Season:1
Episode: 1
Title: pilot
Aired: September 22, 1999
WHITE HOUSE STAFF HOLDS DOWN FORT UNTIL INJURED PRESIDENT (MARTIN SHEEN) RETURNS IN PREMIERE OF 'THE WEST WING' -- The entire White House staff bristles with activity when it's learned that the President (Martin Sheen) injured himself during a bicycle accident, and his absence becomes a factor as chief of staff Leo McGarry (John Spencer) must juggle a host of impending crises, including a mass boatlift of Cuban refugees approaching the Florida coast and the reaction of conservative Christians to a controversial televised comment by deputy chief of staff Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford). Meanwhile, Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe), the trouble-prone deputy communications director, unknowingly spends the night with Laurie, a call girl (guest star Lisa Edelstein), and then makes another critical error during a children's White House tour. [NBC.com]
Quotes:
"Tell your friend POTUS that's he's got a funny name and he should learn to ride a bicycle."- Laurie
"I would, but he's not my friend, he's my boss, and it's not his name, it's his title."- Sam Seaborn
"POTUS?"- Laurie
"President of the United States."-Sam Seaborn