It is incredible how idealistic this was. It feels like a different age.

@briansmith9439

6 жыл бұрын

And somehow not so different - North Korean missile launches, trouble with public education, school vouchers, gun control, questions on global warming, and so on. Further, when this was made in the early 2000s, many of the issues were already decades old at that time and only being rehashed once again - for instance: gays serving in the military was an issue in the 1940s, the 1960s, the 1980s and, once again, at the time of this series. What is eerie was the trouble with the space shuttle Columbia not being able to safely reenter the atmosphere.

@7srchoed

3 жыл бұрын

It feels like romantic fiction

@ValeriePallaoro

3 жыл бұрын

@@avae5343 It's what the rest of the world (and, it seems, the writers/directors/producers/actors/bus boys and caterers) of this series want the White House to be .. that's not corny, that's idealistic.

@JasonAguirre

3 жыл бұрын

@@briansmith9439 It's not that the issues were different, it was the way we perceived them. Not much hope these days.

@stephencrean3226

2 жыл бұрын

Shivers Everytime I see this clip

This is peak West Wing right here. Everything about this cold open, it’s like a microcosm of the entire show. Very unique. Extremely historic. 😂

@desgowlron5010

3 ай бұрын

And very much live! 🤣

"We're both writers." "Yes I suppose if we broaden the definition to those that can spell." Sam just ended that man's life.

@jcolinmizia9161

2 жыл бұрын

The huge difference between technical writers and political speech writers.

@wendysnelgrove5870

2 жыл бұрын

The NASA writer wouldn't have been that bad. Not outstanding like Sam, but "very unique" and "extremely historic" would neither have been written nor cleared by NASA public affairs.

@veramae4098

Жыл бұрын

Still, NASA was stuck with a crappy PR department for a long time. I mean, WHY antagonize the Star Trek crowd? Go ahead and name a shuttle, a FLYING shuttle after the TV series.

@CT.411

Жыл бұрын

@@veramae4098​ it was the Trekkies who led the campaign to have it named Enterprise

@RoseKentspeth

Жыл бұрын

"He's going to make some changes." "You going to clear them with me?" "I doubt it."

Alison Janney's expression after the delivery of "I converted it to Celsius in my head" is pure platinum.

@WayneMcDougall

2 жыл бұрын

"I don't show off"

@terrygracy8345

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed. I LOVE THIS PREZ!! If only…

@terrygracy8345

2 жыл бұрын

“We’re both writers”. 😂😂

@bsgtrekfan88

Жыл бұрын

her delivery of her "AHA!" moment is also pure gold! This is the ONE time she FINALLY had one on the President . . . . nope lol!!

@HarrisonHollers

Жыл бұрын

“ I strongly suggest. I Strongly Suggest. I STRONGLY SUGGEST!”

Possibly the greatest cold open to the greatest show ever made.

@patrickconrad396

3 жыл бұрын

This is my favorite episode. For this opening alone. Rob Lowe's delivery is epic.

@heisdeadjim

3 жыл бұрын

@@patrickconrad396 I would have loved to have the for real thing happen with the experts in the chairs. One of them could have made essentially the same joke about being a smart arse that CJ did and Jed could've had fun at her expense.

@callmehanson9466

3 жыл бұрын

My favorite cold opening still has to be when they started up a fireplace in the State Dining room even though it was sealed off which started a massive fire alarm. Then Charlie had to wake up the President and went, "You know how you told me not to wake you up unless the building were on fire?"

@macblastoff7700

3 жыл бұрын

@@callmehanson9466 , I appreciate your use of the subjunctive mood, but even Sorkin, who loves style, knew that it would be out of character for Charlie's character. But to be fair, it certainly qualified as a "cold" open.

@rkid727

Жыл бұрын

This is pretty good. Really good. My personal favorite is Enemies. Josh gets stuck in the Oval and Bartlett just wants to keep talking about national parks. 😂

How do you NOT get misty-eyed (and goosebumps) from such a poetic moment of writing?? Thank you, Mr. Sorkin!

@GaryThomasGeorge

3 жыл бұрын

So very true!

@xaenon

3 жыл бұрын

@@GaryThomasGeorge This scene ALONE is what made me want to watch the entire series. I was not disappointed in the slightest.

@lizbogonia

11 ай бұрын

The music helps and gets me everytime

@dogcatman7069

10 ай бұрын

It gets me every time!

I love how President Bartlet stands in awe as Sam "writes".

Man, I really miss this show. The decency, the intellect, and the hope.

"I don't show off". 15 seconds later: "I converted it to Celsius in my head"

@flyboy152

3 жыл бұрын

He did it just to annoy CJ. 😀

@chriskelly3481

2 жыл бұрын

Now the rest of America needs to do that and start its journey into the 20th century.

The “How you doing, Mr. President?” Cracks me up every single time!😅

“While we’re at it, do we have to say ‘live’ twice in the first two sentences, like we just cracked the technology? We’re also broadcasting in living colour, right?” Gotta love CJ.

@PaperbackWizard

Жыл бұрын

There's another reason not to use the word "live" the second time. They're talking about images they're receiving from Galileo. Those images aren't "live". They're being shared immediately, but they're still 18 hours in the past. Sam's line about them being the first to see the images is more accurate.

"He said it right..." You MUST love CJ Craig reaction when Bartlett says it...

I hadn't watched The West Wing in a long time. After watching this video, between Sam's stirring speech writing for the Galileo V mission and the soaring opening credits music, I was nearly in tears. This show is really that good, but even more so, it speaks to a yearning to have leaders who are smarter than the rest of us and at the same time are men and women of conscience and good will. Naturally, I immediately found the entire episode on MAX and watched it through... and a few more after that. Aaron Sorkin sure knows how to write 'em good!

I love how flustered CJ gets when Bartlet is in an exploratory mood

This cold open really warmed my heart. But the intro theme nearly brought me to tears. You can just feel the patriotism. It just fills you with hope.

@PeterAden

3 жыл бұрын

I sure does.. every time I hear it - and I'm not even American!

@jimmy2k4o

3 жыл бұрын

I’m Scottish and it gets me misty eyes too. As much as USA, and Russia deserve basically all the credit. Space travel is a an accomplishment every human can feel proud of and should feel hopeful about going forward.

@luvshak3095

Жыл бұрын

@@jimmy2k4o As an American I respectfully disagree. Competition got humanity into the upper atmosphere and the moon. Only unity can take us to the other planets and beyond.

@lancer525

Жыл бұрын

That is what patriotism is supposed to do. Fill you with hope. Hope for a better future, for everyone.

I love how CJ seemed so stuck in the mud at the start of the episode, wanting to just nail a Presidential broadcast. Then, at the end of the episode, she found the theme they were struggling to find for the whole event. "We have, at our disposal, a captive audience of schoolchildren. Some of them don't go to the black board and raise their hand 'cause they think they're gonna be wrong. I think you should say to these kids you think you get it wrong sometimes, you should come down here and see how the big boys do it. (...) Some of them will laugh, and most of them won't care, but for some, they might honestly see that it's about going to the blackboard and raising your hand.... and that's the broader theme."

2:20 I love the look he gives CJ before answering the second question. He wants to give the answer, but he doesn't want to get reprimanded again. 😄

Yeah. I got chills. That poor writer had no idea what he was up against when he tried to tilt windmills with Sam Seborn.

Watching this show and listening to Sam speak, taught this Hispanic inmigrant to love English, but also the purpose of an essay, which is cautivating an audience.

@jimmy2k4o

3 ай бұрын

You know when you mix all the paint together you get this weird mess.. That’s the English language. We take the best bits from other languages.

Chills down my spine listening to Sam write that opening.

@paulhay7791

3 жыл бұрын

Me too.

As a grown man, I shouldn't tear up every time I hear Sam's speech.

@stixusardarach2625

3 жыл бұрын

Same, but I mean, that just shows how good a speech it is XD.

@AegisNova

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, you should tear up. That’s precisely the point!

@aniruddho_m

2 жыл бұрын

I think you do need to be grown up; at least in your head otherwise, you could be 5 for all I care; to appreciate this scene. It brings me to tears hearing this and thinking I belong to the same species as the man who wrote this, the fact that it's fiction notwithstanding . I'm sad there are people who aren't moved by some of the writing on this show.

@emraldeyz1

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, yes you should.

@jamesgoines7663

Жыл бұрын

After all of our tears, as Bartlet would say "What's Next?"

This is one of the best episodes of the show. And at the end Bartlet tells CJ "You said it right that time"

@SoldierMed68W

6 жыл бұрын

iandhr1 Galileo VI!

This dynamic between CJ and the President. Gold.

I love how Sam polished up the speech and made it amazing

Thank you. Thank you. THANK YOU. Nothing drives me more mad than the use of the phrase "very unique". "Unique" does not need a qualifier.

@grahamnicholls6070

6 жыл бұрын

My pet hate is "very real", as in "very real concerns". As opposed to slightly imaginary concerns. Drives me NUTS! Also, (here in the UK at least) a politician can't say "people" - it has to be "hard working families" as if people not in families don't work hard, or matter.

@chinatype2bassrocker809

4 жыл бұрын

It was completely obvious, he was clearly confused.

@johnmh1000

3 жыл бұрын

@@grahamnicholls6070 Can I put up 'uncountable'? Sometimes things are very, very countable. Just saying....

@bradnotbrad

5 ай бұрын

@@grahamnicholls6070Coming at you from 5 years in the future, I think the phrase “hard working families” does good work to define and uplift the group being discussed in relation to referring to an unspecified “people”. Although if Sam were to write it I’m sure he would come up with something better.

The West Wing is where I come when I need: a) to think b) to think about more than my own life c) to be both inspired and cheered up in my thinking.

The mere fact that this clip includes the whole into is a sign of pure genius. And I love you for it!

The best cold open of any show ever.

I recently saw Sorkin's adaptation of "To Kill a Mockingbird". Such great writing!

I get the feeling Aaron Sorkin would have done a great job writing a movie about NASA in the 60s.

1962-- I was a third grader on the lunchtime playground with my little black transistor radio close to my ear, eagerly listening to a live broadcast of one of the very first missions in space. Dodgeball, 4-square, and the monkey bars could wait for another day. I was witnessing history. God Bless America! 🇺🇲

Sam Seaborn embodies everything I want to be

Damn, the writing on this show. The cast, everything... I feel proud, patriotic, and inspired every time I watch it.

I love CJ's little in-joke about "in living color". NBC was the first network to switch to all color broadcasting in the 60s.

This show got me through the Bush years.

@jimmy2k4o

3 ай бұрын

By many accounts bush was actually quite smart, he was just a bad public speaker.

When I write anything, this comes into my mind.

@tomsampson8084

3 жыл бұрын

Me to. Very unique is one that bothers me all the time.

Oh goodness Lord Jed is sooooo good with his adoptive kids isn't he? It's cute to just look at.

This has too be the (or) one of the best t.v shows ever made I should know I’ve been watching it for over 20 years

I don't know how many times I have seen this. I am continually impressed by the writing on this program. I started to think that ALL Presidents should be like this.

This episode has been in my mind for the last couple of weeks whilst waiting for the Artemis I launch.

The is a great example of “show, don’t tell” for expressive writing. The NASA writer was very much expressing what what happening, while Sam’s version is telling the story of Galileo V. The same information, but much more engaging.

I never tire of this opening.

The best series ever on TV.

This scene simultaneously means so much, understands so much and explains so much, especially now that we're working so hard to explore and colonize Mars. I can never adequately explain how passionate and excited I am about NASA and its missions, but "he said it right."

The last expression from CJ is what steals this scene, my opinion.

I’m so glad these clips always include the intro, there’s something about the way the moments lead up to it, the way the music fades in before the cut and the unabashedly patriotic, grandiose and inspirational aura of it that makes it perfect.

This had to be THE best show EVER !!!! I miss The West wing. Truly great writing, superb acting. Man do I miss those days. So much CRAP on these days. So many shows being brought back. Never the same.

Who else felt like this today when NASA showed the first Webb image? I got tingles.

That musical intro will get me every time.

I have to say, No single show or movie has ever raised my opinion of an actor as much as the west wing raised my appreciation for Rob Lowe. He shows how fantastic of an actor he is during his run

Possibly my favorite opening of the WW. Boy that Aaron Sorkin..."He said it right".

Just one example for why Rob L. should not have left TWW.

@tomsampson8084

3 жыл бұрын

The original concept of the show was to focus on West Wing staff. Rob Lowe was supposed to be the main character and star. He got relegated to a cast member so he finished his contract and left. I wish he wouldn't have done that because he was so good in the show. It was nice to see him come back for a couple episodes in the final season.

@TigDegner

3 жыл бұрын

Sam's interactions with Ainsley Hayes in general, and with Josh at the beginning of S02 were beautiful. But Rob Lowe was an otherwise forgettable pretty face. In light of Sheen's consistently show-stopping performance season after season, I think we'd all have been better off with a more capable actor in Lowe's place. TWW was supposed to be a vessel for Lowe, but his '90s appeal hasn't aged well. Insert anyone from the FRIENDS main cast and I honestly think they'd do better. To be clear: I'm saying characters from a sitcom would have been, at least, more entertaining. More ideally, someone with more than one-dimensional acting capabilities would have been cast to bring some depth to the role. TWW would have been better without Rob Lowe.

@ValeriePallaoro

3 жыл бұрын

@@TigDegner Nope .. you picked the wrong youtube post to air your grievances. This speech is a show stopper. And it was a shame to lose him. This is about as capable as you get.

@terrygracy8345

2 жыл бұрын

@@TigDegner yeah. I’m gonna disagree. Sam was one of my faves

Such great writing, and they knew it and made it a meta part of the show

This, when Sam talks to Leo's daughter about schools, and the cancer speech. Great writing delivered perfectly.

There are very few shows that I made a point to watch throughout my time and West Wing was one of them. Before WW it was Cheers and most recently all seasons of Game of Thrones. Yes I said all seasons!

The way The president looks at Sam dominating the opening is how a proud father looks at his son..

In one episode Bartlett told Sam that some day he would be President. Wish they'd make that sequel.

Not a month goes by without me thinking about this and NEVER do I hear anything about Nasa in the news without thinking "PLEASE say it right"

This is the show that made me want to be a writer.

Even the music was awesome. The best political drama ever.

@paulcrawford5437

4 жыл бұрын

More than that, best drama period.

God Sam was so good at writing !!

@briansmith9439

6 жыл бұрын

Actually, Rob Lowe, who played Sam Seaborne, was phenomenal at delivering the lines written for him; Rob did not actually write the lines. The writing in this series has got to be some of the best ever done and the directing, dictating the timing of the lines delivered, was equally impressive. One of the strongest casts ever assembled.

@nigelft

6 жыл бұрын

Reminds me of that moment after ' the streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight' (iirc...) speach ... 'When did you write that last part ...?' 'In the car ...' 'Freak ...'

@HKim0072

6 жыл бұрын

I think you mean Aaron Sorkin, haha.

@DT-hp8de

6 жыл бұрын

Don't you mean Aaron Sorkin?

@marypatperego4147

6 жыл бұрын

Actually, the re-write contains a mistake. He says, "You, me and 60,000 of your classmates . . . will watch." Me cannot be the subject of a sentence, even if included in a crowd. It should have been, You, I and 60,000 of your classmates. On a brilliantly-written show, that is surprising.

When writers for shows were incredible...and acting was super.

Only the best television show in history.It was the first to demonstrate the public's deep hunger for intelligent programming.

Oh, the writing on this one..... It gives me goosbumps still. Sorkin was extraordinary on most WW episodes, but he created magic in some. Like this for example. (and who better to deliver this hopefull message then Sam :))

"God forbid that while talking to 60,000 public school students, the President should appear smart!" If only we listened President Bartlett. If only we listened.

WHY... WHY... is this great show NOT still on the air????

HANDS DOWN, my favorite presidential administration.

How I miss this series!

Wow. I actually wept. Thanks for posting this clip to remind us of the dreams that matter.

Sam knows President Bartlet's voice.

@jabadoodle

3 жыл бұрын

It happens over time ;-)

@mike8984ify

3 жыл бұрын

Sam IS President Bartlet's voice.

@YankeeBlues21

2 жыл бұрын

We underappreciate speechwriters in politics. It’s a real pitcher/catcher, quarterback/center, etc type relationship between a politician and their one or two primary speechwriters (in Bartlet’s case, Toby & Sam). Every POTUS or Governor needs at least that one person who just understands their inner voice and can channel their thoughts into language without dictation. Like Reagan and Peggy Noonan or Obama and Jon Favreau

IF....I ever have to go to a desserted Island....I'm NOT taking a Volleyball, but rather the West Wing CD Set.

@crimdell

6 жыл бұрын

Absolutely. And, maybe, also take Ainsley Hayes to do the bossa nova once in a while.

@richarddarlington1139

6 жыл бұрын

crimdell Oh my yes! She was, without a doubt, the cutest Republican I've ever seen.

@NariSoundarrajan

4 жыл бұрын

A "desserted" island? That sounds like a sweet place :D :D xD

@joannsutherland6078

3 жыл бұрын

DVD set. Sounds great!

@detail11

7 ай бұрын

A CD player and lots of batteries. Unless your island is Hawaii.

Thanks for uploading it with good quality.

I used to love this show and watched all of it on Netflix!

Rob Lowe at his best. Love Rob Lowe and The West Wing!❤️❤️

@chewbacca7373

2 жыл бұрын

yeah i just cant seem to get into the west wing after rob left the show. I honestly wish they had kept him on through out the entire series

*2 seasons later.* "Where did you write that last part?" "In the car." Damnit Sam you bloody genius you.

@zacharynewman4852

Жыл бұрын

"freak"

This music makes you want to salute

Why can't we have someone like Bartlet as our president?!

@LordOfNothingreally

6 жыл бұрын

Because the US has a strong element of anti-intellectualism in politics

@georgenettleton1857

6 жыл бұрын

Apparently they took a pole back in the Bush v Gore days of politics asking "who would you rather be you're president? George Bush Jr., Al Gore or Jed Bartlet" Bartlet won by a landslide!

@loreuniversechannel9984

4 жыл бұрын

We did. His name was Barack H. Obama.

Just finally getting into this show. Been a Sorkin fan for years and I see why the show gets so much hype. This scene in particular with Sam making the new intro is such a standout though cause it uses this little bit of conflict between him and the NASA guy to show the difference between strong and week writers. While the NASA guy is trying to hyperbole and throw in big adjectives to make it seem like a big deal, Sam (and Sorkin) understand that in a moment like this, you don't need to make it seem bigger. He understands that the moment itself is already big, all he needs to do is tell you what's happening and you feel the weight of it all.

Back in the day, when being the president of the united states meant something.

@lionelraoul

6 жыл бұрын

It still means something...that's why it hurts so bad.

@hexistenz

3 жыл бұрын

It does, once more. Now more than ever, the spirit of Galileo V lives again!

@finnskywalker2273

3 жыл бұрын

and it means something again... “my whole soul is in this”

@ukstd1

3 жыл бұрын

It does..... again

@johnmh1000

3 жыл бұрын

@@lionelraoul Take heart Lionel - it's gonna get better...(Feb 2021)

I love this show, miss it a lot and how accurate it was but always bugged me he said nasa is great at naming things and then mentions The Sea of Tranquillity... NASA was formed in 1958 but the sea of tranquillity was named in 1651

“I don’t show off.” Three lines later, “I converted to Celsius in my head.”

God, I miss this show. Even more I miss there being smart people in the White House.

@yokie52

5 жыл бұрын

Oh, the f'ers are smart, but full of self-interest and lack of humanity.

@hexistenz

3 жыл бұрын

The relief and joy right now are indescribable.

Damn i miss this show.

The best thing is, I understand exactly what he means. I react to names like Galileo V in exactly the same way.

I still get teary eyed at the end to this day.

Loved this series.....

@ 1:20 Cal State Northridge having a “Planetary Geologist” on staff + consulting with POTUS?! Hmm not seeing that happening in this universe. Wonder who wrote that and why? A nod to a friend?

This. This was the scene that made me know for certain that Sam would be President one day. PLEASE revive the show with him running for President!!

@RoseKentspeth

Жыл бұрын

Yes!!!

Man, I love this show. :)

Love the speech. Goosebumps

At 2.22 don't you just love the way the President looks sideways to CJ as if to say ohhh... I'm screwed.

Please, please, oh Lordy, let there be a Jed Bartlet in real life to become the President of the United States of America in my lifetime.

@hexistenz

3 жыл бұрын

I don’t know if we’re there quite yet. But we’re on the right track, that’s for sure!

The end of the secen is a class in how to write impactful speeches

Love this intro not just because I’m a astronaut geek but when CJ stressed not answering the questions himself….. Then she asked Mars’ age and I said 4.6 billion years old (since that’s the earth’s age and I assumed with having so much in common they would more than likely have a similar age) Was just a lucky guess…… but I tell you that if somebody warns Bartlett not to be a show up off and not answer the questions himself and you manage to get it right (with an educated guess) it makes you feel pretty smart.

I need a President to say it right!

This scene really is The West Wing in a nutshell

God forbid a president while talking to school children should appear smart! oh my how far we have fallen.

Wow, they really do walk and talk "walk with me" so much on this show. Family Guy were not wrong!

@inigobantok1579

3 жыл бұрын

Walk the talk is a very sorkin'y method

Why can't things be as pretty as that speech all the time ... I'm crying here. *looks down at other comment I made 6 months ago - seems youtube wants me to see this, and cry, every so often, damn and blast ze youtube widgets, they know me so well!*

A great opening scene for a great episode. Minor drawback, a president who likes to show off his big brain would know that NASA did not name either the sea of tranquility or the ocean of storms. In fact most lunar geographical names predate the USA itself by some time.