In honor of President's Day, we've rounded up five of TV's greatest, bravest, and boldest fictional presidents.
5. President Henry Hayes (William Devane), Stargate SG1
Given the real U.S. President at the time this show aired, Hayes' wide-eyed dopiness hit a little too close to home.
4. President Julia Mansfield (Patty Duke), Hail to the Chief
Though President Mansfield wasn't re-elected after her short-lived seven-episode career, she broke considerable ground as television's first female president.
3. President Mackenzie Allen (Geena Davis), Commander in Chief
Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Grant, Eisenhower, Coolidge, Van Buren... and Allen. All brave and influential red-headed presidents.
2. The 40th President of the United States (Richard Pryor), The Richard Pryor Show
If you could go back in time and see an actual debate between Pryor, Carter, and Regan, who do you suppose would have won the election?
1. President Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen), The West Wing
Highly intelligent, debonair, quick-witted, and equipped with a most-capable White House staff, President Bartlet was almost too good to be true. Hence those 'Bartlet for President' bumper stickers you may recall from the early 00's.
NEXT: SNL's Best Presidential Impersonations
Yep West Wing was epically amazing, and Martin Sheen was the greatest President ever.
I agree with all the comments on here. With the exculsion of David Palmer on this list, I can't take it seriously. I do love Josiah Bartlet though.
I agree with everyone who has asked WTH is David Palmer and Laura Roslin? Both of them were AMAZING Presidents in their respective shows and the fact that neither of them (especially Palmer) is on this list makes it completely bogus and inaccurate, to say the least.
This article should be taken off... It's just a constant reminder why Ilana Diamond shouldn't be writing lists anymore.
WTH DAVID FREAKIN' PALMER!!!
David Palmer!
I'm not surprised at the inclusion of Mackenzie Allen ("Commander-in-Chief" was supposedly a good show), David Palmer from 24 should have at least been number two.
you know, there's a show called 24 who once had a great president named David Palmer kiddo...
i mean, how the hell can somebody put Palmer off this list? no seriously...
Agree with Allen and Bartlet (of course) but I also miss Palmer and Roslin
Where the hell is David Palmer? This is a complete joke.
Where the hell is David Palmer? This is a complete joke.
TV.com needs to get new writers, this article is so out of touch with what we all think.
David palmer should have been number one, and the fact that idiot illana diamond didn't even include him is laughable, how the hell did this list get approved by the editor
Speaking of red-headed presidents: where the hell is Laura Roslin?
No Laura Roslin invalidates this entire list.
The people who make these "Top 5 or 10" lists never include 24
Where the hell is David Palmer and Laura Roslin??? Seriously? You guys suck. No really, you do
Where's President Palmer and President Roslin??????????????????
David Palmer, best president ever. This list is worthless without him number one, much less not even on it. And based on the comments, you messed up.
Am I the only one who wonders where the hell Laura Roslin form BSG is?
You chose Mackenzie Allen and not David Palmer? I've never even watched 24 and I know that's wrong.
I agree with Bartlet (the best) and Allen but where's David Palmer? He should be the second.
My vote for President Palmer, what wrong with TV.COM staff writers?
I agree that David Palmer deserves the top spot. He made 24 worth watching in the early seasons...
David Palmer should be in the top 5, if not the top spot. There's NO WAY he was meant to be off this list.
Also, Will Ferrill should have been on this list before Chevy Chase or Dan Ackroyd. Those two were caricatures (didn't spell THAT right) of those presidents, whereas Will was a close match (just like Hammond, Carvey, & Fred). http://iamnoahjames.com/
Where is David Palmer? He is the best!
Laura Roslyn and any of the 24 presidents should have been on here before Geena Davis. Seriously how did that even make the list the show only aired like 10 episodes and 6 people watched it. (to be fair, I was one of those 6)
where is DAVID PALMER?!?!
David Palmer should be number 1.
Where are David Palmer and Laura Roslin? I mean, come on!
Ilana Diamond is definitely the worst TV.com staff writer of all time! I guess he never watched 24!!!!
The guy who did Bush on That's My Bush!!!!Absolutely killer!!!!
Whats his name from That's MY Bush! The best of them all!!!!!!
Where the hell is David Palmer?Son, I am disappoint.
add a commentWhere is David Palmer? How could anyone even forget to put him on this LIST
u really need to remake this list and put david palmer in there somewhere, even if its last place, he needs to be on this list!!!
ummm what? no david palmer? wth dude
I thought David Palmer was guaranteed number 1 as well
No David Palmer, this is a disgrace.
Without Palmer this list is a joke.
will ferrel as bush??
David Palmer needs to be in here somewhere.
No David Palmer means this list holds no clout.
What about Andrew Shepard from the movie THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT.
where is David Palmer ????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I thought that Jed Bartlet would get the one slot but no David Palmer? Maybe you should do a poll and see what the group has to say first. I think Cherry Jones is good but Palmer was Da Man.
WHERE IS DAVID PALMER?!?!?!!?!?
you guys should really stop writing articles about superlatives (greatest, best, worst, etc.) cause you seem to keep screwing it up
as mentioned, David Palmer and Laura Roslin really should be on this list.
No David Palmer ???