Firing Line
Season 1
Firing Line was an American public affairs show founded and hosted by conservative William F. Buckley, Jr., founder and publisher of National Review magazine. Its 1,504 episodes over 33 years made Firing Line the longest-running public affairs show in television history with a single host. The erudite program, which featured many of the most prominent intellectuals and public figures in the United States, won an Emmy Award in 1969.
Where to Watch Season 1
29 Episodes
- Poverty: Hopeful or Hopeless?E1
Poverty: Hopeful or Hopeless?After the unveiling of President Lyndon B. Johnson's "War On Poverty," host William F. Buckley debates Michael Harrington, the author of "The Other America," on the issue of whether the United States government can assuage the hardships of impoverished citizens through federal initiatives. - Where Does the Civil Rights Movement Go Now?E5
Where Does the Civil Rights Movement Go Now?William F. Buckley debates civil rights activist James Farmer on the controversial "affirmative action" policy and whether it supports substantive equality for the socio-economically disadvantaged or is it a form of reverse discrimination. - The New Frontier: The Great SocietyE8
The New Frontier: The Great SocietyWriter and presidential advisor Richard N. Goodwin defends the "The Great Society", a series of domestic programs enacted by President Lyndon B. Johnson with the goal of eliminating poverty and racial injustice in the United States. - McCarthyism: Past, Present, Future
E10McCarthyism: Past, Present, FutureLeo Cherne deplores Joseph McCarthy's excesses; in particular, McCarthy's wild accusations that Dwight Eisenhower, George Marshall, and Dean Acheson were communist agents. Cherne then discusses the merits of McCarthyism in an open society. - The Playboy PhilosophyE26
The Playboy PhilosophyBuckley interviews a pipe-smoking Hugh Hefner on the topics of the Playboy Philosophy, the Sexual Revolution of the 20th century, and the utility of moral codes. Near the end of the program, Buckley contends that Hefner's espoused beliefs are inconsistent with the rigid guidelines for female employees at Hefner's clubs. - The Warren Report: Fact or Fiction?E39
The Warren Report: Fact or Fiction?Mark Lane, the author of "Rush to Judgment," discusses his claims about John F. Kennedy's death. Buckley and Lane debate the accuracy of the Warren Report, the competence of Chief Justice Earl Warren, and the political context of Lane's investigation.
