The Great West Wing Rewatch: 3.7 "The Indians in the Lobby"
Joel: We’ve finally made it you guys. We’ve finally gotten to the scene in The West Wing where the President calls the official Butterball hotline. It’s strange how this one little scene is so fondly remembered by fans of the show, but there’s no question that it’s one of the highlights of the season for many people. I think because in a way, this scene very much encompasas the charm of The West Wing. We have Bartlet at his most Bartlet here, filled to the brim with random facts about something obscure, and sure, beyond the shadow of a doubt that he is correct. We have him caring about a silly idea way too much (the idea of a Thanksgiving themed hotline) only to have Charlie simply and politely inform him of something he never knew before (that such a hotline already exists). Then comes the phone call where Bartlet and company stumble through trying to pull off the idea of Bartlet being Joe Bethersonton from North Dakota. Bartlet’s confidence in himself shines through despi...