Speaking of tapes, 24's President Logan keeps not only tapes of all recorded White House conversations, but transcripts as well.
Which brings us to the ultimate Nixon tribute (at least so far) the writers of 24 have resurrected from the historical grave of the Nixon/Watergate era.
Are you ready for this?
Those clever writers on 24 have actually decided to resurrect Martha Mitchell herself as a character this season. For those either too young, or perhaps even too old to remember, Martha Mitchell was the wife of Nixon's Attorney General John Mitchell, and a perennial thorn in the side of that scandal-plagued administration.
Painted by Nixon's goons as delusional and paranoid, Martha Mitchell went to the press (and anyone else who would listen) often and loudly, with stories of government shenanigans branded as "conspiracy theories" at the time. She was eventually silenced through medication (and worse some have suggested). But perennial "kook" Martha Mitchell was finally vindicated in the end when the Watergate scandal verified at least some of her louder, wilder claims.
24's First Lady Martha Logan, herself a medicated conspiracy theorist prone to emotional outbursts and wild mood swings, is expertly, and I might add quite often hilariously, portrayed by actress Jean Smart.
My friends, to quote one of the man himself's most famous campaign slogans, "Now More Than Ever" Richard Nixon is alive and well.
Don't be surprised to see 24's President Logan hitting the bottle and having long, late-night conversations with the other presidents hanging on pictures in the halls of the White House before this season of 24 is over.
And remember, you read it here first.
You'll find Glen Boyd sharing his Thoughtmares about everything from music to politics to professional wrestling at his blog The World Wide Glen: Welcome To My Thoughtmare.
Article comments
1 - Victor Lana
Great post, Glenn! I'm waiting for the sweaty upper lip. I know it's coming.
2 - Pat Fish
I just started watching "24" and I never thought of the Nixon angle.
Fell in love with the show first viewing.
Can't stand that first lady. Why does she always get involved in things?
There's another guy on the show what looks like Dick Cheney. Not sure who he is but I noticed the resemblence right away.
And Keifer Sutherland looks EXACTLY like my younger brother. Not that this means anything but you know?
3 - Al Barger
Oh yeah, tonight Logan wanted his aid to get down on his knees and pray with him, as per stories about Nixon and Kissinger.
I'm also thinking Logan and Al Gore. I could imagine the mealy mouthed indecision, the scrambling away from making real decisions. That might just be me, though.
4 - Mary K. Williams
Hey Glen - welcome to the 24 group. Much hilarity will ensue!
5 - Victor Lana
Does anyone remember the classic scene on Saturday Night Live when Ackroyd as Nixon and Belushi as Kissinger replayed that "praying" scene? Just thought of it when I read comment #3.
6 - Mary K. Williams
Does anyone remember the classic scene on Saturday Night Live when Ackroyd as Nixon and Belushi as Kissinger replayed that "praying" scene? Just thought of it when I read comment #3.
No Victor - but I'm sure it was funny. The praying last night killed me - but can't say more, saving it for my post : )
7 - Jeff
An interesting analysis...
8 - Andrey
You were right - Logan was the bad guy all along.