The Reagans: Season 1

2020

A four-part documentary series that explores unexamined aspects of the Reagan White House, and how Nancy Reagan's paper-doll image was... More

A four-part documentary series that explores unexamined aspects of the Reagan White House, and how Nancy Reagan's paper-doll image was at odds with the power she ultimately wielded throughout her husband's presidency.

From documentarian and journalist Matt Tyrnauer. The series combines archival footage, exhaustive research and first-person accounts from the couple’s inner circle to chart the Regan's rise from Hollywood to the presidency.

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The Reagans: Season 1 episodes

Part 1 - The Hollywood Myth Machine

The rise of Ronald Reagan from liberal movie star to... More an unlikely conservative politician who shocked the nation by capturing the governorship of the largest state. Closely examining American myths and the myth-making so expertly exploited by the Reagans to seize power, episode one also looks at the ruthless rise of the corporate political right, which led Reagan to become an evangelist for small government.

Part 2 - The Right Turn

A closer look at Reagan’s record on race — and... More a re-examination of his history as a law-and-order candidate who effectively used racialist codes as a strategy to win elections. The resonances with today’s political landscape and the tactics currently deployed by some in the GOP (and the reaction of the left) are categorical. Nancy starts to come into her own as a political force.

Part 3 - The Great Undoing

The triumph of both Reagans is explored as Ronald sets... More about undoing the New Deal and Great Society, setting off a political chain reaction that reverberates to this day. Nancy struggles with her image, as does Ronald. As they seem to care more about the rich and the military industrial complex than the poor, the fallacy of trickle-down economics is revealed.

Part 4 - In the Stars

The Reagans’ second term - and near-collapse of the administration... More in light of the Iran-Contra scandal – comes under examination. Nancy’s behind-the-scenes machinations reveal her true influence and power: expertly balancing the act of a dutiful wife as Ronald’s health declines with her quest to shape the Reagan legacy. The Reagans’ tragic inaction in the face of the HIV-AIDS pandemic is assessed with Dr. Anthony Fauci weighing in. Series finale.

The Reagans: Season 1 | Ratings & Reviews

83_%12 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes® rating
44_%14 reviews
Audience score rating

"On the off chance that there are viewers out there not yet utterly exhausted by American politics, this revealing Showtime documentary series provides plenty of fascinating insights into how the Republican Party has come to be how it is today."

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Sydney Morning Herald

"The testimony is steeped in acid, especially about matters like the Reagan administration's passion for cutting social services... It should be noted that, along with all its charges, this richly compelling series gives Reagan his due for achievements."

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Wall Street Journal

"That assessment isn't as widely shared as the series indicates, but Tyrnauer is on firmer ground with his corollary argument that Reagan's election was the pivot that brought American politics and public life to where they are today."

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The New York Times

"The Reagans is certainly more pointed and zippily edited than if it had run on, say, PBS. But there's little here that isn't conventional progressive history, even if some of the minor details retain their power to shock."

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Hollywood Reporter

"The Reagans doesn't adequately dig into who Ron and Nancy were or tell us much of anything we don't already know about them within its four hours. But at some point somebody should."

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