Scoop (2024)

I’ve referenced this Netflix show previously as a backdrop to the actual interview that took place for a Newsnight presentation in November 2019. The actors are superb in their portrayal of the individuals involved. In one case a great deal of padding and makeup achieved a perfectly acceptable facsimile of Prince Andrew, but for the most part, hair and makeup was all that the rest of them needed.

Even the opening song, “Don’t Rain on My Parade” by Barbara McNair, gives the overall tone to the story, and just to make sure that you don’t forget it, Sam McAlister’s ringtone is the opening bars to the same song. This film is a retelling of the BBC Two interview with Prince Andrew by Emily Maitlis but entirely from Sam’s point-of-view, since she was instrumental on getting the interview to take place.

Pretty good imitation of the real thing, eh?

History is an interesting process: when a dramatization of historical events takes place within five years of their happening, people living during the time can verify if the retelling is accurate. It feels true, here.

I didn’t know what motivated Emily to undertake this interview of a lifetime: she felt that Monica Lewinsky got a raw deal in her relationship with Bill Clinton. Even though Monika was 21 at the time, the unequal treatment by the press made this #metoo moment unfair. Clinton recovered, Monika did not.

Just a reminder: scoop is what you do when you pick up dog poop from the street. Just sayin’.