1600 Penn

Did You Know?

• Brittany Snow was originally cast as the eldest daughter Becca but was replaced by Martha MacIsaac.
• This was the second time Bill Pullman played an American president, the first being in the film Independence Day.
• The series was given a series order on May 7, 2012.

Characters

The President's eldest son is Standrich "Skip" Gilchrist Jr., played by Josh Gad. His stepmother, Emily Nash-Gilchrist (Jenna Elfman), was once his father's campaign manager. The President's eldest daughter is Becca Gilchrist (Martha MacIsaac). André Holland portrays White House Press Secretary Marshall Malloy. The younger Gilchrist children are Marigold (Amara Miller) and Xander (Benjamin Stockham). A recurring character, D.B. (Robbie Amell), is believed to be the father of Becca's unborn child.

Reception

1600 Penn received mixed reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 43% approval rating based on 35 reviews, with the site's critical consensus describing the series as broad but likeable, yet uneven in its jokes and lacking the sharp wit needed for its satirical goals. On Metacritic, the series holds a score of 55 out of 100 from 36 critics, indicating mixed or average reviews. David Hinkley of the New York Daily News gave the series 1 out of 5 stars, calling it silly fun that hits one out of three targets and labeling the First Family as annoying sitcom stereotypes that fail to explore subtle satirical possibilities; he compared it to a drug-fueled Saturday Night Live sketch that should end. Tim Surette of TV.com stated the show was what happens when network executives think a screeching buffoon equals laughs, with jokes met by tumbleweeds and cricket chirps. Ross Bonaime of Paste criticized the characters and expressed a wish for the show to be put out of its misery. Vicki Hyman of The Star-Ledger graded the show a D, remarking that it could be mistaken for a relic of the 1980s or 1990s aimed at viewers with lax humor requirements. Paul Meekin of Star Pulse noted the show's inability to escape The West Wing's shadow and concluded it was neither a parody nor a fresh take, but quite godawful. A less critical review came from Hank Stuever of The Washington Post, who called the show formulaic but gave it points for trying, adding that it avoids partisan storylines or resemblance to the current administration. Maureen Ryan of The Huffington Post called Josh Gad by far the best thing about the show and hoped he would find a better vehicle if the series were canceled.