President Obama asks for ‘True Detective,’ ‘Game of Thrones’ season 4 a little early

Is the President of the free world apparently also the President of many TV fan clubs? It may seem like it, based on this story, which has very quickly flooded the internet over the past several weeks.

As a part of a larger piece in the New York Times about the battle between HBO and Netflix right now for supremacy, President Obama recently asked HBO executive Richard Piepler for advanced copies of “True Detective” and “Game of Thrones,” which he could watch over the course of Presidents Day Weekend. Were the latter even available for viewing yet? The Obamas have been given a long-standing TV privilege thanks to who they are. After all, Michelle Obama was at one point given the opportunity to watch “Downton Abbey” before the start of the season in America.

So are these two just really impatient, or is there something deeper going on here? It may have a little something to do with wanting entertainment at the few times a year when they can actually enjoy it. It’s obviously a lot of work being the leader of the free world, and you can’t work every hour of the day. Getting to watch your favorite show is a nice way of spending a little bit of time doing something else. Also, if you are in President Obama’s shoes, there is really not that much you can do in your free time. If you go out to dinner, you suddenly make headlines. The same goes if you literally go almost anywhere. Activities like watching a TV or a movie are among the few things that you can do without feeling like you’re under the microscope.

“True Detective” continues to air new episodes on HBO Sunday nights.

Photo: HBO