PBS, American Experience To Focus On Bill Clinton Presidency

PBS and the American Experience announced that it will premiere a four-hour, two-part miniseries on former President Bill Clinton next February.

The documentary on Arkansas’ native son will air originally on Presidents Day, Monday, February 20, 2012 at 8 p.m., and continue on Tuesday, February 21 at 7 p.m.

“From draft dodging to the Dayton Accords, from Monica Lewinsky to a balanced budget, the presidency of William Jefferson Clinton veered between sordid scandal and grand achievement. In ‘Clinton, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE’ explores the fascinating story of an American president who rose from a turbulent childhood in Arkansas to become one of the most successful politicians in modern American history and one of the most complex and conflicted characters ever to stride across the public stage,” PBS announced in a statement on the program.

The documentary will follow Clinton across his two terms and promises “unprecedented access” to Clinton insiders, including White House Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers, White House Counsel Bernard Nussbaum, then White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta (now Secretary of Defense), former Senator Trent Lott, Deputy Chief of Staff Harold Ickes, as well as interviews with dozens of journalists, members of the Republican opposition, childhood friends, staffers from Clinton’s years as Governor of Arkansas, and biographers.

“William Jefferson Clinton is a lightning rod in American history,” said Mark Samels, executive producer of American Experience. “It’s hard to find anyone who is neutral about the man or his presidency. The complex dynamic between his public accomplishments and his personal foibles makes him endlessly fascinating.”

“Clinton” is the 16th episode in the American Experience Presidents series. Previous programs include LBJ, Nixon, FDR, Jimmy Carter, Reagan and George H.W. Bush.