Today is Presidents Day, so let’s think about the 43 men who have served as chief executive.
Today is Presidents Day, so let’s think about the 43 men who have served as chief executive. Someday in the future we may even be able to add a woman to this illustrious group. Until then, we can offer up only these five female presidents whom we’ve seen on TV:
v President Julia Mansfield (Patty Duke, “Hail to the Chief,” 1985): She was the first female U.S. president in this short-lived comedy created by “Soap’s” Susan Harris. The semiserialized structure of “Chief” was similar to that of “Soap” (without its success).
v President Mackenzie Allen (Geena Davis, “Commander in Chief,” 2005-06): She, too, was the first female U.S. president; she had been vice president but took office when the president died of a cerebral aneurysm.
v President Caroline Reynolds (Patricia Wettig, “Prison Break,” 2006): She, too, started out as vice president. But she took over the Oval Office by a rather unconventional route — she poisoned the sitting president.
v President Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones, “24,” 2008-10): Broadway star Jones won an Emmy for her role as a chief executive said to be modeled on Hillary Clinton (who, fortunately for her, never had to meet anyone like Jack Bauer).
v President Sally Sheridan (Mimi Kuzyk, “XIII,” 2009): In this conspiracy-thriller miniseries, the action began when President Sheridan (she, again, was the first female U.S. president) was killed by a sniper during her Veterans Day speech.
“The Bachelor” (8 p.m., ABC): On “The Bachelor,” Ben is down to four women, and he’s set to visit their hometowns, where he’ll meet their families and probably face some tough questions like, “What’s up with that hairdo?”
“Clinton — American Experience” (9 p.m., PBS): “Clinton: American Experience” is a compelling two-part documentary that looks back on the political journey of former President Bill Clinton, who overcame a broken childhood in Arkansas to eventually land in the White House. The film exam-ines all the triumphs and tribulations along the way.
TV listings, B6
DVD RELEASES
Movies available Tuesday on DVD and through digital providers include:
“Puss in Boots” (PG): The origin story of Puss in Boots. With the vices of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek and Zach Galifianakis.
“Tower Heist” (PG-13): Working stiffs plan a caper to get back money stolen by their boss. Starring Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy and Matthew Broderick.
“J. Edgar” (R): The story of the man who created the FBI. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts and Armie Hammer.
“The Way”: Doctor sets out on mountain trek after son dies. Starring Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez and Deborah Kara Unger.
“Martha Marcy May Marlene” (R): A woman tries to reclaim her life after fleeing from a cult. Starring Elizabeth Olsen, John Hawkes and Sarah Paulson.
“The Mighty Macs” (G): True story of an upstart women’s college basketball team. Starring Carla Gugino, David Boreanaz and Marley Shelton.