Backstairs at the White House

Spanning fifty years and eight administrations, -Backstairs at the White House- is the story of the servants, mainly Americans of African descent, who work behind the scenes in the most famous household in the land. The story centers around two maids, mother Maggie and daughter Lillian, who literally spend their lives cleaning, polishing, and mending for the ever-changing employers. Their stories, intermingled with those of the other permanent staff as well as the first family, run the gamut from warmth, high comedy, to deep tragedy, with surprising moments of humanity glimpsed even through those who are most aloof. Like -Roots-, this miniseries is a glimpse at a long span of Americana rarely shown and mostly forgotten, rendered with intelligence, warmth, dignity, and a sense of character that are all too rare on television these days. If you can't see the miniseries, get Bagni/Dubov tie-in novel. It is well worth it.