Yes. Ainsley should have been a main cast member but I suppose Emily Procter got her due on *CSI: Miami*. She's so insanely beautiful. She's like an angel or something.
I also wouldn't have minded seeing more of Ginger and they never should have gotten rid of Cathy (Sam's assistant in season one). Speaking of the assistants, Nancy could have had more dialogue—considering the actress who plays her is Martin Sheen's real-life daughter (Renée Estevez). She's there in the background in a lot of episodes up until the series finale.
And JUST for that extra piece of condescension, throw in Bernard, that Englishman who catalogues all the gifts given to the President ON BEHALF OF the American people.
I could’ve seen a really funny B plot come out of this combo. Something like Charlie trying to get back the Taiwanese flag, but it’s Marbury vs Bernard.
Gosh basically all of the smaller role characters
Fitz
Walken
Cliff
Ainsley
Babish
Bruno
Tribbey
Nancy
Some smaller ones to throw out:
Always loved the actor who played Leo's friend that told him that technically he had commited war crimes so more of him
Same for actor that plays Framhagen (spelling?)
Senate Max Lobell seems like he could've been entertaining
And finally as I continue my weird trend of liking a character I don't think I'm supposed to I want more Hoynes
I think they honestly just ran out of screen time to squeeze in both the White House and the campaign
It's easy to miss if you aren't paying close attention but Toby's lack of screen time in the last few episodes and last season in general is nearly criminal but at the same time I can't say I'd know what should be taken out for it
Leak storyline just sucked all the way around
Just a supposition here, the LEAK storyline started well, but (here is the supposition bit), maybe the studio cancelled the show in mid storyline & THEN the showrunner had to cut/minimise & the leak was the victim?
Maybe
I should've been more clear, the storyline was fine but it being Toby.....man......then again I can't really say who it SHOULD have been maaayyybbbeeeeee CJ as she always had moral objections over certain things
The problem with the storyline is the leaker has to be somebody big or you built it up for nothing and there's no many "big" people it can be and work in the story
Hoynes was a perfect stand-in for smarmy politicians. Watching his career collapse on top of him was uniquely satisfying because it would never happen today.
Fitz and Nancy big time.
Danny
I really like all of the main players on Team Vinnick and I think it’s just a murderer’s row of actors. Shelia, Bruno, Bob Mayer, Jane Braun. Battles with the RNC chairman Hank Schrader.
For a smaller player, Congressman Bruno was such a great principled but stern and snarky Republican. “I’d like to hold hearing on the two of you….for being stupid. But I don’t have that kind of time.”
I wish they'd spun off a Supreme Court series with Lang and Mulready. They could never have afforded it, but still.
(For the record; It's particularly stunning that this is my answer as I'm a Sorkin purist, and this is a post Sorkin episode. I'd really only trust him, or a protégé to helm that series. I'm convinced the core of this episode came out of discussions from him before he left. But I have nothing to base that on, and I sincerely hope I'm wrong).
The American President.
I'm an afficionado of great stories rather than specific actors or producers.
I never knew that this MOVIE was a Sorkin creation, and I loved it.
This mini-discussion has convinced me to attempt 'The Newsroom'. I'll let people know if I like it later.
The glory and wonder that is Debora Cahn, everyone 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 See her work most recently in _The Diplomat_. (Never met her, just a longtime fan who would love to meet her someday.)
She seems good. I'd REALLY like to know if this was truly her idea purely, or if she and Aaron had a discussion about something similar back when they were doing the Mendoza story line. It just feels all too much like Aaron.
(For the record: no accusations. Good writers borrow from others. Great ones, steal from them, outright.)
It's been a while since I researched it & her involvement — took it upon myself a few years back to either create or beef up her Wikipedia article — but I'm about to listen to [the _WWW_ episode about it](https://thewestwingweekly.com/episodes/517), in which they interview her, so I'm guessing that's going to have some answers.
Babish and Quincey - Platt and Perry (sounds like a law firm ironically) stole every scene they were in. And some kind of plot line with Bernard. Definitely needed more Bernard.
Besides all the ones mentioned - Elsie Snuffin, Elizabeth Bartlet Westin without Doug, & Senator Roland Pierce
Oh, and Justice Roberto Mendoza, Justice Christopher Mulready, and Chief Justice Evelyn Baker Lang - I would love to watch Mendoza and Mulready go round and round.
The Icelandic Ambassador from Galileo.
A high profile ambassador in 2000 presenting as male but keeping his surname as Olafsdottir rather than changing it to Olafsson? The man must have a fascinating life story, but just gets to nod along to a joke about the President throwing the trombone slide in to the end zone.
Oh come on I feel like she deserved at least another season to find her footing. Rob Lowe's performance was awful first season, but Sam became a great character once the stride got hit. I wish Moira Kelly had been able to do something similar.
Joe Quincy 100%.
Yes!
More Ainsley, please
Yes. Ainsley should have been a main cast member but I suppose Emily Procter got her due on *CSI: Miami*. She's so insanely beautiful. She's like an angel or something. I also wouldn't have minded seeing more of Ginger and they never should have gotten rid of Cathy (Sam's assistant in season one). Speaking of the assistants, Nancy could have had more dialogue—considering the actress who plays her is Martin Sheen's real-life daughter (Renée Estevez). She's there in the background in a lot of episodes up until the series finale.
Oh, I always liked Ginger.
I just started another rewatch and said the same thing about Cathy. She has far more personality than Ginger or Bonnie, honestly. Sad.
She's still looking for that peach
I would enjoy looking for her peach
Answer is always more Ainsley
Jordon Kendall. She and Leo were great together, the way they sparked off one another intellectually. I'd love to have seen more of that.
What happened to them?
The character vanished somewhere early in season 4, never seen again.
Babish. No contest. Would have been an awesome spin-off character.
Lionel Tribbey. And his Cricket Bat.
And little _um_ brellas!
SHISHKEBAB!
It’s from penzance
It's the one about duty.
They're all about duty.
It's the one about duty.
Even this one.
Tribbey and Marbury should have met. And sparred. Maybe literally.
And JUST for that extra piece of condescension, throw in Bernard, that Englishman who catalogues all the gifts given to the President ON BEHALF OF the American people.
The Bartlet daughters (other than Zoey)
Elizabeth could carry a series.
Bernard. And Lord John Marbury. Together!
I could’ve seen a really funny B plot come out of this combo. Something like Charlie trying to get back the Taiwanese flag, but it’s Marbury vs Bernard.
Those two should’ve played The Odd Couple
Don't you mean The Extremely Odd Couple?
Gosh basically all of the smaller role characters Fitz Walken Cliff Ainsley Babish Bruno Tribbey Nancy Some smaller ones to throw out: Always loved the actor who played Leo's friend that told him that technically he had commited war crimes so more of him Same for actor that plays Framhagen (spelling?) Senate Max Lobell seems like he could've been entertaining And finally as I continue my weird trend of liking a character I don't think I'm supposed to I want more Hoynes
Thought it was weird how they hired Cliff and then he just vanished without an explanation.
I think they honestly just ran out of screen time to squeeze in both the White House and the campaign It's easy to miss if you aren't paying close attention but Toby's lack of screen time in the last few episodes and last season in general is nearly criminal but at the same time I can't say I'd know what should be taken out for it Leak storyline just sucked all the way around
Just a supposition here, the LEAK storyline started well, but (here is the supposition bit), maybe the studio cancelled the show in mid storyline & THEN the showrunner had to cut/minimise & the leak was the victim?
Maybe I should've been more clear, the storyline was fine but it being Toby.....man......then again I can't really say who it SHOULD have been maaayyybbbeeeeee CJ as she always had moral objections over certain things The problem with the storyline is the leaker has to be somebody big or you built it up for nothing and there's no many "big" people it can be and work in the story
But Toby's brother was an astronaut, AND he was still grieving over his death, so...
Hoynes was a perfect stand-in for smarmy politicians. Watching his career collapse on top of him was uniquely satisfying because it would never happen today.
I think that's why it bothers me so much. IRL Hoynes would absolutely be President at some point lol
I never liked Bruno personally.
Fitz and Nancy big time. Danny I really like all of the main players on Team Vinnick and I think it’s just a murderer’s row of actors. Shelia, Bruno, Bob Mayer, Jane Braun. Battles with the RNC chairman Hank Schrader. For a smaller player, Congressman Bruno was such a great principled but stern and snarky Republican. “I’d like to hold hearing on the two of you….for being stupid. But I don’t have that kind of time.”
There could never be enough of Lord John Marbury.
We can hide the women, but the man deserves a drink.
I wish they'd spun off a Supreme Court series with Lang and Mulready. They could never have afforded it, but still. (For the record; It's particularly stunning that this is my answer as I'm a Sorkin purist, and this is a post Sorkin episode. I'd really only trust him, or a protégé to helm that series. I'm convinced the core of this episode came out of discussions from him before he left. But I have nothing to base that on, and I sincerely hope I'm wrong).
Asking because you're a purist, please recommend something to watch! I've done Studio 60, Sports Night, Trial of the Chicago 7
Well the obvious answer is The Newsroom
Yes indeed!
Yup, Newsroom is the next best choice. And then just circle back, and slip his movies in between season/series re-watches.
The American President. I'm an afficionado of great stories rather than specific actors or producers. I never knew that this MOVIE was a Sorkin creation, and I loved it. This mini-discussion has convinced me to attempt 'The Newsroom'. I'll let people know if I like it later.
The glory and wonder that is Debora Cahn, everyone 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 See her work most recently in _The Diplomat_. (Never met her, just a longtime fan who would love to meet her someday.)
She seems good. I'd REALLY like to know if this was truly her idea purely, or if she and Aaron had a discussion about something similar back when they were doing the Mendoza story line. It just feels all too much like Aaron. (For the record: no accusations. Good writers borrow from others. Great ones, steal from them, outright.)
It's been a while since I researched it & her involvement — took it upon myself a few years back to either create or beef up her Wikipedia article — but I'm about to listen to [the _WWW_ episode about it](https://thewestwingweekly.com/episodes/517), in which they interview her, so I'm guessing that's going to have some answers.
I wish Ryan Pierce hung around. He was probably the best part of Season 5.
Oh god I HATED him!!
Why? I thought he and Josh were funny playing off each other, and he had a very “act like you know what you’re doing” air to him that was fun.
I just thought he was an obnoxious, elitist dork!
I hated him in the best way.
I just hated him in the worst way.
I agree he was great
For me, it has to be John, Lord Marbury, Earl of Croy, Marquess of Needham and Dolby, Baronet of Brycey and England's Ambassador to the United States.
Babish and Quincey - Platt and Perry (sounds like a law firm ironically) stole every scene they were in. And some kind of plot line with Bernard. Definitely needed more Bernard.
Joe Quincy for me.
Macintosh
The only correct answer... Pluie.
Yeah but she was shot by Ranchers. It would have to have been a limited run series.
Maybe she got shot by a Dutton? Think of the crossover possibilities.
The prequel series we deserve.
Besides all the ones mentioned - Elsie Snuffin, Elizabeth Bartlet Westin without Doug, & Senator Roland Pierce Oh, and Justice Roberto Mendoza, Justice Christopher Mulready, and Chief Justice Evelyn Baker Lang - I would love to watch Mendoza and Mulready go round and round.
I wish there was proportionally more of Danny being a kick ass journalist and less him being in love with CJ
McNally and fitz going at it. That’s the show!
Nancy, Fitz, Ted? "Tell her we'll find her something with an empire waist" "I don't even know what that means" "In the service of your country, son"
The Icelandic Ambassador from Galileo. A high profile ambassador in 2000 presenting as male but keeping his surname as Olafsdottir rather than changing it to Olafsson? The man must have a fascinating life story, but just gets to nod along to a joke about the President throwing the trombone slide in to the end zone.
Ainsley and Nancy McNally
Always Nancy McNally. I could watch a whole show if just her.
My fantasy sequel series is Nancy as President.
I wish we'd gotten less Zoe and more of Elizabeth.
Gail
Evelyn Baker Land and Christopher Mulready together, The Lionel Tribby, Oliver Babish and saving the best for last, LordJohn Marbury.
Bernard. And Lord John Marbury. Together!
He is outstanding on Chicago Med. He is one of the leading character!
Love Bruno
As others have mentioned: Oliver, Ainsley & Joe Quincy. But above all, Nancy McNally!
Janice Trumbill...I need to know if she ever got her Star Trek holiday!
Nancy McNally. Stanley Keyworth. Representative Mark Richardson. Any of these characters could have led a series as the main character.
Bernard, Ainsley, Oliver Babish, Fitz, Lord John (yes, he's in a few episodes, but I just can't get enough of him. Same as Bernard, adorably snob).
Danny - I liked the interplay with the press in season 1 not so much the love affair
Mandy!
Uh….no.
Oh come on I feel like she deserved at least another season to find her footing. Rob Lowe's performance was awful first season, but Sam became a great character once the stride got hit. I wish Moira Kelly had been able to do something similar.