--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was a shock to my system leaving 'The…" description: "\"It was a shock to my system leaving 'The West Wing' and going to 'Psych.' I remember being like, 'What are you doing?' when James Roday first started i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/dule-hill-17692_being_it-was-a-shock-to-my-system-leaving-the_1220834.png" --- # It was a shock to my system leaving 'The West Wing' and… ![“It was a shock to my system leaving 'The West Wing' and going to 'Psych.' I remember being like, 'What are you doing?' when James Roday first started improvising. Steve and the writing staff write it that way. They leave gaps.” quote by Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/dule-hill-17692_being_it-was-a-shock-to-my-system-leaving-the_1220834.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/dule-hill-17692_being_it-was-a-shock-to-my-system-leaving-the_1220834.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/dule-hill-17692_being_it-was-a-shock-to-my-system-leaving-the_1220834.png) > “It was a shock to my system leaving 'The West Wing' and going to 'Psych.' I remember being like, 'What are you doing?' when James Roday first started improvising. Steve and the writing staff write it that way. They leave gaps.” [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Transitioning between very different TV shows highlighted the abrupt shift in tone and improvisational style for the actor. **In simple terms:** Moving from a serious drama to a comedic improv format felt shocking. Key Takeaway Adapt to new environments quickly. Themes career change creative process improvisation adaptability Mood surprised reflective curious Type observational personal When to use this quote - acting auditions - writing rooms - team dynamics - career transitions Key Concepts improvisation tone shift creative freedom Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain authenticity when switching genres? - What strategies help you embrace unexpected changes? A Different Perspective Improvisation may clash with established scripts, causing tension. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Shock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shock/) [System](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/system/) [West wing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/west-wing/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Very early on, I started improvising. I was more interested in the music that came out of me than any music I heard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-johannsson/very-early-on-i-started-improvising-i-was-more-interested-in-the/) [Johann Johannsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-johannsson/) > [I started improvising the Cliff character, based on someone I grew up with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ratzenberger/i-started-improvising-the-cliff-character-based-on-someone-i-grew-up/) [John Ratzenberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ratzenberger/) > [Right before I got The West Wing, I was pretty much out of money. When I first came in to Warner Brothers, Aaron Sorkin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/right-before-i-got-the-west-wing-i-was-pretty-much-out-of-money-when/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [I'll never forget the first time Elisabeth Moss kissed me on screen. It was season one of the West Wing and she had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/i-ll-never-forget-the-first-time-elisabeth-moss-kissed-me-on-screen/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [The first White House Correspondents' Dinner that we went to as a cast of the West Wing , Barack Obama wanted to meet us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/the-first-white-house-correspondents-dinner-that-we-went-to-as-a-cast/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [I guess at the age of 15 was the first time I made a goal of wanting to be on television, and I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/i-guess-at-the-age-of-15-was-the-first-time-i-made-a-goal-of-wanting/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [We were filming the West Wing on the set one day in DC and Madeleine Albright comes by the set. I mean, when does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/we-were-filming-the-west-wing-on-the-set-one-day-in-dc-and-madeleine/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [I don't claim to be some Aaron Sorkin expert, but it is like a Camelot. His shows are a place where people are trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/i-don-t-claim-to-be-some-aaron-sorkin-expert-but-it-is-like-a-camelot/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [“Among Trump’s first moves as president was to have a series of inspirational photographs in the West Wing replaced with images of big crowd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-wolff/among-trump-s-first-moves-as-president-was-to-have-a-series-of/) [Michael Wolff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-wolff/) > [I was in a small office on the second floor of the West Wing with eight other staffers. We'd worked our hearts out and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kal-penn/i-was-in-a-small-office-on-the-second-floor-of-the-west-wing-with/) [Kal Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kal-penn/) > [I like to say that the greatest handicap of deafness does not lie in the ear, it lies in the mind. I hope that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/i-like-to-say-that-the-greatest-handicap-of-deafness-does-not-lie-in/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [It was the first time, in the West Wing, I had ever read anyone write a Southerner properly. Because Southern women, in my opinion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-procter/it-was-the-first-time-in-the-west-wing-i-had-ever-read-anyone-write-a/) [Emily Procter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-procter/) > [I don't feel I was ever a 'famous' child actor. I was just a working actor who happened to be a kid. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-moss/i-don-t-feel-i-was-ever-a-famous-child-actor-i-was-just-a-working/) [Elisabeth Moss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-moss/) > [ I know that some of the folks in the press are uptight about this \[moving the press corps out of the West Wing \],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reince-priebus/i-know-that-some-of-the-folks-in-the-press-are-uptight-about-this/) [Reince Priebus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reince-priebus/) > [I'm an immigrant, a legal immigrant to the United States. I only became a citizen five years ago. Every day, for seven months, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-gorka/i-m-an-immigrant-a-legal-immigrant-to-the-united-states-i-only-became/) [Sebastian Gorka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-gorka/) ## More by Dule Hill > [I could spend a whole day at a spa. I'd get a facial, a scalp rub, massages, then eat some grapes and be good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/i-could-spend-a-whole-day-at-a-spa-i-d-get-a-facial-a-scalp-rub/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [Whether you're working in corporate America or you're a journalist, construction worker, a teacher or an actor - we're all trying to keep working.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/whether-you-re-working-in-corporate-america-or-you-re-a-journalist/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [I remember hating New Kids on the Block from the sidelines because all of the girls loved them. They would just fawn over them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/i-remember-hating-new-kids-on-the-block-from-the-sidelines-because/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [Simply, if you're working with good material, then it's right there, and you don't have to try so hard as an actor; you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/simply-if-you-re-working-with-good-material-then-it-s-right-there-and/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [I give my all to live a life that is worthy of the favor I have received. I don't always hit the mark, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/i-give-my-all-to-live-a-life-that-is-worthy-of-the-favor-i-have/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [In terms of theater, I would love to go back to do theater. If I could find something for me to do that fits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/in-terms-of-theater-i-would-love-to-go-back-to-do-theater-if-i-could/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [I don't claim to be some Aaron Sorkin expert, but it is like a Camelot. His shows are a place where people are trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/i-don-t-claim-to-be-some-aaron-sorkin-expert-but-it-is-like-a-camelot/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [We, 'Psych,' saved America. That's the tag line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/we-psych-saved-america-that-s-the-tag-line/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [We were filming the West Wing on the set one day in DC and Madeleine Albright comes by the set. I mean, when does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/we-were-filming-the-west-wing-on-the-set-one-day-in-dc-and-madeleine/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [Whenever I have a job, it's very important for me to handle myself in a way so that when there's another person, a young…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/whenever-i-have-a-job-it-s-very-important-for-me-to-handle-myself-in/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [My parents wanted to name me Karim Hill. My aunt always liked the name Dule, from this actor Keir Dullea, who was in '2001:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/my-parents-wanted-to-name-me-karim-hill-my-aunt-always-liked-the-name/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [My favorite runner is Usain Bolt, who happens to be Jamaican and is the fastest man in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/my-favorite-runner-is-usain-bolt-who-happens-to-be-jamaican-and-is/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [As long as I have my feet, I can dance; you know what I'm saying?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/as-long-as-i-have-my-feet-i-can-dance-you-know-what-i-m-saying/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [I'm a tap dancer. Once you're a tap dancer, you're always a tap dancer. In 'After Midnight,' I get to dance, but I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/i-m-a-tap-dancer-once-you-re-a-tap-dancer-you-re-always-a-tap-dancer/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) > [I could spend a whole day at a spa. Id get a facial, a scalp rub, massages, then eat some grapes and be good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dule-hill/i-could-spend-a-whole-day-at-a-spa-id-get-a-facial-a-scalp-rub/) [Dule Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) [Explore all 36 Dule Hill quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dule-hill/) ## More Being quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) > [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/) [Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) [Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It was a shock to my system leaving 'The West Wing' and going to 'Psych.' I remember being like, 'What are you doing?' when James Roday first started improvising. Steve and the writing staff write it that way. 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