The Powers That Be

This series was a shining jewel and a white raven amidst an overload of mediocre US sitcoms. Intelligent, witty, and hilariously funny, it contained brilliantly absurd, unforgettable one-liners (like hysterical Caitlyn's desperate observation: "Ventriloquism is tearing this family apart!"). While the wife (Holland Taylor) is obsessively trying to promote the senator's position in society, an ambition constantly undermined by her dysfunctional family, the senator himself (John Forsyth in a fabulous parody on Blake Carrington) is more interested in dallying with his secretary and socializing with his extramarital daughter. Valerie Maheffey as his daughter Caitlyn created one of the funniest comedy characters ever.

I had the presence of mind to tape most episodes when this series aired. But I most sincerely concur with a previous reviewer in wondering why, with so much utter c**p issued on DVD, this is still unavailable. Could somebody please change that?

In a TV world catering to the lowest common denominator, this show was a giant. It was intelligent humor at its best. While the characters were largely stereotypes and the skits often not original, the delivery was superb. David Hyde Pierce as the mumbling unlikely Congressman was especially wonderful.

I strongly urge Columbia and Sony to make the series available on DVD, I'd buy it and I've never bought a TV show before. Unfortunately, I suspect that the media moguls consider the commercial potential of a re-release in the context of the original shows popularity, so it may be a cold day in hell before "The Powers That Be" are in the store.

Furthermore, in our politically correct world, maybe it's now a violation of the Patriot Act.

I looked so forward to watching this program each week. It was such a disappointment when it was canceled. The cast was wonderful and sharp. It is one of the funniest sitcoms I have ever seen. It's a shame it isn't available on video. I have commented on it often through the years to people. It makes me think of another sitcom that didn't play long either "Alls Fair". That is my first memory of Michael Keaton who was extremely funny in it. It can also be compared with "Spin City". There are so many ideas and angles that can be used in a political comedy. This one could easily have been as popular as "Seinfeld". Here's hoping I will see this in reruns on on video soon.

This delightful comedy broad-casted in the 90's, was one of the best comedies since "I Love Lucy". It is a shame to think that it might be lost in the archives forever. How do we convince Columbia Pictures Television (Production) and Sony Pictures Television (Distributors) to release it again? This is an American political delight! Anybody with a suggestion? Who's rubber arm can we twist (",). So many television shows are available on DVD - why not this one? This series will share the the lime light with shows like "The Golden Girls". Margaret, the senator's wife played by Holland Taylor, brings a comical British Aristocracy like flavor to the screen. Something different than the usual shallow comedies that we see these days. This should not be lost to our children. This one of the rare ones!

This was a brilliant mix of satire, slapstick, and flat-out silliness. In tone it resembled some British sitcoms more than many American ones--that might have helped it fail (along with its incredibly lousy, undeserved time slot). It should have succeeded; I still find people who remember it and laugh. Fantastic cast, hilarious plots, and educated, witty writing (similar to "Frasier")...I wish one of the cable channels would pick up the episodes and show them again! I'd also be willing to pay for the set of episodes, just don't know where to find them.