Allison Janney Revives 'West Wing' Character at Real White House Briefing

— -- "West Wing" actress Allison Janney revived her press secretary duties in a surprise appearance at a White House briefing today.

"Josh is out today, he has I believe a root canal," Janney said of press secretary Josh Earnest. "Let's be honest, I'm better at this than he is anyways."

Janney is known for her portrayal of White House press secretary CJ Cregg on the popular show "The West Wing."

Earnest later made his way into the briefing room, after which Janney admitted she wasn't bringing back Cregg and was actually in town to promote the administration's effort to combat the opioid and heroin abuse epidemic. The White House held an event today honoring 10 “White House Champions of Change" who help fight the epidemic in their local communities.

Before leaving the briefing, Janney took just one question.

Asked which presidential candidate fictional "West Wing" President Josiah Bartlett would support in the 2016 Democratic primary, Janney demurred.

"I think you know the answer to that question," Janney said.