Rich Little Starring in the Presidents

Rather than a clips collection, this series of impressions of the nine presidents from JFK to Slick Willie is a theatrical piece written by former Ford press secretary Ron Nessen and deftly performed by Rich Little with support from a small ensemble portraying first ladies, factotums, and staffers (as needed). Viewed in sequence, Little's individual impressions recall the times, foibles, and incidents of successive administrations, ably demonstrating that one constant of presidential life is political satire. While all of the bits are good, the LBJ routine stands out: Little's take on the embattled Texan trying to act on his support for civil rights despite the very different views of some of his fellow Southern pols is poignant and captures the cultural moment nicely, right down to LBJ's famed paranoia concerning Robert Kennedy and his perceived political intrigues. The DVD version includes a 25-minute behind-the-scenes documentary. More amusing than laugh out loud funny, this is sure to be a treat for fans of political satire, in general, and Little, in particular. Recommended. Aud: P. (M. Tribby)