The First Lady (TV Series) That White House (2022) User Reviews

Good first episode.

[Geekfreak13 · 8/10 · 17 April 2022]

I watched the First Lady this morning.

There is a fine cast, good , acting, and directing.

I have read some bad reviews.

I do not take what reviewers say seriously. They are neither actors, directors, or cinematographer.

I was around when Nixon was elected. We watched the Watergate trials in school.

Most of you reading this, we're around when Mr. Obama was elected.

Of course the writers have taken some liberties.

All in all, I plan to watch the whole series.

Let us not forget, these are actors playing roles, they are not suppose to be duplicates of the actual people.

Sit back an enjoy the series, if you do not like it, do not watch.

Well done start to the series, that spans three generations of first ladies who enter the white house unexpectedly.

[blanbrn · 8/10 · 21 April 2022]

"That White House" episode one from season 1 of "Showtime's" new anthology series "The First Lady" was a good kickoff start the acting, writing, and scenes were well captured as it was showcased thru flashbacks of the starts of three first ladies of different generations. Here we see when Franklin D. Roosevelt(Kiefer Sutherland) after stricken with polo then becoming New York governor then wins the White House and wife Eleanor(Gillian Anderson) roams over his decisions as she reflects on her past pains. In an unexpected twist and turn too in 1973 Betty Ford(in an elegant turn from Michelle Pfeiffer) becomes second lady and she stands by her man vice president Gerald(Aaron Eckhart) and the bigger role and surprise which is unwanted by Betty is yet to come. Now ahead to 2007 and 08 you see how Michelle(the real life turn from Viola Davis) copes with husband Barack running and being elected as Michelle must put her fears aside. Overall fine first episode that sets up a classic and historical season one look of three different generational first ladies.

Simplistic

[Hitchcoc · 6/10 · 18 April 2022]

I have to say that the characterization of Eleanor Roosevelt was the most engaging. Even that was contrived. Otherwise, it seems that these women are creations or limited composites of the real thing. That aside, it was just a bit herky jerky and, I'd have to say, dull. We know where Betty Ford is going and we know that hubby is going pardon Nixon. I appreciate that we are seeing strong, independent women, but did these dramatic things really happen? I'm not giving up and am set for the second episode. I am a Viola Davis fan and just can't seem to see her as MIchelle Obama.

All over the place, no direction

[fambizzsales · 1/10 · 17 April 2022]

I was curious about how they'd make a show linking people together that had nothing in common besides their husband's success getting elected, well apparently that's enough for Showtime.

The show jumps around from First Lady to First Lady without rhyme or reason. It makes no effort to tell any sort of coherent story nor is being First Lady painted in any sort of positive light, no, all these women suffered in silence for all of us. Michelle Obama immediately encounters a painting of George Washington with a slave at his feet which is Showtime taking liberties with the truth (no such painting exists).

The actors all do a decent job, the music and cinematography are top notch, but unfortunately this show isn't actually a show, it has no plot, building tension, climax or resolution. It just meanders along trying to impress upon us how hard these First Ladies had it, yet ironically omits the only First Lady to be self-made Mrs. Trump.

I guess I have a hard time empathizing with women I would gladly swap places with in a heartbeat as I've been poor and struggled my entire life. Going to formal dinners just doesn't seem like torture to me.