van de dialogen in “The West Wing” die referenties naar de klassieken bevatten, zoals deze:
Ainsley: And I’m still scared to meet him, but I’ll overcome that in order to erase the humiliation that I’ve brought upon myself and my father.
Sam: You are just in your own little Euripides play over there aren’t you?
om daar dan in een volgende scène op terug te komen als volgt:
Sam: Don’t you have to absolve yourself of the humiliation visited on your family and the House of Atreus?
En ook deze:
Will: You’re upset because the VP didn’t use any of your jokes.
Toby: I’m upset because he didn’t use any of anybody’s jokes! ‘Cause he gave a humorless sermon at a humorous roast! ‘Cause he made the President of the United States look like a buffoon! Like he’s squirting seltzer bottles while Pompeii’s in flames.
Will: Volcanic ash.
Toby: What?
Will: Rome burned. Pompeii was blanketed in volcanic ash.
Gelukkig zijn ze vaak ook zonder die klassieke referenties goed:
Debbie: You wouldn’t rather wait in your office?
Toby: I enjoy your company.
Debbie: I enjoy a good slug of gin at lunch, but I’ve learned to do without.
