Gore Vidal on Truman Capote, Johnny Carson and Television | 92Y Readings

www.92Y.org/VPC | In this clip from 2006, Gore Vidal reads from his book, Point to Point Navigation, does some loving and spot on imitations of Truman Capote, and opines on the advertisements for credit cards and mortgages he saw at that time in L.A. "You know that house by house is going to be just stolen from the people."
Read memorable quotes from the evening on the 92Y Tumblr: 92y.tumblr.com/post/2846175506...

[@valneo5341]

What a brilliant man he was. Rest in power, sir.

[@Adkturn]

Was there that night and met Gore after the show. He signed my 1st edition of The City & The Pillar. Unforgettable.

[@aperson2730]

A nice memory

[@Leeniebean]

Capote, Vidal, Buckley and Mailer were all bonkers. but the world would be worse off without them.

[@rsr789]

The more I read from him, the more I watch him, the more amazing his accurate predictions.

[@ericarmstrong6540]

His insights are so pithy, precise and accurate. It's frightening, really.

[@denobeesun]

what a prophetic statement at the end about preditory lending!

[@luismanuel2612]

He had such a wonderful sense of humor and grace ... :-))

[@baddawg987]

His last comment was stunningly prophetic.

[@teeniebeenie8774]

darling gore we miss u so, our fond walks down by the river, so delightful.

[@XX-gy7ue]

whether you agree with them or not - I miss literate people !

[@dubbelhenke854]

Well you have stupid smartphone zombies now.

[@tdunph4250]

Mr Carson had both of them on separately obviously, at various times. Great shows!

[@syourke3]

Vidal’s essays are brilliant. For all his queenly wit and bitchiness, he was a very serious and caring person. I haven’t actually read his novels, that’s on my to do list.

[@michaelreidperry3256]

I love this man!

[@petere4585]

"you know that house by house is just going to be stolen from the people." How accurate was that comment? An amazing mind, for sure.

[@mzmiller52]

“You will own nothing and you will be happy”. K. Schwab. 2008 was nothing. Wait for 2030. Truman capote was brilliant as well. By Writing about that murder in Long Island high society, he destroyed himself. “It’s fruitcake weather again” is one of the best lines ever. Or Jackie susann looks like a truck driver in drag. Or you lose IQ points as soon as you land in California.

[@user-ff4lr2jj5r]

He was one of my own Founding Fathers....starting in 1968 when, right after high school, when I read Julian...

[@elizabethhestevold1340]

Amen, 🙏 Gore Vidal.. And there it is 🌅👍🇺🇲🇩🇰💕🦘🦅

[@brendoncampbell6457]

Being human, Capote had his faults like the rest of us. But he was a brave man, a wonderful writer, and always spoke with candour about himself. Why does Vidal hate him so? I would have thought it was beneath him to mimic and sneer in this fashion.

[@zyxmyk]

There's a book about Johnny Carson called, "King of the Night" and in the middle of it, out of the blue, is this riveting detailed account of the death of Truman Capote. Worth reading. He wouldn't let the former Mrs. Carson call 911. It was like he wanted to die. And it took a few hours. She held him. He called out, "Mama," at one point.

[@wintercame]

Interesting. Not how she reported it publicly. She said she walked into the guest bedroom where he had laid down to take a nap and he was gone.

[@Monster_Mover_Stocks]

I never got the chance myself to die in Johnny Carson's house. That was a missed opportunity that I will continue to regret for all eternity.

[@bethvirginiaphillips4583]

A wonderful writer and a great wit, one of the last of the great 20th century intellectuals, before our collective i.q.s dropped to that of a potted palm.

[@andrewmuse6617]

Dear Beth, So very, very perceptive. Perchance is your real name Gore Vidal ?

[@bethvirginiaphillips4583]

@@andrewmuse6617 One and the same.

[@cardiffbear]

i love vidal

[@chomsky88]

In Cold Blood is a classic; an amazing piece of writing. But I love Gore Vidal too; he has put his finger on the cause of the decline of America and is one of the few things I love about America.

[@3chel3]

How that last comment he made came to be oh so true.

[@WacoBurning]

Gore Vidal & Truman Capote were both great writers and very amusing speakers. That said, I like Gore V. just a little bit more! RIP Gore and Capote...

[@busterbiloxi3833]

How does a compass NOT work in bad weather?

[@ancientname]

Wow...the fly...the Truman Capote jab...should have saw it coming considering their ongoing acidic relationship. His one liners are well punctuated throughout. He wasn't even trying to shade, it was like drinking a cup of water. Gulp. Gulp. Don't let the gray hair fool you: sharp as a whip! Sensitivity? Lacking but he knows that it's a part of his schtick.

[@philipanderson4673]

"should have saw it coming".. brilliant.

[@Hugatree1]

The incredibly dry acerbic wit. One must not be offended by his critique, one should be honored and flattered that your name would cross his lips. He is brilliant sophisticated and hilarious

[@pfflyer3381]

Thanks for being true to the headline!

[@giovannimoreno7468]

I would die if my phone rang during this

[@johnnypastrana6727]

Gore Vidal wrote some great historical fiction...Lincoln and Burr were the ones that I loved. He also wrote 'The Best Man' an intriguing look at our presidential campaign process... I cannot for the life of me understand all of these attacks on the man and his character? He had is own set of enemies...so what? As FDR once said: 'I want to be known by the enemies I have made'. Look at some of the historical videos that include him and you will hear some of the most intriguing stories about the American political scene. The debates with Buckley were truly brilliant... You guys are a tough crowd.

[@TheTerryE]

He was best friends with Timothy McVeigh who murdered innocent Americans. He was a horrible disgusting man.

[@gruntqueen]

Gore Vidal hated Truman Capote, sued him for a million dollars.

[@MrJoeybabe25]

Is there a full version of this available?

[@zuckertuschi2842]

Never talk bad about someone whos dead. After all the years he is still talking in 2006 about little T. Capote would laugh about it. I do.

[@bartonlee3594]

Read Jay Parini's biography. Great understanding of Vidal.

[@Mdriver1981]

Gore really loved to listen to himself talk. Both Norman Mailer and Truman Capote admired Vidal in their early writing careers. Gore Vidal started these feuds by publicly condemning both their literally talent and their character. Both were understandably hurt by his comments that were done so public. I have to be honest by saying that I feel that Vidal was a hateful fuck that I will not miss.

[@julianmarsh1378]

I love Vidal....respect Mailer and Capote but their own literary careers were failry short....Vidal at least at something to say as the 70s turned to thr 80s

[@sebastianmelmoth685]

And Vidal's work has been largely forgotten.

[@DrewWasMe]

You are right.

[@julianmarsh1378]

If Vidal's work is largely forgotten that says more about modern America than it does about Vidal. Many of his essays are excellent; but who reads essays, anymore? And Julian, Burr, Creation, and Lincoln are among the best books written by an American in the second half of the 20th century.

[@johnryan3913]

Well people arent so interested in history, or literature, now. The public education system is more shaped to inculcate critical race theory than teach world history.

[@kur2573]

where is the full clip?

[@markstevens1729]

Can’t help but see the eastern intellectual origins that also informed Ram Dass’ (Richard Alpert) droll humour. And Capote could dish it out just like this.. an obscure gay flame war that got less obscure over time. It’s not Vidal’s fault he lived longer…

[@martinzitter4551]

How does poor weather affect a magnetic compass?

[@christophermendoza3237]

You still need a line of sight for a compass when underway in the ocean near shore. Just because you have one, doesn’t mean you will know your exact position in the ocean. Poor weather can cover landmarks, stars, etc.

[@martinzitter4551]

@@christophermendoza3237 ~ How can you have line-of-sight to Magnetic North if you're in an ocean at the Equator?

[@christophermendoza3237]

Explain how using only a compass in the middle of the ocean on the equator will get you to your destination? There you would need a sextant to use the stars, sun, and horizon to guide you. In the Aleutian Islands, as Gore Vidal was talking about, you would need line of sight to use a compass to guide yourself from island to island. If you had foggy or dark and rainy weather day and night, you lose line of sight to where even a compass does no good. An actual, military issued compass does more than just tell you magnetic north. It can help triangulate your position. But you need line of sight to other landmarks to do that.

[@Master_Blackthorne]

He was. As you can see, all he can do is take cheap shots at Capote. Capote was the better writer and had wit; and he never spoke ill of the dead--even if it was rival.

[@adriansarduy4151]

@Dusk Hollow You beat me to that comment by 12 hours. I do not know you but you're a treasure and a sage ;)

[@julianmarsh1378]

Capote lied like a rug. Vidal detested liars and that was part of their problem coexisting within the same literary world.

[@rajo741]

I suppose your ideas ring true for those that think “not speaking ill of the dead” is some kind of standard to be respected. I don’t. Modern media seldom ever gives a voice to critics of reprehensible figures. It’s at the time of death that the opportunity must be seized to speak the truth. Hence Hitchens saying publicly of Jerry Falwell’s death, “It’s only a shame that there’s no hell for him to go to.” Perfect. Falwell was a monster and a hypocrite. In equal measure Capote was a tiresome, mewling, venal little man of narrow interest (himself) who was a liar and exploited his friendships. You have a very skewed morality. FYI, Vidal was a man of ideas and a much better writer than your hero.

[@gardensofthegods]

I've heard that not speaking ill of the Dead is supposed to be a Southern tradition ... some say a Southern superstition .

[@Rjs81187]

Capote didnt speak ill of the dead... except for miss bang bang woodward that is.

[@raginald7mars408]

Plate tectonoc Event an era in a submerged stratum Culture stratification

[@cherylfarmer6086]

Never gloat in someone's death, not only is it distasteful and unseemly, it is 100% certain you'll be soon joining the party

[@cherylfarmer6086]

Which Gore Vidal has

[@aranisles8292]

Which is why it's okay. Exactly because it happens to us all. No need to be so solemn about the human condition.

[@justgivemethetruth]

Hah, he's talking about how bad Bush and Rumsfeld were ... but he really missed out on Trump.

[@Mdriver1981]

Gore's imitation of Truman Capote is not "loving". The two hated each other, slandering and libeling each other at almost chance.

[@stevenwilliambaylessparks3730]

Gore Vidal's admiration for Johnny Carson was most self-serving.

[@BoBo-ti6jh]

No, it wasn’t.

[@hydrogenroar]

For all his faults, Truman had something Gore never did: charm.

[@jackhaggerty1066]

Vidal has written novels that readers will enjoy in years to come, novels like Lincoln, Burr, Julian and Creation, and then there are his brilliant essays. But he did himself no good by this cheap shot at Truman Capote, comparing him to a buzzing fly. Capote's writings still dazzle. The Capote voice and charm which Vidal mocked fascinated many people, and not just rich ladies. Norman Mailer was kinder than Vidal and more perceptive: Mailer suggested Truman's life was a triumph not a failure (in spite of the alcoholism and drugs) because most people with Truman's handicaps would have gone under, said Mailer. Vidal was born into wealth, enjoyed good looks, and a rich speaking voice. Truman was born in obscurity in Alabama yet he triumphed artistically and socially, only ruining himself after In Cold Blood. See George Plimpton's oral biography.

[@julianmarsh1378]

The two were at each others throats for years....no one called a truce, as Mailer did and Vidal accepted...

[@marleneg7794]

Insufferable man! That’s only one of his great traits of character

[@variousJnames]

Gore Vidal, the original hater 😄

[@ScottMartinD]

Capote/Beatles ~ Vidal/Rutles

[@jadezee6316]

vidal..was totally jealous of capote...because he was a finer writer...that is the fact.....

[@harmonyjones8035]

No, that is the opinion, of you.

[@julianmarsh1378]

Unless you are an expert on writing style...and, who is?...your comment is not a fact, merely an opinion unsupported by facts.

[@jessvicuna]

well, Gore Vidal was cruel to Capote based on jealously ... I don't blame him.

[@guygrip9634]

Hes been nurcherd and its sad that all put thy selves below another when all is god.

[@dondelaney2686]

GORE IS A BORE

[@graziellamagri3497]

Do not touch the great Truman Capote, please

[@rbrookswilliams1689]

For some reason, Truman is a figure of fun here. Gore just has to mention his name to get uproarious laughter. This was seventeen years ago. I guess wokeness hadn't really awakened fully yet. I couldn't imagine this happening now: raking a great never-closeted gay writer over the coals, and the audience eating it up with a spoon - Truman's name, his size, his voice, his queerness, all grist for Vidal's mill, and for the people's entertainment.

[@wintercame]

And Vidal must have been so bitter that this tiny, gay, dead elfin was more famous, more gifted and more beloved than he.

[@rbrookswilliams1689]

@@wintercame He could certainly write rings around Vidal, no question. Not just in terms of style, but also in holding a reader's attention. Gore could be so boring sometimes. And he couldn't write an interesting short story to save his life. I love MYRA and KALKI, but so much of the 'Americana Trilogy' is blah............Truman stayed up all night writing "A Christmas Memory" in one go, and in just a few pages created brilliant timeless literature.

[@wintercame]

@@rbrookswilliams1689 Oh yes indeed. And so, as life will do, Truman dies at 59 and Vidal lives on to become an old, more crotchety man.

[@joshuataylor6087]

Why was Vidal so cruel to Capote? This does not show him in his best light.

[@Gravydog316]

jealousy.

[@lynnpurcell7583]

Jealously.

[@lynnpurcell7583]

Vidal was and is an asshole. Period. And what the heck does anyone care what Vidal has to say, ever?

[@Gravydog316]

***** i just call them catty diva b!tches

[@johnnypastrana6727]

Capote was well known as a two faced, back stabbing bitch...he wrote a tell all book which mortified people who thought that they were his friends.

[@steveconn]

So nasty about Capote. Probably jealous.

[@ChuckRosseel]

Gore Vidal was often witty but petty with his cruel remarks about Truman Capote. They were both brilliant men but Vidal resented that Capote's reasoned opinions on capital punishment, law enforcement, J. Edgar Hoover and other issues did not conform to strict liberal orthodoxy. Capote was thoughtful and fair when discussing these topics. He had an open mind. That bothered Vidal who hated any views or opinions that might intersect in an agreeable way with Conservative principles even in the slightest manner. IMO that makes Capote > Vidal.

[@davebowker1113]

Truman Capote was 100 times more gifted than him. Vidal was a bitter old curmudgeon in his last years. Sad

[@johnryan3913]

Vidal wrote, a lot. Truman had a brilliant debut but by the 70s was lying about writing a "Proustian" epic. The are both major writers but Capote peaked imo at 23 years old.

[@lynnpurcell7583]

Blah, blah, blah...Why did you learn that? I still don't get it. You all writers have such a big ego that you quote yourselves, trying to make yourselves great and wonderful. But you're not.

[@julianmarsh1378]

Tis late in the day but your comments only reveal your ignorance.....

[@julianmarsh1378]

No...I imagine you don't get it. and probably never will.

[@djd620]

People still talk about Capote in the best way. Vidal, now dead, doesn't get the adulation that Capote did. Vidal, it was reported, stole Capote's writing style. Capote certainly thought so and made a point of bringing it up. His bitchy insults about Truman just showed his bitter, envious personality. Vidal won't be remembered as much. He made a career of attacking every other great writer/thinker during his time. The only way he could get attention, I suppose.

[@stconstable]

Well we can see how YOU try to get attention!!

[@blancamiranda6661]

Didn't care for him..why take cheap shots at Truman hes not here to speak...besides Truman was more interesting😏🌹🍸

[@Irene-yc8oq]

Gore vidal really was always a bitter and spiteful person. He had ugly public feuds with virtually every notable literary figure of his time, both on the left and right, Truman capote, Norman mailer, randy Shilts, William Buckley... and Vidal started all these fights! And he gloated about their deaths. I mean, wtf is wrong with this guy

[@robarnold6998]

Finally! Thank you!!!

[@julianmarsh1378]

Many years back (of course), Vidal's father was asked by reporters what he thought of his son's 'outrageous remarks' and his father said, "Well, it is certainly not courage. Gore doesn't care what anybody thinks of him." But that was a calculated persona he projected. He was kind to his friends and supported a good many causes (feminism and gay rights, come to mind) at a time when it was not fashionable to do so. As far as Buckley goes, the man represented everything Vidal loathed. Someone wrote that Buckley embraced every character trait Vidal was trying to rid himself of.

[@robarnold6998]

Julian Marsh Buckley disagreed vehemently with many, if not all, views of those on the left including Vidal, Mailer, Chomsky, etc. However, he always showed a certain amount of respect for those beliefs, all the while challenging them with his abundance of ammunition , and didn’t publicly vilify the guests on his show, or otherwise, for taking those views and having their beliefs. He always maintained a level of decorum that the aforementioned rarely did.

[@julianmarsh1378]

@@robarnold6998 You mean, like when he threatened to punch Vidal out and called him a 'goddamn queer'? You mean like when he threatened to punch Chomsky out? You mean like when he wrote, in the early days of the National Review, that people in the South should 'take any action necessary' to prevent federally enforced civil rights? You mean when you wrote in his syndicated column that gay men should have their butts tatooed, with a warning sign (AIDS was, literally, all the rage then). You mean when he wrote out of his will his own son's child (product of when the man left his wife and took up with another woman)??? Oh, you mean that gracious man?

[@Irene-yc8oq]

Julian Marsh I do not believe those were real threats, given the context they were more likely to be inappropriately aggressive figurative speech. And to be fair, Vidal called Buckley a Nazi and broke the rule of civility first.

[@terencethomas7599]

Sounds and looks dated now

[@DonHendrickson-xd7jw]

Gore Vidal was one of the grouchiest, most cantankerous men ever to have lived. I'm glad I never had to meet him. His book "Lincoln" is horribly written.

[@MrJoseoz]

boringggggg, i rather TRUMAN CAPOTE