Editing Firing Line (TV program) (section)

==Buckley tenure==

===Show format===
Although the program's format varied over the years, it typically featured Buckley interviewing, and exchanging views with, a guest, while seated together in front of a small studio audience. Standing or sitting further away in the studio, an "examiner", typically a [[Modern Liberalism in the United States|liberal]], would ask questions, generally toward the end of the show. Most guests were intellectuals or those in positions of power, being notable in the fields of politics, religion, literature and academia. Their views could either sharply contrast or be in strong agreement with Buckley's.<ref>{{cite news | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/29/nyregion/29buckley.html | title =On TV, Buckley Led Urbane Debating Club | last =Konigsberg | first =Erik | date =February 29, 2008 | newspaper =[[The New York Times]] | access-date =December 23, 2018 | quote ='Over 33 years, the list of guests on "Firing Line" was impressive and very much bipartisan: Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, Clare Boothe Luce and Henry A. Kissinger on the right. Muhammad Ali, the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Jimmy Carter and William M. Kunstler on the left. There were also, of course, people who, by dint of political or personal conviction, would not appear on "Firing Line.{{"'}}}}</ref>

Reflecting Buckley's talents and preferences, the exchange of views was almost always polite, and the guests were given time to answer questions at length, giving the program a leisurely pace. "The show was devoted to a leisurely examination of issues and ideas at an extremely high level", according to [[Jeff Greenfield]], who frequently appeared as an examiner. [[John Kenneth Galbraith]] said of the program, "''Firing Line'' is one of the rare occasions when you have a chance to correct the errors of the man who's interrogating you."<ref>{{cite news | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/29/nyregion/29buckley.html | title =On TV, Buckley Led Urbane Debating Club | last =Konigsberg | first =Erik | date =February 29, 2008 | newspaper=The New York Times | access-date =December 23, 2018 | quote ={{'"}}Firing Line" is one of the rare occasions when you have a chance to correct the errors of the man who's interrogating you,' John Kenneth Galbraith said that night.}}</ref>

The show might be compared in politeness and style of discourse to other national public interview shows, specifically those hosted by [[Richard Heffner]], [[Charlie Rose]] or [[Terry Gross]], but Buckley was clearly interested in debate. In a 1999 ''[[Salon.com]]'' article, ''[[The Weekly Standard]]'' editor [[William Kristol]] summarized Buckley's approach to the show: "Buckley really believes that in order to convince, you have to debate and not just preach, which of course means risking the possibility that someone will beat you in debate."<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.salon.com/media/lehm/1999/01/07lehm.html | title =Firing Line Ceases Fire | last =Lehman | first =Susan | date =January 7, 1999 | website=[[Salon.com]] | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213313/http://www.salon.com/media/lehm/1999/01/07lehm.html | access-date =December 23, 2018 | archive-date =June 28, 2011 | quote ='Buckley really believes that in order to convince, you have to debate and not just preach, which of course means risking the possibility that someone will beat you in debate,' says Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol, adding that 'not that many people could beat Buckley, of course.' }}</ref> Buckley was not averse to asking tough questions of friendly guests either, according to [[Tom Wolfe]], who recalled the interviewer asking him whether there were really any original insights in his book ''[[The Bonfire of the Vanities]]''.<ref>{{cite news | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/29/nyregion/29buckley.html | title =On TV, Buckley Led Urbane Debating Club | last =Konigsberg | first =Erik | date =February 29, 2008 | newspaper=The New York Times | access-date =December 23, 2018 | quote =Tom Wolfe praised Mr. Buckley somewhat ruefully for being a tough interrogator, 'even though we agreed on so many things.'}}</ref>

Buckley and his producer, [[Warren Steibel]], used various methods over the years to bring extra perspectives to the show. In the early years, there would often be a panel of questioners. In 1977 the panel was replaced by an "examiner" who played a larger part in the proceedings. Examiners varied, with [[Jeff Greenfield]], [[Michael Kinsley]], [[Harriet Pilpel]], and [[Mark Green (New York politician)|Mark Green]] appearing most frequently. When the show was shortened to 30 minutes in 1988, the role of examiner was eliminated, but there was often a moderator, whose role was similar to that of the moderator in a formal debate. The moderator would introduce both host and guest, and then ask the opening question.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt6m3nc88c/entire_text/ | title =Register of the Firing Line (Television Program) broadcast records | publisher =Online Archive of California | access-date =December 23, 2018 | quote =The moderator would introduce both host and guest, and then ask the opening question. Source: Preface to the program catalogue compiled by ''Firing Line'' staff member Linda Bridges}}</ref>

Starting in 1978, scattered among the regular broadcasts were occasional specials and two-hour formal [[debate]]s, with opening statements, [[structure of policy debate#Cross-Examination Periods|cross-examination]], and closing statements. In 1988, at Buckley's request, the running time of regular program shows was reduced from one hour to a half-hour. Beginning in March 1993, the two-hour formal debates would often be followed by half-hour shows in which most or all of the participants engaged in informal discussion. In the 1980s and 1990s, the debate episodes were frequently broadcast on the Monday evenings after PBS pledge drives concluded.

A recurring episode that Buckley had rebroadcast every Christmas, beginning in 1981, was an interview he did with [[Malcolm Muggeridge]] at his home in Sussex, England. The title of the episode was "How Does One Find Faith?" The episode deals with questions that are religious and spiritual in nature.<ref>{{cite magazine | url =https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/buckley-christmas-tradition/ | title =A Buckley Christmas Tradition | last =Fowler | first =Jack | date =December 25, 2015 | magazine =[[National Review]] | access-date =December 23, 2018 | quote =Bill's acclaimed program, Firing Line, had a delightful Christmas tradition: to rerun his wonderful 1981 interview with Malcolm Muggeridge on 'How Does One Find Faith?' After you digest your figgy pudding, we recommend you take a few minutes to watch this clip from the program. Albeit brief, you are sure to enjoy seeing two giant conservative intellects discussing faith.}}</ref>

===Buckley's persona===
Buckley's distinctive mannerisms were prominently displayed by the program and were part of the public images of both the show and Buckley. Buckley was frequently seen leaning far back in his chair, a pen near his mouth and a clipboard in hand. His flicking tongue, widening eyes, and flashing smile also characterized his style, as did his multi-syllabic vocabulary.<ref>{{cite magazine | url =https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2008/02/why-did-william-f-buckley-jr-talk-like-that.html | title =Why Did William F. Buckley Jr. Talk Like That? | last =Tsai | first =Michelle | date =February 28, 2008 | magazine =[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] | access-date =December 23, 2018 | quote = The conservative thinker may have shared an accent with some other men of the same age and social class, but his mannerisms and gestures made him entirely unique—and occasionally prone to caricature. He tended to pause for long stretches, wag his tongue, and open his mouth in an exaggerated way. To emphasize a point, he would make a tent with his fingers or grin as he spoke a key word. Toss in his wit, his blue-blooded accent, and his affinity for fancy words, and Buckley had created his own personal language, or idiolect.}}</ref> Buckley's voice was widely satirized, for instance by [[Robin Williams]] on ''[[Saturday Night Live (season 9)|Saturday Night Live]]'' and in the animated movie ''[[Aladdin (1992 Disney film)|Aladdin]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine | url =https://www.bustle.com/articles/100968-pop-culture-references-in-aladdin-that-are-sooooooo-outdated-now | title =Pop Culture References In 'Aladdin' That Are Sooooooo Outdated Now | last =Matlow | first =Orli | date =July 30, 2015 | magazine=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]] | access-date =December 23, 2018 | quote =The Genie is drawn to be like Buckley twice in the movie. William F. Buckley hosted the TV show Firing Line from 1966-1999. Genie turns into him when he needs to get serious with Aladdin. I'm sure that joke killed with the parents in 1992, but today it takes some Googling to get.}}</ref>

At the same time that guests were treated politely, Buckley might also gently mock them, particularly if he was friendly with them, as with [[John Kenneth Galbraith]] or examiner [[Mark Green (New York politician)|Mark Green]]. "You've been on the show close to 100 times over the years", Buckley once asked Green. "Tell me, Mark, have you learned anything yet?"<ref>{{cite news | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/business/worldbusiness/28iht-27cndbuckley.10511692.html | title =William Buckley Jr. is dead at 82 | last =Martin | first =Douglas | date =December 8, 2008 | newspaper=The New York Times | access-date =December 23, 2018 | quote =To New York City politician Mark Green, he purred, 'You've been on the show close to 100 times over the years. Tell me, Mark, have you learned anything yet.'}}</ref> When [[Allen Ginsberg]] asked if he could sing a song in praise of [[Krishna]], Buckley acceded and the poet chanted "[[Hare Krishna (mantra)|Hare Krishna]]" repeatedly as he played dolefully on a [[pump organ|harmonium]]. According to [[Richard Brookhiser]], an associate of Buckley's, the host commented that it was "the most unharried Krishna I've ever heard".<ref>{{cite news | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/29/nyregion/29buckley.html | title =On TV, Buckley Led Urbane Debating Club | last =Koningsberg | first =Erik | date =February 29, 2008 | newspaper=The New York Times | access-date =December 23, 2018 | quote = Mr. Ginsberg proceeded to play a long and doleful number on a harmonium, chanting along slowly and passionately, Mr. Brookhiser said. 'And when he was finished, Bill said, "Well, that's the most unharried Krishna I've ever heard.{{"'}}}}</ref>

Buckley's celebrated politeness sometimes wore thin: In a 1969 debate with linguist and political activist [[Noam Chomsky]], Buckley said, "I rejoice in your disposition to argue the [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]] question, especially when I recognize what an act of self-control this must involve." Chomsky acknowledged, "Sometimes I lose my temper. Maybe not tonight." "Maybe not tonight", Buckley said, "because if you would I'd smash you in the goddamn face."<ref>{{cite web | url =https://digitalcollections.hoover.org/objects/6077/vietnam-and-the-intellectuals?ctx=f02e38b4-4abd-4950-b132-22572acf33b0&idx=1 | title =Vietnam and the Intellectuals | date =April 3, 1969 | publisher =Hoover Institution Library and Archives: Firing Line broadcast records | access-date =December 23, 2018 | quote =Mr. Chomsky says nothing to belie his reputation: 'I said that there are certain issues-for example-Auschwitz, such that by consenting to discuss them one degrades oneself and to some degree loses one's humanity&nbsp;... Nevertheless, I can easily imagine circumstances in which I would have been glad to debate Auschwitz-for example, if there were some chance that by debating Auschwitz it might have been possible to eliminate or to at least mitigate the horror that was going on. And, I think, I feel the same way about Vietnam.'}}</ref> (This comment was a joking throwback to Buckley's famous response to [[Gore Vidal]], when, during another Vietnam debate, Vidal called Buckley a "crypto-Nazi".)<ref>{{cite magazine | url =https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/08/buckley-vs-vidal-the-real-story-121673 | title =Buckley vs. Vidal: The Real Story | last =Lind | first =Michael | date =August 24, 2015 | magazine =Politico | access-date =December 23, 2018 | quote =But what these philosophies meant for these two, beyond opposing perspectives on pornography and the Vietnam War, is never explored. Instead, the film-makers have compiled clips of the two trading insults, culminating in the infamous exchange in which Vidal called Buckley a 'crypto-Nazi' and Buckley called Vidal a 'queer.' At first the spectacle is funny. But it soon becomes depressing and squalid. Anyone unfamiliar with the history of the time would see only two pompous men with old-fashioned accents insulting each other.}}</ref>

Buckley addressed his guests as "Mr." or "Mrs." He once called [[Margaret Thatcher]] "Margaret" because he thought she had addressed him as "Bill". He was embarrassed later when he saw the transcript and realized she had been referring to a legislative bill. He immediately wrote a personal letter of apology to the Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite magazine | url =https://www.nationalreview.com/2005/11/just-call-me-bill-william-f-buckley-jr/ | title =Just Call Me Bill | last =Buckley Jr. | first =William F. | date =October 28, 1975 | magazine =National Review | access-date =December 23, 2018 | quote =Mrs. Margaret Thatcher was my guest on Firing Line. Rather to my surprise, the English being more naturally formal than we are, halfway through the program she suddenly referred to me, once, as 'Bill.' I declined to break my Firing Line rule, and so persisted with 'Mrs. Thatcher.' However, the next day when we met again at a semi-social function, I braced myself on leaving and said, 'Good-bye, Margaret.' And a week later, writing her a note congratulating her on her performance, I addressed it: 'Dear Margaret.'}}</ref>

For the show's 15th anniversary in 1981, Senator [[Daniel Patrick Moynihan]], [[Vernon Jordan]], [[Henry Kissinger]], and [[Louis Auchincloss]] presided over a party for Buckley at the [[New York Yacht Club]].<ref>{{cite news | url =http://movies2.nytimes.com/books/00/07/16/specials/buckley-firing15.html | title =Buckley's 'Firing Line' Celebrates 15 Years | last =Kakutani | first =Michiko | date =February 25, 1981 | newspaper=The New York Times | access-date =December 23, 2018 | quote =Many of those guests made a return appearance last evening at the party given by Anne Armstrong, Louis S. Auchincloss, Alistair Cooke, Vernon E. Jordan Jr., Henry A. Kissinger, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan and William E. Simon - themselves all alumni of 'Firing Line' too.}}</ref>

===Guests===
Prominent guests on the program included:<ref>{{cite web |title=Firing Line Guests |url=http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt6m3nc88c/dsc/#c01-1.2.11.1 |access-date=May 6, 2015 |publisher=Hoover Institution Library and Archives}}</ref>
* Politicians and statesmen: [[Jimmy Carter]], [[Richard Nixon]], [[Henry Kissinger]], [[John Vorster]], [[Harold Macmillan]], [[Gerald Ford]], [[Ronald Reagan]], [[Margaret Thatcher]], [[Enoch Powell]], [[Ron Paul]], [[George Wallace]], [[Ian Smith]], [[Jesse Jackson]], [[Newt Gingrich]], [[Daniel Patrick Moynihan]], [[Barry Goldwater]], [[Clare Boothe Luce]], [[John Kerry]], [[George H. W. Bush]], [[Michael Foot]].
* Political activists: [[Saul Alinsky]], [[Allen Ginsberg]], [[Julian Bond]], [[Timothy Leary]], [[Allard K. Lowenstein]], [[Huey Newton]], [[Madalyn Murray O'Hair]], [[Frank Donatelli]], [[Phyllis Schlafly]]
* Academics: [[Noam Chomsky]], [[B. F. Skinner]], [[Mortimer Adler]], [[Allan Bloom]], [[Arthur Schlesinger Jr.]], [[Zbigniew K. Brzezinski]], [[Benjamin Spock]], [[Paul Goodman]]
* Journalists: [[Carl Bernstein]], [[Bob Woodward]], [[Bernard Levin]], [[Malcolm Muggeridge]], [[Robert Kuttner]]
* Economists: [[John Kenneth Galbraith]], [[Milton Friedman]], [[Friedrich Hayek]], [[Thomas Sowell]]
* Writers: [[Christopher Hitchens]], [[Jorge Luis Borges]], [[Tom Wolfe]], [[Norman Mailer]], [[Jack Kerouac]], [[Walker Percy]], [[Anthony Burgess]], [[Truman Capote]], [[Mark Lane (author)|Mark Lane]], [[June Jordan]], [[Ann Coulter]], [[Mary McCarthy (author)|Mary McCarthy]]
* Religious figures: [[Billy Graham]], [[Richard John Neuhaus]], [[William Sloane Coffin]], [[Mother Teresa]], [[Dalai Lama]], [[Fulton J. Sheen]]
* Television and film personalities: [[Steve Allen]], [[Charlton Heston]], [[Theodore Bikel]], [[Groucho Marx]],  [[Godfrey Cambridge]]
* Others: [[Muhammad Ali]], [[Hugh Hefner]], [[Billy Taylor]], [[Bernadette Devlin]], [[Dwight Macdonald]], [[William Shockley]], [[Richard Vatz]], [[Emmett Tyrrell|R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr.]], [[Rush Limbaugh]], [[Rosalyn Tureck]]