The Frost Tapes
David Frost was the 20th century’s most prolific interviewer, a master of conversation with a remarkable talent for getting people to open up and spill their souls. Many of his conversations, however, have been lost—until now. Presented by his son, broadcaster Wilfred Frost, in Season One of “The Frost Tapes,” we resurrected interviews covering topics that had astounding relevance with current events in 2020. In Season Two, we’re joining David as he interviews the greatest entertainers of the 20th/21st centuries: Elton John, Elizabeth Taylor, Muhhamad Ali, the Beatles, and more. You can’t hear these interviews anywhere else.
Episodes
Episode 9: The Beatles
Paul McCartney’s working class roots. The story of George Harrison’s first guitar. John Lennon’s love of Hamburg. Ringo Starr’s big break. (And Pete Best’s not-so-big break.) This … is the story of the world’s greatest band, told to the world’s greatest interviewer.
01/08/22•1h
Episode 8: Muhammad Ali
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.”
25/07/22•41m 12s
Episode 7: Lauren Bacall
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.
18/07/22•44m 16s
Episode 6: Michael Caine
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.
11/07/22•48m 16s
Episode 5: Jane Fonda
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.
04/07/22•42m 3s
Episode 4: Sammy Davis Jr.
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.”
27/06/22•42m 10s
Episode 3: Elizabeth Taylor
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.
20/06/22•47m 9s
Episode 2: Andrew Lloyd Webber
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.”
13/06/22•52m 51s
Episode 1: Elton John
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.
06/06/22•57m 2s
Season 2 Trailer
David Frost was the 20th century’s most prolific interviewer, a master of conversation with a remarkable talent for getting people to open up and spill their souls. In Season Two, Frost interviews an A-list lineup of musicians (Elton John, the Beatles, and Andrew Lloyd Webber), entertainers and political activists (Sammy Davis Jr., Muhammad Ali, and Jane Fonda)—plus Hollywood stars (Michael Caine, Elizabeth Taylor, and Lauren Bacall.) You can’t get these interviews anywhere else.
20/05/22•3m 0s
Episode 7: Frost/Nixon Revisited
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.
22/10/20•57m 55s
Episode 6: Power and the Media
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.
20/10/20•42m 48s
Bonus Episode: Frost/Biden
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.
14/10/20•45m 22s
Episode 5: Race and Discrimination
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.
13/10/20•41m 22s
Frost/Biden Teaser
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.
09/10/20•1m 21s
Episode 4: Protest and Dissent
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.
08/10/20•46m 6s
Episode 3: Women's Liberation
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.
06/10/20•36m 28s
Episode 2: Panthers and Police
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.
06/10/20•39m 38s
Episode 1: The Next President 1968
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.
06/10/20•41m 33s
Season 1 Trailer
Police brutality. Government corruption. A struggle for gender equality. The fight for a free press. You know how they say history repeats itself? Fifty years ago, legendary television host David Frost interviewed the most influential thinkers, politicians, activists, and cultural icons of their time. And most of those tapes have been lost for a generation. Until now. “The Frost Tapes” takes you on a deep dive into David Frost’s long-lost archives
21/09/20•3m 11s
