Ofc so excited to hear the stories about the show and looove to see the bts pics, but I have to say that your writing is sooo good and so unique! Can’t wait for more essays :)
Janel, I understand completely. I remember walking with Alan Alda when the show was ending and he asked me if I was ready … I replied yes,” it seemed organic”..blah, blah, blah. He put his arm around me and said “It is going to be harder than you think.”
Thank you for writing. West wing was broadcasting in Japan. But it ended broadcasting till season 4. I think it was difficult for understanding US politics to Japanese. I was fun to watch that show. So I bought DVD to season 7. I was fun to watch talking between Donna and Josh. Sometime I could talk about Yankees on Twitter with Richard Schiff.
Now I am very fun to read your column and can’t wait next one.
Also this part is beautifully written and incredibly relatable:
“I've worked hard to feel ok not having the career I wanted between then and now. I worry that the sacrifices and stumbles, the things beyond my control that I have made peace with, will wake up and scream at me again. If I shined too much light on that time, would the narrative that I have painstakingly cultivated, that got me to this place, unravel?”
I have felt something similar lately, despite the circumstances being so obviously different. I so appreciate the vulnerability 💕
I loved reading your thoughts about the pilot! I had noticed that Donna was behind Josh in the meetings because I’m a Josh/Donna girlie at heart… but I also love it as a choice for Donna to be involved in the big conversations, as she deserves to be! I’m so excited to watch along with you (like I need an excuse) and hear your thoughts about the episodes!
I love how relatable your writing is. Even though we come from different backgrounds, I felt so deeply connected to the emotions you express—the excitement and hope of stepping into a job that feels like a dream. As a huge fan of your work and The West Wing, this was such a beautifully immersive experience into that world. You have a way of making it so easy to imagine being right there in that backstage setting.
Thank you for writing/ sharing this - as someone still trying to make peace with certain career choices it made me think of Alan Bennett when he wrote that “the best moments in reading are when you come across something – a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things – which you had thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours”.
Oohhh yogurt in Season 7!!!
Ofc so excited to hear the stories about the show and looove to see the bts pics, but I have to say that your writing is sooo good and so unique! Can’t wait for more essays :)
Janel, I understand completely. I remember walking with Alan Alda when the show was ending and he asked me if I was ready … I replied yes,” it seemed organic”..blah, blah, blah. He put his arm around me and said “It is going to be harder than you think.”
He was right.
And you do write beautifully. :)
Thanks for reading Chris!! You will be coming up soon enough!!😜
Ooh, foreshadowing!
Thank you for writing. West wing was broadcasting in Japan. But it ended broadcasting till season 4. I think it was difficult for understanding US politics to Japanese. I was fun to watch that show. So I bought DVD to season 7. I was fun to watch talking between Donna and Josh. Sometime I could talk about Yankees on Twitter with Richard Schiff.
Now I am very fun to read your column and can’t wait next one.
Also this part is beautifully written and incredibly relatable:
“I've worked hard to feel ok not having the career I wanted between then and now. I worry that the sacrifices and stumbles, the things beyond my control that I have made peace with, will wake up and scream at me again. If I shined too much light on that time, would the narrative that I have painstakingly cultivated, that got me to this place, unravel?”
I have felt something similar lately, despite the circumstances being so obviously different. I so appreciate the vulnerability 💕
Jessica thank you. ❤️
It is such a gift to get to read your thoughts as you go back through the show!!
I loved reading your thoughts about the pilot! I had noticed that Donna was behind Josh in the meetings because I’m a Josh/Donna girlie at heart… but I also love it as a choice for Donna to be involved in the big conversations, as she deserves to be! I’m so excited to watch along with you (like I need an excuse) and hear your thoughts about the episodes!
This was such a lovely read. Cannot wait to hear more!
I'm so excited to read all your essays, Janel! The first two are already fantastic.
So so so excited to read your thoughts as you rewatch, and absolutely love the set pics!!!
Beautiful ♥️
I love how relatable your writing is. Even though we come from different backgrounds, I felt so deeply connected to the emotions you express—the excitement and hope of stepping into a job that feels like a dream. As a huge fan of your work and The West Wing, this was such a beautifully immersive experience into that world. You have a way of making it so easy to imagine being right there in that backstage setting.
thank you Magda. happy you felt the connection. xx
love the pics! your voice is so unique yet so relatable, and it’s refreshing to hear that honest reflection.
Love it!
Thank you for writing/ sharing this - as someone still trying to make peace with certain career choices it made me think of Alan Bennett when he wrote that “the best moments in reading are when you come across something – a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things – which you had thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours”.
Excited to read what you write next 🩵
that was really beautiful. thank you for that quote. That's why I read too.
Thank you for this. This is exactly what I need to take me away from the horrors of todays news and politics.