Monica Lewinsky goes on the record in docuseries 'The Clinton Affair'

On the basis of its first episode, this six-part History Channel series could well have been called The Clinton Affairs, since it flits in and out of the various scandals that plagued but ultimately didn’t result in the downfall of Bill Clinton leading up to and during his years as POTUS. And there were quite a number of them.

But as The Clinton Affair (watch the trailer above) unfolds, the focus narrows to the relationship between Clinton and Monica Lewinsky, the White House intern with whom the president became intimately involved. Lewinsky, now 45, is extensively interviewed, along with key political figures and others connected with the case, which dominated the news cycle at the time and led to impeachments proceedings against Clinton.

SHORT THREAD on #TheClintonAffair

v grateful 🙏🏻for the support i received yesterday; thanks.

there are 50+ voices besides mine in the 6 part docu-series. imho, they all deserve attention – whole point of series.(ken starr, jennifer palmieri, david kendall, juanita broaddrick…
— Monica Lewinsky (she/her) (@MonicaLewinsky) November 14, 2018

Despite the feeling of dirty laundry being aired, the documentary, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of the impeachment, is a polished production, with impressive access to those closest to the controversy. What also comes through is how different the reaction to Clinton’s wrongdoing was compared to the accountability Donald Trump has so far faced for his acts prior to and during his presidency. (Starts Tues., Jan. 8, 8.30pm; History) 3.5 stars

Gavin Scott

After cutting his teeth on teen titles Smash Hits and TV Hits (remember them?) in the 2000s, Gavin moved into weekly magazines, working for TV Week for many years and continuing to contribute to that title to this day, and writing for Who, Woman’s Day, New Idea and OK over the past decade or so. He’s also worked for digital outlets, writing and editing for SBS, Pedestrian and Who.com.au, and has hosted and produced TV and music podcasts. Entertainment in all its forms has been Gavin’s focus, whether that be interviewing the latest eliminated contestant from Survivor; reviewing the newest films, TV series and albums; writing opinion pieces about streaming platforms and their offerings; or talking to Australian pop stars past and present about their musical journey. As a long-time freelancer, Gavin goes where the work takes him, with one hand on the remote and the other scrolling through his phone for entertainment updates.

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