“The President likes smart people who disagree with him.” I first heard this line when I was 18 or 19, and I have to say it's had a significant effect on my life. Talking with smart people who disagree with you is one of the best ways to sharpen your arguments and figure out what's true. The tribalist times in which we currently live are pathetic.
This is so true and not for the faint of heart. But it is the best way to learn, to understand the people on the other side, to figure out where they’re coming from and that they too are human beings trying to figure things out. As the Greeks knew, but we’ve forgotten - hubris is the most dangerous sin. Anyone who is sure of anything is a charlatan or a salesman.
"Mr. McGarry." "Leo." "Yes, sir." That exchange repeated 3 or 4 times during the interview is a priceless piece of writing. The repetition of it was perfect.
@@AngelPerezComedy Indeed, there are parts of the country (not just the South) where adults consider it a point of pride to not be familiar with a superior to the point of being almost insubordinate...
One of the great tragedies of this show is that we didn't get way more of Ainsley. Every conversation she took part in was so much fun, regardless of politics.
@@gabrielabagalaIt wasn't about cutting costs. it was about the fact that they already had 7 very strong leading cast members and he didn't think there was a spot for on ongoing recurring role.
@@Bustermax01 It was surely a question of money. That show had many protagonists and many secondary characters who must, no matter what, be recurring, such as the commander in chief, the director of the NSA, or the assistants of the protagonists. They didn't have the money to pay more permanent secondary characters. Sorkin said it himself, and he was particularly sorry for Ainsley.
"I used to have a nervous condition" "How did yours manifest itself?" "I drank a lot of Scotch" "I get sick when I drink too much" "I get drunk when I drink too much" So freakin' classic!!!!
She was such a good foil for the other characters, and wasn't a straw-man conservative but made legitimate arguments that made the other characters try really hard to defend their positions.
His performance was just so gracious and understated. I particularly enjoyed the scene with Liza Weil. Much similar in tone and understanding. Thanks for posting! 🎬
I love the stuff with Margaret. "she seems to be a very good secretary. . . . She'll be happy to hear that, she's standing right outside the door. . ." BAM! . . ."OW!!"
+PlasmaCoolantLeak I come back to watch this particular scene many many times....funny...exhilarating...AND...just plain enjoyable!!! My personal favorite part is when Leo says "You Go Girl"....Cheers!
I love that the exact moment she accuses the administration of being smug and patronizing, Leo becomes just a little smug and patronizing. One of the best comedic scenes in the series.
+wchase62 - great observation, though I can't be sure of precisely what line you mean. I'm going with him saying CJ Cregg thinks you kill your pets. I love the balance of how she's then able to observe CJ across the 2 days, discern the problem and completely rectify it before going to see Leo to not accept the job.
I love this scene. Ainsley probably rehearsed the conversation she was sure Leo wanted to have with her so much that when it turned out he wanted something else entirely it took a while for her brain to register that fact. I love her face when it sinks in. Classic television brilliantly written and played.
"She seems to be a very good secretary." "She'll be happy to hear that; she's standing right outside the door." Bangs door. "Ow!" These little slapsticks thrown into the dialogue of West Wing were one of the things I liked the most. It seems so effortless and of course with good actors like John Spencer it makes it seem so natural and organic.
The most important trait for a leader to have is the ability to surround oneself with smart people and listen to them. If you find yourself in a position of leadership and you're the smartest person in the room, you need to find a new room.
This scene is exceptional. Ainsley Hayes (Emily Procter) was such a great addition to the WW cast. She is so great at delivering that fast paced dialogue of Aaron Sorkin. Both in WW and Newsroom, they managed to get some of the greatest ensemble casts of all time.
Leo and Ainsley had wonderful chemistry, but then again, Leo is quite fatherly to everyone he likes.... And it was nice to see Ainsley at Leo's funeral all those years later. It's nice of Emily Proctor to come back to honor John Spencer.
@@dspf68 Someone born when that post was made would be close to entering high school by the time you corrected his spelling. From a post on youtube 13 years later. I don't know why, but that's very amusing to me.
Likewise and agreed. I saw it all when it originally aired and am watching it again with my wife on Netflix and we are both amazed at how well it holds up and how topical it remains even today.
Ah Ainsley Hayes, the Southern linguistic version of Yoda. The repeated delivery of "Leo..." "Yes, Sir" in the exact same pitch and tone each time was just perfect. A standout character in a show packed full of wonderfully written parts, and Emily Procter nailed every syllable of every line.
"The President is asking you to serve, and everything else is crap." It's going to take us a while to restore this. Reverence for the highest level of public-service is worth the effort though.
And that’s trump’s fault? Yeah because you guys totally gave him a chance. Sorry he was rude while crushing isis, improving North Korean relations and enforcing red lines with Syria. Unlike obama who charmed you while he let the world burn.
We've messed it up so badly that it may take a generation to achieve a rational kind of governance again. And I'm not saying the downfall started with Trump, it most certainly did not, although he clearly accelerated the decline. Our problem is that powerful wealthy elites benefit from a divided country, whether it be corporate elites, media elites or political elites, the age old 'divide and conquer' strategy still works. By conquer I mean hoard all the wealth and power for themselves while millions of working class Americans suffer.
@@jimmy2k4o I don't recall anyone storming the capitol or a pandemic being ignored when he was in office. Go sit down somewhere, MAGA cult follower. You lot divorced from reality long ago.
When we lost John Spencer the actor, we lost one heck of a man. When Leo had his heart attack at Camp David, it was a nightmare but to know that it really was going to happen, killed my soul. I love this particular scene. Go North Carolinians! Leo, you're the best!
My favorite Leo moment is that within about two seconds of her accusing the administration of being smug and patronizing, Leo is being a little smug and patronizing. I love that.
"When I was young, I was a Young Republican"... "You have my FBI file? I have an FBI file?!"... "I'm not going anywhere, I'm standing up, which is how one speaks in opposition in a civilised world"... "Well you go girl" All genious lines
Eric Jackson Absolutely! And this scene was a big part of why I loved this show. This is how bipartisanship is supposed to work... "The President likes smart people who disagree with him".... Classic.... Our real life government could learn a LOT from watching this show, for the record
I think The West Wing was the greatest series ever made. Although, I too, am a Republican, I loved this show. Ainsley was one of the best characters they created. Aaron Sorkin is so talented and one of the best writers of his time. I loved The Newsroom too.
I have to ask, Mark, in all honesty. Since you liked West Wing I believe you are an intelligent and honest Man. Here comes: How do you like the Republican party now, after what Trump has turned it into?
Before I heard the rest of this dialogue, I assumed that Leo's response to the question "It has to be in THIS White House?" would be something like "It's the only White House I have any pull in", but this line was at least as good if not better.
I always looked forward to Ainsley's scenes. She had great chemistry with everyone on the show, and I particularly enjoyed her exchanges with Leo and Sam. Emily Proctor brought this character a truly appealing balance of competence, wit, determination and sincere idealism. I wish she had appeared in more episodes.
I loved her banter with Lionel Tribbey about which musical the quote was from. Tribbey was full of useless knowledge that no one else knew except for Ainsley. And her basement office, when they decorated it for her & gave her a little impromptu welcome party was wonderful. And of course, the "Blame It On The Bossa Nova" scene when Bartlet appears- hysterical. I really liked that Sam was incensed by the disgusting note the two guys wrote, anonymously, to Ainsley, & immediately fired them with Tribbey right behind him in full support. That's the way it should be done in the workplace, no BS, period.
See Sports Night. "If you're dumb, hire smart people. If you're smart, hire smart people who disagree with you." I don't mind when Mr. Sorkin steals from himself at all.
LiamHaHaX "AARON SORKIN: I made a mistake with Emily Proctor. I loved her on the show and when I had a chance to lock her up as a series regular I didn't take it. Being conscious that I already had eight mouths to feed I didn't want to be obligated to have the character in every episode, which I know now wouldn't have been an obligation, it would have been a gift. And of course Emily was snatched up right away by another show - CSI: Miami - and of course it was a giant hit. I made plenty of mistakes on the show but none of them that big."
When I first saw Ainsley Hayes (Emily Procter) on West Wing, I thought she was perfect at delivering Aaron Sorkin's rapid fire dialogue. I can't even imagine how this show managed to always bring in the right actors to build this great ensemble cast. They rarely if ever made a mistake. The result, is one of the greatest shows in TV history. And, the "Two Cathedrals" plays more like a great theatrical movie than a TV episode.
Go sometime and listen to the episode of the podcast West Wing Weekly where they interview EP about getting this job. It's fascinating and hilarious, down to the discussion of wardrobe choices.
I can't even imagine how this show managed to have real personalities on for a short "background' scene. I mean Yo Yo Ma for 1 minute!! That was incredible.
Great scene. Both actors really showed soul. The character of Leo really did speak to me. A person with many faults. A person who made many mistakes but yet found his way back and was able to show kindness as well as patience. Traits which I try to incorporate into my own personality. The character of Ainsley Hayes also was well developed. Strong, feminine as well as caring. Really quite beautiful.
Aaron Sorkin is the best dialog writer who ever lived. He might have some problems with storytelling here and there, but the energy of his dialogs would wake up a catatonic.
Margaret, Lionel Tribbey, Oliver Babish, Lord John Marbury, Leo and Mrs. Landingham were my favorite characters on the West Wing. They brought so much to their respective roles.
I still can't absorb how amazing (and enjoyable) it was to watch Emily Procter fire off her fast pace dialogue lines with clear cadence that was countered with the intentional methodic tempo John Spencer played - in a single take! This had to be one hell of an intense scene to film. I'm curious how many takes they required. I'm betting very few.
Still the best writing on any TV show ever! Every episode. Every season for 7 years. It was so good and the acting was so good that every year when they had the Emmy Awards there would be 5 nominees for supporting actor and 4 of them would be from the West Wing!!
I loved that line. :D I was cracking up, listening to her rant on, with the job offer clearly not having sunk in, yet, and Leo clearly recognizing the exact same thing that I was. :D
"I do not think it's fair that I be expected to play the role of the mouse to the White House's cat in the game of. . . erm, you know the game." "Cat and mouse?"
I only have about a hundred favourite scenes from this show. This one would be considered outstanding in any other show and it's not even in my own top ten West Wing moments.
I would have loved an episode with all the assistants getting together to save the day. Margaret, Donna, Carol Fitzpatrick, and Mrs. Landingham teamed up and kicking political ass.
I disagree. 'Margaret' was written as stupid, nosy, incompetent.. had the job because she was someone's relative - and, she caused major problems. The same can be said for the 'Donna' character. And, much of the time, CJ's character. I think Sorkin did not continue with 'Ainsley' because he knew the script would have to be changed so that 'Ainsley' got 'Margaret' and 'Donna' sent to unemployment. And, could anyone stand 'Zoey'? Or, the clueless Secret Service agent? 'Mrs. Bartlett' was barely allowed to show her smarts.
It reinforces that service is service irrespective of party affiliation. I love the bit at the end of the episode when she chides her friends for calling people they don't even know (just because they are democrats) worthless.
At that moment, you see the little girl inside her that dreamed of working in the White House come right to the front, her eyes tell it all. This is the moment she'd been waiting her whole life for, a fairy tale come true, and she's utterly in shock. So well portrayed.
Has anyone besides me noticed how much more literate the replies are here? I mean, there's punctuation and everything! It makes me want to stay here and talk to you people all night.
@Adam Love I don't think he's talking about everything devolving into a political pissing contest. More that people here seem to have a strong grasp of grammatical consistency that seems to be lacking in most TH-cam videos comment section. I could be wrong, though.
@Richard Darlington - I totally agree. Even though I won't complain about someone who makes grammar and spelling mistakes, so long as I understand their intent. I do wish they would take a few seconds to read their comment before they press reply.
Ainsley Hayes was one of my favorites. I love that TWW portrayed many of its prominent R's as being smart and competent and just with different values. Vinnick was cool, as was Hayes. Only the woman who replaced Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor's wife on Vinnick's campaign was a deplorable shit, really.
@@squaddie67- Yes. At the time, I didn't realize that, and thought they had written a buffoonish character simply because he would be so easy for Bartlet to beat. It was only years later that I recognized all the hints.
I think I've watched this about 100 times... still hilarious and perfect! Leo... Yes sir. The President is asking you to serve and everything else is crap! LOVE IT!
When people speak intelligently and people listen with open minds, even differing views can be appreciated. Too may people today jump to conclusions, dig for unintended meanings, and argue with closed minds rather than debate with open ones.
Patrick Stivers I never got that either; there are so many small, but great moments, starting with when she got lost leaving the White House the second time, she saw President Bartlett consol that African President, who was there to bargan with the heads of giant pharmaceutical companies to lower the cost of drugs to treat HIV in his country. As Toby said, the reason why he came in person is because the man had no staff; he was holding the country together with both hands, so he had no one to send but himself. But whilst he was gone, a coup toppled his government; his personal family were either killed, missing, or escaped. Through the doors between the Oval Office and Leo's, she saw Bartlett consol the poor man ('sit with me awhile'), no doubt throwing his schedule in the bin, because right there, and right then, politics be damned; here was a man who lost his country, his people, and his family, all at once. At the same time, she saw President Bartlett in his true light, a man of infinite compassion and empathy. So later, when she sat with her friends, and they both were gloating over what Leo might have said, and looked like, when she would have said no, she remembers that moment, and realised that actually that somethings exist above mere partisanship; at that exact moment, she changed her mind ... Then that moment when Sam, when entering her basement office, saw that 'nice' gift those two numbskulls upstairs sent her; I wish she was there to see his righteous indignation as he fired them on the spot. Then the whole 'He is an Englishman' running gag (yes, it is from 'H.M.S. Pinafore', and, no, I am not a girl ...), and so forth ... As she said to Lionel Tribby, she was there out of a sense of duty ... and why not ...
Aaron Sorkin has said that the biggest regret he had was not getting Emily/Ainsley as a permanent star. But with the show only in its second season and already having a large main cast all they could offer was a recurring guest role. When CSI Miami was in the works she was approached by the writers and offered a permanent leading role for that show. And with a lead role comes more job security and more money. Realistically, at the time, she made the right decision and still came back throughout the series as a guest star. But I think the show would have benefited greatly having her as a lead. Her chemistry with the cast, Rob Lowe especially, was astounding. My favourite scene between the two of them will always be Blame It On The BossaNova. But there are brilliant scenes thrown in there too. Emily herself has even said that she would have loved to stay on The West Wing but she needed something with more security so she ended up going with CSI.
"And everything else is crap." The Founding Father found a way to compromise even when creating the Constitution. We need to once again except that compromise is part of governance.
a favourite scene from a favourite show. Always have to watch it more than once, there is just so much going on and it's flawlessly delivered. Outstanding.
Leo hitting the door and Margaret's "Ouch" from the other side of the door is my favorite part of this.
“Here it comes” and “I get drunk when I drink too much” are mine
His nod after the fact sells it so well
“The President likes smart people who disagree with him.”
I first heard this line when I was 18 or 19, and I have to say it's had a significant effect on my life. Talking with smart people who disagree with you is one of the best ways to sharpen your arguments and figure out what's true. The tribalist times in which we currently live are pathetic.
I've never learned anything from someone I agreed with
....Will Rogers
I have never learned anything from a person I agreed with...
Will Rogers
I have never learned anything from people i agreed with....
Will Rogers
This is so true and not for the faint of heart. But it is the best way to learn, to understand the people on the other side, to figure out where they’re coming from and that they too are human beings trying to figure things out. As the Greeks knew, but we’ve forgotten - hubris is the most dangerous sin. Anyone who is sure of anything is a charlatan or a salesman.
It’s my single favorite line in The West Wing and the most telling of Bartlet’s character
"Well, you go girl !". Incredible delivery - John Spencer as Leo was one of the best cast characters of all time. RIP.
you know it's coming... and you still laugh...
"Mr. McGarry." "Leo." "Yes, sir." That exchange repeated 3 or 4 times during the interview is a priceless piece of writing. The repetition of it was perfect.
He gave up on it in the end :)
It's cause she's from the south. Leo should know better he has white hair.
@@AngelPerezComedy Thank you.
@@AngelPerezComedy Indeed, there are parts of the country (not just the South) where adults consider it a point of pride to not be familiar with a superior to the point of being almost insubordinate...
I didn't really follow that, but, whatever...
One of the great tragedies of this show is that we didn't get way more of Ainsley. Every conversation she took part in was so much fun, regardless of politics.
Sorking said that he regretted so much to let Ainsley go. But he must cut costs...
CSI and CBS were the beneficiaries
100% she was so freaking good and when Sam stuck up for her that was amazing.. gosh I miss this show.
@@gabrielabagalaIt wasn't about cutting costs. it was about the fact that they already had 7 very strong leading cast members and he didn't think there was a spot for on ongoing recurring role.
@@Bustermax01 It was surely a question of money. That show had many protagonists and many secondary characters who must, no matter what, be recurring, such as the commander in chief, the director of the NSA, or the assistants of the protagonists. They didn't have the money to pay more permanent secondary characters. Sorkin said it himself, and he was particularly sorry for Ainsley.
"I'm standing up which is how one speaks in opposition in a civilized world."
"Well, you go, girl"
No.
@@miket1753 no what?
Gotta love Leo.
I loved lmao
"I used to have a nervous condition"
"How did yours manifest itself?"
"I drank a lot of Scotch"
"I get sick when I drink too much"
"I get drunk when I drink too much"
So freakin' classic!!!!
I thought everybody gets drunk when they drink too much...
@@JohnSmith-zw8vp Evidently, you have no Irish ancestors. :)
I actually think what this set up was even better.
"...a job in THIS White House?"
"Want a glass of scotch?"
"Yes, please."
He did that to make her less nervous, I think. Make fun of himself a little to relax her.
@@daffodil852 But as we see soon after, she can't hold her liquor worth a damn.
: She was criminally underutilized on the show, and RIP to the late great John Spencer.
Aaron Sorkin has gone on record and said that one of his biggest regrets on the show was not making Emily Procter a series regular.
She was such a good foil for the other characters, and wasn't a straw-man conservative but made legitimate arguments that made the other characters try really hard to defend their positions.
Sorkin wanted her, but after CSI exploded, it was hard to bring her back.
@Mäkirannantörmä It's a TELEVISION SHOW.
@@Ethan-dn1wc He couldn't leave the 'Ainsley' character in. He couldn't have two smart women characters in the show.
John Spencer was a treasure. Everybody on this show was magic. Mostly because the show itself was magic. But Spencer was my guy on this show.
The show in a way was about Leo McGarry. He was the glue that held everything together. Think critically, all the lines led back to him.
His performance was just so gracious and understated.
I particularly enjoyed the scene with Liza Weil.
Much similar in tone and understanding.
Thanks for posting!
🎬
@@samsung3254 Oh yeah... that was a great scene.
Preach.
Oh agreed 100 percent! I love the line "the President's asking you to serve, and everything else is crap!"
This lady’s argument was planned out so well it took her a full 20 seconds to realize she was being offered a job
I love Leo’s “Here it comes….” 😂😂
How we miss Leo and all the wonderful characters of the West Wing.
"Well you go girl" = Leo's greatest line ever.
I Dunno, I prefer, "I get drunk, when I drink too much." by just a little
Ah, that's a great one too!
TheNBAFANaddict " I didn't, really, follow that but whatever..."
+TheNBAFANaddict "The President is asking you to serve. And everything else is crap"
#2. #1: ..."here it comes".
I love the stuff with Margaret. "she seems to be a very good secretary. . . . She'll be happy to hear that, she's standing right outside the door. . ." BAM! . . ."OW!!"
There were so many little moments like this in TWW, such a great show!!
It's one of my all time favorite moments in TWW
Literally laugh out loud whenever I see that part
The little nod of the head from Leo afterwards, like 'Yup, confirmed." 😄
One of my favorite Leo and Margaret moments in the whole show.
*Pounds door*
"Ow!"
Leo and Ainsley's exchange is one of my favorite parts from this great series.
+PlasmaCoolantLeak I come back to watch this particular scene many many times....funny...exhilarating...AND...just plain enjoyable!!! My personal favorite part is when Leo says "You Go Girl"....Cheers!
PlasmaCoolantLeak
I love that the exact moment she accuses the administration of being smug and patronizing, Leo becomes just a little smug and patronizing. One of the best comedic scenes in the series.
+wchase62 - great observation, though I can't be sure of precisely what line you mean. I'm going with him saying CJ Cregg thinks you kill your pets. I love the balance of how she's then able to observe CJ across the 2 days, discern the problem and completely rectify it before going to see Leo to not accept the job.
Watch Leo from 2:40 to 2:50. That is some comedic acting ;)
I love this scene. Ainsley probably rehearsed the conversation she was sure Leo wanted to have with her so much that when it turned out he wanted something else entirely it took a while for her brain to register that fact. I love her face when it sinks in. Classic television brilliantly written and played.
And the look on leo's face like he's seen this a few times and is just waiting for it to hit home
Here it comes!
An wait, what meme moment before memes were an thing
@@willzimjohn Thank you for this powerful and illuminating comment.
-I get sick when I drink too much.
-I get drunk when I drink too much.
"The President likes smart people who disagree with him." How refreshing it would be if that were true today...
Derek Hiemforth
No one since Reagan
How refreshing that would be if it were ever really true.
@@TerranGuy93 You're a Trumpie.
@@jayhardin3259 Reagan was a lying bigoted scumbag.
@@ginmar8134 Lol, believe whatever you want pal.
"The President is asking you to serve. And everything else is crap."
What an awesome line!
Didn't age well tho, with Predisent PAB in the WH.
"She seems to be a very good secretary."
"She'll be happy to hear that; she's standing right outside the door."
Bangs door.
"Ow!"
These little slapsticks thrown into the dialogue of West Wing were one of the things I liked the most. It seems so effortless and of course with good actors like John Spencer it makes it seem so natural and organic.
His little nod after the "ow!" is perfect. Brilliantly deadpan.
@@XIIIMPC
Ah yes
Knew it
The cherry on top was that the secretary was still stood right outside the door when Ainsley was about to leave.
“The President likes smart people who disagree with him.”
Once upon a time... 🤔
Luke Downey im dying😂🤭
Yeah, 0 for 2 on that count.
That line has had extra significance to me, too, since Trump became POTUS. Sad.
Now the president likes dumb people who agree with him.
The most important trait for a leader to have is the ability to surround oneself with smart people and listen to them. If you find yourself in a position of leadership and you're the smartest person in the room, you need to find a new room.
This scene is exceptional. Ainsley Hayes (Emily Procter) was such a great addition to the WW cast. She is so great at delivering that fast paced dialogue of Aaron Sorkin. Both in WW and Newsroom, they managed to get some of the greatest ensemble casts of all time.
And it was great to have an articulate voice of opposition to their assumptions too.
Sorkin has an interesting conversational style.
Sportsnight also
Don't forget Studio 60. Brad Whitford and Matt Perry are a double act for the ages, and Amanda Peet was born to utter Sorkin dialogue.
@@alexanderbeedie671 Absolut!
Leo and Ainsley had wonderful chemistry, but then again, Leo is quite fatherly to everyone he likes....
And it was nice to see Ainsley at Leo's funeral all those years later. It's nice of Emily Proctor to come back to honor John Spencer.
sorry to be petty but it's Emily Procter. Not Proctor.
@@dspf68 Someone born when that post was made would be close to entering high school by the time you corrected his spelling. From a post on youtube 13 years later.
I don't know why, but that's very amusing to me.
@@horatiohornblower3757 well said lmao
@@horatiohornblower3757 I don't mind having my spelling (and grammatical) mistakes corrected 13 years after the fact. Or even 30.
I am not a Sorkin Fanboy but this is poetry. This banter is genius and the casting is superb!
I am a conservative and THIS was the best show that i have ever seen on TV
Likewise and agreed. I saw it all when it originally aired and am watching it again with my wife on Netflix and we are both amazed at how well it holds up and how topical it remains even today.
John McIlvain you should watch yes minister
"...and everything else is crap." But seriously, you should watch The Newsroom, also written by Aaron Sorkin.
Also a great show, just wish there were more than 2 seasons.
There is a third season.
Ah Ainsley Hayes, the Southern linguistic version of Yoda. The repeated delivery of "Leo..." "Yes, Sir" in the exact same pitch and tone each time was just perfect. A standout character in a show packed full of wonderfully written parts, and Emily Procter nailed every syllable of every line.
Ainsley will always be my favorite Republican.
"The President is asking you to serve, and everything else is crap." It's going to take us a while to restore this. Reverence for the highest level of public-service is worth the effort though.
you commented just two years ago, i thought that i am the only one who still goes back and watch these masterpieces....
I know you think that’s not an understatement and woof is that an understatement. But you know what, this still gives me the chills.
And that’s trump’s fault?
Yeah because you guys totally gave him a chance.
Sorry he was rude while crushing isis, improving North Korean relations and enforcing red lines with Syria.
Unlike obama who charmed you while he let the world burn.
We've messed it up so badly that it may take a generation to achieve a rational kind of governance again. And I'm not saying the downfall started with Trump, it most certainly did not, although he clearly accelerated the decline. Our problem is that powerful wealthy elites benefit from a divided country, whether it be corporate elites, media elites or political elites, the age old 'divide and conquer' strategy still works. By conquer I mean hoard all the wealth and power for themselves while millions of working class Americans suffer.
@@jimmy2k4o I don't recall anyone storming the capitol or a pandemic being ignored when he was in office. Go sit down somewhere, MAGA cult follower. You lot divorced from reality long ago.
When he says "The President is asking you to serve..." that bit always gets me teary
Because they all serve at the pleasure of the President.
"I've never felt this way before."
"The feeling doesn't end."
It looks like it makes Ainsley a little teary-eyed, too. I love Emily Procter’s choices in this scene.
When we lost John Spencer the actor, we lost one heck of a man. When Leo had his heart attack at Camp David, it was a nightmare but to know that it really was going to happen, killed my soul. I love this particular scene. Go North Carolinians! Leo, you're the best!
"Where you goin'?"
"I'm not going anywhere, I'm standing up, which is how one speaks in opposition in a civilized world!"
"well you go girl."
Love the "Well you go girl"
@@a19spyro95 Its the timing. Its absolutely superb.
My favorite Leo moment is that within about two seconds of her accusing the administration of being smug and patronizing, Leo is being a little smug and patronizing. I love that.
That line she says about standing up for protest is such a great line that needs to be taught nowadays
@@wchase62 YES!!! The change in demeanor to that effect was brilliant!
"When I was young... I was a YOUNG Republican..."
"When I was young, I was a Young Republican"...
"You have my FBI file? I have an FBI file?!"...
"I'm not going anywhere, I'm standing up, which is how one speaks in opposition in a civilised world"...
"Well you go girl"
All genious lines
Everybody in the country that has ever gotten a $72 parking ticket has an FBI file.
I die every time 😂
Brilliant scene. John Spencer is fantastic in it RIP
Absolutely. John Spencer was a big reason why I enjoyed this show so much. Even as a staunch conservative, this show was fantastic.
Eric Jackson
Absolutely! And this scene was a big part of why I loved this show. This is how bipartisanship is supposed to work... "The President likes smart people who disagree with him".... Classic.... Our real life government could learn a LOT from watching this show, for the record
i cried when he passed, i never actually met him but he was home to me
Leo's delivery of that emotional line "The President is asking you to serve..And everything else is crap"" was just fantastic..
I think The West Wing was the greatest series ever made. Although, I too, am a Republican, I loved this show. Ainsley was one of the best characters they created. Aaron Sorkin is so talented and one of the best writers of his time. I loved The Newsroom too.
I think Peggy Noonan was also helpful in putting forth ideas and plotlines for Republican and conservative characters
I loved The West Wing but I hated The Newsroom. The later was just Sorkin's venue for spewing his political beliefs. It got old and tiring real fast.
@@RaspberryRockOffGridCabin You fascists just hate art because it's all about how everything you believe is terrible.
I have to ask, Mark, in all honesty. Since you liked West Wing I believe you are an intelligent and honest Man. Here comes: How do you like the Republican party now, after what Trump has turned it into?
@@mawilkinson1957 Thank you. Was just curious. I really appreciate you took the time to answer. All the best to you!
"A job in THIS White House?" and "When I was young, I was a YOUNG Republican!"😂. Classic.
Spencer and Procter were🔥. A joy to watch.
Before I heard the rest of this dialogue, I assumed that Leo's response to the question "It has to be in THIS White House?" would be something like "It's the only White House I have any pull in", but this line was at least as good if not better.
I always looked forward to Ainsley's scenes. She had great chemistry with everyone on the show, and I particularly enjoyed her exchanges with Leo and Sam. Emily Proctor brought this character a truly appealing balance of competence, wit, determination and sincere idealism. I wish she had appeared in more episodes.
And awkwardness :)
I loved her banter with Lionel Tribbey about which musical the quote was from. Tribbey was full of useless knowledge that no one else knew except for Ainsley.
And her basement office, when they decorated it for her & gave her a little impromptu welcome party was wonderful.
And of course, the "Blame It On The Bossa Nova" scene when Bartlet appears- hysterical.
I really liked that Sam was incensed by the disgusting note the two guys wrote, anonymously, to Ainsley, & immediately fired them with Tribbey right behind him in full support. That's the way it should be done in the workplace, no BS, period.
Leo and Margaret, one of the most underrated double acts in the show.
Margaret was like a quieter version of Radar.
"The President likes smart people who disagree with him." That one line is the absolute antithesis of who we have in the White House today.
See Sports Night. "If you're dumb, hire smart people. If you're smart, hire smart people who disagree with you." I don't mind when Mr. Sorkin steals from himself at all.
like obama had anybody like Ainsley Hayes in his white house. moron.
@@beefyoso he didnt, he had multiple Ainsley Hanseys look it up, literally Google repubs who who worked for Obama white house
"But whaddabout Obama". Pathetic.
@@mikemartin5749 another expert leftist retort.
The writing, the actors and what they did with the writing. This is why I enjoyed West Wing so much.
D Oberski I miss this show
D Oberski True, but I thought they would do more with the character. She sort of disappeared.
LiamHaHaX I think she got the gig on Miami CSI.
LiamHaHaX "AARON SORKIN: I made a mistake with Emily Proctor. I loved her on the show and when I had a chance to lock her up as a series regular I didn't take it. Being conscious that I already had eight mouths to feed I didn't want to be obligated to have the character in every episode, which I know now wouldn't have been an obligation, it would have been a gift. And of course Emily was snatched up right away by another show - CSI: Miami - and of course it was a giant hit. I made plenty of mistakes on the show but none of them that big."
Dana Leinbach Thanks for sharing that.
The way she says "Only since I was two" is just.. so.. adorable!
When I first saw Ainsley Hayes (Emily Procter) on West Wing, I thought she was perfect at delivering Aaron Sorkin's rapid fire dialogue. I can't even imagine how this show managed to always bring in the right actors to build this great ensemble cast. They rarely if ever made a mistake. The result, is one of the greatest shows in TV history. And, the "Two Cathedrals" plays more like a great theatrical movie than a TV episode.
Go sometime and listen to the episode of the podcast West Wing Weekly where they interview EP about getting this job. It's fascinating and hilarious, down to the discussion of wardrobe choices.
I can't even imagine how this show managed to have real personalities on for a short "background' scene. I mean Yo Yo Ma for 1 minute!! That was incredible.
I don't know WTF happened with Rob Lowe, but that was a mistake.
"Oh, only since I was two." For some reason, that sounded so adorable.
She is so innocent in a good way she actually believes in everything she says makes her very endearing.
Great scene. Both actors really showed soul. The character of Leo really did speak to me. A person with many faults. A person who made many mistakes but yet found his way back and was able to show kindness as well as patience. Traits which I try to incorporate into my own personality. The character of Ainsley Hayes also was well developed. Strong, feminine as well as caring. Really quite beautiful.
Aaron Sorkin is the best dialog writer who ever lived. He might have some problems with storytelling here and there, but the energy of his dialogs would wake up a catatonic.
"You have my FBI File?"
"I have an FBI file???"
Too funny
Everyone does.
I'm so glad that she is a very smart and funny character, considering this is where I got my name 😂😂😂
Cool !!!
That's just awesome sauce.
I don't know how many times I've watched this, but it still makes me laugh. One of my favourite scenes in the whole series.
Margaret, Lionel Tribbey, Oliver Babish, Lord John Marbury, Leo and Mrs. Landingham were my favorite characters on the West Wing. They brought so much to their respective roles.
Margaret and Leo were the best team on TV since Bert & Ernie.
Every time, a different part of this exchange makes me smile...today it's "Well you go girl" 🙂
Could you imagine a world where people were this smart and conversations this interesting?
If only....
I would live forever and refuse to die
How we miss this show and each wonderful character. If a tv series can be immortal, certainly The West Wing is.
"I get drunk when I drink too much."
Probably one of the greatest lines on this show.
"I get drink when I drink too much" lol what a funny scene this is RIP John Spencer
John Spencer just had wonderful comic timing. He is much missed and this scene is one my favorites
You go girl comment alone
I still can't absorb how amazing (and enjoyable) it was to watch Emily Procter fire off her fast pace dialogue lines with clear cadence that was countered with the intentional methodic tempo John Spencer played - in a single take!
This had to be one hell of an intense scene to film. I'm curious how many takes they required. I'm betting very few.
"Here it comes!" LOL
I watched this when it first aired, and almost 20 years later it is still brilliantly acted and stomach trembling.
they only acted it once 20 years ago, they are not acting today.
"You have my FBI file?"
"Yes"
"I can't believe that. You have my FBI file?"
Expression changes "...I have an FBI file?"
I love that exchange lol
If only there were a few more people who liked it when smart people disagreed with them.
Two years after you posted this it is more true than ever. If only...
Well in a better reality we would have someone in the People's House who was intelligent and could comprehend an intelligent response.
Still the best writing on any TV show ever! Every episode. Every season for 7 years. It was so good and the acting was so good that every year when they had the Emmy Awards there would be 5 nominees for supporting actor and 4 of them would be from the West Wing!!
Aaron Sorkin was/is a freaking genius! I adore The West Wing! :)
Only Aaron Sorkin could get me to watch, let alone LOVE, a show about politics or sports (Sports Night,)
"...Here it comes."
"Did you say 'offer me a job?'"
I loved that line. :D I was cracking up, listening to her rant on, with the job offer clearly not having sunk in, yet, and Leo clearly recognizing the exact same thing that I was. :D
"I do not think it's fair that I be expected to play the role of the mouse to the White House's cat in the game of. . . erm, you know the game."
"Cat and mouse?"
"It has to be THIS White House?
One of the most memorable lines ever.
"...CJ Cregg thinks you kill your pets...." LMAO.
"The President is asking you to serve."
What a profound statement.
It brings chills.
This was also one of my favourite scenes... but the whole thing was favourite scenes, wasn't it?
I only have about a hundred favourite scenes from this show. This one would be considered outstanding in any other show and it's not even in my own top ten West Wing moments.
I miss him so much. I remember first noticing him when he was on L.A. Law and can't recall seeing any acting from him that was less than superb. RIP.
"Oh, only since I was two."
I love Margaret....She is just awkward but in a good way.
She's basically Pearl from Steven Universe.
I would have loved an episode with all the assistants getting together to save the day. Margaret, Donna, Carol Fitzpatrick, and Mrs. Landingham teamed up and kicking political ass.
I disagree. 'Margaret' was written as stupid, nosy, incompetent.. had the job because she was someone's relative - and, she caused major problems. The same can be said for the 'Donna' character. And, much of the time, CJ's character. I think Sorkin did not continue with 'Ainsley' because he knew the script would have to be changed so that 'Ainsley' got 'Margaret' and 'Donna' sent to unemployment. And, could anyone stand 'Zoey'? Or, the clueless Secret Service agent? 'Mrs. Bartlett' was barely allowed to show her smarts.
I love the scene where she offers to forge the president's signature, and everyone goggles at her 😂😂😂
Don’t you just admire Margret ? Efficient, funny, a little
mischievous, and really loves Leo.
And she could fake the presidents signature too ... she is getting quite good at it!
Hard to disagree with that! Leo loved her too, and their working chemistry was phenomenal!
@@Grubnar first thing I thought of when reading aristotle's comment.
"The President's asking you to serve." Wow. That is a summons. How do you turn that down? Everything else IS crap.
It reinforces that service is service irrespective of party affiliation. I love the bit at the end of the episode when she chides her friends for calling people they don't even know (just because they are democrats) worthless.
Ever since Trump, i dont think its that hard to turn down a president.
And it was the perfect hook for an idealist like Ainsley.
At that moment, you see the little girl inside her that dreamed of working in the White House come right to the front, her eyes tell it all. This is the moment she'd been waiting her whole life for, a fairy tale come true, and she's utterly in shock. So well portrayed.
@@Ovrkyl Yes. Very good performance by Emily Procter.
"Mr. McGarry."
"It's Leo."
"Yes, Sir."
THREE TIMES!🤣
"Leo."
"Yes sir."
Who am I kidding, every word of this scene is brilliant.
Has anyone besides me noticed how much more literate the replies are here? I mean, there's punctuation and everything! It makes me want to stay here and talk to you people all night.
@Adam Love Strange, isn't it?
@Adam Love I don't think he's talking about everything devolving into a political pissing contest. More that people here seem to have a strong grasp of grammatical consistency that seems to be lacking in most TH-cam videos comment section. I could be wrong, though.
@Richard Darlington - I totally agree. Even though I won't complain about someone who makes grammar and spelling mistakes, so long as I understand their intent. I do wish they would take a few seconds to read their comment before they press reply.
Good, inspirational writing (Sorkin) inspires good writing. And civility.
@@crucisnh I say sir! What nice punctuation you have!
Their chemistry is undeniable.
One of the funniest scenes in The West Wing. This show is pure gold 💛 As a fan from Britain 🇬🇧 I say God bless America 🇺🇸
GSTQ 🏴☮👍
I've watched this clip many times. I loved her character. Sharp and fast.
:Here it comes..."
"Want a glas of scotch?"
Well You Go Girl 👧
The writing, the timing, the delivery... perfection. Absolute perfection.
The writer of this script did a masterful job. Amazing.
"Well, you go girl."
“Im sorry, a job in this White House?!”… the delivery of that line is just perfect
This scene is a master class.
I miss John Spencer’s humor and grit.
Emily Proctor fast in delivery of her lines in character.
The scene where Ainsley is going to meet the president for the first time is priceless too!
the delivery of that line is perfect. Gets me everytime.
Ainsley Hayes was one of my favorites. I love that TWW portrayed many of its prominent R's as being smart and competent and just with different values. Vinnick was cool, as was Hayes. Only the woman who replaced Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor's wife on Vinnick's campaign was a deplorable shit, really.
And Rob Richie.
Wasn't Richie meant to be representative of George W Bush?
@@squaddie67- Yes. At the time, I didn't realize that, and thought they had written a buffoonish character simply because he would be so easy for Bartlet to beat. It was only years later that I recognized all the hints.
"Mr. McGarry"
"Leo"
"Yes, sir."
X3
I think I've watched this about 100 times... still hilarious and perfect! Leo... Yes sir. The President is asking you to serve and everything else is crap! LOVE IT!
I also thought ainsley and sam would have made a good couple
+dan mayhew Good to know I'm not the only one that thought that.
I would have watched a spin-off series of their relationship just for the brilliant arguments it would have been filled with.
they obviously hooked up
The wit, humor and repartee of this series remains unmatched even in 2023. Long live the West Wing!!
"You want a glass of scotch?" "Yes."
I really loved Hayes's character in the series. When she spoke, I could appreciate some of the republican views.
Agreed. They missed the boat on her character. She should have been a bigger part of the show.
Red Foreman Sorkin said one of his great regrets on West Wing is letting her get away.
When people speak intelligently and people listen with open minds, even differing views can be appreciated. Too may people today jump to conclusions, dig for unintended meanings, and argue with closed minds rather than debate with open ones.
Wouldn’t make a main character so she got a job on CSI
People can disagree for legitimate reasons. And disagreement doesn't make them the enemy. It's a truth too many people today seem to have forgotten.
I love Emily Proctor. I never got why people despised her so much.
Patrick Stivers
I never got that either; there are so many small, but great moments, starting with when she got lost leaving the White House the second time, she saw President Bartlett consol that African President, who was there to bargan with the heads of giant pharmaceutical companies to lower the cost of drugs to treat HIV in his country. As Toby said, the reason why he came in person is because the man had no staff; he was holding the country together with both hands, so he had no one to send but himself. But whilst he was gone, a coup toppled his government; his personal family were either killed, missing, or escaped. Through the doors between the Oval Office and Leo's, she saw Bartlett consol the poor man ('sit with me awhile'), no doubt throwing his schedule in the bin, because right there, and right then, politics be damned; here was a man who lost his country, his people, and his family, all at once. At the same time, she saw President Bartlett in his true light, a man of infinite compassion and empathy.
So later, when she sat with her friends, and they both were gloating over what Leo might have said, and looked like, when she would have said no, she remembers that moment, and realised that actually that somethings exist above mere partisanship; at that exact moment, she changed her mind ...
Then that moment when Sam, when entering her basement office, saw that 'nice' gift those two numbskulls upstairs sent her; I wish she was there to see his righteous indignation as he fired them on the spot.
Then the whole 'He is an Englishman' running gag (yes, it is from 'H.M.S. Pinafore', and, no, I am not a girl ...), and so forth ...
As she said to Lionel Tribby, she was there out of a sense of duty ... and why not ...
Preferred her in CSI miami
Aaron Sorkin has said that the biggest regret he had was not getting Emily/Ainsley as a permanent star. But with the show only in its second season and already having a large main cast all they could offer was a recurring guest role. When CSI Miami was in the works she was approached by the writers and offered a permanent leading role for that show. And with a lead role comes more job security and more money.
Realistically, at the time, she made the right decision and still came back throughout the series as a guest star. But I think the show would have benefited greatly having her as a lead. Her chemistry with the cast, Rob Lowe especially, was astounding. My favourite scene between the two of them will always be Blame It On The BossaNova. But there are brilliant scenes thrown in there too.
Emily herself has even said that she would have loved to stay on The West Wing but she needed something with more security so she ended up going with CSI.
@@duncanmills4044 her BEST WORK WAS BREAST MEN !!! THANK ME LATER
The way Toby ran at the beginning of the episode when Josh came to get him (to watch Sam) was hilarious 🤣
"Toby, come quick! Sam's getting his ass kicked by a girl!"
"Ginger, get the popcorn!"
@@crazysychoninja9193 Even at the time, that line stuck in the craw. Then again, this show was super-mysogenistic.
IMHO- Ainsley Hayes was the best character on The West Wing.
"And everything else is crap." The Founding Father found a way to compromise even when creating the Constitution. We need to once again except that compromise is part of governance.
You're definitely right. The Compromise of 1850 really gave compromise a bad name, but compromise is essential for good governance.
That interview could have gone on for the entire episode, and it would have won an Emmy.
a favourite scene from a favourite show. Always have to watch it more than once, there is just so much going on and it's flawlessly delivered. Outstanding.
I'm still loving the cadence of her delivery.
Such a beautifully crafted scene and wonderful sentiment, if it were only true. We could use it today, Lord knows.