West Wing Actor Surprises Reporters At White House Press Briefing

Actress Allison Janney (R) speaks as she shows up to surprise members of the press crops a
Alex Wong/Getty Images

One of the stars from the television show “The West Wing” appeared at the White House Press briefing today, surprising reporters in the room.

Acrtress Allison Janney, who played press secretary C.J. Cregg on “The West Wing” appeared at the podium saying that she would be hosting the press briefing because press secretary Josh Earnest was out due to a root canal.

“Let’s be honest, I’m better at this than he is anyway,” she joked.

She revealed to reporters that President Obama was working on his jokes for the White House Correspondents dinner which would be “funny — very funny.”

“It is Friday, which means at half-past five, I will be performing the Jackal in my office for anyone who is interested, or remembers, or cares,” she said, referring to a moment in the show.

Earnest then appeared, holding his briefing binder and a mug.

“This is not your show anymore,” he said with mock surprise. But he allowed Janney to continue, as she used her time to highlight the opioid addiction epidemic — a subject that was included in her new show “Mom.” She explained that she was in town for the White House Correspondents Dinner, calling for federal assistance to help solve the crisis.

Before she left the podium, CBS reporter Mark Knoller asked her who President Bartlet is supporting for the Democratic nomination.

“I think you know the answer to that question,” she said. “Absolutely.”

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