The U.S. secretary of housing and urban development is 12th in the line of succession to the president.
Now that you know that U.S. cabinet factoid that would have been useful for that fourth grade social studies quiz, you should keep it in mind when watching “Designated Survivor” at 9 p.m. Wednesdays on ABC.
Actor Kiefer Sutherland suddenly becomes commander-in-chief in the opening scenes of the first show while serving as the designated survivor — the one cabinet-level official who hangs out somewhere other than the U.S. Capitol during the president’s State of the Union Address in case something happens.
Acting as HUD Secretary Tom Kirkman, Sutherland is zipped up in his Cornell hoodie, drinking a beer with his feet up on a spacious conference room table while watching the speech at an undisclosed location one minute before being hustled out of the room by secret service agents following a catastrophic explosion that destroys the dome and claims everyone inside.
But it’s not the kick-butt, “24” Sutherland that emerges from the chaos to take over power. Instead, the show focuses on the enormity of what a more mild-mannered Sutherland suddenly inherits as the new leader of the free world under attack.
While watching the tragedy and ascendancy unfold, it’s easy to think of your last bad day at work — when the big meeting you thought was next week was happening as you walked into the office unprepared. You realize that wasn’t as bad as what’s happening on the TV screen.
As he frequently does, Sutherland totally sells this show and makes it easy to believe he’s now the new president who wants to be tough but is way in over his head on multiple levels. This is definitely not a role for Owen Wilson or Patrick Dempsey.
We also see how the entire Kirkman family is thrust into dad’s instant presidency. There’s a bit of a “dialogue wince” when secret service agents track down Kirkman’s teenage son who was selling drugs at a rave.
On the car ride to the White House, the bad boy says, “I thought you were taking me home?” The agent behind the wheel predictably responds, “I am.”
The real disturbing thought conveyed by “Designated Survivor” is that the scenario really could happen.
Albeit highly unlikely and hopefully only a made-for-TV story, would a completely unprepared low-level cabinet member really have to assume control over everything with little, if any, help facing down hawkish generals and ego-fueled White House staffers?
Hopefully there’s a real better plan in place rather than, “OK, you’re the boss now and we’ve got a ton of problems happening around the world that you need to act on now.”
At the end of the pilot episode, Sutherland trades in his hoodie for a suit, schools a Middle East ambassador about military power that he now can unleash at his fingertips and then — finally — goes before the camera to address a weary nation.
You definitely want to come back and see how he manages his new job and “frenemies” inside the White House. With President Sutherland, as President Kirkland, minding the store, it’s interesting enough to tune in next week to see what calamity he avoids next.
I also wonder if the real presidential candidates are watching this show for some pointers. Hmmm.
Eric Scott is a freelance columnist for Pioneer Press.
