Profile: William F. Buckley (1975) | ETV Classics

In this sparkling ETV Classic, we see the American icon, William F. Buckley, Jr. in a variety of interviews, including his hilarious stint on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In. 

Our host Jim Welch sits down with Mr. Buckley in the family home in Camden, South Carolina, and we learn more about the man and his views, interests, diverse talents, and legendary kindness.

Brimming with archival film and photography, we learn about his background at Yale, about launching the National Review, authoring of many books and his TV show, Firing Line.

If you aren't already a fan of this charming and zealous wordsmith of the right, William F. Buckley, you soon will be! 

Side Notes

• William F. Buckley obituary New York Times
• Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In - 1967 to 1973 TV Series
• Civil Discourse: The Vietnam War on Firing Line.
• Patricia Buckley - The greatest influence on the conservative public intellectual William F. Buckley, Jr, after his father, was his wife Pat Buckley, a devoted spouse, a socialite, a demon fundraiser, and much more than that.
• Keyboard Concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach 
• Warren Steibel.- 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 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.
• Firing Line with Margaret Hoover. Produced by The WNET Group, Firing Line with Margaret Hoover will bring together the brightest minds and freshest voices from across the political spectrum to engage in a contest of ideas about important issues confronting our nation.