The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer (1998– )

The misadventures of Abraham Lincoln, his loony associates, and the only sane man amongst them, the President's black butler Desmond.

Creators:

Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan

Stars:

Chi McBride, Max Baker, Dann Florek

Cast

Series cast summary:
Chi McBride	...	Desmond Pfeiffer (4 episodes, 1998)
Max Baker	...	Nibblet (4 episodes, 1998)
Dann Florek	...	Abraham Lincoln (4 episodes, 1998)
Christine Estabrook	...	Mary Todd Lincoln (4 episodes, 1998)
Kelly Connell	...	Ulysses S. Grant (4 episodes, 1998)

Storyline

Desmond Pfeiffer (the P is pronounced) was a black British gentleman who was run out of England after being accused of cheating at cards. He takes a job as butler to a perpetually horny Abraham Lincoln in the White House during the Civil War.

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Plot Keywords:

sitcom | ulysses simpson grant | reference to abraham lincoln | reference to mary todd lincoln | character name in title

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Taglines:

Critics hate it.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 October 1998 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Network Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Word of mouth spread quickly that the show was demeaning to African Americans and an untrue rumor circulated that a scene in the establishing pilot included hooded black men being executed. After protests, UPN ultimately bowed to controversy pulled the pilot off of the schedule just prior to airing, replacing it with another episode.

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Connections

Referenced in Clerks: The Animated Series: Leonardo Leonardo Returns and Dante Has an Important Decision to Make (2001)

User Reviews

bum rap

Sure this wasn't the greatest show on TV, but it seemed that those opposed to it (because of it "racial insensitivity") just wanted to get TV air time. The sole African American character (Chi McBride) the most intelligent! And the show tried to to meld well-worn characters into modern (albeit crude) comedy. By contrast the newer "Still Standing" (with Jami Gertz) is TOTALLY unfunny, and even rips off entire scenes (and plot lines) from another unfunny "hit" show ("Yes, Dear"). Maybe it's because I like history, but I can't believe this was off the air faster than any of those endless "Friends" clones.