John Spencer on Scotch (The West Wing)

John Spencer as Leo McGarry describing what its like to be an alcoholic.

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[Laceykat66]

In all my college psych classes, NOTHING explained alcoholism like this one speech.

It finally opened my eyes.

[mic25s]

His speech described it perfectly, it was chilling the way he worded it, perfect.

[AWDISP]

"I don't get drunk in front of people, I get drunk alone!" ... that was powerful & it could only be delivered by John Spencer... this entire episode, great acting by him.

[Ryan Pruitt]

"I don't understand people who have one drink... my brain works differently." that's it, that's the whole story.

[Finkie147]

Jesus would you all lighten up, have a bloody drink.

[Matt7895]

Yeah Sorkin was writing pretty much the whole series until the end of season 4. This was in season 3, so Sorkin was still at his height. When Sorkin wasn't credit for the writing of an episode, he was usually credited for the teleplay - meaning somebody else started off the idea, and then he grabbed it and pretty much rewrote everything himself. This particular episode is Sorkin through and through. Pity this video cuts short of showing Leo actually drunk

[SonOfGod3000]

This scene makes me think of the movie Inglorious Bastards, when the Brit says there's a special place reserved in Hell for people who waste good Scotch. Off topic, I know.

[integral]

Just astounding. Having worked with recovering alcoholics this almost brings me to tears every time.

[VNVgirl]

btw other people in this place are debating the scotch ... i just came here for john and this message is solid... because im the same way, granted i know he was an actor and i'm not... but i do like the feel of a heavy bottle of vodka ..a near empty one has me looking towards my purse. i like this video because its solid and if you have a better one which gives the same message or better , please show me. he did this delicately and perfect. i love him for doing this.

[Neil Walker]

The best actor made even better because he didn't even need to act the recovering alcoholic

[YNot1989]

This was made all the more amazing by the fact that John Spencer actually is a recovery alcoholic.

[hanscombe72]

I was watching a news story on Aaron Sorkin and as many know he is recovery for crack addiction. I am not sure if he was still attached to the series for the writing of this episode, but you can see he is talking about that feeling of transcendency, of stepping out of yourself as destructive as addiction can be you can tell even the Chief of staff with all of his success is subject to that same need. As he said, "Do you know how many alcoholics are in Mensa?"