A&E looks to add to its Louisiana reality TV repertoire with legendary Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards and his big-haired wife.
Initially reported to air in February, then moved to this evening, and finally pushed to a summer premiere, “The Governor’s Wife,” will follow the interesting life of the vivacious couple, along with Trina’s 60-year-old stepdaughters, Edwin’s teenage stepsons and one of their own on the way.
Edwards’ legacy is quite remarkable and definitive of an era in Louisiana politics. Even though his 1991 election was more out of necessity because we had dug ourselves into a hole letting David Duke get into the runoff, Louisiana elected Edwards governor of our dear state four times. He left a legacy true to Louisiana politics that could fill a 611-page book.
His first two terms, 1972-1980, were quite successful. Atypical of at least Southern politics at the time, but somewhat reminiscent of Huey Long’s fight for the little man, economic boom in Louisiana and strong efforts that put women and African-Americans into positions of power marked the terms. In addition, he would leave a lasting mark on Louisiana politics, conceiving the current Louisiana constitution.
But his greatest contribution to the date was defeating former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke in 1991 — for that we owe Edwards a debt.
Or did the state actually have a choice in that runoff?
With a good touch of Avoyelles Parish in his accent, quick Cajun-whit and devilish-charm, Edwards was known for some playboy-ish behavior, some womanizing, that is still exercised in his youthful age of 85. Rightly so, he earned the nickname “the Silver Fox” — quite possibly why he was able to return to the governor’s mansion twice more, and evidently how he was able to fox Louisiana.
Permits were his specialty. Casino permits, hospital permits, building permits — you name it, he permitted it. Or more like, you paid for it, he permitted it.
Though Edwards’ real talent is not in bribery or racketeering, maybe it was then, but now it has to be the ability to embrace the stigma of a crooked politician and turn it into a career. Book signings, party appearances and speeches, Grand Marshalling parades and the TV series, have been the now-free-from-prison-life of Edwards.
He’s possibly more of a celebrity now for having served time than when he was actually doing good for the state. Hell, “The Governor’s Wife” may launch him into a late ‘80s political revitalization.
It seems people are intrigued by Edwards’ criminal activities and can fairly easily forget the unfair dealings he conducted. For some reason, we tend to have a secret love affair with corrupt politics and their mysterious ways of influencing us. To have that kind of canaille power that you cannot learn or put a finger on is the thing we all envy of Louisiana back-door politics, which Edwards embodies.
Even two men he defeated in gubernatorial elections, political rivals of Edwards, sought a pardon for him from President George W. Bush in 2007.
But I guess you have to be from Louisiana to truly appreciate his style.
Edwards’ shark-charm just didn’t sit right with those good ole boy ways of the good ole Texas President. President Bush would deny the pardon attempt before leaving office.
Concerning his recent escapade, I wouldn’t venture to call him a reality TV sellout yet — although all reality TV is cheap. The Silver Fox has to be up to something with this vain ploy of reality television.
Whatever he’s up to, he’s apparently still got it, with a pregnant 34-year-old wife sporting enough blonde hair to rival any Texanette and a constituency still gazing upon that silver hair to prove it.
Though the old politico’s public service days must be done, I wouldn’t count his hand in Louisiana politics out just yet.
Apparently, he thinks he’s still got enough life left in him, and he’s quite aware of the value of his personal brand.
