When Presidential roles rule better in TV and films

The benefit of having the President of the United States (Potus) as a popular trope in cinema and TV is that if the person in the White House does not cut it any more, dispirited Americans can always binge-watch the one they prefer. So, it is not surprising that The West Wing’s earnest President Jed Bartlet scored over the real occupant of that part of the White House in a recent poll gauging presidential popularity. After all, make-believe presidents can garner ‘votes’ cutting across party affiliations unlike the real McCoy. Moreover, there is nothing quite as comforting as reliving — or rewatching — great presidential moments on demand. But even Frank Underwood, the conniving Potus of the current hit TV series House of Cards beating Barack Obama is curious. Is it because his ‘supporters’ know he is only doing what scriptwriters decree? Or do Americans secretly want a buccaneering president? And will that inspire Underwood understudies to throw their hats into the ring for 2016?

Sadly, the passage to India of the BBC series Yes Minister as a Hindi remake was unremarkable and it never reached the Ji Pradhan Mantriji level. Nor have Indian film and TV serial makers provided any other compelling alternatives against whom residents of Race Course Road can be benchmarked and polled. So, incumbents can breathe easy for now.