The West Wing w/Trek actors?

Not Herbert · Sep 15, 2016

One of the best US made TV series of all time, after Star Trek of course, was The West Wing. At least in my opinion. Some people don't like the pretentious, fast-paced dialogue that Aaron Sorkin whips up, but I really dig it. I think that the West Wing was perfectly cast, but I can't help but think that a couple of parts would have worked beautifully with some Trek alum actors.

If you're familiar with the West Wing, you know that Richard Schiff as Toby Zeigler is fantastic, but I can't help recasting that role with Walter Koenig in my mind. Much of the dialogue that Zeigler has, reminds me of the way Koenig actually speaks in interviews and at conventions. Naturally, Koenig would have had to play that role without his rug, but he'd be perfect as a middle-aged, Jewish intellectual.

The other character from West Wing that could have been preformed by a Trek actor is Josh Lyman, as played by Brad Whitford. Lyman is based upon Rahm Emanuel, and Bent Spiner even looks like Emanuel. If you've ever seen Rahm Emanuel, you know what I mean.

There have been some Trek alum that played guest roles on The West Wing including Malachi Throne, Bob Picardo, Steven Culp, George Coe, and John de Lancie. There are probably more but I cannot think of them offhand.

TonyLeung82 · Sep 15, 2016

http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/inconsistencies/voyager_crew/casualties-imperfection-s.jpg

Jedman67 · Sep 15, 2016

Can we instead picture west wing actors playing star trek roles? Martin Sheen as Captain Picard, Brad Whitford as Worf, etc?

Not Herbert · Sep 16, 2016

TonyLeung82 said:
http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/inconsistencies/voyager_crew/casualties-imperfection-s.jpg

That's great! It's too low resolution though. Any chance we can get a better image? I'd like to send it to a buddy of mine from the West Wing cast who is a big Trek fan.

Tim Thomason · Sep 16, 2016

Not Herbert said:
That's great! It's too low resolution though. Any chance we can get a better image? I'd like to send it to a buddy of mine from the West Wing cast who is a big Trek fan.

From the same EAS page:
West Wing casualties

And here's a Star Trek reference from The West Wing:
USS Botany Bay (DY-100)

Tim Thomason · Sep 16, 2016

Not Herbert said:
There have been some Trek alum that played guest roles on The West Wing including Malachi Throne, Bob Picardo, Steven Culp, George Coe, and John de Lancie. There are probably more but I cannot think of them offhand.

And don't forget about James Cromwell, who played a former President (D. Wire Newman) in "The Stormy Present".

Not Herbert · Sep 16, 2016

Tim Thomason said:
From the same EAS page:
West Wing casualties

And here's a Star Trek reference from The West Wing:
USS Botany Bay (DY-100)

Great stuff!

Not Herbert · Sep 16, 2016

Just forwarded that screen capture to https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?....499256232894.268504.588062894&type=3&theater

CorporalCaptain · Sep 16, 2016

We know that Star Trek actually exists in-universe in The West Wing, because there's a subplot in the episode "Arctic Radar" [transcript], about a Star Trek fan who works at the White House. It's really hilarious, and on point in the same way that William Shatner's "Get a Life!" SNL skit was.

Not Herbert · Sep 16, 2016

Not Herbert said:
There have been some Trek alum that played guest roles on The West Wing including Malachi Throne, Bob Picardo, Steven Culp, George Coe, and John de Lancie. There are probably more but I cannot think of them offhand.

Adding to the list:
James Cromwell
John Billingsley
John Larroquette
David Huddleston

UnknownSample · Sep 17, 2016

That WW Trek episode is the only place I know of besides Trek on TV where Cardassians were mentioned...

somebuddyX · Sep 17, 2016

From the title I thought the thread might be imagining the different Trek casts into West Wing-type roles. Picard as President, Riker as Chief of Staff (or VP?), Wesley as President's aide etc. I like the idea of a Kirk/Spock ticket.

Tim Thomason · Sep 17, 2016

To continue sumbuddyx's TNG comparison, Data would be Sam Seaborn, Geordi would be Toby ZIegler, and I guess Deanna would be CJ Cregg.

JonnyQuest037 · Sep 17, 2016

I wrote this for fun a couple of years ago. It's probably a bit more Sports Night than The West Wing, but I hope it captures the Sorkin flavor:

STAR TREK by Aaron Sorkin

Int. Enterprise. CHEKOV and SULU are walking thru the hall on their way to the bridge.

CHEKOV:
…The Neutral Zone?

SULU:
That’s right.

CHEKOV:
We’re going to the Neutral Zone?

SULU:
Yes.

CHEKOV:
Refresh my memory. What exactly is the Neutral Zone?

SULU:
It is a zone that is neutral.

CHEKOV:
Thanks, that clears that right up. And why, exactly, are we going to the Neutral Zone?

SULU:
We are going to the Neutral Zone to meet with the Romulans.

CHEKOV:
Not the Klingons?

SULU:
The Romulans.

CHEKOV:
Why not the Klingons?

SULU:
Because we’re meeting with the Romulans.

CHEKOV:
You’re just a fount of information today, aren’t you?

SULU:
Staying so well-informed is how I became the man I am today.

CHEKOV:
Helmsman on a starship.

SULU:
That’s right.

CHEKOV:
Fourth in command.

SULU:
Three heartbeats away.

CHEKOV:
In the inner circle.

SULU:
Privy to many, many secrets that my lowly subordinates in the lesser ranks are not.

Sulu and Chekov step into the turbolift.

CHEKOV:
And what exactly is our secret mission involving the Romulans in the Neutral Zone
that mere ensigns like myself are not privy to?

SULU:
No idea.

The turbolifts doors close in front of them.

danellis · Sep 18, 2016

Tim Thomason said:
And here's a Star Trek reference from The West Wing:
USS Botany Bay (DY-100)

I've never heard of any, but given that Mike Okuda did graphics on TWW, I'd bet there're tons more.

dJE

Green Shirt · Sep 18, 2016

Not Herbert said:
Adding to the list:
James Cromwell
John Billingsley
John Larroquette
David Huddleston

And Christian Slater.

If Paxton Whitehead never appeared on Trek, he should have. He would have made a hilarious Picard.

somebuddyX · Sep 18, 2016

Is it Jason Vigo or Wesley or Rene that gets kidnapped by the Romulans and throws the Picard administration into crisis?
JELLICO: You're relieved Mr. President.

Not Herbert · Sep 18, 2016

JonnyQuest037 said:
I wrote this for fun a couple of years ago. It's probably a bit more Sports Night than The West Wing, but I hope it captures the Sorkin flavor:

STAR TREK by Aaron Sorkin

Int. Enterprise. CHEKOV and SULU are walking thru the hall on their way to the bridge.

CHEKOV:
…The Neutral Zone?

SULU:
That’s right.

CHEKOV:
We’re going to the Neutral Zone?

SULU:
Yes.

CHEKOV:
Refresh my memory. What exactly is the Neutral Zone?

SULU:
It is a zone that is neutral.

CHEKOV:
Thanks, that clears that right up. And why, exactly, are we going to the Neutral Zone?

SULU:
We are going to the Neutral Zone to meet with the Romulans.

CHEKOV:
Not the Klingons?

SULU:
The Romulans.

CHEKOV:
Why not the Klingons?

SULU:
Because we’re meeting with the Romulans.

CHEKOV:
You’re just a fount of information today, aren’t you?

SULU:
Staying so well-informed is how I became the man I am today.

CHEKOV:
Helmsman on a starship.

SULU:
That’s right.

CHEKOV:
Fourth in command.

SULU:
Three heartbeats away.

CHEKOV:
In the inner circle.

SULU:
Privy to many, many secrets that my lowly subordinates in the lesser ranks are not.

Sulu and Chekov step into the turbolift.

CHEKOV:
And what exactly is our secret mission involving the Romulans in the Neutral Zone
that mere ensigns like myself are not privy to?

SULU:
No idea.

The turbolifts doors close in front of them.

Pretty good, but maybe after Sulu says "No idea", Chekov should say "Okay.".

JonnyQuest037 · Sep 18, 2016

Not Herbert said:
Pretty good, but maybe after Sulu says "No idea", Chekov should say "Okay.".

Okay.

CommanderTrip · Sep 21, 2016

Tim Thomason said:
And don't forget about James Cromwell, who played a former President (D. Wire Newman) in "The Stormy Present".

Not Herbert said:
Adding to the list:
James Cromwell
John Billingsley
John Larroquette
David Huddleston

Green Shirt said:
And Christian Slater.

If Paxton Whitehead never appeared on Trek, he should have. He would have made a hilarious Picard.

You all forgot about the great Commander Kruge's appearance!....or, Doc Brown... Christopher Lloyd played someone helping write the constitution for a country in the later seasons... On an unrelated note, Edward James Olmos from BSG was in an episode from Season 1 too. Great episode.

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