The Powers That Be (1992–1993)

William Powers is a clueless senator whose career is run by his manipulative wife Margaret, his chief of staff/mistress Jordan and his political aide Bradley. Along for the ride are the ... See full summary »

Creators:

David Crane, Marta Kauffman

Stars:

John Forsythe, Holland Taylor, Eve Gordon

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
John Forsythe	...	Sen. William Franklin Powers (21 episodes, 1992-1993)
Holland Taylor	...	Margaret Powers (21 episodes, 1992-1993)
Eve Gordon	...	Jordan Miller (21 episodes, 1992-1993)
Valerie Mahaffey	...	Caitlyn Van Horne (21 episodes, 1992-1993)
Elizabeth Berridge	...	Charlotte (21 episodes, 1992-1993)
Peter MacNicol	...	Bradley Grist (20 episodes, 1992-1993)
David Hyde Pierce	...	Theodore Van Horne (20 episodes, 1992-1993)
Robin Bartlett	...	Sophie Lipkin (20 episodes, 1992-1993)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt	...	Pierce Van Horne (13 episodes, 1992-1993)

Storyline

William Powers is a clueless senator whose career is run by his manipulative wife Margaret, his chief of staff/mistress Jordan and his political aide Bradley. Along for the ride are the senator's shrill daughter Caitlyn and her suicidal husband Theodore, who happens to be in love with the Powers' bumbling maid Charlotte. Last but not least is the senator's illegitimate daughter, Sophie Lipkin, who takes a job at her father's office.

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Plot Keywords:

senator | sitcom | family relationships | politics

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 March 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Altas esferas

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (21 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

McLean Stevenson auditioned for the role of Senator Powers.

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Quotes

Caitlyn: Why don't you break free from the shackles fashioned by wealth and status?
Margaret: Caitlyn, those are the shackles that straightened your teeth, which got you a husband!

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Radar Secret Service (1993)

User Reviews

The best political sitcom

What can one say about a solid (and short lived) political sitcom that has John Forsythe in a great comeback vehicle, Holland Taylor in her best TV role ever, as well as a pre-'Frasier' David Hyde Pierce doing his schtick before Niles was born? I'd say it's one of the best shows ever, even if it only lasted a handful of episodes. It also features Joseph Gordon Levitt (3rd Rock From the Sun) as well as a great comic turn by Elizabeth Berridge (who plays Charlotte, the family's long-suffering maid). Lots of good, smart, funny stuff here...and still no one watched. Perhaps it was the Saturday time slot that did it in. Then again, dumb usually hits big, so it's no wonder this didn't make it...