Still feeling the glow of Barack Obama's swearing-in? Here are a few suggestions for classic programs from network television about both real and fictional presidents:
*Backstairs at the White House--Available on DVD, this four-part miniseries, originally shown on NBC in 1979, featured a cast of numerous well-known television names in this story of the staff that served Presidents William Howard Taft through Dwight Eisenhower and their families. It was based on the memoirs of one of those staffers, Lillian Rogers Parks.
*Eleanor and Franklin AND Eleanor and Franklin, The White House Years--Jane Alexander and Edward Herrmann would play the Roosevelts in both of these productions, done for ABC during the mid-1970s. The first one won 11 Emmys, the second one seven. They are available on DVD.
*Eleanor, First Lady of the World--Even though this was done for CBS, this film starring Jean Stapleton (All In the Family) is an excellent sequel, as it covers Eleanor Roosevelt's work at the United Nations after her husband's death. Sorry to say, this has not yet been released on DVD. How about it, CBS?
*George Washington AND George Washington: The Forging Of a Nation--These CBS miniseries, which made me fall in love with Barry Bostwick when they aired in 1984 and 1986, haven't been released on DVD, either (MGM/Sony may have distribution rights.). Bostwick played Washington from almost-youth to the first president of the United States, with Patty Duke playing Martha Washington.
*The West Wing--It's never a bad time for this classy drama, which aired on NBC from 1999-2006 and starred Martin Sheen as President Jed Bartlet. All seven seasons are available on DVD, both individually and as a box set.
Here's a look at the series' final scene, from the episode of the same name - Tomorrow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh3CT6JWPik
See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!
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