March 3, 2006
The West Wing Casting Call
DCist is star-struck. Or perhaps we're just hoping to see some stars. Our friends at the Post's Reliable Source tipped us off to the fact that our old favorite TV show, "The West Wing," will be in town this weekend, casting extras for the series' final episodes.
Gossips Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts were online this past Wednesday and reported that the show is scheduled to shoot around Cleveland Park this Saturday, but they gave no mention of where exactly or at what time. DCist called the D.C Film and TV office, but they've yet to return our phone call begging for more information on Bradly Whitford's exact whereabouts this weekend. Luckily, a friend of a friend tells us that the shooting will be at 33rd Place between Woodley and Macomb Streets in Cleveland Park, and if you want to catch the taping itself, head over on Sunday between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you've got more information or get any juicy pictures, please drop us a line.
In other West Wing related news, we've heard through the entertainment grapevine (also known as E! Online) that Rob Lowe (who played wonderfully nerdy speech writer Sam Seaborn), along with other West Wing alums, will be back for the series' final five episodes. Viewers can look forward to seeing old favorites Mary-Louise Parker (Josh's annoying girlfriend Amy), Emily Proctor (slightly less annoying Republican lawyer Ainsley Hayes), Marlee Matlin (awesome pollster Joey Lucas) and Timothy Busfield (as Post reporter Danny Concannon). Yeah, I knew all that by heart, so yes, I do watch too much TV. The show returns to NBC's Sunday night line up on March 12. The series finale airs on May 14.
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The characters Amy Gardner and Ainsley Hayes are not annoying. They are excellent.
What was annoying about Ainsley? She liked Fresca and had a tendency to speak in iambic pentameter!
Amy was annoying, I'll grant you that, but that's because I think Mary Louise Parker's voice is annoying.
Don't you get it? She was a Republican. Southern to boot. What do you expect from Washingtonians except scorn and ridicule?
Oh come on, I said Ainsley is less annoying then Amy, who was an Eastern Democrat.
I heart both actresses. MLP should've been cast in the film version of PROOF!
To go with the title of the post, they were doing a call for extras, I believe. In an elevator on GW's campus, I overheard a student talking about how she had to drive to Baltimore that night to drop off an application to the casting agency so she could be an extra when they were in DC.
What is DC's policy on filming in the streets? It seems kinda strict. I recall an interview with Dave Atell in which he said they had been trying to do Insomniac in DC for a while, but couldn't get clearance. I would imagine also that MTV would've put a Real World here if they coud've.
Maybe DC is restrictive on people just walking around willy nilly with a camera. Maybe there's Congressional conspiracy, because who knows what Congressman (or DC councilman for that matter. I'm looking your way Marion) might be caught on camera saying or doing things they'd rather not have broadcast.
I wouldn't be surprised if there are some weird requirements or hoops the tv producers have to jump through. I've heard conflicting stories about whether the city itself even allows the use of tripods by photographers (let alone for video) without a permit. And when you get into US park and capitol grounds things change depending on location. Some of these restrictions existed pre-9/11, while others are part of our new world order.
Mike, I think the tripod thing has to do with the vicinity to government buildings or something. I recall this as I was trying to shoot some stuff (for a government client, actually) with a TV crew but there was something I recall about the tripod. I doubt it would be in effect in a neighborhood, which is where they're shooting Sat/Sun.
The hands down most annoying character ever on the West Wing, Mandy, will not be coming back! Also, Sam is not nerdy - he is earnest.
Mike and Ed--you're right about the tripod--we tried to do a photo shoot for a magazine outside the Supreme Court and they said no tripods close to government buildings.
Also, how would extras know what to wear? I'm assuming if they're filming for the end of the season, it's supposed to be spring/summer on the show, but it's so cold here right now!
I like both Amy and Ainsley... I think both actresses are immensely talented. So glad that they will be back as will "Sam"...
I only wish the show were not coming to an end and that Aaron Sorkin would have been willing to come back to write the finale, since it is!
If anybody was looking for the WW filing earlier today, some of it was down on H Street, between 17th and 18th. Went to the office to do some work and all of H between 17th and 18th was lined with trailers. Didn't realize they were filming here but saw Bradley Whitford (Josh Lyman) taking a photo with a fan.