Mirror, Mirror on The White House Wall

By Val Castronovo, Matthew Cooper, Lina Lofaro, Desa Philadelphia, Hope Reeves, Elizabeth Rudulph, Alain Sanders and Josh Tyrangiel

The West Wing won a George Foster Peabody award last week, but how close is it to reality? For one, it seems to undersell the qualifications of the President's personal aide. Here's a comparison of the real and fictive right-hand lads:

KRIS ENGSKOV

EDUCATION B.A. in public finance

QUALIFICATIONS Four years in travel and press offices

FAVOURITE PRESIDENTIAL PERK Cool business cards

MOST SURPRISED THAT THE PRESIDENT... Can do N.Y. Times crossword in 10 min.

MAKES SURE THE PREZ DOESN'T EAT... Chocolate (allergies)

TO LET THE PRESIDENT KNOW ITS TIME TO GO... Taps Prez's shoulder

WORDS MOST OFTEN USED WITH THE PRESIDENT "Yes" and "Sir"

CURRENTLY DATING Someone in the White House (a press aide, 24)

CHARLIE YOUNG

[EDUCATION] High school

[QUALIFICATIONS] Bike messenger

[FAVOURITE PRESIDENTIAL PERK] Free calls from Air Force One

[MOST SURPRISED THAT THE PRESIDENT...] Can't mix pain medications

[TO LET THE PRESIDENT KNOW ITS TIME TO GO...] Taps his own watch

[MAKES SURE THE PREZ DOESN'T EAT...] Anything spicy

[WORDS MOST OFTEN USED WITH THE PRESIDENT] "Yes" and "Sir"

[CURRENTLY DATING] Someone in the White House (the First Daughter, 19)