TV Talk: ‘Death by Lightning’ unearths forgotten U.S. presidential assassin history

One of the more welcome aspects of the streaming era is that it’s opened space for a greater diversity of stories, including forgotten tales from American and world history.

While I still await the day some global streamer recounts the tale of how an Austrian archduke and a Belgian princess came to rule Mexico in the 1860s, Netflix introduces “the true story of two men the world forgot” in the four-episode limited series “Death by Lightning,” now streaming.

Written by Mike Makowsky (“Bad Education”) and based on the book “Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President” by Candice Millard, “Lightning” tracks the 1880 campaign of reluctant, future U.S. President James A. Garfield (Michael Shannon, “Boardwalk Empire”) and his eventual assassin, Charles Guiteau (Matthew MacFadyen, “Succession”).

This miniseries benefits from an impressive cast that includes Nick Offerman as Vice President Chester Arthur; Bradley Whitford (in enjoyable “West Wing” politician mode) as Garfield’s Secretary of State James Blaine; Shea Whigham as Garfield antagonist Roscoe Conkling; and Betty Gilpin as Garfield’s wife, Crete.

Makowsky’s take on the story vacillates between straightforward historical fiction and absurdist dark comedy. The series would be better if it leaned more frequently into the latter, but it goes in that direction often enough to be entertaining throughout.

The first hour — Garfield’s unexpected nomination for the presidency — feels slow because it’s predictable. The story proves more twisty and engrossing once Garfield is in the White House and encounters vipers within his own administration.

Shannon’s Garfield comes off as an admirable leader (he supports the rights of Black citizens to vote) and “a famously poor hater,” as his wife says.

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“Assassination can no more be guarded against than death by lightning,” Garfield says in the third episode, words the real Garfield wrote (and possibly spoke) in his lifetime. “It’s best not to worry too much about either one.”

MacFadyen’s self-deluded, desperate Guiteau holds the screen better because he’s such a wackadoo, like an 1800s version of MacFadyen’s “Succession” suck-up, Tom Wambsgans. Everyone else mistakes Guiteau’s last name as Cousteau, especially Arthur. Scenes featuring a drunk Chester Arthur and Guiteau are highlights.

By the last hour, the more serious tone takes over again, but it’s earned given what we’ve seen Garfield endure (though I could have done without Garfield’s widow visiting Guiteau in prison, which never happened in real life and seems designed to unnecessarily juice the drama quotient). Still, for fans of historical fiction, “Death by Lightning” remains worthwhile.

In a virtual Netflix press conference last month, MacFadyen referred to Guiteau, who at one point in his life joined a free love cult, as “the original incel, poor guy.”

MacFadyen said today Guiteau would be diagnosed with a psychological condition but back then he was just viewed as an eccentric.

“I didn’t see him as a bad person, just misguided and screwed up and kind of lonely,” MacFadyen said. “That’s certainly how I tried to play him. He’s not malevolent. I think he’s lazy and sort of incompetent and unreliable in lots of different ways, but that’s probably part of his condition. He wanted fame as well, as he progressed in his narcissism and delusion and all the rest of it.”

“Death by Lightning” shows “the tragedy of, and the futility of, political violence,” MacFadyen said, relating its themes to contemporary issues. “It doesn’t solve anything and it’s a great shame.”

For Shannon, this miniseries offers a chance to shine a light on a forgotten historical figure.

“When I told people I was playing Garfield, they were like, ‘Why are you playing the cat? Haven’t they already done that?’ ” Shannon said. “And I was like, ‘No, I’m not playing Garfield the cat. I’m playing Garfield the president.’ They’re like, ‘Who?’ ”

‘Stumble’

Following the season two premiere of NBC’s “Happy’s Place” (8 p.m. Nov. 7, WPXI), NBC debuts a new single-camera comedy, “Stumble” (8:30 p.m.), a mockumentary set behind the scenes of a college cheerleading team.

Coach Courteney Potter (Jenn Lyon) loses her job at Sammy Davis Jr. Senior College after she’s caught drinking with her cheerleaders, so she gets a job leading a new cheer program at another community college where she assembles a “Bad News Bears”-worthy team. Meanwhile, her former assistant coach, Tammy Istiny (Kristin Chenoweth), takes over Potter’s former team and becomes her rival.

Created and written by siblings Jeff Astrof (“Friends”) and Liz Astrof (“Not Dead Yet”), “Stumble” isn’t nearly as funny as his 2018 comedy “Trial & Error.” The first “Stumble” episode is particularly meh.

But the second episode, which allows Potter some wins, shows signs of improvement with funnier moments and better writing.

Still, your better bet for comedy may be to watch the bloopers from season one of “Happy’s Place,” streaming on youtube.com.

Dick’s show on Nick

Dick’s Sporting Good’s Pittsburgh-based Cookie Jar & a Dream Studios landed a new series on Nickelodeon.

“Play It Forward: Game On” (5:30 p.m. Nov. 19) is an unscripted series featuring makeovers of under-resourced youth sports teams and their facilities. WNBA champion Renee Montgomery, Nick alum Kel Mitchell and YouTuber Jesser host this six-episode series that filmed near Atlanta.

Kept/canceled

Comedy Central renewed Jon Stewart’s deal to host “The Daily Show” on Monday nights through 2026.

Following a 15th season to air in 2026, Hulu will bring back “King of the Hill” for 10-episode 16th and 17th seasons.

FX renewed its ensemble comedy “Adults” for a second season and ordered a “Snowfall” spinoff to series.

Netflix renewed “Nobody Wants This” for a third season.

MTV canceled “Ridiculousness” after 14 years and 46 seasons.

Channel surfing

A new report by Parks Associates found 50% of pay TV households receive their video service through internet-delivered platforms (think: Netflix, YouTube TV) rather than traditional cable (Comcast, Verizon, etc.). … Timed to Veterans Day, WQED-TV will reair two locally produced specials, “Homecoming: Sgt. Hamilton’s Long Journey” (8 p.m. Nov. 13) and “America’s Arsenal: How Pittsburgh Powered World War II” (8:30 p.m. Nov. 13).

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect the accurate relationship of Jeff Astrof and Liz Astrof.