I wonder if Emily Procter ever realized how much she was LOVED in this role. To this day I cannot watch any of her scenes as Ainsley Hayes without great feeling for her. What a mistake it was not to offer her a bigger role so she would stay... The crime show spin off she went to was just...not even close to this remarkable role.
I think she knows. But CSI Miami paid her a lot more money. In her own words at the time she described the choice as "It was like choosing between a boyfriend that wants to be with you casually or a man that says I love you." Emily was also the first cast in CSI so she knew they were invested, but she was only a reoccurring role in the West Wing. It probably didn't help that her character was pretty tied to Sam's character and by that point things between Sorkin and Lowe were not great. Rob Lowe wanted more screen time and having another charismatic screen partner to draw attention from him probably made that situation worse.
I wanted to name my daughter Ainsley, because I admired this character so much. Unfortunately my idea was vetoed by my wife.... something about "executive privilege".
Ditto! One of life's little pleasures to find a character that elicits such strong positive affection for us, feelings even more recognisable when the character disappears too soon, like Ainsley. Aaron Sorkin has bought a few such characters into my life. I can't think of many portrayals through my years that have moved me as much as this one. I suspect the current US political climate has something to do with my undiminished affection for Ainsley Hayes.
John Larroquette was perfect in this role, imo. The just right level of pushy authority, humor, sarcasm, curmudgeonly charm, delivering lines perfectly written in character. It makes me want to be there, in that world. How I miss the elegance of The West Wing and all the lovely characters.
Honestly, she gave as good as she got, the comment about the office really was way way too snarky considering how many rungs he outranked her. This is exactly why I enjoyed her character so much despite disagreeing with her on probably everything that ever came out of her mouth. She was brave and ambitious. Dare I say as a left leaning person, a feminist icon. And famous in this universe far left lawyer respected her for it. Its a great dynamic, I wish we had gotten more of it.
Remember too Tribbey has no idea why Sam is there, but, for Sam to slam in there like that, he knows shit is about to happen there because unseen shit has already motivated Sam that way. He maybe derived a clue from the words "harassment suit" but remember earlier how he says he has these peoples' backs? "Oh yes, he can!"
It was also that last little flick of the eyes at the pair, filled with anger and contempt. That final dismissive turn on his heel and he stalks out the door. Wonderful delivery of the line(s), with a bit of physical acting that just puts the cherry on top.
@@heisdeadjim The fact that these were the same two guys that he was threatening to beat to death with a cricket bat earlier in the episode might also have carried some weight.
I like that the show made Republicans smart, too. While it had a liberal bias, it was a smart show, with smart characters. That is the way the country should be on both sides of the aisle. That’s something that happens…but rarely - and that, too, is true on both sides!
@@gyorgyor7765 In the West Wing World, the political reality was a lot more optimistic. The current GOP may be smart, but they are deliberately keeping it from their “base.” The best example is Texas Senator, Ted Cruz. He was one of the most brilliant law students his professors at Harvard Law School had. However, he is so politically opportunistic, we have yet to see any of that brilliance. We have yet to see anything but a lying, mean-spirited bully. There used to be senators like Barry Goldwater, Howard Baker, Nelson Rockefeller, and so on. We might not agree with any of their policies, but at least they articulated them with intelligence, logic, and especially honesty. Alas, I agree with you - this current crop of crap belies the likelihood of Ainsley Hayes or the character Alan Alda played towards the end of the series.
@@marksnschwartz7190 The Dems side isn't looking like best or brightest either, they let the woke hijack leftwing politics, they let Joe Manchin and Sigma veto any attempt to do anything useful, they can't get peace in the Ukraine, can't fix the global economy, can't fix the shipocolpyse. Absolutely useless. And no the Republican's aren't any better. A pox on all their houses.
Think about the casting in West Wing. Their were so many great casting decisions on this series. It made me look at John Goodman's work differently. Could anyone else have dome John Amos' Chief of Staff better? This is classic, so very rare, TV. I do wish that Aaron Sorkin would write for Biden.
One of my favorite scences in the entire series! Sam follows in Ainsley Hayes her office and sees the horrible note at 2:42 and IMMEDIATLY puts all partisonship aside. He leads to defend one of his own. I love the, "Who did this? (softly)" Followed by a louder, "WHO did this?!" I love how Sam leads the charge and is later backed by Lionel, he too had a fellow staffer's back. NOBODY messes with our own!
I want to live that last scene but the white male saviour thing combined with the misogynistic "then again I'm not a woman" statement is so frustrating from Sorkin's genius.
What I love about this scene and the first seen with Oliver Babish is that they both were getting ready to go on vacation and it got screwed up, its as though the writers like to torture the characters lol
That's business. I can't tell you how many of my vacations were canceled. I even had to schedule my wedding around work and took training I couldn't fit in at work by a pool on vacation in Mexico. And I just worked for a public utility company, not the White House. 😂😂
@@velocitymg now im too young to have watched the original, and havent bothered to watch the new one. BUT he one multiple emmys for night court back then. if anything hes coming back to something that got him great praise
What a fantastic scene in a series filled with beautifully written, wonderfully acted, and thoroughly thought-provoking storylines. Honest to God I miss it.
Aaron Sorkin wrote at least two other excellent tv shows - neither of which lasted more than a couple of seasons. It has been said that they were too challenging for their audiences to understand. Checkout “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”, and “The Newsroom”.
I love how fucking smart this series is. Makes my pause and google shit just so i can be in the joke. And then I learnded somthing. Dubbel lplus goood!
Aw, ainsley didn't want sam to see it by blocking it with her body. Then didn't want sam to stick up for her and make a fuss. What a nice ainsley. And what a nice sam, for saying not on my watch will I not fire them. Brilliant scene, sequence.
This was such a good series and I could watch many of the scenes over and over. Many of them given me chills b/c of the writing and principles they talk about.
In the early part of this vid, I think that Ainsley won Tribey over when she pointed out that he must have given up his cushy, well paid job to come to the White House over duty, after he'd asked her why she'd done it. Not really saying that Tribey ended up liking her, but I think that maybe he came to respect her when he realized the truth of what she'd said about both of them working at the WH out of duty.
@@ruk2023-- I like to believe tribey would have sided with Sam and Ainsley even if he had nothing but pure hatred for her. Even if you hate everything someone stands for that type of attack is base evil.
Also, the fact that she was so well informed about the President's stance on subjects vs. Tribbey's stance. Who would be so diligent as to research all of that? Only someone with a laser-focused mind, someone you could trust to get things correct the first time.
"Were you the recording secretary for the Princeton Gilbert & Sullivan Society for two years?" "No, but then again I'm not a woman. I so loved this show.
Some of the dialog was a sign of the times too. What's funny is you get these off color remarks (that one being somewhat sexist) but on the flip side supporting generally liberal or moderate political positions. I think in at least one scene somebody says "blacks" vs. (politically correct) "african american" phrase.
That has to be the most emphatic way to end a conversation I've ever heard: "SHISHKABOB!" I'm going to say that at the end of my next presentation at work. "Thank you for attending this review of our performance metrics for Q4 of this year. SHISHKABOB!"
Ainsley: Is it so hard to believe in this day and age that someone would roll up their sleeves, set aside partisanship, and say "What can I do?" Lionel: (chuckles) Yes. I'm getting a feeling that this was an omen of what the future holds.
My favorite part is how the moron actually forgot that San is actually his boss and tries to talk back until Lionel smacks him down. The facial expressions were priceless.
Sam is in the Communications Office (which is why he, unlike Josh, does NOT have a ticket to the Shelter in case of attack), not the WH Counsel’s Office, so the are technically right, like the guy who died maintaining his right-of-way in the Burma Shave signs. His best friend is the Deputy Chief of Staff, and if Josh wasn’t present Sam would tell Leo, the CoS. Either of those two could have them terminated, if not with extreme prejudice.
@@Egilhelmson Brookline and Joyce were both identified as "staffers in the Communications Office," so they DID, in fact, work under Sam -- the Deputy Communications Director. It was never explained why two Communications staffers were testifying before Congress, but that's not really the point. Sam had the authority to fire them. Even he didn't, though, Egilhelmson is right: Even if these guys didn't report to Sam, NONE of the people senior to Same would have lifted a finger to protect these guys, especially if Sam wanted them gone. They both vastly overestimated their own level of clout, and underestimated Sam's.
@@wsmith76usBrookline and Joyce were the two who testified on the Hill that the White House didn't have the Rockland memo. Barlet was a Democrat so the hearings were gavelled by a Republican led committee. If the testimony was an accidental lie, that Brookland and Joyce didn't know they had the Rockland, it was fixable. An accident under oath isnt perjury. But, Brookline and Joyce told a lie because it was a Republican committee and sent the dead flowers to Ainsley because how dare a) a Republican work in a Democratic White House and b) how dare she, the new hire, challenge them? The deliberate lie was in and of itself a fireable offence but Ainsley did her job and did indeed fix it. For which the two meatheads decided the dead flowers were somehow appropriate.
My favorite thing is that Sam Seaborn was a respected man but he wasn't feared like Tribey was. Those guys tried to argue with Sam but the second Lionel got involved they shut the hell up.
I think the only thing that could have made this scene better would have been if Lionel Tribey also knew about the "bitch" note, and he came to Ainsley's defense along with Sam. He kind of did in this scene, but he didn't really know the specifics. Lionel just hated those other 2 guys and wanted them gone regardless. It would've been cool to see his attitude towards Ainsley make that 180 degree turn, displaying underneath a character that is much more than the rough exterior he typically shows.
I think you get Lionel's motivation wrong. I think this was his moment to trust Sam's character by having his back without really knowing what had happened.
Tribey's a smart man. He heard "Harassment suit. She works here." He knows they'd met with Ainsley she is someone they aren't likely to treat well. He sees how enraged Sam and knows is Sam is not easy to enrage. He's demonstrating trust in Sam's judgement and honor in his dealings with Ainsley. If he'd wanted to stick it to the "tiny blonde fascist," he could have let it slide with a reprimand. He doesn't just fire them because of their legal faux pax. There is contempt in his tone. They have acted in a cowardly manner in addition to their earlier mistake. That what this scene is teaching us about his character, that honorable even to people who he holds in low regard.
Love love this whole west wing world. I have great granddaughter who is as bright as Ainsley. I like to think she was called after her. President Bartlett, where are you? We need you. ❤
I am continually amazed, even all these later after the first run, at the quality performances West Wing got from these actors with short on screen roles. Larroquette her, but how about John Goodman as the Leader of the House and then temporary President? John Amos as the Head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. All great performances and spot on in their portrayal of these roles.
But... they were part of the Communications Office. Tribey said so, at 1:26. "Two staffers in the Communications Office, Steve Joyce and Mark Brookline..."
Don't know what's my all-time, West Wing White House lead counsel funny moment: Tribey's "then again, I'm not a woman..." line to Sam, or Babish's smashing the recorder with the hammer after being informed of Bartlet's deception . Both make me laugh out loud every damn time.
This arc of episode was not only the most poignant, it was the most sightfull into the politics of today. "I feel a sense of duty." ...."hard to believe someone would roll up their sleeves and say what can I do?" "Yes." Pretty much sums up politics since the day they put this episode in the can. And the attitude of both parties toward such a thing as the opposite affiliations sense of duty. No wonder the legislatures approval rating has never reached more than 17 percent since around that time period.
i love that although tribbey is obviously an experienced litigator, but when he farts just after 2:22 he does what we all do and looks around for something that made a sound.
I'm going to need Bravo to start showing The West Wing as soon as possible starting from the beginning it's going to be a long 4 years it got me through the bush years
I have all the series on DVD and as they were pre-owned, I bought them for £23 (around $30). Bargain. Sorkin’s departure however meant the writing quality suffered.
Given today's partisan atmosphere, I have to wonder if someone like Ainsley is possible right now. Such a wonderful show. I loved President Bartlett (is that right?) and wished he was the real President. I still do.
Sam: Were you the recording secretary for the Princeton Gilbert & Sullivan Society? Lionel: No, but then again i'm not a woman! Priceless one-liner ...
I've always thought of Tribbey as someone who started out his political career as a calmer man. Now, I very much like the guy's political views (Or what we learn of them anyway), and how snarky he gets when those two blokes get sacked at the end, but I do think that the HEAVILY divided partisan brawling of government snapped his brain in some way. Not commenting in Iambic Pentameter would be a good start...
Yeah Sorkin only gave her a role as a recurring character the next season but CSI offered her a bigger role so she took that. Aaron Sorkin has gone on record saying it was the worst mistake he made on show by not offering her a series regular.
Agreed, I loved Ainsley, especially when she speaks in Iambic pentameter :) I hadn't heard the Sorkin thing about not offering her a regular spot, definitely was a big miss there.
If you just have people who can argue your case, you just end up surrounded by lackeys. No, it's good to have someone with a completly different view and who is smart, provided that the situation is properly managed. You want to see things from a different point of view so you can see all sides of an issue.If its done right it can keep you fair and balanced.
It seems that quite a few Americans know a great deal about Gilbert and Sullivan. I though am English and ironically I know as good as nothing about their work!
your not alone there, I'm English and in fact my local branch of Mcdonalds was built on the site of the house that Sullivan lived and my entire knowledge of gilbert and Sullivan more or less comes from this episode
I wonder if Emily Procter ever realized how much she was LOVED in this role. To this day I cannot watch any of her scenes as Ainsley Hayes without great feeling for her. What a mistake it was not to offer her a bigger role so she would stay... The crime show spin off she went to was just...not even close to this remarkable role.
I think she knows. But CSI Miami paid her a lot more money. In her own words at the time she described the choice as "It was like choosing between a boyfriend that wants to be with you casually or a man that says I love you."
Emily was also the first cast in CSI so she knew they were invested, but she was only a reoccurring role in the West Wing. It probably didn't help that her character was pretty tied to Sam's character and by that point things between Sorkin and Lowe were not great. Rob Lowe wanted more screen time and having another charismatic screen partner to draw attention from him probably made that situation worse.
I wanted to name my daughter Ainsley, because I admired this character so much. Unfortunately my idea was vetoed by my wife.... something about "executive privilege".
She was missed!
Ditto! One of life's little pleasures to find a character that elicits such strong positive affection for us, feelings even more recognisable when the character disappears too soon, like Ainsley. Aaron Sorkin has bought a few such characters into my life. I can't think of many portrayals through my years that have moved me as much as this one. I suspect the current US political climate has something to do with my undiminished affection for Ainsley Hayes.
Totally agree
John Larroquette was perfect in this role, imo. The just right level of pushy authority, humor, sarcasm, curmudgeonly charm, delivering lines perfectly written in character. It makes me want to be there, in that world. How I miss the elegance of The West Wing and all the lovely characters.
His yes He can was classic. Simple to the point.
Honestly, she gave as good as she got, the comment about the office really was way way too snarky considering how many rungs he outranked her. This is exactly why I enjoyed her character so much despite disagreeing with her on probably everything that ever came out of her mouth. She was brave and ambitious. Dare I say as a left leaning person, a feminist icon. And famous in this universe far left lawyer respected her for it. Its a great dynamic, I wish we had gotten more of it.
But his best character was CPT Stillman - "I wish I was a loofa."
I love the way Tribey says "Time for you to write your book now."
No, but then again, I'm not a woman.
He did say "I'll have their backs"
Remember too Tribbey has no idea why Sam is there, but, for Sam to slam in there like that, he knows shit is about to happen there because unseen shit has already motivated Sam that way.
He maybe derived a clue from the words "harassment suit" but remember earlier how he says he has these peoples' backs?
"Oh yes, he can!"
It was also that last little flick of the eyes at the pair, filled with anger and contempt. That final dismissive turn on his heel and he stalks out the door. Wonderful delivery of the line(s), with a bit of physical acting that just puts the cherry on top.
@@heisdeadjim The fact that these were the same two guys that he was threatening to beat to death with a cricket bat earlier in the episode might also have carried some weight.
John Larrroquette, another one of the most underrated actors. Also, Emily Procter was great. Ainsley Hayes might have been the perfect role for her.
Five Emmys and a Tony award in his career. Not too shabby.
I like that the show made Republicans smart, too. While it had a liberal bias, it was a smart show, with smart characters. That is the way the country should be on both sides of the aisle. That’s something that happens…but rarely - and that, too, is true on both sides!
@@marksnschwartz7190 Smart characters on either side seems like the least believable part of the show.
@@gyorgyor7765 In the West Wing World, the political reality was a lot more optimistic. The current GOP may be smart, but they are deliberately keeping it from their “base.”
The best example is Texas Senator, Ted Cruz. He was one of the most brilliant law students his professors at Harvard Law School had. However, he is so politically opportunistic, we have yet to see any of that brilliance. We have yet to see anything but a lying, mean-spirited bully.
There used to be senators like Barry Goldwater, Howard Baker, Nelson Rockefeller, and so on. We might not agree with any of their policies, but at least they articulated them with intelligence, logic, and especially honesty. Alas, I agree with you - this current crop of crap belies the likelihood of Ainsley Hayes or the character Alan Alda played towards the end of the series.
@@marksnschwartz7190 The Dems side isn't looking like best or brightest either, they let the woke hijack leftwing politics, they let Joe Manchin and Sigma veto any attempt to do anything useful, they can't get peace in the Ukraine, can't fix the global economy, can't fix the shipocolpyse. Absolutely useless. And no the Republican's aren't any better. A pox on all their houses.
Both Emily and John should have been given larger roles. I loved both of their characters.
Ahhhh, I love John Laroquette. He was perfect in the role.
And I love watching Sam stick up for a teammate.
Think about the casting in West Wing. Their were so many great casting decisions on this series. It made me look at John Goodman's work differently. Could anyone else have dome John Amos' Chief of Staff better? This is classic, so very rare, TV.
I do wish that Aaron Sorkin would write for Biden.
John Laroquette is exactly how I would be as a boss, approachable, but not friendly, and God help you if you mess with one of my people
One of my favorite scences in the entire series! Sam follows in Ainsley Hayes her office and sees the horrible note at 2:42 and IMMEDIATLY puts all partisonship aside. He leads to defend one of his own. I love the, "Who did this? (softly)" Followed by a louder, "WHO did this?!" I love how Sam leads the charge and is later backed by Lionel, he too had a fellow staffer's back. NOBODY messes with our own!
Sam kicks butt in this scene. :)
Notice how Sam paused at the threshold and asked for permission to enter?
@@heisdeadjim Yes, he's a vampire - it's the most closely guarded secret in the show. ;)
I want to live that last scene but the white male saviour thing combined with the misogynistic "then again I'm not a woman" statement is so frustrating from Sorkin's genius.
Needed to include the scene with the music from Pinafore at the end
What I love about this scene and the first seen with Oliver Babish is that they both were getting ready to go on vacation and it got screwed up, its as though the writers like to torture the characters lol
that's lawyers.
That's business. I can't tell you how many of my vacations were canceled. I even had to schedule my wedding around work and took training I couldn't fit in at work by a pool on vacation in Mexico. And I just worked for a public utility company, not the White House. 😂😂
Among the amazing, well-constructed vocabulary of lines in this show, "Shishkebab" may be my all.time favorite.
It's amazing how imposing John Larroquette is in this role. Extremely well-rounded actor.
A great actor who is so very underrated
@@davidstout8604 definitely.
And now he is in Night Court, how the mighty has fallen
@@velocitymg umm
@@velocitymg now im too young to have watched the original, and havent bothered to watch the new one. BUT he one multiple emmys for night court back then. if anything hes coming back to something that got him great praise
Sam has exquisite penmanship.
It's like Salvador Dali (I'm just continuing the reference)
What a fantastic scene in a series filled with beautifully written, wonderfully acted, and thoroughly thought-provoking storylines. Honest to God I miss it.
This was a class show, with a remarkable cast.i wish there shows on tv now that were of this caliber. Most (but not all) pale in comparison.
I learned more about the American constitution and political machine from this show than at university. It is a masterpiece.
TWW is excellent. House of Cards is also very good. Always makes me wonder which one is more realistic?
Aaron Sorkin wrote at least two other excellent tv shows - neither of which lasted more than a couple of seasons. It has been said that they were too challenging for their audiences to understand. Checkout “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”, and “The Newsroom”.
Check out The Diplomat. Done by Debra Cahn, an alum of The West Wing and Grey's Anatomy.
I watch this and think Dan Fielding finally got his act together and, this is how far he got.
From traffic court to the white house what an amazing journey he took to get there
@@inappreciation7339 with a rough stint in the Army on the way (my favorite Laroquette role).
He had a 'sense of duty'!
The Iambic pentameter line gets me every time
I love how fucking smart this series is. Makes my pause and google shit just so i can be in the joke. And then I learnded somthing. Dubbel lplus goood!
Was it iambic pentameter though?
I looked it up. And it is. Good job, Sorkin and writing staff.
Aw, ainsley didn't want sam to see it by blocking it with her body. Then didn't want sam to stick up for her and make a fuss. What a nice ainsley. And what a nice sam, for saying not on my watch will I not fire them.
Brilliant scene, sequence.
No one in all of human history has uttered the word "shish kebab" more hilariously.
This was such a good series and I could watch many of the scenes over and over. Many of them given me chills b/c of the writing and principles they talk about.
In the early part of this vid, I think that Ainsley won Tribey over when she pointed out that he must have given up his cushy, well paid job to come to the White House over duty, after he'd asked her why she'd done it. Not really saying that Tribey ended up liking her, but I think that maybe he came to respect her when he realized the truth of what she'd said about both of them working at the WH out of duty.
Of course she did, that's why Tribey took Sam's side in firing those guys.
@@ruk2023-- I like to believe tribey would have sided with Sam and Ainsley even if he had nothing but pure hatred for her. Even if you hate everything someone stands for that type of attack is base evil.
Also, the fact that she was so well informed about the President's stance on subjects vs. Tribbey's stance. Who would be so diligent as to research all of that? Only someone with a laser-focused mind, someone you could trust to get things correct the first time.
The way the conversation between Sam and Tribey ends with "shish kebab" gets me every time.
Sam just standing there blinking like a deer in the headlights at the end like "....ok."
"Leave here. And don't ever come back." Who knew Dan Fielding would grow up so badass? :)
Or Smeagol
@@lmaxson1 Yeah, I hear those words in Smeagol's voice.
Night Court, The West Wing, House
Great every time!
Lionel Tribbey:"Oh Yes He Can, Leave Here And Don't Ever Come Back It's Time For Both Of You To Write Your Book Now!"😄😆🤣😁😎👍
Little did those two guys know, but they got off easy, Tribey originally wanted to bash their heads with a cricket bat.
"Were you the recording secretary for the Princeton Gilbert & Sullivan Society for two years?"
"No, but then again I'm not a woman.
I so loved this show.
We had a Gilbert and Sullivan Society at university. They did West Side Story.
Some of the dialog was a sign of the times too. What's funny is you get these off color remarks (that one being somewhat sexist) but on the flip side supporting generally liberal or moderate political positions. I think in at least one scene somebody says "blacks" vs. (politically correct) "african american" phrase.
Wish I saw Tribbey more, but Babish was AMAZING!
I wish all three continued with the series. This episode is among my favorites.
The West Wing was SO, SO, GREAT! The WRITING! The CHARACTERS!, The ACTING! I watch ONE scene and I am transported back!
I like how the only way to leave Sam speechless was to talk about "little drinks" with "umbrellas sticking out of them" and "shish-ka-bob"!
1:12 - Yes. One of the best lines ever from Lionel. This scene is only surpassed by Ainsley dancing to Blame It On The Bossa Nova (smile).
I love the back and forth, Tribey telling her to join the Navy, and her quick response of "I was asked to do this"
That has to be the most emphatic way to end a conversation I've ever heard:
"SHISHKABOB!"
I'm going to say that at the end of my next presentation at work.
"Thank you for attending this review of our performance metrics for Q4 of this year. SHISHKABOB!"
My all time favorite TV show, love all these characters...
When Tribbey called Ainsley "a blonde and leggy fascist", I was done. LOL!!!
She's not Ann Coulter
God damn this was a good show before Sorkin left! Just timeless writing and acting. There will never be anything like this again.
Ainsley: Is it so hard to believe in this day and age that someone would roll up their sleeves, set aside partisanship, and say "What can I do?"
Lionel: (chuckles) Yes.
I'm getting a feeling that this was an omen of what the future holds.
Hi, from the Future.
It's Much Worse, now
(Send Help)
@@Rensune so much worse that it doesn't even seem believable that this show is about the same country.
Not speaking in iambic pentameter would be a step in the right direction.
Classic Sorkin.
My favorite part is how the moron actually forgot that San is actually his boss and tries to talk back until Lionel smacks him down. The facial expressions were priceless.
Sam is in the Communications Office (which is why he, unlike Josh, does NOT have a ticket to the Shelter in case of attack), not the WH Counsel’s Office, so the are technically right, like the guy who died maintaining his right-of-way in the Burma Shave signs. His best friend is the Deputy Chief of Staff, and if Josh wasn’t present Sam would tell Leo, the CoS. Either of those two could have them terminated, if not with extreme prejudice.
@@Egilhelmson Brookline and Joyce were both identified as "staffers in the Communications Office," so they DID, in fact, work under Sam -- the Deputy Communications Director. It was never explained why two Communications staffers were testifying before Congress, but that's not really the point. Sam had the authority to fire them.
Even he didn't, though, Egilhelmson is right: Even if these guys didn't report to Sam, NONE of the people senior to Same would have lifted a finger to protect these guys, especially if Sam wanted them gone. They both vastly overestimated their own level of clout, and underestimated Sam's.
@@wsmith76usBrookline and Joyce were the two who testified on the Hill that the White House didn't have the Rockland memo.
Barlet was a Democrat so the hearings were gavelled by a Republican led committee. If the testimony was an accidental lie, that Brookland and Joyce didn't know they had the Rockland, it was fixable.
An accident under oath isnt perjury. But, Brookline and Joyce told a lie because it was a Republican committee and sent the dead flowers to Ainsley because how dare a) a Republican work in a Democratic White House and b) how dare she, the new hire, challenge them?
The deliberate lie was in and of itself a fireable offence but Ainsley did her job and did indeed fix it.
For which the two meatheads decided the dead flowers were somehow appropriate.
John Laroquette was brilliant at whatever he did-----of course, 1st class writing does help. --------------WolfSky9, 72 y/o
LOVE THIS SCENE - That's why I own the entire series!!
To have the opportunity to end an argument by shouting the word ...
shishkabobs! ... Is one of my life goals.
My favorite thing is that Sam Seaborn was a respected man but he wasn't feared like Tribey was. Those guys tried to argue with Sam but the second Lionel got involved they shut the hell up.
... because Tribey was their actual boss. "Sam, you can't fire us" was the plain truth- until Tribey stepped in to confirm it.
this was one of my favorite scene rom the west wing
I think the only thing that could have made this scene better would have been if Lionel Tribey also knew about the "bitch" note, and he came to Ainsley's defense along with Sam. He kind of did in this scene, but he didn't really know the specifics. Lionel just hated those other 2 guys and wanted them gone regardless. It would've been cool to see his attitude towards Ainsley make that 180 degree turn, displaying underneath a character that is much more than the rough exterior he typically shows.
My favorite part is that he didnt know. It shows his respect for Sam.
@@williamtolbert5473 Very true. Good point.
I think you get Lionel's motivation wrong. I think this was his moment to trust Sam's character by having his back without really knowing what had happened.
@@cdjhyoung Thats an interesting take. And you very well may be correct on that. Maybe it was a little of both. Good point though.
Tribey's a smart man. He heard "Harassment suit. She works here." He knows they'd met with Ainsley she is someone they aren't likely to treat well. He sees how enraged Sam and knows is Sam is not easy to enrage. He's demonstrating trust in Sam's judgement and honor in his dealings with Ainsley. If he'd wanted to stick it to the "tiny blonde fascist," he could have let it slide with a reprimand. He doesn't just fire them because of their legal faux pax. There is contempt in his tone. They have acted in a cowardly manner in addition to their earlier mistake. That what this scene is teaching us about his character, that honorable even to people who he holds in low regard.
I've never been a fan of John Larroquette but I have to admit he was awesome in this role.
He wished he was a loofah
He was awesome in Night Court.
Love love this whole west wing world. I have great granddaughter who is as bright as Ainsley. I like to think she was called after her. President Bartlett, where are you? We need you. ❤
Tribbey was an extraordinarily 2D character - the West Wing got it right second time with the living, breathing Oliver Babic
*Babbish, excuse me. By the way, while we are on the subject, why is the name Danny Concannon pronounced as if it was Kincannon?
I echo TheRyman25's sentiment. They should have had John Larroquette come back in future episodes.
I love when Sam writes you are fired. :-)
That penmanship is stunning XD
I wish there was more of tribby
Two of the best character introductions in the series were Tribbey and Babish.
I love this show
"umbrellas sticking out of them"!!!
Season #2, episodes #3 & #4, I believe. 2 of the best in the series.
We should have seen much more of both Lionel Tribbey and Ainsley Hayes.
Just love this one
But, "But then I'm not a woman." is clearly the key line here.
i wish we'd seen more of the White House Counsels. John and Oliver were both great
again and again it stunns
This is probably the best scene.
+Lauren Redding yeah
From now on, I'm going to randomly blurt out "SHISH-KABOB!" when in public..
These 2 actors had a great scene they both went on to good careers.
John Laroquete had already achieved a great career at that point.
To cute this scene!!
I am continually amazed, even all these later after the first run, at the quality performances West Wing got from these actors with short on screen roles. Larroquette her, but how about John Goodman as the Leader of the House and then temporary President? John Amos as the Head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. All great performances and spot on in their portrayal of these roles.
Another great scene with Emily, John,
Good choice to pick an actor with genuine comic chops as Trilbey.
But... they were part of the Communications Office. Tribey said so, at 1:26. "Two staffers in the Communications Office, Steve Joyce and Mark Brookline..."
Don't know what's my all-time, West Wing White House lead counsel funny moment: Tribey's "then again, I'm not a woman..." line to Sam, or Babish's smashing the recorder with the hammer after being informed of Bartlet's deception . Both make me laugh out loud every damn time.
This arc of episode was not only the most poignant, it was the most sightfull into the politics of today. "I feel a sense of duty." ...."hard to believe someone would roll up their sleeves and say what can I do?" "Yes." Pretty much sums up politics since the day they put this episode in the can. And the attitude of both parties toward such a thing as the opposite affiliations sense of duty. No wonder the legislatures approval rating has never reached more than 17 percent since around that time period.
Lionel and Ainsley needed more scenes together.
i love that although tribbey is obviously an experienced litigator, but when he farts just after 2:22 he does what we all do and looks around for something that made a sound.
Drinks in drinking vessels made from South Pacific pineapples. Umbrellas, whilst washing that man right outta my hair.
So cool...
The "Sam" version of going thermonuclear!!
Tribbey is incorrect. Speaking in iambic pentameter is a quite subtle and effective method of persuasion.
I wish we had more of this in real life politics.
"...shish kabob!..."
I miss him in Stripes.
I'm going to need Bravo to start showing The West Wing as soon as possible starting from the beginning it's going to be a long 4 years it got me through the bush years
its all on Netflix. Just be careful, once you start you'll will binge watch.
Or, buy the series. I watch it beginning every October.
I have all the series on DVD and as they were pre-owned, I bought them for £23 (around $30). Bargain. Sorkin’s departure however meant the writing quality suffered.
Just go to your local library and check them out
3:59 I like how he's kinda saying, "yes, tell the world I fired you just for doing your jobs. Your word against the President's."
"You wanna cut of my arm?" LOL
It's a shame they didn't do more with John Larroquette than this one episode.
“Its from Penzance don’t tell me about Gilbert and Sullivan”
Given today's partisan atmosphere, I have to wonder if someone like Ainsley is possible right now. Such a wonderful show. I loved President Bartlett (is that right?) and wished he was the real President. I still do.
Sam: Were you the recording secretary for the Princeton Gilbert & Sullivan Society?
Lionel: No, but then again i'm not a woman!
Priceless one-liner ...
ever since this scene, I've used "Shishkabob!" as an exclamation of disgust where more coarse language would be frowned upon.
Excellent choice of expletive😀
Wish Laroquette was on more of the show. Was so great.
I've always thought of Tribbey as someone who started out his political career as a calmer man. Now, I very much like the guy's political views (Or what we learn of them anyway), and how snarky he gets when those two blokes get sacked at the end, but I do think that the HEAVILY divided partisan brawling of government snapped his brain in some way.
Not commenting in Iambic Pentameter would be a good start...
I wish Lionel would have stayed around for a few more seasons.
John Larrroquette is the KING.
Actually, I think the character who definitely should have come back is Ainsley Hayes.
Joe Quincy (played by Matthew Perry)
She did at the end of the series. She was looking for a job in the Santos administration.
she joined csi
Yeah Sorkin only gave her a role as a recurring character the next season but CSI offered her a bigger role so she took that. Aaron Sorkin has gone on record saying it was the worst mistake he made on show by not offering her a series regular.
Agreed, I loved Ainsley, especially when she speaks in Iambic pentameter :) I hadn't heard the Sorkin thing about not offering her a regular spot, definitely was a big miss there.
Sorry Lionel, it’s Pinafore!!!!
04:26 “No, but then again I’m Not a Woman” 😂🤣😅👍
And now (2023) Lionel Triby has come full circle back to night court!
If you just have people who can argue your case, you just end up surrounded by lackeys. No, it's good to have someone with a completly different view and who is smart, provided that the situation is properly managed. You want to see things from a different point of view so you can see all sides of an issue.If its done right it can keep you fair and balanced.
Little drinks!
In what universe can the Deputy Communications Director not fire two staffers in his own office?
What I would like to know is why are they in the white house, I thought Lionel said they were on the hill?
They were testifying on the Hill on behalf of the White House.
Whatever I end up doing with my life I hope i turn out like Lionel XD
If anyone but me cares, Tribbey's wrong, by the way, "He is an Englishman" is from Pinafore
He would have known that, but he was too flustered with not getting his tiny umbrellas in the frozen drinks on a warm beach.
It seems that quite a few Americans know a great deal about Gilbert and Sullivan. I though am English and ironically I know as good as nothing about their work!
dickyhood
Your comment would be more accurate saying "It seems that a few Americans know about Gilbert and Sullivan"
I wish your statement were true.
your not alone there, I'm English and in fact my local branch of Mcdonalds was built on the site of the house that Sullivan lived and my entire knowledge of gilbert and Sullivan more or less comes from this episode
Were YOU the recording secretary for the Princeton Gilbert & Sullivan Society for two years?
little umbrellas
@airdriver Yeah!.. and there was never any explanation as to where Lionel went.
I think he got Boston Legal or something!
"God Save This Honorable Court: How the Choice of Supreme Court Justices Shapes Our History"
She's right. It's from Pinafore.