Knives Out in the White House

“I am going to be dead by the end of the night,” says the chief usher of the White House. Sure enough, his body is found in the Game Room of the residential wing where the president’s family lives. It is an unusual family, imagining, as it often hap­pens in Shondaland, a gay president, a black woman detective beautifully named Cordelia Cupp, and a white female chef who formerly ran a food truck. Imagine Only Murders in the Building meets Knives Out (which is referenced often enough during the show) and you have The Residence, which both lovers of history and mystery will dig into. There are digs at the country club-style kind of food favoured by Calvin Coolidge, Nancy Reagan’s predilection for astrologers, and the Clintons’ love for Fleetwood Mac. There is also a running gag about Hugh Jackman and a perfor­mance by Kylie Minogue which is seen rather than heard. Cordelia Cupp is a character, with a love for bird watching; the politicians are bland, but the downstairs world of those who serve is a delight. There is a stirring ending speech about the state of the imperfect union and how it is not us vs them but just us, and much elaboration about the elaborate rituals surround­ing the presidency that should please the trivia buffs. This series is a trifle long but the cast is competent.

entertainmentGiancarlo EspositoRandall Parkstreaming businessUzo Aduba