In the tenth and final episode, Vidalotry explores Gore Vidal’s ridicule of George W. Bush and the title ‘Wartime President’ which Bush bestowed upon himself. Host Ryan Breegle looks at the accusations of voting fraud in 2000 and 2004, Gore’s fears during the Bush Presidency, and his thoughts on the politicians that followed, namely Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John McCain.

SOURCES:

Open House with Gloria Hunniford, Thames Television, 2000
Ali G, HBO, 2004
State of Things, 2005
Ring of Fire with Robert F. Kennedy Jr, 2006
The Henry Rollins Show, IFC, 2007
HardTalk, BBC, 2008
Dear President Bush, Gore Vidal, 2008

In Episode Nine, Vidalotry explores Gore Vidal’s humorous criticism of the Reagan administration. Host Ryan Breegle looks at Gore’s initial dismissal of Ronald as a convincing politician, his good-natured jabs at Nancy, and his overall concern that the United States was governed for eight years by a talented cue card reader.

SOURCES:
Books:
Ronnie and Nancy: A Life In Pictures, Gore Vidal, The New York Review of Books, September 29, 1983

Audio:
Afternoon Plus, Thames Television, 1981
Merv Griffin Show, Jan 26, 1981
The Tonight Show, Dec 15, 1981
Saturday Matters with Sue Lawley, BBC, 1989

In Episode Eight, Vidalotry explores Gore Vidal’s fascination with the downfall of Richard Nixon. Host Ryan Breegle looks at Gore’s early wariness of Nixon, the play he wrote using words directly from the President’s mouth, and Gore’s suspicions that were finally proven correct.

SOURCES:
Books:
An Evening With Richard Nixon, Gore Vidal, 1971
Palimpsest: A Memoir, Gore Vidal, 1995
Empire Of Self: A Life of Gore Vidal, Jay Parini, 2015

Audio:
Vidal / Buckley debates, ABC, 1968
Laugh-In/em>, Jan 12 1970
The Merv Griffin Show/em>, May 14 1970
Laugh-In/em>, Jan 11 1971
The Dick Cavett Show/em>, Nov 1 1973