As a film critic with a deep fascination for political history and the impact of media on society, I wholeheartedly recommend “Watergate” to your watchlist. The parallels drawn between Richard Nixon’s career and the evolution of television quiz-shows are strikingly insightful.
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Richard Nixon, often referred to as America’s first TV president, shares many parallels with television quiz-shows. As television flourished, so did these question-and-answer programs, mastering manipulation through the medium and eventually becoming embroiled in a scandal that was amplified and broadcast nationwide via television. The current U.S. president (the focus of Panorama on Nixon) appears to be treading a similar path. His presidency, like a TV show, is facing an early termination.
1952 marked a crucial moment in Nixon’s political journey when, as a young vice-presidential candidate, he faced accusations of accepting funds from supporters. To clear his name and save his career, Nixon appeared on television to refute the allegations. He shared with America that the only gift he had ever received was his beloved pet dog, Checkers.
As a movie reviewer, I’d say, “In many ways, the structure of Nixon’s delivery reminded me of a vintage game show. It unfolded live, and Nixon himself, the participant, remained unaware during the performance of how it would all end.”
Reflecting on the pivotal year of 1960, I found myself captivated by the unprecedented television duels between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. As a seasoned campaigner, Nixon seemed overly confident in his screen presence; however, this confidence was shattered when viewers expressed disapproval of his unshaven look during the debates.
Majority of individuals who tuned into the radio believed Nixon had won, whereas a majority of those watching on TV thought Kennedy was victorious.
In 1968, during Richard Nixon’s second presidential bid, he demonstrated that he had taken lessons from his previous loss by presenting a campaign filled with superficial makeup and catchy slogans. Nixon organized televised question-and-answer sessions which bore some resemblance to the old manipulated game shows.
Instead of revealing the solutions directly, Nixon’s shows were rigged subtly by selecting and preparing the questioners carefully. This ensured that they would ask predictable questions, making it impossible for him to lose.
Television had created a Frankenstein’s monster, which it now felt obliged to destroy
Throughout his presidency, Nixon expertly utilized television to speak to the nation, having the unique ability to request primetime slots at will. Notably, his 1972 political campaign began with an impressive media stunt – a televised journey to China.
After Watergate emerged, it appeared the American public ignored the newspaper accusations against him, but when Watergate hearings started on TV, his approval rating dropped dramatically to only 30%. Simultaneously, the hearings’ ratings were exceptionally high. In fact, they became the most popular daytime show in the nation. It seemed as though television had unintentionally created a monster (Nixon) and now felt compelled to dismantle it.
Alger Hiss, who Nixon got imprisoned for lying, felt his time of shame was easing when a person inquired if he was Charles Van Doren, the well-known quiz-show contestant who had been manipulated. It’s possible that one day someone will approach Van Doren and question, “Haven’t you been Richard Nixon?”
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2024-08-02 17:33