NBC News ran the second of a two hour special last night, “Inside the Obama White House,” which they called “the closest, best and most accurate portrayal ever of the real West Wing.”

The first hour of show aired on Tuesday gave us a fun glimpse into the inner workings of the White House. With 9.1 million viewers, The NY Times notes that it wasn’t the most viewed in its time slot, but was still the top rated show for the 18-49 demographic. NBC kept the momentum high with fast-paced segments and a modern score that seemed too heavy-handed at times. You get the feeling that the people behind the President are smart, committed, technically adept and excellent at thinking on their feet, just like their boss. NBC showed us firsthand how Obama and his team deal with the ever-changing demands of the day, including the controversy over Supreme Court nominee Judge Sotomayor’s much-repeated 2001 comments about race and background influencing her decisions. It was a fascinating show that felt like a more compelling, real version of the “The West Wing.”

The first hour dealt with plenty of work issues and official business, but the best part was when Obama hit up a local burger joint to bring back some food for his staff. People screamed and jumped up and down to see Obama pick up takeout, and you could tell he got a huge kick out of it too.

The second hour of the show featured more intimate profiles with people close to the President, including Joe Biden, Michelle Obama, and chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. There was also a segment about Sasha and Malia but it was just stock footage and photos and they didn’t include any interviews. It was touching when they showed the swingset that’s visible from the oval office and reminded us that it was the first time young kids have been in the White House since the Kennedy years. We heard from Obama personally at several points, and his sit down interview with Brian Williams capped off the two hour special:

On Sasha and Malia growing up and dating:
“You get a little nervous about how they’re going to adjust when they’re teenagers… They start having dates. They’ve got secret service guys following them around. There may end up being issues of… is somebody asking them out because they’re the President’s daughter or because they like them?

“So far, knock on some wood, they are just happy and healthy and well adjusted – and not full of themselves, and that’s the quality that Michelle and I want to retain most.”

Brian Williams said he had a strategy of showing up at the door with a shovel when his daughter’s dates came over and Obama joked that it didn’t hurt to have a bunch of secret service with guns around.

At the end we heard from Obama about how he’s pushing forward and working on some of the many challenges the US is facing. He said he’s optimistic about the future but also discussed some steps we need to take to repair the economy, like controlling healthcare costs. As for all the hype and attention that surrounds him, he said that he could do without that but that it comes with being President.

On the necessity of private planes and traveling with a large staff
“I would love to be able to take the shuttle or a commercial flight or not have a 15 car entourage when I go out to get a hamburger or go to Malia’s soccer game. Unfortunately this is not the nature of being President in these modern times.”

At the end of every day, Obama reads letters sent in from Americans. He picks 10 to respond to the next morning.

On his daily practice of reading letters sent in from Americans
“Those letters are powerful. They give me a nightly tutorial on why I sought this job. The American people have a pretty good sense of the fact that we’re in some tough times, but that we can get through it. In heart, I think the American people are optimistic and that gives me optimism.”

On picking up Bo’s poop from the White House lawn
I was just about to publish this when Kaiser let me know her favorite part – Obama talked about taking the first puppy Bo out for walks at night and picking up his poop in the shadow of the White House. I was looking for that clip, but then TMZ posted it for me. Obama said:

“One of the highlights of my day is… around 9:30, I’m the guy with night shift on the walk. We go out and we’re walking and I’m picking up poop and here in the background is the beautifully lit White House. It’s quite a moment.”

I really enjoyed watching this special and came away with the sense that there are a lot of hard working people behind the President and that he’s giving his all. You can watch “Inside the White House” in full online on MSNBC.

Photo Credit: WENN.com