Hilarious Moments on "The West Wing", Season Two Quiz

Answer: She'd made fun of the President's alma mater.

CJ had poked fun at Notre Dame, something highly inadvisable to do in the Bartlet White House. Not only did she have to take the late-night flight, she had to wear a Notre Dame beanie, and was ordered by the President to lead the press corps in all the stanzas of the Notre Dame fight song.

Answer: Thanksgiving turkeys looking for a pardon.

Every Thanksgiving the President pardons a turkey, a custom whose origins are uncertain-some say Abraham Lincoln was the first pardoner, others Harry Truman, and even George H.W. Bush is credited with being the first President to pardon a turkey.

At some point in American history, turkey farmers began sending a turkey to the White House each Thanksgiving, for the President's family and any guests to enjoy as the centerpiece of the meal. Some Presidents opted not to have the bird butchered, spawning the idea of pardoning the birds.

In the 'West Wing' episode, there is a twist. TWO turkeys were delivered (placed in CJ's office without her knowledge or consent by Toby and Josh, in the spirit of serious pranking). The reason given for having two turkeys sent was that the Press Secretary was to judge which turkey was the more photogenic and therefore the winner of the pardon. CJ was, of course, less than thrilled to find the turkeys and learn of her role in choosing the one to be pardoned.

Answer: "When I get out of school, you should come see me for a job."

Winifred (not to be called Winnie!), an intern, at the ripe age of 19, informed Sam that she had read every report in the General Accounting Office where she worked. At the time, Sam had volunteered for the job of reviewing a myriad of government reports and deciding which to eliminate. Winifred, overhearing him in the process, challenged Sam about what he wanted to ditch, and although he was mildly annoyed by her chutzpah, he respected that she had actually read the reports, and told her (not at all patronizingly), "When you get out of school, you should come see me for a job." She deftly turned that invitation around!

Answer: "Well, I've been shot."

The President had indeed been shot in the abdomen, although, as the First Lady later said, "The bullet seems to have gone out of its way not to hit anything." He appeared bent on joking with everyone while he was being prepped for surgery, and he came through the procedure with flying colors.

Answer: "Avert your eyes!"

CJ had just returned home from being fired from a PR job in Hollywood. She had been summoned in to be fired at a very early hour and didn't have her contacts in. Toby met up with her outside her home and as they passed her pool he offered her a job in the Bartlet campaign.

She missed a step and fell into the pool fully clothed, but wearing, as she quickly pointed out to Toby, a dress that was "clinging", so he should "avert his eyes!"

Answer: Margaret

When the President was in surgery and therefore unable to preside over the government, the matter of temporary succession came up rather urgently. To follow the law, the President should have signed a letter transferring power to the Vice-President during the time of incapacity, and this hadn't been done in advance.

Margaret, secretary to the Chief of Staff, was a loyal and capable assistant but often a bit ditzy. After she confided that she could imitate the President's signature and saw the shocked expression on her boss' face, she asked if he thought it was a bad idea. Leo's response was, "I think it's a coup d'etat!"

Answer: A girl

In this episode we met attorney Ainsley Hayes, a Smith College alumna from South Carolina and a "blonde, leggy Republican". She rapidly refuted Sam's characterization of an education funding bill and pointed out factual errors in what he said on camera.

When the President heard about Ainsley, he directed Leo to hire her as an assistant counsel. Leo at first thought it was a joke but the President was serious; so, against his will and to the vocal dismay of the White House team, he offered Ainsley the position of Assistant White House Counsel.

Answer: Her pants

The benches in the Rose Garden had been painted earlier in the day, and somehow there were no "Wet Paint" signs in evidence. CJ took a moment out there just before the show, which was being broadcast from the White House due to the State of the Union, and ruined her pants. She did the first segment of the show sans trousers.

Answer: She was dancing in her office wearing a bathrobe.

Ainsley had just done the Capitol Beat show for the first time, and acquitted herself very well on camera. Sam had warned her that following a good performance on such shows, there's an adrenaline rush and people are sometimes impelled to drink more than is good for them. Later, Sam went down to Ainsley's office, and found her in a bathrobe, drinking something pink and dancing to "The Bossa Nova". Clearly, the adrenaline rush had kicked in! Unfortunately for Ainsley, Sam had asked the President to introduce himself to Ainsley, and President Bartlet moseyed in a minute later, much to her mortification.

The President commented, "I didn't even know there was a night club down here."

Answer: In the closet.

The President, upon learning that Ainsley was in the closet, called to her and asked her to come out. When she did, he asked why she was in the closet and she said, "I had to pee." Not the best sequel to their first meeting, which also occurred under pretty embarrassing circumstance for Ainsley.