"The torments of desire" : presidents and performance before 1929 -- The studios' golden age and the white house, 1929-1945 -- The old man and tv, 1945-1960 -- Charisma's hour, 1960-1969 -- Enter stage right, 1969-1989 -- Hollywood wags the dog, 1990-2000 -- The twin towers, 2001-2009