“Some of the programmes in this series are better than others, but this one is surely the money shot”
“We were given an unparalleled opportunity to study Nixon’s face, a picture of political cunning under a mask of suspicion, thanks to British chat show host David Frost’s marathon 28-and-three-quarter hour inquisition of the disgraced former U.S. leader, recorded in 1977. David Frost vs… Richard Nixon picked out highlights, from the opening jab that gave Nixon a chance to showboat, until the final flurry of sucker punches that left him floundering in self-recrimination, apologising to the American people for betraying their trust. Throughout, Nixon was dabbing sweat with a handkerchief from his grey upper lip. Sometimes, the beads of moisture were so unattractive under the lights that Frost had to prompt him to do it again. The camera was as unforgiving as the interrogator.”
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail
“Some of the programmes in this series are better than others, but this one is surely the money shot, even if we have seen much of this footage many times before. It is the interview that finally got the jackpot — Nixon’s “I let down the American people” apology — and sent Frost’s career, which had been dwindling, soaring. Interestingly, though, earlier this year when his son Wilfred compiled his own top ten of his father’s interviews in The Times I noticed he only put it at number nine. The top spot went to his interview with Elton John in 1991, which is the next in the series.”
Carol Midgley, The Times
“It is a genuinely useful programme, showing house hunters what to look for (a house to which you can add value), what to ignore (the most expensive house on the street) and how to make a successful bid (get Phil or Kirstie to ring the estate agent for you while sitting in the pub). The most important thing they teach us is that, unless you have all the money in the world, finding a home will always be about compromise. They complement each other so well. Affable Phil is too much of a gentleman to tell buyers to their faces that they’re being overly fussy, too blinkered or just plain idiotic. No-nonsense Kirstie moves into splendidly bossy mode and knocks the idiots’ heads together. In this special, the pair looked back through the years and summed up their methods. “We listen to what they want, we ignore what they want, we go hunting for the most suitable properties in their price range and location, and we browbeat them until they buy it,” said Kirstie cheerfully. “Well, it’s usually a little more subtle than that,” said Phil. But the key to their appeal is that they’re authentic, and they take the job seriously. They appear to genuinely like one another, which is definitely not a given in the cut-throat world of television.”
Anita Singh, Telegraph
“The combination of Benny’s sexuality-based struggles and Carmen’s attempts to grapple with grief (her elder brother died the year before) means the ratio of laughs to sentimental musings occasionally feel out of whack – but there is still much to enjoy. Just don’t come to Overcompensating expecting wall-to-wall comedy; this is a thoroughly charming show with a very sensitive soul.”
Rachel Aroesti, The Guardian
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