Back in 1973, tens of millions of Americans tuned in to what Variety called "the hottest daytime soap opera" — the
Senate Watergate hearings that eventually led to President Richard Nixon's resignation.
It was a communal experience, and by some estimates, more than 80% of Americans tuned in to at least part of the Watergate telecasts.
Seeing the witnesses lay out the case against the president moved public opinion decidedly in favor of impeachment.