Nixon's The One. Image shows from L to R: Henry Kissinger (Henry Goodman), President Richard Nixon (Harry Shearer). Copyright: Hat Trick Productions
Nixon's The One

Nixon's The One

  • TV comedy drama
  • Sky Arts
  • 2012 - 2014
  • 6 episodes (1 series)

Comic series revealing the tragic and humourous reality of the White House during 'I am not a crook' Richard Nixon's time as President. Stars David Frost, Harry Shearer and Demetri Goritsas.

Press clippings

President Richard Nixon - or, to give him his full title, disgraced president Richard Nixon - recorded almost all conversations he held in the Oval Office and it is these transcripts that provide the basis of the dialogue for Sky Arts' Nixon's The One.

Harry Shearer, of The Simpsons and Spinal Tap fame, takes the lead role - one he has honed over many years for the US cult comedy show Saturday Night Live - with Henry Goodman lending support as Henry Kissinger.

Nixon brags, rambles, whines and holds forth, while Kissinger fawns, flatters and, in one memorable scene, fumbles an uncomfortable and not wholly convincing explanation as to why a foreign journalist quoted him as calling his boss "a cowboy". Such is their depth of friendship that Nixon forgives Kissinger, and then orders his entire outgoing phone calls traced.

Those who prefer their viewing a little more visual might go away disappointed - the characters are largely chair-bound, it is filmed on a single set and the only discernible action is outside the window when a gardener shambles past. But for anyone wanting a fascinating, funny and slightly disturbing insight into the mind of the former leader of the free world, Nixon's The One is the one.

Harry Venning, The Stage, 5th February 2014

We know what you've been doing Mr President

Harry Shearer says the surveillance state has always been around. Just ask Richard Nixon...

The Big Issue, 4th February 2014

Harry Shearer: Nixon didn't like a lot of people

Harry Shearer, 70, is best known for The Simpsons. He listened to 2,000 hours of Nixon tapes for his new series and says the leader was a 'twisted guy'.

Andrew Williams, Metro, 30th January 2014

Harry Shearer portrays Nixon behind closed doors

Harry Shearer is best known for providing the voice of Mr Burns in The Simpsons and as Derek Smalls in spoof rock band Spinal Tap. His next role sees him take on former US president Richard Nixon in a series based on the disgraced politician behind closed doors.

BBC News, 30th January 2014

Nixon's the One!, Sky Arts 1, review

Harry Shearer was excellent as the former American president in Nixon's the One! says Charlotte Runcie.

Charlotte Runcie, The Telegraph, 30th January 2014

Harry Shearer: 'Richard Nixon wanted my ass in Vietnam'

If the US president had had his way, the actor, best known for Spinal Tap and The Simpsons, might have had a much shorter, more brutal life. But why has he now decided to play him in TV series Nixon's the One?

Andrew Collins, The Guardian, 29th January 2014

Harry Shearer interview

Harry Shearer returns to Sky for a brand new series of Nixon's the One, in which he reprises his uncanny impersonation of disgraced US President Richard Nixon.

Tom Eames, Digital Spy, 27th January 2014

Harry Shearer exclusive interview

We speak to Harry Shearer about his brand new project Nixon's The One, where he reprises the role of President Nixon in a new five-part series.

Daniel Falconer, Female First, 27th January 2014

10 Questions for Harry Shearer

He's been Montgomery Burns and Derek Smalls. Stand back for his President Nixon.

Jasper Rees, The Arts Desk, 26th January 2014

Harry Shearer on bringing out Nixon's feminine side

The Simpsons star explains what it takes to bring America's most reviled president back to sympathetic life.

Stephen Robinson, The Spectator, 18th January 2014

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