Richard Nixon’s presidency has provided plenty of material for Hollywood since the 1970s. Out of All the President’s men to Forrest Gump, the often-demonized former president’s time in the Oval Office has been touched upon time and time again. Now, Starzs New series gas lit offers a different perspective on the events. This time the story is told by other people associated with Nixon during the Watergate scandal.
‘Gaslite’ focuses on Martha Mitchell, wife of Nixon’s Attorney General
Based on a true story, the Starz series gas lit features Julia Roberts in the role of Arkansian socialite Martha Mitchell. Mitchell became known for her outspoken demeanor. Known as the “Mouth of the South,” Mitchell turned gossip into a sport. She also often used subtle tricks to divulge information about prominent political figures to journalists.
Mitchell became the first whistleblower in the Watergate scandal. However, many people in the Nixon administration worked to discredit their claims. When news of the scandal broke, Mitchell and her husband were in California. In an attempt to keep Mitchell quiet, John hired a former FBI agent, Steve King, to keep Mitchell off phones and newspapers.
At one point, King allegedly yanked the phone out of the wall when Mitchell tried to call her friend Helen Thomas, who worked as a reporter for United Press International. After the incident, Mitchell said King kicked her and handcuffed her to the bed. She also said a psychiatrist forcibly calmed her down.
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Martha Mitchell was primarily discredited and pushed out of the public eye
The press didn’t take Mitchell’s allegations seriously, although they said the Watergate scandal had reached the Oval Office. Most of the time, if the press reported Mitchell’s story at all, it was reported from the gossip perspective of celebrities. Reports from Nixon’s aides often implied that Mitchell was an alcoholic and sought attention. Deep Throat completely overshadows her whistleblowing role on Watergate.
Estranged from her daughter and divorced from her husband, Mitchell died “penniless and alone,” according to the Eugene Register Guard. Neither her ex-husband nor her 14-year-old daughter Marty were by her side when she died.
The Starz series “Gaslit” starts on April 24, 2022
The Starz Original Series gas lit based on the Slow Burn podcast.
The summary for gas lit describes the limited series as “a modern interpretation of the Watergate scandal through the long-neglected lens of everything from the lesser-known but no less important actors involved in bringing down the 37 zealots who support and abetted its crimes, to the tragic whistleblowers who… would eventually bring down the whole rotten company. Martha enjoys a 76% brand awareness in American households, second only to Richard Nixon himself when the Watergate burglary happens.”
The synopsis goes on to add, “Her story takes a turn from here, and the choices she makes afterward will put her reputation on the line and her marriage in jeopardy.” Martha’s husband, John Mitchell, is one of Nixon’s most trusted advisers. Temperamental, rude and ruthless, he is also hopelessly in love with his famously open wife. After Watergate, Mitchell realizes that Martha knows the secret behind the break-in and suspects she may be willing to tell the press her side of the story, forcing him to choose between Martha and the President, throwing her personal life into chaos as well falls as his professional life unravels.”
The series also occurs Sean Penn as John MitchellShea Wigham as G. Gordon Litty, Dan Stevens as John Dean and Betty Gilpin as Maureen “Mo” Kane Dean. gas lit Premiered exclusively on Starz on April 24, 2022and will run for a total of eight episodes.
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https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/gaslit-julia-roberts-new-political-drama-based-true-story.html/ Is Julia Roberts’ new political drama based on a true story?