The Frost Tapes

Ten rounds: that’s how many times David Frost would go toe-to-toe with Muhammad Ali. From his days as a young heavyweight champion … to his political activism … to his days as an entertainer, these intimate interviews trace how a simple Kentucky kid became “The Greatest.” 

The dame of Hollywood’s golden age, Lauren Bacall was known for much more than just her so-called "look.” David Frost talks to Bacall about her big break, the eternal problems facing Hollywood, and what she learned from her famous marriage with Humphrey Bogart.

One of the most prolific actors of our time, Michael Caine survived the Blitz of London in WW2 as a child, fought in the Korean War himself and then spent years struggling to make it as an actor. Here’s the story of how a plain-spoken cockney boy became one of the world's greatest headliners. 

David Frost would interview prime ministers and presidents, sultans and singers. But his first interview ever was with Jane Fonda. She'd always have a special place in Frost's life. As their stars rose during the 1970s, he’d discuss her controversial political activism, her acting career, and her philosophy of what made somebody truly successful.

David Frost did thousands of interviews during his lifetime. But his favorite person to talk to was the singer, dancer, actor, comedian, and impressionist: Sammy Davis Jr. These interviews—many of which have been lost for more than 50 years—show exactly why Sammy was simply known as “Mister Show Business.”

Hollywood’s first million-dollar star, Elizabeth Taylor was the definition of the word “icon.” In her conversations with David Frost, she discussed the abusive control of movie studios, her eight marriages, and the difficulties of transitioning from child actress to bombshell starlet. 

With the piano at his fingertips, Andrew Lloyd Webber would sit down with David Frost nine times between 1969 to 2007. Along the way, the composer got deep—explaining how  “Cats” nearly ruined him, plus the scandalous inspiration behind “Phantom of the Opera.”  

Spanning more than four decades, David Frost’s interviews with Elton John range from the Pinball Wizard’s darkest hours—including the depths of his drug addiction—to the happiest days of his life. Here’s the complete story of how a timid kid named Reginald Dwight became a rock-and-roll legend. 

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.