It’s Presidents Day today, but why should real chief executives get all the glory? In honor of the holiday, I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite Fictional-American Commanders-in-Chief. Happy Presidents Day, TV fans.
President Bartlet, The West Wing
Erudite, compassionate, able to solve every social ill and legislative tangle with a stirring speech – President Josiah Bartlet was the ultimate political fantasy. I think there may have actually been a Presidents Day episode of the show, too. The characters definitely celebrated Big Block of Cheese Day, a fictional tribute to Andrew Jackson, who kept a big block of cheese in the White House for passersby to snack on.
President Palmer, 24
Before there was Obama, there was President David Palmer. Not only was he the first African-American pop culture President, he also had some awesome assassin-dodging skills. Until, in the third season, he didn’t. But considering the high death rate on that show, I imagine the average President in the 24 universe probably gets poisoned or blown up about 10 minutes after being sworn in, so he’s still ahead of the game. A Presidents Day salute to your longevity, sir.
President Darryl, The Office
Last week’s episode of The Office was mostly dedicated to a movie-within-a-show – clueless boss Michael Scott’s terrible thriller Threat Level Midnight. It featured long-suffering warehouse manager Darryl as the President, who turned out to be a machine-gun-wielding bad guy. Being so hands-on that he does his own assassinations seems like a good reelection platform.
President Lisa Simpson, The Simpsons
A flash-forward episode from The Simpsons’ sixth season reveals little Lisa Simpson to be the future President of the United States. She’ll have to make some lifestyle changes – I don’t think the public would accept a vegetarian President. Also she’ll have to figure out a way to stop being eight years old, the age she’s been stuck at since the show begain.
