C.J. Cregg briefs the White House press corps

Reporters in the West Wing got a dose of "The West Wing" on Friday, as actress Allison Janney strode into the briefing room as her character C.J. Cregg from the Emmy-winning show that ran on NBC for seven seasons.

“Hi, everyone. Good afternoon. I was going to tell you all to be seated, but I see you are already seated, so we can begin. [White House press secretary] Josh [Earnest is out today. He has, I believe it’s a root canal," she said, making her first reference to the show.


Janney, still playing Cregg, continued, "But let’s be honest, I’m better at this than he is anyway. Right, just between us."

"First, I have two announcements and then I’ll take questions. First, the president is still working on his jokes for the White House Correspondents Dinner. I don’t have any details on that other than he plans to be funny. Very funny," she said.

"OK — and second, 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, another reference to the show's first season. "So now I will take your questions.”

Earnest, very much in on the bit, marched out and exclaimed, "Allison, what are you doing? This is not your show anymore.”

“I’m so sorry. I was in town, and I just, you know, wanted to take a moment — totally, this is your office," Janney said.

"Well, you’re standing at the podium, so you might as well use it," Earnest said.

Janney then addressed the real reason for her presence at the White House, telling reporters she wanted to draw attention to the opioid epidemic "and to celebrate those who are working to help others combat substance use disorder."

Referring to the fact that she currently stars on the CBS program "Mom," dealing with people in recovery, Janney noted that the show's co-creator, Chuck Lorre, was also in attendance.

The actress said that the White House on Friday is honoring 10 people from across the country as "White House Champions of Change" for their leadership in preventing drug abuse and supporting Americans in recovery.

“This is a disease that can touch anybody and all of us can help reduce drug abuse through evidence-based treatment and recovery," Janney said. "Research shows it works, and courageous Americans show it work, show it works every day. I’m so nervous, you couldn’t believe," she said, as she finished her speech.