MSNBC Taps David Frost Archives for Documentary Series ‘Frost Vs.’

by

Wilfred Frost is getting ready to put much of his family business on public display.

Known primarily for his anchor roles on both CNBC in the U.S. and Sky News, as well as being the CEO of Paradine Productions – a production company established by his father, the celebrated journalist and interviewer Sir David Frost in 1961 – will soon have a six-part documentary series airing on MSNBC starting from Sunday, April 27. This series delves into significant cultural shifts over the years, utilizing a wealth of interviews conducted by the senior Frost with influential figures such as The Beatles and Muhammad Ali.

During his recent interview, Wilfred Frost stated that “he was right there, witnessing these historical instances.” He emphasized that this wasn’t just an archive program.

The six-episode series titled “Frost Vs.” is set to delve into themes like civil rights movements, college protests, and cultural revolutions, drawing upon Frost’s extensive archive containing over 10,000 interviews with both celebrated and contentious individuals. Many of these clips have not been aired in years, while others are being shown to the public for the very first time. In the United States, senior Frost is particularly recognized for his 1977 interview series with former President Richard Nixon, which formed the foundation for both a stage play and the film “Frost/Nixon.” However, throughout his career, he has interviewed numerous prominent figures, including athletes, musicians, and world leaders.

Following his father’s passing in 2013, Wilfred Frost assumed the leadership role at his family’s production company. He’s spent years working diligently to consolidate most of his father’s work under one roof. This latest project, he explains, has been a lengthy process. The initial phase involved reestablishing the archive, acquiring rights, and restoring numerous old recordings, particularly those from the 60s and 70s when his father was active in America. He secured these materials and CBS’s rights, then proceeded to digitize and restore everything. By 2018, he was ready to present his ideas.

Each 60-minute installment of “Frost Vs.” features central interviews with significant figures spanning several decades, such as Ali, Jane Fonda, Elton John, and Nixon. Additional insights are provided through interviews with contributors like Michael Sheen, Liam Neeson, Joanna Lumley, and Khalilah Ali, who help to frame Frost’s career and life. Notably, President Bill Clinton and U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair have recently offered commentary for an episode focusing on Middle Eastern conflicts, where Frost conversed with figures like Yasser Arafat, Menachem Begin, Benjamin Netanyahu, and other key players.

(The structure of the sentence has been slightly altered to make it more coherent and easier to read while maintaining the original meaning.)

It’s captivating how Frost was given multiple chances to converse with these notable figures across an extended timeframe. This allows viewers to witness figures like Muhammad Ali and the Beatles at various stages of their careers, which might not happen in interviews with journalists who didn’t consistently keep in touch with their subjects, resulting in unique discussions.

The new collection of documentaries and non-fiction series on MSNBC is an expansion of their initiative started in 2020, aimed at producing longer formats that cater to their viewers’ preferences. With traditional TV audiences becoming increasingly elusive, many media companies are branching out into documentary production to offer them as “special event” programming. Pioneers like CNN debuted series by Anthony Bourdain and investigative films on captive animals and Linda Ronstadt in 2019, transforming “20/20” into a platform for extensive two-hour explorations, ranging from Robert Blake’s life to the fall of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. Similarly, Fox News Channel has developed documentary series for its streaming service, Fox Nation, delving into topics like U.S. monuments, national parks, and history.

Audience members can anticipate some truly awe-inspiring scenes in the upcoming series, as per Wilfred Frost. Highlights include The Beatles performing “Hey Jude” for the very first time on “Frost on Sunday” in 1968. Frost describes it as a particularly exhilarating moment right smack in the middle of the episode, one that’s almost surreal. Interestingly, this performance was also their last television appearance.

There’s also video of a heartfelt interview with Elton John from the early 1990s, following his stint in rehab after decades of addiction. “At this incredibly vulnerable moment,” Frost remarks, “I believe at times, Dad served as a confidant for some of his friends and acquaintances.

The documentary titled “Frost Vs” is jointly produced by MSNBC Films, Sky Studios, Paradine Productions, and White Horse Pictures, specifically for Sky Documentaries. It will be aired both on Sky and MSNBC.

Wilfred Frost expresses that he had enough footage from his father’s interviews to produce longer episodes, and thinks there are aspects that could have been explored further to expand the shows. He mentions, “I could certainly craft extended versions,” but adds, “However, I believe it’s important to leave audiences yearning for more.

Read More

2025-02-19 15:17