The Frost Tapes

The most famous political interview of all-time, David Frost cross-examines President Richard Nixon. Equal parts trial and confessional booth, this high-intensity conversation covers topics like Watergate, the limits of executive power, and something nobody expected—an apology.

Archival material courtesy of Paradine Productions, CNN, Veritone, 60 Minutes, CBS News Archives, BBC, and The Nixon Presidential Library and Museum.

Who holds the power in America: Politicians, or the press? Join David Frost as he talks with media icons, from Walter Cronkite to a young Roger Ailes, as they discuss the tactics politicians use to manipulate the media. Conversations include secrets from a whistleblower and prophecies from the 20th century’s most admired newsmen.

In 1987, David Frost interviewed 45-year-old Joe Biden during his first bid for the presidency. Soon after, then-Senator Biden would withdraw from the race and the interview would never air — until now. In this timeless interview, Biden talks candidly about his upbringing, dealing with loss and love, and the fundamental qualities a successful president needs.

In a series of candid interviews, David Frost invites prominent Black figures—including author James Baldwin and comedian Dick Gregory—to share their thoughts on racism in America. These provocative conversations underscore the intersection of race, class, and capitalism with remarkable prescience.

David Frost’s lost interview with Joe Biden. In 1987, Biden sat down with Frost for an intimate and revealing hours-long conversation that would cover family, politics, and the presidency. The interview has never aired—until now. 

Is there a right or wrong way to protest? Is nonviolence always the best form of dissent? Should the government use military force to quiet domestic unrest? Those questions and more as David Frost interviews labor organizers, Vice President Spiro Agnew, student politicians, and other activists leading the picket line.

Pay equality. Abortion rights. Representation in the workplace. David Frost chats with breakers of the glass ceiling—from sports stars to political pioneers—as they rally for women’s equality. Including a rollicking interview with Shirley Chisholm, the first black congresswoman, and her prediction for when America can expect its first woman President.

As tensions boil between Black communities and the police, David Frost interviews key people making the headlines: Reverend Jesse Jackson, Huey P. Newton, and more. The conversations cover everything from police brutality to political assassinations, ending with a fiery debate over whether the FBI and police are actively targeting Black activists.

In an election year, everyone behaves like a doctor trying to figure out: What’s wrong with America? A young David Frost interviews 1968’s presidential candidates to find the answer. Ronald Reagan preaches against polarization, George Wallace calls for “law and order,” and Robert F. Kennedy gives his last personal longform interview.