October 8, 1998. Impeachment proceedings are initiated against US President Bill Clinton by independent prosecutor Kenneth Star. The cause: the president’s lie about sex with 22-year-old intern Monica Lewinsky.
It is this sordid and political affair that recounts with delight the new series of Ryan Murphy, the producer of Glee, who has also successfully specialized in storytelling through a series of contemporary news items: the assassination of fashion designer Gianni Versace, the trial of OJ Simpson and the murder of his former wife. This time it’s called Impeachment. The 10 episodes will be broadcast from Thursday, October 28 on Canal +.
Monica Lewinsky, who is also a producer of the series, is not at the center. The heroine – the anti-heroine -, who disappeared just a year ago, is the one who started the affair and unwittingly recorded the confidences of her friend.
1994: faxes, tapes of telephone conversations, large telephones, the soon-to-be re-election of Bill Clinton. Linda Tripp wears smoky Ray-Bans, works in the West Wing of the White House, and takes offense when First Lady Hillary Clinton uses the same toilet as her. She spreads gossip about Bill Clinton’s love affairs. She is transferred to the Pentagon.
It was there that she met and befriended a young intern, Monica Lewinsky. Little by little, she understands that the young girl has totally fallen under the spell of the American president who has made her advances, presents, and receives her regularly at the White House.
All around, a constellation of right-wing men and women conspiring to bring down Bill Clinton. Another victim, Paula Jones, who first launches a lawsuit against the President of America. The birth of internet gossip journalism. And an avid publisher of scandalous books.
The gripping series looks like a thriller. The actors wear prostheses to look like the real protagonists. Like Clive Owen for Bill Clinton. Everything is there until the blue dress kept by Monica Lewinsky. A rough story, rather long, but full of unsuspected details.