King Corn (26 Jan. 2005)

A day in the lives of presidential candidates Bob Russell, Matt Santos, and Arnold Vinick, who are in Iowa trying to gain support for their campaigns. Iowa is the first state in the nation ... See full summary »

Director:

Alex Graves

Writers:

Aaron Sorkin (creator), John Wells,

Stars:

Alan Alda, Stockard Channing, Dulé Hill

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Alan Alda	...	Senator Arnold Vinick
Stockard Channing	...	Abbey Bartlet (credit only)
Dulé Hill	...	Charlie Young (credit only)
Allison Janney	...	C.J. Cregg (credit only)
Joshua Malina	...	Will Bailey
Mary McCormack	...	Kate Harper (credit only)
Janel Moloney	...	Donna Moss
Richard Schiff	...	Toby Ziegler
John Spencer	...	Leo McGarry (credit only)
Bradley Whitford	...	Josh Lyman
Jimmy Smits	...	Matthew Santos
Martin Sheen	...	President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet (credit only)
Gary Cole	...	Vice President Bob Russell
Teri Polo	...	Helen Santos
Patricia Richardson	...	Sheila Brooks

Storyline

A day in the lives of presidential candidates Bob Russell, Matt Santos, and Arnold Vinick, who are in Iowa trying to gain support for their campaigns. Iowa is the first state in the nation to hold their presidential caucuses, and issues affecting farmers and rural areas are the focus. The most important issue on the table is the large federal subsidies for ethanol fuel given to corn growers, which is supported by Iowa residents but seen as naked pandering by the rest of the country. Josh continues to clash with Santos over winning votes instead of proposing radical policy. Donna and Josh continue to avoid speaking about the state of their relationship.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 January 2005 (USA)

Filming Locations:

John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to DVD commentary by director Alex Graves, the way each of the characters sleeps (Josh with a pillow over his head, etc.) is modeled after how their actors actually sleep.

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Goofs

The episode shows a day in life of three presidential candidates, all starting in the same motel in Iowa at 5:46 a.m. However, in all scenes of the wakeup calls, the sun can be seen streaming through the window blinds. At that time of the morning in February in Iowa, dawn isn't until at least 1 hour later, let alone full daylight.

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Connections

References The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Desire"
Performed by Ryan Adams

User Reviews

Welcome Root and Richardson

A superlatively-crafted teleplay, by executive producer John Wells. Telling the parallel story of three campaigns (Russell, Santos, Vinick) courting Iowa voters and grappling with the issue of pandering. Josh and Donna accidentally get hotel rooms across from each other, and the sad discomfort is palpable. Jimmy and Teri and Bradley are razor sharp. And with his largest screen time yet, Vinick is the only candidate who takes a principled stand...and gets shellacked for it. His staff debuts, with campaign manager Sheila Brooks (Patricia Richardson - HOME IMPROVEMENT, ULEE'S GOLD) and consultant Bob Mayer (Stephen Root - OFFICE SPACE, NEWSRADIO) turning in impeccable performances. WEST WING has never gone this deep into a season without an excellent episode, but Alan's presence gives you the same sense of assurance that Goodman gave the post-Sorkin transition. Ryan Adam's soundtrack cover of "Desire" is poignant. Plus the only WW scene to ever show (probably) a lead in the act of moving his bowels.