President Lincoln: A Comprehensive Episode Guide
The television series President Lincoln offered a satirical take on the 16th U.S. President, blending historical figures with absurdist comedy. The show followed the antics of President Lincoln and his inner circle, including his butler, Desmond Pfeiffer, and General Grant, often placing them in surreal situations that defied historical accuracy for comedic effect.
Key Facts
- Premiere Date: October 5, 1998.
- Primary Director: Matthew Diamond directed the first four aired episodes.
- Highest Viewership: The series premiere attracted 2.06 million US viewers.
- Core Cast Dynamics: The plot frequently revolves around the interactions between President Lincoln, Mary Todd, and Desmond Pfeiffer.
Detailed Episode Breakdown
The series aired a limited number of episodes in late 1998, with several others remaining unaired. The narrative often juxtaposed the gravity of the Civil War era with modern sensibilities and slapstick humor.
Aired Episodes
The first episode, "A.O.L.: Abe On-Line," premiered on October 5, 1998, and featured a plot where Lincoln engages in "telegraph sex" with a stranger. This was followed by "Up, Up and Away," where a freak accident with an observation balloon forces the President to dress in drag to escape Confederate territory while General Grant attempts sobriety.
In "Saving Mr. Lincoln," Mary Todd hires a body double to impersonate the President after he falls ill before a meeting with Queen Victoria. The fourth aired episode, "Once Upon a Mistress," explores the temptations Lincoln faces when foreign dignitaries visit, while Nibblet creates a tonic for Mary's migraines.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Unaired Episodes
Several episodes were produced but never made it to air. These include the "Pilot," which introduces Desmond Pfeiffer's scheme to return to England after becoming the President's butler, and "Kidnapped," a story involving a retaliatory kidnapping between the families of Grant and Robert E. Lee. Other unaired titles include "Pigeon English," "School Daze," and "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner."
Episode Summary Table
| No. | Title | Release Date | US Viewers (Millions) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A.O.L.: Abe On-Line | October 5, 1998 | 2.06 | Aired |
| 2 | Up, Up and Away | October 12, 1998 | 1.89 | Aired |
| 3 | Saving Mr. Lincoln | October 19, 1998 | 1.58 | Aired |
| 4 | Once Upon a Mistress | October 26, 1998 | 1.68 | Aired |
| 5 | Pilot | N/A | N/A | Unaired |
| 6 | Pigeon English | N/A | N/A | Unaired |
| 7 | Kidnapped | N/A | N/A | Unaired |
| 8 | School Daze | N/A | N/A | Unaired |
| 9 | Guess Who's Coming to Dinner | N/A | N/A | Unaired |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed the aired episodes of President Lincoln?
Matthew Diamond directed the first four episodes that were released to the public.
Which episode had the highest viewership?
The series premiere, "A.O.L.: Abe On-Line," had the highest viewership with 2.06 million US viewers.
What happened in the unaired episode "Kidnapped"?
In this episode, Confederate soldiers kidnap Mrs. Lincoln, leading General Grant to retaliate by kidnapping the wife of Robert E. Lee.
Who is Desmond Pfeiffer in the series?
Desmond Pfeiffer is President Lincoln's butler who, in the pilot episode, schemes to find a way back to his native England.
Did the show feature other historical figures?
Yes, the series included figures such as General Grant, Robert E. Lee, and a planned meeting with Queen Victoria.