November 25, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

White House satire worse than reality > ‘DAG’ poor showing for stars Burke, Grier

Following all the foibles of the Clinton administration, the time is ripe for a satiric White House-based comedy. It’s too bad that “DAG,” premiering at 9:30 tonight on NBC, isn’t that sitcom.

“DAG,” still in the midst of being retooled as it premieres, wastes two real talents: David Alan Grier (hence the title) and Delta Burke.

Grier, one of the many finds to come out of the Fox ensemble comedy “In Living Color,” plays Secret Service agent Jerome Daggett. As the result of a mistake, he gets transferred from the president’s detail to protecting the first lady and her daughter, Camilla. This assignment is derogatorily known as “The B Team” (wouldn’t Hillary love that?) among the service’s agents.

Burke, larger than life as Suzanne Sugarbaker on “Designing Women,” plays first lady Judith Whitman. A complex woman, Judith now feels abandoned after helping to get her dunderheaded blond husband elected president. Although Grier is technically the series’ star, Burke, in a more flamboyant role, threatens to overshadow him.

The standout among the overabundant supporting cast is Lauren Tom, who plays the first lady’s secretary, Ginger Chin. Ginger, whom the first lady discovered in prison, isn’t above ogling Daggett or playing three-card monte with the staff.

The cast is already too large, and there’s more changes coming in the second episode. “DAG” may hit its stride in weeks to come, but it’s problematic unless viewers are still around to see that.


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