Television: The Gingering Man

As he prepared for a television discussion on civil rights, Negro Comedian Dick Gregory was warned by a friend that his host was a merciless debater; he'd better prepare to give as good as he got. "But how can I?" objected Gregory, "I love that cat." The cat was William F. Buckley Jr., the sharp-tongued conservative Republican gadfly and editor of National Review. Dick Gregory is not the only one who finds Buckley intellectually irritating but personally irresistible. Fans of Buckley's new Firing Line show include a lot of liberals, and so many viewers that...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!