C.J. Deflects Fake Ad Ambush with Shower Quip
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
A reporter reveals a controversial ad praising President Bartlet for denouncing a movie, 'Prince of New York,' which he hasn't actually denounced.
C.J. confirms her ignorance about the ad, adding humor by suggesting the President might have denounced the movie in the shower.
C.J. concludes the briefing, maintaining her composed demeanor as reporters continue to call out questions.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Eagerly opportunistic, fueled by scent of vulnerability
Reporters launch coordinated barrage on C.J. detailing Family Values ad in 22 papers praising Bartlet's alleged film denunciation, press for details and confirmation, chuckle at quip, then shout her name persistently as she exits podium.
- • Expose White House inconsistencies on cultural ad ploy
- • Force clarification on President's film stance
- • Ad reveals exploitable messaging gap
- • Aggressive questioning yields scoops
Frustrated irritation masked by razor-sharp wit and controlled deflection
C.J. grips the podium, bluntly admits ignorance on the ad, delivers a sharp shower quip drawing reporter chuckles, abruptly terminates the briefing despite ongoing shouts, accepts papers from Carol signaling shift to Sam.
- • Neutralize reporter ambush on misleading ad
- • Exit briefing swiftly for internal crisis response
- • President has made no public denunciation of the film
- • Humor effectively disarms aggressive press inquiries
Implied readiness for crisis counsel
Sam is invoked off-screen by Carol's announcement 'Sam's here' as C.J. receives papers, pulling focus from briefing room exit to impending strategy session on layered crises.
- • Provide strategic input on unfolding scandals
- • Coordinate response to ad and Surgeon General fallout
- • Restraint tempers vengeful impulses in crises
- • Collaborative staff unity drives agenda forward
Calm professionalism amid surrounding frenzy
Carol approaches through fading shouts, hands C.J. a compact stack of papers in swift handoff, delivers concise announcement that Sam is present to redirect her from press chaos.
- • Facilitate C.J.'s transition to Sam
- • Relay urgent documents without delay
- • Timely intervention maintains operational flow
- • Sam's arrival demands immediate prioritization
referenced in the ad as having denounced 'Prince of New York'; C.J. states he has not done so publicly or to her unless 'in the shower'
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
C.J. disengages from the scarred oak podium's grip as reporter shouts pursue her exit, its unyielding stance and humming mic anchoring the chaotic public ambush before she pivots; symbolizes frontline barrier between administration messaging and media frenzy, marking abrupt close of vulnerability window.
Carol thrusts the compact stack of papers into C.J.'s palm during podium exit, fingers brushing in urgent handoff; functions as transitional prop bridging public deflection to private strategy huddle with Sam, embodying the relentless churn of White House communications amid scandals.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Packed Briefing Room serves as battleground for reporter ambush on C.J. over Family Values ad, hosting choral questions, witty quip chuckles, persistent exit shouts, and Carol's handoff—amplifying external cultural pressures into White House nerve center during Surgeon General turmoil.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
Family Values Leadership Council detonates as reporter focal point via ad in 22 papers falsely acclaiming Bartlet for 'Prince of New York' denunciation, fueling ambush that exposes White House blind spots and layers cultural wedge onto Surgeon General crisis.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
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Key Dialogue
"REPORTER 1ST: "You know anything about it?""
"C.J.: "No, I don't know what the hell's going on there.""
"C.J.: "Not unless he did it in the shower. But he hasn't denounced it to me and he certainly hasn't to the public.""