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Gaslit (TV series)

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Gaslit
GenrePolitical thriller
Created byRobbie Pickering
Based onSlow Burn
by Leon Neyfakh
Directed byMatt Ross
Starring
ComposerMac Quayle
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Caroline James
  • Gregg Tilson
CinematographyLarkin Seiple
EditorJoe Leonard
Production companies
Original release
NetworkStarz
ReleaseApril 24 (2022-04-24) –
June 12, 2022 (2022-06-12)
Watergate scandal
The Watergate complex in 2006
Events
List
People
Watergate burglars
Groups
CRP
White House
Judiciary
Journalists
Intelligence community
Congress
Related

Gaslit is an American political thriller television limited series based on the first season of the podcast Slow Burn by Leon Neyfakh. It stars Julia Roberts, Sean Penn, Dan Stevens, Betty Gilpin, Shea Whigham, and Darby Camp. It premiered on Starz on April 24, 2022.

Premise

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Gaslit begins in early 1972 and follows the story of the Watergate scandal through the lives of several individuals on its periphery.[1] Nixon, for example, is rarely seen, while the main protagonist is Martha Mitchell—known as "The Mouth from the South" due to her propensity for talking to the press, often at inopportune times for her husband, John. He opens the series as Nixon's Attorney General. She is aware that her behavior makes her unpopular with the government and her husband, on one occasion telling the latter "get another wife if you want a silent one".[2] Seen as a liability by both, she eventually blows the whistle on Nixon's knowledge of the activities of his staffer.[3]

Other perspectives come from the burglary's coordinator, G. Gordon Liddy, who leads a gang of ex-FBI agents and Cuban exiles.[4] He is also presented as a Nazi sympathizer—"an Apocalypse Now-style menace, a sage spouting nonsense who likes to hold his hand over a burning flame"[2]—who presents the White House with a grand plan for the wholesale infiltration of the Democratic Party. John Dean, White House Counsel,[5] is at first pleased to be chosen by the President himself for his position, but becomes increasingly unnerved at the extent of the administration's involvement in criminality until he realizes he is being set up as a fall guy. His personal life is also complicated by his engagement and subsequent marriage to a woman described as a "leftie" in the review by The Independent.[4] The Daily Telegraph summarizes Gaslit as focusing "on the Watergate characters who were right at the center of the scandal but who have faded from public memory";[3] similarly, The Hollywood Reporter identifies the series as refocusing the events of 1972–1975 away from the white men in positions of political power to white wives, a black security guard, and Italian and Hispanic FBI field agents.[6]

Cast

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Main

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Recurring

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Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Will"Matt RossRobbie PickeringApril 24, 2022 (2022-04-24)0.224[11]
2"California"Matt RossRobbie Pickering & Amelia GrayMay 1, 2022 (2022-05-01)0.227[12]
3"King George"Matt RossRobbie Pickering & Amelia GrayMay 8, 2022 (2022-05-08)0.204[13]
4"Malum in Se"Matt RossAlberto Roldán & Amelia GrayMay 15, 2022 (2022-05-15)0.194[14]
5"Honeymoon"Matt RossRobbie Pickering & Anayat FakhraieMay 22, 2022 (2022-05-22)0.208[15]
6"Tuffy"Matt RossUzoamaka Maduka & Sofya Levitsky-WeitzMay 29, 2022 (2022-05-29)0.217[16]
7"Year of the Rat"Matt RossAmelia GrayJune 5, 2022 (2022-06-05)0.266[17]
8"Final Days"Matt RossRobbie PickeringJune 12, 2022 (2022-06-12)0.339[18]

Production

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Gaslit is a political thriller based on the first season of the Slate podcast Slow Burn. The series from Universal Content Productions was announced in February 2020, with Sam Esmail attached to executive produce and Julia Roberts, Sean Penn, Armie Hammer and Joel Edgerton joining the cast. Edgerton was also set to direct the series along with his brother Nash Edgerton.[19] Hammer would exit the series due to scheduling conflicts in January 2021.[20] In February, the series was picked up by Starz, while both Edgerton brothers also exited the series. Matt Ross joined as the new director.[21] Dan Stevens would be cast to replace Hammer in April,[22] with Betty Gilpin, Darby Camp and Shea Whigham joining in May and Whigham replacing Edgerton.[23]

Filming began that same month in Los Angeles, California.[23] In July 2021, Allison Tolman, J.C. Mackenzie, Chris Bauer, Chris Messina and Hamish Linklater joined the cast in recurring roles.[24] Penn had refused to return to the series until all cast and crew on the production had the COVID-19 vaccine.[25] In September, the studio and Penn reached a compromise where Penn would film his scenes in two weeks with a vaccinated production crew.[26] Fourteen cast members were confirmed for recurring roles in October.[27] On February 2, 2022, the series was given an April 24, 2022 premiere date.[28] In an interview, Pickering said the series was not a "girlboss overcorrect of history" or a "Wikipedia run down" but that their goal was to accurately depict the historical events. "Anyone can go and read a book about this or the Wikipedia entry," Stevens said, "but there are human stories that illustrate the depth."[29]

Reception

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Critical response

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 42 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.40/10. The website's consensus reads: "Fronted by a nervy Julia Roberts, Gaslit is less a slow burn than an acting extravaganza of big personalities enmeshed in historic scandal."[30] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 70 out of 100 based on 29 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[31]

Ratings

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Viewership and ratings per episode of Gaslit
No. Title Air date Rating
(18–49)		 Viewers
(millions)		 DVR
(18–49)		 DVR viewers
(millions)		 Total
(18–49)		 Total viewers
(millions)
1 "Will" April 24, 2022 0.02 0.224[11] TBD TBD TBD TBD
2 "California" May 1, 2022 0.01 0.227[12] TBD TBD TBD TBD
3 "King George" May 8, 2022 0.01 0.204[13] TBD TBD TBD TBD
4 "Malum in Se" May 15, 2022 0.00 0.194[14] TBD TBD TBD TBD
5 "Honeymoon" May 22, 2022 0.02 0.208[15] TBD TBD TBD TBD
6 "Tuffy" May 29, 2022 0.02 0.217[16] TBD TBD TBD TBD
7 "Year of the Rat" June 5, 2022 0.02 0.266[17] TBD TBD TBD TBD
8 "Final Days" June 12, 2022 0.03 0.339[18] TBD TBD TBD TBD

Accolades

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2022
 Hollywood Critics Association Awards Best Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series Gaslit Nominated [32]
Best Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series Sean Penn Nominated
Best Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series Julia Roberts Nominated
Best Supporting Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series Dan Stevens Nominated
Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series Betty Gilpin Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Larkin Seiple (for "Will") Nominated [33]
Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup Kazu Hiro, Vincent Van Dyke, Richard Redrefsen, Christopher Nelson,
Michael Ornelaz, and Kelly Golden (for "Final Days") 		Nominated
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special Kevin Buchholz, Stefani Feldman, Sang Kim, Dan Kremer,
Adam Parrish-King, Sam Munoz, Jordan Aldinger, Ben Zales,
Chris Rummel, Jacob McNaughton, and Noel Vought (for "Year of the Rat") 		Nominated
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie John W. Cook II, Ben Wilkins, and Devendra Cleary (for "Final Days") Nominated
Set Decorators Society of America Awards Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Television Movie or Limited Series Jennifer Lukehart and Daniel Novotny Nominated [34]
2023
 Critics' Choice Awards Best Limited Series Gaslit Nominated [35]
Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television Julia Roberts Nominated
Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television Shea Whigham Nominated
Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television Betty Gilpin Nominated
Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film Julia Roberts Nominated [36]
Golden Reel Awards Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Broadcast Long Form Effects and Foley Kevin W. Buchholz, Stefani Feldman, Dan Kremer, Adam Parrish, Sam Munoz, Jordan Aldinger, Jacob McNaughton, Noel Vought Nominated [37]
Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards Best Special Make-Up Effects in a Television Series, Television Limited or Miniseries or Television New Media Series Kazu Hiro, Richard Redlefsen, Mike Ornela Nominated [38]

References

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  1. ^ Lawler, Kelly. "Review: In 'Gaslit,' Julia Roberts and Sean Penn treat Watergate as a farce". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Nicholson, Rebecca (April 24, 2022). "Gaslit review – a star-powered Watergate drama that grips and doesn't let go". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Singh, Anita (April 24, 2022). "Gaslit, review: Julia Roberts shines in the forgotten story behind the Watergate scandal". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "A sublime Julia Roberts can't save new Watergate series Gaslit – review". The Independent. April 24, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  5. ^ "John W. Dean, III (White House Special Files: Staff Member and Office Files)". nixonlibrary.gov. Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  6. ^ Han, Angie (April 23, 2022). "Julia Roberts and Sean Penn in Starz's 'Gaslit': TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  7. ^ "winnie-mclendon-newspaperwoman-magazine-writer-author-and-literary-agent". press.org. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  8. ^ McLendon, Winzola (1979). Martha: The Life of Martha Mitchell. Random House. ISBN 978-0-394-41124-8. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  9. ^ "Winzola P. McLendon Obituary (2012)". The Washington Post. Legacy.com. March 5, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  10. ^ "Patrick Walker on playing forgotten hero Frank Wills in Gaslit". May 29, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (April 26, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 4.24.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (May 3, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 5.1.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  13. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (May 10, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 5.8.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  14. ^ a b Salem, Mitch (May 17, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 5.15.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  15. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (May 24, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 5.22.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Salem, Mitch (June 1, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 5.29.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Salem, Mitch (June 7, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 6.5.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  18. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (June 14, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 6.12.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  19. ^ White, Peter (February 21, 2020). "Julia Roberts, Sean Penn, Armie Hammer & Joel Edgerton To Star In Watergate Drama Gaslit, UCP Series Based On Slow Burn Podcast". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  20. ^ White, Peter (January 14, 2021). "Armie Hammer Has Exited UCP's Gaslit Series To Do Paramount+'s The Offer". Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  21. ^ White, Peter (February 22, 2021). "Gaslit: Julia Roberts & Sean Penn-Fronted Watergate Drama Lands At Starz, Joel & Nash Edgerton Exit, Matt Ross Joins As Director & EP". Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  22. ^ Kroll, Justin (April 2021). "Dan Stevens Replaces Armie Hammer In Starz's Julia Roberts-Sean Penn Watergate Series Gaslit". Archived from the original on April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  23. ^ a b Petski, Denise (May 13, 2021). "Gaslit: Betty Gilpin To Play Mo Dean, Joining Dan Stevens As John Dean In Starz's Watergate Drama; Shea Whigham & Darby Camp Also Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  24. ^ Petski, Denise (July 1, 2021). "Gaslit: Allison Tolman, J.C. MacKenzie, Chris Bauer, Hamish Linklater, Chris Messina Join Starz's Watergate Drama". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  25. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 22, 2021). "Sean Penn Line In Sand: Won't Return To Watergate Series Gaslit Unless All Cast & Crew Get Mandatory Covid Vaccinations". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 12, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  26. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 30, 2021). "Sean Penn Returns To Gaslit; Compromise Is That Entire Crew Is Covid Vaccinated For Two Weeks He Has Left To Shoot". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  27. ^ Petski, Denise (October 15, 2021). "Gaslit: Patton Oswalt, Erinn Hayes, Patrick Walker, Raphael Sbarge Among 14 Cast In Starz's Watergate Drama". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  28. ^ Schwartz, Ryan (February 2, 2022). "Gaslit: Julia Roberts and Sean Penn Headline Starz Watergate Drama — Watch Trailer, Get Premiere Date". TVLine. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  29. ^ White, Peter (February 2, 2022). "Gaslit: Watergate Drama Is Not A 'Girlboss Overcorrect' Or 'Wikipedia Run Down'; Starz Unveils First-Look At Julia Roberts/Sean Penn Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  30. ^ "Gaslit: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  31. ^ "Gaslit: Season 1". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  32. ^ Petski, Denise (July 7, 2022). "This Is Us, Succession, Severance, Ted Lasso Lead 2022 HCA TV Nominations". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  33. ^ Moreau, Jordan (July 12, 2022). "Emmys 2022: Complete Nominations List". Variety. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  34. ^ "Set Decorators Announce Television Nominees for SDSA Awards, Where Lizzo Will Take on Harry Potter". Below the Line. June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  35. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (January 15, 2023). "Critics Choice Awards: Full List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  36. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (January 10, 2023). "Golden Globes: Full List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  37. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (January 9, 2023). "'Everything Everywhere All At Once' Leads Sound Editors' Golden Reel Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  38. ^ Pedersen, Erik (January 11, 2023). "Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards Nominations: 'The Batman', 'Elvis', 'The Whale' & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
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