When you think about it, there are only a few TV shows that have aired over the last 50-plus years that have had memorable Christmas episodes. Shows like M*A*S*H, All in the Family, Little House on the Prairie, and ER.
You can add The West Wing to this list, as well. While not on for as long as some of those other programs (although seven seasons is pretty damn good), its holiday episodes always stood out. Particularly three of them, which featured profiles on Josh and Toby.
But more on those episodes in a bit. What made the holiday installments of TWW so memorable were two things. One was the decorations. I don’t know how much Aaron Sorkin and his crew spent on a yearly basis, but the decorations inside the West Wing set were amazing. Other than in the offices themselves, every inch of the hallways that these people walked and talked through (a trademark of a Sorkin series) glittered with holiday lights and decorations. Even the darkest rooms, like the Bartlet’s wood-paneled dining room in the residence, looked bright and cheery during the holidays. It was very festive.
The other memorable part of the holiday episodes was the music. There was always some type of band or choir performing in the entry-hall, or one of the West Wing reception rooms, during this time. Sometimes they were actual well-known performers. For example, in the brilliant episode “Noel,” Yo Yo Ma performed. And, in the fourth season episode “Holy Night,” The Whiffenpoofs made an appearance.
It’s funny that these two episodes are mentioned, because they’re two of the three episodes that feature memorable performances by Bradley Whitford and Richard Schiff. “Noel” is probably the best of them, as we get to see the near-destruction and rebirth of Josh Lyman. With the use of flashbacks (another Sorkin trait), we see Josh’s downfall from a bout of Post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s a Josh that we normally didn’t see in the series, and it was a powerful performance by Whitford, with the most emotional part being at the end when Leo tells him, through a joke, that Josh has a job as long as Leo has one.
Toby has two memorable Christmas episodes. In season one’s “In Excelsis Deo,” Toby ends up arranging the funeral of a homeless veteran. In “Holy Night,” Toby has to contend with the appearance of his father, a man who previously worked for Murder, Incorporated. In both cases, Toby showed both his most passionate, and compassionate sides.
As has been said many times, there may never be a drama like The West Wing again. However, if Aaron Sorkin ever decides to produce another series, we can hope for some glorious holiday decorations, great music, and plenty of schmaltzy moments.
Clacked by Richard Keller 
on Oct 01, 2009 @ 14:00 EST5EDT
Josh in Noel is brilliant. I love that episode a lot.
Some great memories, Rich. Thanks!
Mrs. Landingham’s finest moment may be when she gets up from her desk to accompany Toby to the funeral in “In Excelsis Deo”, because her sons died in Vietnam. And I say that as someone who loved Mrs. Landingham’s interactions with President Bartlet.
As I commented on another WW piece, I absolutely love In Excelsis Deo, and I agree with Scott H. The Little Drummer Boy was used brilliantly, and whenever I hear it I associate it with the scene.
When season 4 was airing, I hooked my mom on The West Wing with In Excelsis Deo. I was home visiting for some reason and brought my West Wing DVDs with me, and In Excelsis Deo was one of the eps I played. My mom wasn’t paying much attention at first, but slowly she was sucked in. The final scene with The Little Drummer Boy is incredible.
I have to say the holiday episodes of tww were some of the best ever but as dramatic as the Christmas episodes were you can not forget about the three thanksgiving episodes. All had traditional west wing comedic drama galore