Like a Cat in Heat

Does anyone watch the "West Wing" anymore? There were some strange animal references tonight:

1. CJ to Toby: "You're like a dog in Pompeii."
2. Toby: "It's like walking around Washington with a sick chicken."
3. Abbey to Jed: "You've got to hold onto the fish or it'll jump out of your hands."

Now, I admit to missing at least 30% of whatever the hell they're talking about because they talk so fast and jump between topics constantly. Still, not one of these made sense to me, even in context.

G. says it's the Dan Rather episode of the West Wing.

Oh, by the way, if anyone saw it tonight, did you see Kristin Chenoweth walking beside CJ, making Kristin look like a midget and CJ look freakish? That's what it would look like if my acting career had ever gotten started and I got a part on the West Wing walking beside CJ.