Joey Lucas
Encyclopedia
Josephine "Joey" Lucas, is a fictional character on the television
serial
drama
The West Wing
, a California
-based pollster and political operative played by Marlee Matlin
. She is one of the few non-main characters to appear in all seven seasons.
Joey is an expert political pollster who is frequently called upon by President Josiah Bartlet
's senior staff to administer national polls and interpret polling data. Joey is a native of California
and attended UCLA and Stanford, though the degrees she received from each are unknown. Since she is deaf, she is usually accompanied by her interpreter, Kenny Thurman (portrayed by Bill O'Brien).
Joey once ran the campaign of Californian Democratic candidate for Congress Bill O'Dwyer until the President
dismissed O'Dwyer as an "empty shirt" and suggested that Joey find another, better candidate to challenge the conservative Republican currently holding the seat. She also worked with and dated fellow pollster Al Kiefer (John de Lancie
).
In the second season of the show, Joey was brought in by then Deputy White House Chief of Staff Josh Lyman
to do initial polling on potential public reaction to President Bartlet's disclosure that he had multiple sclerosis
. She was the 21st person to learn of the President's disease. She continued working intermittently for the Bartlet administration, most notably before several of his State of the Union
speeches. In the fifth season, when Josh wants to start a relationship with Joey she walks into the West Wing and we find out she is pregnant.
Following Congressman Matt Santos
's decision to run for President, she worked as a consultant for the campaign, both before and after he was the Democratic nominee for President.
was attracted to Joey. Josh was discouraged when he got wind of Joey's brief fling with Al Kiefer.
In the second season Joey suggested that Josh pursue a relationship with his assistant, Donnatella Moss
, responding to Moss's attempts at misdirection in advocating a relationship between her boss and Joey Lucas. The flirtation between Joey and Josh was one of the series' subplots.
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
serial
Serial (radio and television)
Serials are series of television programs and radio programs that rely on a continuing plot that unfolds in a sequential episode by episode fashion. Serials typically follow main story arcs that span entire television seasons or even the full run of the series, which distinguishes them from...
drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
The West Wing
The West Wing (TV series)
The West Wing is an American television serial drama created by Aaron Sorkin that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1999 to May 14, 2006...
, a California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
-based pollster and political operative played by Marlee Matlin
Marlee Matlin
Marlee Bethany Matlin is an American actress. She is the only deaf actress to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, which she won for Children of a Lesser God. Her work in film and television has resulted in a Golden Globe award, with two additional nominations, and four Emmy...
. She is one of the few non-main characters to appear in all seven seasons.
Joey is an expert political pollster who is frequently called upon by President Josiah Bartlet
Josiah Bartlet
Josiah Edward "Jed" Bartlet is a fictional character played by Martin Sheen on the television serial drama The West Wing. He is President of the United States for the entire series until the last episode, when his successor is inaugurated...
's senior staff to administer national polls and interpret polling data. Joey is a native of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and attended UCLA and Stanford, though the degrees she received from each are unknown. Since she is deaf, she is usually accompanied by her interpreter, Kenny Thurman (portrayed by Bill O'Brien).
Joey once ran the campaign of Californian Democratic candidate for Congress Bill O'Dwyer until the President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
dismissed O'Dwyer as an "empty shirt" and suggested that Joey find another, better candidate to challenge the conservative Republican currently holding the seat. She also worked with and dated fellow pollster Al Kiefer (John de Lancie
John de Lancie
John de Lancie is an American actor. He has been active in screen and television roles since 1977, though he is best known for his recurring role as Q on the various Star Trek series and as Frank Simmons in Stargate SG-1....
).
In the second season of the show, Joey was brought in by then Deputy White House Chief of Staff Josh Lyman
Josh Lyman
Joshua "Josh" Lyman is a fictional character played by Bradley Whitford on the television drama The West Wing. For the majority of the series, he was White House Deputy Chief of Staff in the Josiah Bartlet administration...
to do initial polling on potential public reaction to President Bartlet's disclosure that he had multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
. She was the 21st person to learn of the President's disease. She continued working intermittently for the Bartlet administration, most notably before several of his State of the Union
State Of The Union
"State Of The Union" is the debut single from British singer-songwriter David Ford. It had previously been featured as a demo on his official website, before appearing as a track on a CD entitled "Apology Demos EP," only on sale at live shows....
speeches. In the fifth season, when Josh wants to start a relationship with Joey she walks into the West Wing and we find out she is pregnant.
Following Congressman Matt Santos
Matt Santos
Matthew Vincente "Matt" Santos is a fictional character on the American television show The West Wing, played by Jimmy Smits. His initial appearance is as a Democratic U.S. Representative from Houston, Texas. According to West Wing writer and producer Eli Attie, Santos was based on the then...
's decision to run for President, she worked as a consultant for the campaign, both before and after he was the Democratic nominee for President.
Relationship with Josh Lyman
Late in the first season it became clear that former Deputy White House Chief of Staff Josh LymanJosh Lyman
Joshua "Josh" Lyman is a fictional character played by Bradley Whitford on the television drama The West Wing. For the majority of the series, he was White House Deputy Chief of Staff in the Josiah Bartlet administration...
was attracted to Joey. Josh was discouraged when he got wind of Joey's brief fling with Al Kiefer.
In the second season Joey suggested that Josh pursue a relationship with his assistant, Donnatella Moss
Donna Moss
Donnatella "Donna" Moss is a fictional character played by Janel Moloney on the television serial drama The West Wing. Donna is a recurring character during the first season, although she appears in every episode, making her a de facto regular...
, responding to Moss's attempts at misdirection in advocating a relationship between her boss and Joey Lucas. The flirtation between Joey and Josh was one of the series' subplots.
See also
- The West WingThe West Wing (TV series)The West Wing is an American television serial drama created by Aaron Sorkin that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1999 to May 14, 2006...
- List of characters on The West Wing
- List of politicians on The West Wing
- List of The West Wing episodes