Matt Buckler: Showtime's 'The First Lady' gets term-limited

Aug. 2—The show had a blockbuster cast, and it received huge amounts of publicity with Showtime sparing no expense getting the word out.

There's one thing, however, that "The First Lady" doesn't have — a second season.

Deadline Hollywood is reporting that "The First Lady" is one and done — canceled after one season.

Considering the quality of the cast — Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt, Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford, and Viola Davis as Michelle Obama — one would have thought 'The First Lady" would have been around for more than just one term. The behind-the-scenes stories of three dynamic first ladies should have made for compelling storytelling. But it was just a 10-episode run and then the first ladies had to exit the White House.

The series was shut out of any major Emmy Award nominations, which is an indication that the show lacked energy.

Perhaps Showtime should have picked three other first ladies, but the excitement was definitely missing from this series. That's why Showtime pulled the plug.

Last 'Flash' Dance

After nine seasons, "The Fastest Man Alive" is finally slowing down.

The CW Network has announced that the upcoming season for "The Flash" will be the last, according to Deadline Hollywood.

"The Flash" has been one of CW's most popular shows, averaging about 1 million viewers per episode this season. The show's star, however, Grant Gustin, has signed a contract for only one year, giving fans of the show a clue that "The Flash" has reached the end of the line.

The show will premiere in midseason and will run for 13 episodes before it puts on the brakes for the final time.

Of all the superhero shows on the CW, "The Flash" has lasted the longest, and is the most successful.

Some of the plots became complicated as the show continued, but "The Flash" always had a loyal fan base.

When "The Flash" leaves the air in 2023, the CW will have only one superhero show remaining on its schedule, "Superman & Lois."

Apparently, the network of superheroes is starting to become normal.

Broadcaster Bill

Basketball legend Bill Russell, who died Sunday at the age of 88, is being remembered as a ground-breaking player who was the most prolific winner in pro basketball history with 11 titles in 13 seasons.

He also earned notoriety, however, as a broadcaster. He joined the ABC team in time for the 1971-72 season, replacing Jack Twyman, and had a great two-year run. Not only was Russell insightful, he also was amusing. He and Keith Jackson turned out to be a dynamic team.

Russell's broadcasting career was put on hold when ABC lost the NBA package to CBS, but he returned in 1981, joining CBS when the network was looking for a ratings boost.

Russell's performance, however, was never the same after that. His analysis became bland and ordinary. He seemed out of touch with the current players.

For two seasons on ABC, however, Russell set the bar high. He helped give ABC an all-star team behind the mike.

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Matt Buckler is television and radio editor of the Journal Inquirer.

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