"17 People" is the 40th episode of The West Wing. The episode was written as a "bottle episode" to save money as the series had run up large over time costs. The episode starts the same night as the Stackhouse Filibuster, and takes place entirely within the West Wing main set. Other than the main cast only Ainsley Hayes, Ed and Larry guest star. For the first time in the series, CJ does not appear, as the press has gone home and the bulk of the episode takes place after the "lid" has been put on, making it also the only episode in the first four seasons not to feature CJ.