.  Also: Is Matt Yglesias the stupidest human being to ever make a nickel as a pundit? Seriously - is there something wrong with his fucking brain?

Transcribed - Published: 1 November 2021

We're joined by recovering West Wing fan Jared Sexton to discuss what may be the Rosetta Stone of West Wing episodes. Plus, we learn that not all American contractors in Latin America work for the CIA. America is good!

Transcribed - Published: 25 October 2021

In which we discover that no one on the West Wing writing staff knows what an activist is.  Plus - Dave comes up with the world's greatest podcast. 

Transcribed - Published: 18 October 2021

Brand new West Wing writer Bradley Whitford takes on the third rail of American politics - gay marriage. 

Transcribed - Published: 11 October 2021

The great Prof. Adolph joins us to do something no other guest has done... or, to be precise, to NOT do something every other guest has done.  Also - our old pal Josh Androsky stops by to explain the LA City Council's unprecedented attack on democracy, and what you can do to stop it.  To help out in LA: https://www.hugo2022.com Find your councilmember: https://neighborhoodinfo.lacity.org LA Council president Martinez: https://www.nury-martinez.com  

Transcribed - Published: 4 October 2021