The Indians in the Lobby (21 Nov. 2001)

On the day before Thanksgiving, CJ has to deal with two Stockbridge-Munsee Indians who won't leave the lobby until they get an answer on an application their tribe submitted 15 years ago. ... See full summary »

Director:

Paris Barclay

Writers:

Aaron Sorkin (creator), Allison Abner (teleplay),

Stars:

Rob Lowe, Stockard Channing, Dulé Hill

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Rob Lowe	...	Sam Seaborn
Stockard Channing	...	Abbey Bartlet
Dulé Hill	...	Charlie Young
Allison Janney	...	C.J. Cregg
Janel Moloney	...	Donna Moss
Richard Schiff	...	Toby Ziegler
John Spencer	...	Leo McGarry
Bradley Whitford	...	Josh Lyman
Martin Sheen	...	President Josiah 'Jed' Bartlet
Ron Silver	...	Bruno Gianelli
Gary Farmer	...	Jack Lone Feather
Renée Estevez	...	Nancy
NiCole Robinson	...	Margaret Hooper
Georgina Lightning	...	Maggie Morningstar Charles
Armando Pucci	...	Alberto Fedrigotti, Italian Chargé d'Affaires

Storyline

On the day before Thanksgiving, CJ has to deal with two Stockbridge-Munsee Indians who won't leave the lobby until they get an answer on an application their tribe submitted 15 years ago. Josh tries to arrange the extradition of an underage boy who's parents sent him to Italy after he killed his teacher. The President learns why Abby wants to have Thanksgiving at Camp David this year, and places and anonymous call to the Butterball Hotline.

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Plot Keywords:

thanksgiving | extradition | camp david | diplomacy | native american | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

21 November 2001 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Pasadena, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

John Wells Productions, Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

43 min 43 min (DVD)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

When the Butterball hotline operator recognizes President Bartlet's voice, he thinks fast and makes up that he sounds familiar because he "does radio commercials for... products" (instead of the real reason, which is that he is the president). Martin Sheen, who plays Bartlet, has actually done many radio voice-overs for products such as Midas Auto Shops and causes such as Catholics for Working Families. He is also a frequent guest performer on the radio variety program "A Prairie Home Companion."

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Goofs

During the president's call to the Butterball hotline, it is mentioned that the zip code for Fargo, North Dakota is 50504. This is incorrect. The 14 zip codes for Fargo, North Dakota are... 58102, 58103, 58104, 58105, 58106, 58107, 58108, 58109, 58121, 58122, 58123, 58124, 58125, 58126.

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Quotes

Josh Lyman: Don't go through the lobby.
Sam Seaborn: Why?
Josh Lyman: Indians in the lobby.
Sam Seaborn: Is that code?
Josh Lyman: No. There are Indians in the lobby.

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Soundtracks

"West Wing Main Title"
(uncredited)
Written by W.G. Snuffy Walden
Performed by Pete Anthony

User Reviews

A personal gift from the sous chef of the King of...

Finally, an episode with native Americans as a theme (yes, there actually are one or two of them left). Two tribal representatives (Gary Farmer and Georgina Lightning) who have been waiting fifteen years for a judicial determination stage a stand-in in the lobby. A nervous C.J. has to convince them to leave. Powerful and moving. Josh is forced to defend Georgia's death penalty for minors to an Italian diplomat. More strong work from Mr. Gianelli. Why does WW always loose its best comedic barrages on Thanksgiving? As Toby listens, Jed makes an hysterical, anonymous call to the Butterball hotline, for cooking tips. Bethersonton. Baharnd. Brilliant.