The West Wing: "Play it Again, Sam," Rob Lowe returns

Sam Seaborn is coming home. And Ainsley Hayes, too. Pardon me, while I do the Dance of Joy. Actor Rob Lowe is returning to The West Wing for the final two episodes, Zap2it reported Wednesday.

Actress Emily Procter also will reprise her role as southern-lawyer Ainsley Hayes. Finally! I’ve been lobbying for years to get Ainsley out of that basement office that she disappered into in 2002, never to be heard from again. She was one of my all-time favorite West Wingers, ever since she bested Sam. (Sidenote on Procter: Smallville fans, did you know she played Lana Lang on Lois & Clark in the 1996 episode Tempus, Anyone? Interesting, huh?)

A slew of other familiar faces will return to The West Wing for the remaining episodes, including Timothy Busfield, as CJ’s love interest Danny Concannon, Marlee Matlin, as pollster Joey Lucas, and Mary Louise Parker, as lobbyist Amy Gardner. And I’d better get to see some Josh and Donna love, or I will be certifiable.

As for Lowe, it’s about time he came home. He should have returned years ago. (Oh, please, like you were watching Dr. Vegas.)

The West Wing returns with new episodes Sunday, March 12. Go Santos!

For the complete story on some other familiar faces scheduled to return, check out http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-westwingalumnireturn,0,4998375.story?coll=zap-news-headlines.

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