MovieChat Forums > The West Wing (1999) Discussion > Goofs over the years

Goofs over the years

posted 9 years ago by DoodleWhit
15 replies | jump to latest

This is my favorite show probably of all time. I have watched each episode many times and love almost all of them (a few not as much). One thing I do hate about a series like this, with many writers for various episodes, is that sometimes they apparently don't bother to keep up with "facts" from earlier shows or episodes. The audience, especially if a loyal following, WILL remember those items whether the writer knew them or not. In starting at the beginning one more time, I am making notes to myself about the things I find from one episode to another that would be considered an error or blooper or something. Would love to have others add ones they know of.

1. Leo's house in pilot episode is shown as 2 story brick. In episode 4, when he goes home after work and arrives at front, it is shown as a large modern style tannish house.

2. Leo says he has known President for 40 years -- but in season 3 during hearings he says Abbey has known him longest. In season 1 President said they had been married 32 years. Later episode says he married her during grad school -- so he would have been in early 20s. When Leo died he was only 59.

3. President says in first episode that granddaughter is 12. Later in season 5 it says she is starting high school. At that time she should have been at least 16 -- should already be into second or third year of high school at that point.

4. When Zoey is introduced in season 1, in episode 5 they said she was down there getting ready to start Georgetown in January. In episode 6, where she has the run-in at the bar, she says she is 19. Yet the following year Charlie and her father say she was 17 when she started Georgetown and that's why she needed parents permission on the medical papers.

5. Most everyone other than Leo and President are wearing badges when series starts. After a few episodes the main characters (Josh, CJ, Toby, Sam) no longer are seen with badges whereas assistants continue to have them.

6. Some episodes show people having to sign in at front desk or scan in when they come in, including Leo in a few episodes and CJ in season 3. Yet other episodes people just walk right in with no stop at the desk or a scan machine.

7. Episode 1 Toby says Honor thy father is 3rd commandment -- it's 5th.

I plan to continue trying to keep track as I work my way back through the episodes of each season. Again, please add to list ones you know of.

[–] tomatosauce6808 8 years ago

On the grand daughter being 1w in the pilot and 16 when she is starting high school. There are some high schools that are 10th through 12th grade so it is possible she is 16 and just starting high school.

[–] Ithilfaen 8 years ago

1. Leo's house in pilot episode is shown as 2 story brick. In episode 4, when he goes home after work and arrives at front, it is shown as a large modern style tannish house.

That's not a goof. That's called production. Maybe he has two houses. Maybe he moved. Who cares?

2. Leo says he has known President for 40 years -- but in season 3 during hearings he says Abbey has known him longest. In season 1 President said they had been married 32 years. Later episode says he married her during grad school -- so he would have been in early 20s. When Leo died he was only 59.

Again, not a goof. They put Leo's age at 59 when he died because that's the age John Spencer was when he died. It was an homage and they didn't care about the maths.

3. President says in first episode that granddaughter is 12. Later in season 5 it says she is starting high school. At that time she should have been at least 16 -- should already be into second or third year of high school at that point.

Maybe she wasn't a good student and repeated a grade?

4. When Zoey is introduced in season 1, in episode 5 they said she was down there getting ready to start Georgetown in January. In episode 6, where she has the run-in at the bar, she says she is 19. Yet the following year Charlie and her father say she was 17 when she started Georgetown and that's why she needed parents permission on the medical papers.

Wow. You really are stuck on maths.

5. Most everyone other than Leo and President are wearing badges when series starts. After a few episodes the main characters (Josh, CJ, Toby, Sam) no longer are seen with badges whereas assistants continue to have them.

Maybe they just assumed that once they had worked there a while, security could recognize senior staff and not tackle them on sight? I'm just guessing since it's kind of a preposterous "goof"

6. Some episodes show people having to sign in at front desk or scan in when they come in, including Leo in a few episodes and CJ in season 3. Yet other episodes people just walk right in with no stop at the desk or a scan machine.

Also you know what? We never ever saw anyone going to the bathroom besides Ainsley trying to pee in Leo's closet. In all these seasons, nobody had to go to the bathroom?? Scandal!

I plan to continue trying to keep track as I work my way back through the episodes of each season. Again, please add to list ones you know of.

Oh yes please. I'm sure it makes you feel very smart.

For every lie I unlearn I learn something new - Ani Difranco