In a TV Guide interview, actress NiCole Robinson, who played Margaret Hooper, talked about her first day working with the late John Spencer, who played White House Chief of Staff Leo McGarry: "On the very first day we worked together he said to me 'I’m going to say your name in a way that, if I do it right, people will yell it at you.' Five years later, on my wedding day, I was in a room while the guests were entering and even then I hear one of them shout 'Margaret'!”
Margaret is one of those underappreciated supporting characters. She gets just enough screentime for her character, and yet it leaves you wanting more.
great compilation. I know it's stretching the title, but I love the scene after CJ has become CoS when she says something like 'You're a strange woman who I have never really understood, but you make this office run like a Swiss watch, so if Leo doesn't need you, I'd like you to stay'.
I still crack up every time I hear this bit: "You can sign the President's name?" "Yeah." "On a document removing him from power and handing it to someone else?" "Yeah!"
This edit cuts out the pay-off line though: "We've get checks and balance, separation of powers, and Margaret, vetoing Bills and sending them back to the Hill."
Margaret: "We like to spread Holiday Cheer" Leo: "Who the hell is this guy and why do I care if he has a Merry Christmas?" Margaret: "Just sign the damned thing"! ROFLMAO
When "The West Wing" was on, it was during one of the best times of my life. I'm an old man now, and watching these clips makes me weep..remembering those moments from my past.
You can sum up Leo’s and Margaret’s entire relationship in two sentences: “Just sign the damn thing” and “I’ll sleep when you sleep “. Just so brilliantly written. Just so brilliantly acted.
My favorite Margaret moments has to be from ITSOTG after Margaret leaves the room after telling Leo she can sign the president's name. "We've got separation of powers, checks and balances, and Margaret, vetoing things and sending them back to The Hill!"
As a follow up to the bunker bit, there's the scene where Margaret and the other secretaries put the beefcake UPS guy in the bunker with them but forgot the VP. LOL.
One of the funnier scenes is when a beauty pageant winner is in Toby's office and after several of the male staffers stop by to look, Margaret stops in to look
Margaret really was kind of under rated. I remember one episode where Sam had to staff the President for the day and asked one of the other girls (Carol I think) what they do if they need to know something about everything (or words to that effect.) Carol replied "We usually just ask Margaret." Gave the impression that while she usually seems a little scatterbrained around Leo she knew her stuff and was absolutely rock solid on the job. :)
steampunker7 There’s another moment, just after C.J. becomes Chief of Staff. Margaret is intending to leave the White House once Leo has recovered to help him with whatever he does next. Near the end of the episode, C.J. tells Margaret that she “runs this office like a Swiss watch”. The Chief of Staff’s office has to be second only to the Oval in terms of how chaotic it is, so that in itself is frankly amazing.
One scene from "Swiss Diplomacy" I love is when the President and Leo are in the Oval and Leo reads Margaret note: "The Iranians have taken to the streets." The President then says: "that belongs in the Margaret Museum."
Nice video. But you missed the scene where Margaret was typing with two fingers because of the WH being exempt from ergonomic standards and Leo's reaction. It was priceless.
I loved Margaret! One of my favorite moments is when we find out she’s pregnant. It was just such an amazing moment to realize that for all the viewers think we know these characters we really don’t. It was such a shock, and I’m guessing it only happened because the actress was probably pregnant, but I love that the viewers just assumed we knew her and then discovered this whole other facet to her character that we had never really considered before.
Totally loved Margaret. She was funny, loyal and seemed to be very efficient. My fave scene was when she reminded Leo that he wasn’t supposed to do schedule any of his appointments on his own (hope I got that right) and she left the office saying she would give him a copy of that rule.
A gorgeous compilation, worthy of two brilliant portrayals. My own favourites include the moment in "Lord John Marbury" when Josh and Sam are reporting back on the deposition and the impending media hurricane over Leo's treatment for addiction. When Sam presses Leo on whether his family knows, his clear "They know" has Margaret's silent but obvious nod of confirmation in the background.
“ Anyway, she sent me an email about the *actual* calorie count in the raisin muffin they're serving in the mess. I *forwarded* the email to *several hundred* assistants and secretaries in OEOB and in The West Wing, *and that was fine.* “ Truly GREAT Comedy depends on utter subtlety and attention the the most minute details - *In NO Way, was that “Fine,’.*
My favorite Leo-Margaret moment is when she tells him she can copy the President's signature...the line that got left out of the clip in this montage was from Leo: "We've got separation of powers, checks and balances, and Margaret vetoing things and sending them back to the Hill"...my favorite line!
Very nice video compilation. I also like the moment where she doesn't want him to have to be alone on a certain day , and they bicker, and then he says she's a good girl.
There's a great scene where Leo is revealing his alcohol addiction to the assembled staff. I can't find it on TH-cam. As Leo answers a question with a negative, you say see Margaret in the background shaking her head, answering the question non-verbally. I always liked that scene, as it showed how Margaret knew everything about him.
Are you sure you're not thinking of the first Big Block of Cheese one, when Leo says "I'm sure Margaret worked hard to assign these tasks to the most fitting person" (or something like that) and she is shaking her head like "No". Then he turns back and she nods "yes". That was mighty funny.
M: Do you think the White House Counsel would say that was a bad idea? L: I think the White House Counsel would say that was a coup d'etat! NiCole delivered that beautifully, like she was an aloof schoolgirl not knowing the gravity of what she'd said, and of course John was just as brilliant!
Yeah, but the best line from Leo got cut. "We've got check and balances, separation of powers and Margaret, vetoing things and sending them back to the Hill."
Leo was supposed to be the least funny -or the least eccentric- character, which actually gave him the best one liners reacting to the lunacy of the rest of the staff.
Love the episodes with the political consultant, Bruno, and he can never remember her name; calls her Redheaded Girl until he finally gives her a gold pendant with her name MARGARET, saying “ somebody said to give this to you”. Their dynamic was so sweet.
Leo: "..and what the hell are you doing practicing the Presidents' signature??!!"Margaret: "Its just for fun..."Listen to the tone in both Leo's and Margaret's voice during this exchange. Like a father who caught his baby girl driving the family car when she wasn't supposed to.Tell me Margaret wasn't Leo's adopted daughter. He loved that girl probably more than Mallory...
A few years ago one of the doctors I worked with told me he was tired of signing orders all day long, and I told him very causally that I could sign his signature perfectly. What followed was basically a similar play by play of the Margaret signing the Presidents name conversation. I remember watching this show for the first time not long after and realizing why I heavily identified with her from the first time I saw her on screen lol
+acolytetojippity "She'll be happy to hear it. She's standing right outside the door." BAM! He hits the door with his fist. "Ow." I loved that show. Aaron Sorkin's dialogue was so brilliant, and rapid fire. I would record the show each week and run scenes multiple times with the CC on. People talked over each other so much and every line was gold.
Yeah, it's a shame, there was the funnier part: "We have separation of powers, check and balance...and we have Margaret, vetoing things and sending them back to the Hill!"
In a TV Guide interview, actress NiCole Robinson, who played Margaret Hooper, talked about her first day working with the late John Spencer, who played White House Chief of Staff Leo McGarry: "On the very first day we worked together he said to me 'I’m going to say your name in a way that, if I do it right, people will yell it at you.' Five years later, on my wedding day, I was in a room while the guests were entering and even then I hear one of them shout 'Margaret'!”
L
This scene 4:17 is why we named our AI that analyzes presidential speeches “Margaret”
@@Linzers87Ms Robinson was a Standup Comedian
"Who's Elizabeth... Your sister"
I just love that
The bit about the pen was hilarious. "Does it do anything?"
"No, it's just a really nice pen."
But notice she looked at the clipboard before saying, your sister :-)
Margaret is one of those underappreciated supporting characters. She gets just enough screentime for her character, and yet it leaves you wanting more.
great compilation. I know it's stretching the title, but I love the scene after CJ has become CoS when she says something like 'You're a strange woman who I have never really understood, but you make this office run like a Swiss watch, so if Leo doesn't need you, I'd like you to stay'.
@worthingSarah And tall. She liked that she was tall, too.
I still crack up every time I hear this bit:
"You can sign the President's name?"
"Yeah."
"On a document removing him from power and handing it to someone else?"
"Yeah!"
It's just for fun!
This edit cuts out the pay-off line though:
"We've get checks and balance, separation of powers, and Margaret, vetoing Bills and sending them back to the Hill."
@@gordon1545 exactly lol I love that part
@@gordon1545 After 12 years.... still hilarious.
The near look of horror on Leo's face!
"I think the White House Counsel would say that's a coup d'etat" is a great line...
She'd probably end up doing some time for that
Margaret: "We like to spread Holiday Cheer"
Leo: "Who the hell is this guy and why do I care if he has a Merry Christmas?"
Margaret: "Just sign the damned thing"!
ROFLMAO
Who’s Elizabeth your sister
@@lukethompson2714 But notice she looked on the clipboard before saying, your sister :-)
My favorite part ❤️😂
When "The West Wing" was on, it was during one of the best times of my life. I'm an old man now, and watching these clips makes me weep..remembering those moments from my past.
Margaret was the funniest and most under-rated character on this entire series.
Yes indeed!
Who’s Elizabeth your sister
yeah...no
And they totally just glossed over her story line of being pregnant! Always irked me
Second most. Danny Concannon slightly edges her out
You can sum up Leo’s and Margaret’s entire relationship in two sentences:
“Just sign the damn thing” and “I’ll sleep when you sleep “.
Just so brilliantly written.
Just so brilliantly acted.
Margaret was Leo's Mrs. Lanningham.
Both repeated on Studio 60!
I loved Margaret. My favorite was when Leo got his divorce papers and she was worried he might drink. She proved that she really had Leo’s back.
Absolutely 😢
Yeah that moment when he looks at her and says "you're a good girl". So nice, and there is so much love there
My favorite Margaret moments has to be from ITSOTG after Margaret leaves the room after telling Leo she can sign the president's name.
"We've got separation of powers, checks and balances, and Margaret, vetoing things and sending them back to The Hill!"
Evie Vale the absolute funniest moment between them.
That is my favourite moment.
"Is that bad?"
"I'd say that's a coup d'etat."
Hey she did say that she only practiced 😂😂
@@TheDarknightRemix "I would probably end up doing some time for that." "I would think"
Someone needs to make a supercut of all the times a crisis was breaking and Leo bellowed "Mar-GRET!!"
I think there is one...
Or one of all the main characters calling for their assistants
The long enduring expression of horror on Leo's face in response to the "un oeuf" joke.
Just brilliant! In both her delivery and his indulgence...
Leo's horror or not, I still really love that joke. I tell it sometimes.
@@lekoman How do I brag about speaking French without obviously bragging?
I can't imagine the heartbreak she must've felt at Leo's funeral
As a follow up to the bunker bit, there's the scene where Margaret and the other secretaries put the beefcake UPS guy in the bunker with them but forgot the VP. LOL.
I love Margaret. She's such a perfect counterpoint to Leo. Thanks for posting this!
One of the funnier scenes is when a beauty pageant winner is in Toby's office and after several of the male staffers stop by to look, Margaret stops in to look
Margaret really was kind of under rated. I remember one episode where Sam had to staff the President for the day and asked one of the other girls (Carol I think) what they do if they need to know something about everything (or words to that effect.) Carol replied "We usually just ask Margaret."
Gave the impression that while she usually seems a little scatterbrained around Leo she knew her stuff and was absolutely rock solid on the job. :)
steampunker7 There’s another moment, just after C.J. becomes Chief of Staff. Margaret is intending to leave the White House once Leo has recovered to help him with whatever he does next. Near the end of the episode, C.J. tells Margaret that she “runs this office like a Swiss watch”. The Chief of Staff’s office has to be second only to the Oval in terms of how chaotic it is, so that in itself is frankly amazing.
*the other WOMEN
That's partly why Margaret ought to have known when Leo's anniversary was coming up, and that he needed reminding.
The secondary characters on West Wing have more depth than anything on tv now.
ummm. No?
they have more depth than the actual real people in the West Wing right now.
"If you're curious, it was right around raisin muffin." 😂😂😂
"one egg is an oef."
One scene from "Swiss Diplomacy" I love is when the President and Leo are in the Oval and Leo reads Margaret note: "The Iranians have taken to the streets." The President then says: "that belongs in the Margaret Museum."
Hey, the "one egg is un oeuf" joke is funny.
Andrew Horn I heard it on a Netflix binge and immediately texted the joke to all my French speaking friends
What does it mean
Luke Thompson google translate “un oeuf”
Enough lmfao
oui, c'etait une tres bonne blague!
Nice video. But you missed the scene where Margaret was typing with two fingers because of the WH being exempt from ergonomic standards and Leo's reaction. It was priceless.
(She is typing with two fingers)
"Margaret, look at my face"
(She starts typing super fast)
I laughed so hard!
Episode
That was because of Donna 😂 and then josh calls her in ''Hey Norma Ray the man's trying to run a country'' 😂
@@miguelencanarias "Look at me: look at my face" - still use that with my kids, and it works...sometimes
@@rothboy Only sometimes because you don't have John Spencer's face. And that's a damn shame.
Truly was the greatest show ever made.. gosh what a cast..
5:23 and this is the dedication you want in your assistant, for all the times she annoyed Leo, he knew she would be there for him whatever happened.
You missed when she's outside the door, and he bangs on it. I forget the context, but it's hilarious.
Will Braden It was in the episode in the second season where Leo offers a WH job to Ainsley Hayes
Yeah, she was waiting outside in case Ainsley attacked him or something
@@metarus208 - And Ainsley is complimenting her, and Leo says she'll be glad to hear that because she's listening at the door.
Absolutely classic moment
And that interview clip is great as well between Leo and Ainsley
That WAS priceless! Still a very good collage of video clips.
"what the hell are you doing practicing the President's signature?" "Its just for fun" - oh my, I almost fell out of my chair laughing ...
Those xmas card signing scenes are me and my husband every fracking year...
If John Spencer was still with us I’d want a Leo and Margaret spin-off.
I could watch 10 seasons of Leo and Margaret's daily office lives.
This was a great show and both of these characters two of the best parts of it. Rest in peace, John Spencer.
I loved Margaret! One of my favorite moments is when we find out she’s pregnant. It was just such an amazing moment to realize that for all the viewers think we know these characters we really don’t. It was such a shock, and I’m guessing it only happened because the actress was probably pregnant, but I love that the viewers just assumed we knew her and then discovered this whole other facet to her character that we had never really considered before.
They were great together. Another example of great writing, great casting.
I love Leo.
"How many spots are there in the President's bunker?"
"You throwin' a party?"
"We've got separation of power, checks and balances and Margaret, vetoing things and sending them back to the hill."
I miss this show, always makes me said thinking about John Spencer 🙏🏽 ❤️
Totally loved Margaret. She was funny, loyal and seemed to be very efficient. My fave scene was when she reminded Leo that he wasn’t supposed to do schedule any of his appointments on his own (hope I got that right) and she left the office saying she would give him a copy of that rule.
You included my FAVORITE clip, the one with Margaret saying she can forge the President's signature... LOL
"I think the White House counsel would say that's a coup d'etat" is my favorite line of the entire series.
Every time he's in the office and gets pissed off..."MARGARET!" 😂
A gorgeous compilation, worthy of two brilliant portrayals. My own favourites include the moment in "Lord John Marbury" when Josh and Sam are reporting back on the deposition and the impending media hurricane over Leo's treatment for addiction. When Sam presses Leo on whether his family knows, his clear "They know" has Margaret's silent but obvious nod of confirmation in the background.
“ Anyway, she sent me an email about the *actual* calorie count in the raisin muffin they're serving in the mess. I *forwarded* the email to *several hundred* assistants and secretaries in OEOB and in The West Wing, *and that was fine.* “
Truly GREAT Comedy depends on utter subtlety and attention the the most minute details - *In NO Way, was that “Fine,’.*
My favorite Leo-Margaret moment is when she tells him she can copy the President's signature...the line that got left out of the clip in this montage was from Leo: "We've got separation of powers, checks and balances, and Margaret vetoing things and sending them back to the Hill"...my favorite line!
hahaha.. always wanted to say "you've passed the point when i stopped caring.." thanks for compiling leo/margaret moments.
Margaret deserve a raise
You missed the one where Margaret is typing slow because of carpal tunnel and Leo says,"Margaret, look at my face."
Leo:"Who is Elizabeth?"
Margret:"Your sister."
I liked her French joke.
Thank you for compiling this - I think you did a great job.
Very nice video compilation. I also like the moment where she doesn't want him to have to be alone on a certain day , and they bicker, and then he says she's a good girl.
Margret is probably one of the funniest characters ever on TWW.
Joe McKim Her and C.J were most definitely the funniest!!!
With the permission of Lord John Marbury and Bernard Thatch, but yeah, she's right there.
Ainsley: "she seems to be a very good secretary"
Leo: "she'll be happy to hear that, she's standing right outside the door" (hits door)
Margret: "OW!"
Leo and Lord John Marbury are back together again
And Lord Marbury still thinks Leo is the butler haha
+Anthony Harris GERALD!! LOL
+Anthony Harris sadly both actors are dead :(
+David Tingwald it's LEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Anthony Harris you mean Gerald?😂
"Who the hell is this guy and why do i care if he has a merry christmas?"
"Just sign the damn thing."
This is probably the best west wing video on youtube
There's a great scene where Leo is revealing his alcohol addiction to the assembled staff. I can't find it on TH-cam. As Leo answers a question with a negative, you say see Margaret in the background shaking her head, answering the question non-verbally. I always liked that scene, as it showed how Margaret knew everything about him.
Are you sure you're not thinking of the first Big Block of Cheese one, when Leo says "I'm sure Margaret worked hard to assign these tasks to the most fitting person" (or something like that) and she is shaking her head like "No". Then he turns back and she nods "yes". That was mighty funny.
@@miguelencanarias
Yep, that's the one. Another of my favourite Margaret Moments :)
@@miguelencanarias No, I'm not thinking of that. It's definitely when he is talking about his addiction with the staff.
fantastic clip, fantastic editing
the funniest one is where she is saying she can sign the presidents name lol
M: Do you think the White House Counsel would say that was a bad idea?
L: I think the White House Counsel would say that was a coup d'etat!
NiCole delivered that beautifully, like she was an aloof schoolgirl not knowing the gravity of what she'd said, and of course John was just as brilliant!
Aerith LivesForever yessssssss
Yeah, but the best line from Leo got cut. "We've got check and balances, separation of powers and Margaret, vetoing things and sending them back to the Hill."
"Stop reading the disclosure reports; they're none of your business." The writers were good... They were good.
" ... they're none of your business." The writers were good ...
"It's going to be in the papers in 2 days."
4:12 is easily my favourite exchange between these two. Priceless.
Great video Margaret was great in that show!!
I loved how NiCole and John worked off each other. They had the best boss employee relationship. MAAARRRGREEET.
Brilliant
so brilliant
great actors
great writing
Leo was supposed to be the least funny -or the least eccentric- character, which actually gave him the best one liners reacting to the lunacy of the rest of the staff.
Margaret: Thank you!
John: Yes, well done
That did sound a bit improvised didn't it?
I love lord John marbury
She always wore frumpy clothes, but in an evening gown, was a knockout 😮
Love the episodes with the political consultant, Bruno, and he can never remember her name; calls her Redheaded Girl until he finally gives her a gold pendant with her name MARGARET, saying “ somebody said to give this to you”. Their dynamic was so sweet.
Leo and Margaret had some of the best interactions on The West Wing.
Another memorable Margaret moment is one she complains about the stress of typing on the pinkie finger. Very relatable.
They were the best duo on the show.
Margaret and Leo were the best comedy team since Bert and Ernie.
This show was brilliant! Great actors. Margaret was the best!!
"Well this is going to be interesting: we're going to have a small but dedicated group of people who can't raise their arms."
If anyone on this show deserved a spin-off, it's Margaret!
Margaret is definitely a favorite character. Love how odd and quirky she is. One egg is un oeuf.
Who's this?
Elizabeth.
Who's Elizabeth?
(Checks clipboard) Your sister...
So, Leo has at least two sisters, Elizabeth and Josephine, and neither of them visited him when he had a heart attack.
Think about the poor president who got shot and only one of his three daughters appeared.
@@edwinklai - Despite Ellie living only maybe 1/2 hour away!
@@edwinklai Budget must have been tight that season.
@@tejaswoman I love the episode in which we first see Ellie. The conversation in the end brought a tear. I knew that kind of estrangement.
Leo: "..and what the hell are you doing practicing the Presidents' signature??!!"Margaret: "Its just for fun..."Listen to the tone in both Leo's and Margaret's voice during this exchange. Like a father who caught his baby girl driving the family car when she wasn't supposed to.Tell me Margaret wasn't Leo's adopted daughter. He loved that girl probably more than Mallory...
L - I think the White House council would say that's a coup de tat!!
M - I would probably do some time for that
L - I would think!
LMAO
"I hung in there as long as I could..." Hahaha...
"Oh yes well done!" 😂😂 RIP Roger Rees you beaut.
I love how she aggravated him 😂
The 'President's signature' clip is one of my favorites 🤣
I always really loved these two.
"What the hell are you doing practicing the President's signature?!" LOL.
You missed Leo's first meeting with Ainsley when Margaret was caught listening atvthe door - that "ow" was pretty dang funny!
what the hell leo, that one egg joke killed me
Leo's expression is just priceless! LOL! Who knew he had a sister named Elizabeth! Apparently even he didn't know it! LOL!
Great compilation!
A few years ago one of the doctors I worked with told me he was tired of signing orders all day long, and I told him very causally that I could sign his signature perfectly. What followed was basically a similar play by play of the Margaret signing the Presidents name conversation. I remember watching this show for the first time not long after and realizing why I heavily identified with her from the first time I saw her on screen lol
My favorite is when Leo is interviewing Ainsley.
+acolytetojippity
"She'll be happy to hear it. She's standing right outside the door." BAM! He hits the door with his fist.
"Ow."
I loved that show. Aaron Sorkin's dialogue was so brilliant, and rapid fire. I would record the show each week and run scenes multiple times with the CC on. People talked over each other so much and every line was gold.
Wondering, how many people got the "egg joke"?
I literally choked! :D
I did, and my grasp of French is pretty minimal.
I did. I was dying! It was in her delivery that made it so funny.
You know, there's a theory that the term "Love" in tennis (meaning no score) is a corruption of "l'oeuf"
I loved it. Which episode was that?
about 95% of this show's audience
Great Conversation about Margaret
Aww this video is just brilliant, i realll love it especially the merry xmas thing and the egg joke lol
There was a show titled 'these women' that kind of highlighted these relationships and what they do.
I always loved her quirkiness. She was a great character and beautiful too....
"Because in France, one egg is 'un oeuf'" LOL
"I can sign the presidents name!" - Oh god, Margaret... xD
Yeah, it's a shame, there was the funnier part: "We have separation of powers, check and balance...and we have Margaret, vetoing things and sending them back to the Hill!"
Can't believe I had to scroll down this far to find somebody mentioning this oversight in an otherwise lovely edit. 🤣
Sorkib using the French egg joke in The Trial of the Chicago 7 was pure gold
1:40 "Oh yes! Well done!" I love Marbury :D