Watch Women of the House

Women of the House is a sitcom produced by Mozark Productions that originally aired on CBS in 1995. The show stars Delta Burke in the lead role of Suzanne Sugarbaker, a former beauty queen and widow of a Democratic Congressman who inherits his seat after he suddenly passes away. Jonathan Banks also stars as Colonel Theodore Eliot, the Republican congressman who shares an office with Suzanne.

The show revolves mainly around Suzanne trying to navigate the complexities of politics, working alongside her staff, and finding a way to balance everything while also raising her young daughter. She is joined by her Southern friends and sometimes her former colleagues from her own pageant days, who offer her moral support and sometimes misguided advice. Her staff is not always the most efficient, but she seems to trust them anyway.

The character of Suzanne Sugarbaker is smart, feisty, and unafraid of speaking her mind. Despite being a former beauty queen, she is a strong feminist who is passionate about politics and fighting for women's rights. Her character is also known for her quick wit and sharp tongue, often delivering one-liners both in and out of the office. While she works for a political office, the show is not particularly partisan and often pokes fun at politicians from both sides of the aisle.

Colonel Theodore Eliot is Suzanne's counterpart across the aisle, a staunch conservative who is often at odds with her political views. Despite their political differences, there is an undercurrent of respect between the two characters. Banks delivers his lines with a dry, understated humor that plays off of Burke's more flamboyant character.

Suzanne's personal life also plays a big part in the show. She is a widow, having lost her husband before the show begins. She has a young daughter, and while she is juggling her political career, she is also figuring out how to be a single mother. This theme is handled with sensitivity, and Burke brings a warmth to her portrayal of Suzanne as both a mother and a politician.

The show is set in Washington D.C., and many episodes are set in the halls of Congress. The show is not particularly focused on the intricacies of legislation or policy, but rather on the interpersonal relationships between the characters. There is a good amount of physical comedy, particularly from Suzanne's bumbling staff, that adds to the humor of the show.

Women of the House was created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, who also created the hit sitcom Designing Women, which Burke also starred in. While the show had a committed following, it did not perform particularly well in the ratings and was cancelled after one season. However, the show's feminist themes and the chemistry between Burke and Banks have earned it a cult following in the years since.

Overall, Women of the House is a well-written sitcom with a strong lead performance from Delta Burke. The show's feminist themes and strong female characters make it stand out among other sitcoms of the era. While it may not be as well-remembered as some of its contemporaries, it is a hidden gem that is worth revisiting.

Women of the House is a series that ran for 1 seasons (12 episodes) between January 4, 1995 and on Mozark Productions