Gore Vidal talks to Clive Anderson

From 1993ish

[@hayleyava7398]

Such a fabulous man. Intelligent, articulate, elegant and witty....A fine orator.

[@Reninenos]

I adore Gore Vidal! He was such a beautiful and elegant writer. He was also hilarious and a profoundly brilliant speaker and commentator.

[@mikepastor.k6233]

Well, he's no Norm Mailer but elegant nonetheless.

[@hayleyava7398]

I agree completely!

[@jbwhitebirch6620]

I miss him!

[@shaheer151]

@@mikepastor.k6233 Thank God he is nothing like Mailer !! Watch them together on The Dick Cavett show... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJOUqJKnpM6ihc0

[@mikepastor.k6233]

@@shaheer151 was a ruffian compared to Gore but in the world of pure writing, Norman had an earthy spark that was undeniable.

[@holton863]

This is one of his last great interviews. He is in fine form, this is classic Vidal.

[@MattSingh1]

@@johnmulligan455 Yes, but he completely lost his way post-9/11, as demonstrated and proven by Christopher Hitchens.

[@lillynietz17]

@@MattSingh1 Vidal DESPISED Hitchens....C. Hitch attempted to Cloy onto a mantle of the New Vidal & not only Fell short but Clung on to the Belief that War in Irag somehow was not only worth- wile but significant to Middle East peace(?). This was the antithesis of Vidal's view & reinforced the Perpetual War & NeoCon Bullshit that continues to this day...Just look at how Bolten & F*%@King Elliot Abrams are crawling back into the arena.....Vidal also didn't like him because he was a humor-less Prick...

[@rain_down_]

@@lillynietz17 It seems like a bit of a love-in between them up until 9/11 and then the Iraq War. It's very interesting reading their work - Vidal Loco in Vanity Fair seems to have been a divisive factor. We'll never know if Hitchens would have deteriorated as much if he had lived until 86, but then again Hitchens wouldn't have been anything if it wasn't for Vidal.

[@shaheer151]

@@johnmulligan455 He can't enlighten you cause he's got it bass ackwards...it was Hitchens who flipped into a supporter of the warmongers...Vidal continued to be himself for more than a decade after 9/11

[@steevsmith2792]

This guy, Vidal was Fabulous. Told the Truth with intellect and humour. Wise man.

[@orangewarm1]

War isn't meant to be won or lost, it's meant to be continuous. Orwell.

[@alexbowman7582]

It’s fantastically capitalist. You’d think oh no war it’ll cost us a fortune but in fact it makes a country a fortune.

[@kiwitrainguy]

@@alexbowman7582 The only ones who win any war are the Arms Manufacturers

[@clairef.shepard2776]

I'm reading his marvelous book, memoir, Palimpsest and such an incredible writer, life and storyteller.

[@fatfrreddy1414]

Great man....RIP Mr Vidal...

[@SheWolf2023]

My mom mentioned in her frenzied genealogy heyday (back in the 80s) that I was related to Gore Vidal via her side of the family. I seem to have become the possessor for the family photos and archives. I’ve put most of it away, but after looking through some old photos, I came to see the resemblance. Seeing this interview is SO strange, because it’s there, in his eyes and across the bridge of his nose. I’ve seen those eyes on my mother, brother, and grandfather.

[@GoteeDevotee]

...but not the intellect. Oh well, can't win 'em all.

[@SheWolf2023]

GoteeDevotee - Your point?

[@robertoday7526]

Absolutely brilliant very informative and insightful

[@petermitchell6348]

This guy is amazing. I only came across him to day following a conversation on another KZbin channel.

[@JeffRebornNow]

Hi Peter. He is amazing. He wrote many good novels, very diverse ones, too. His grandfather was a US senator, his father was head of the air force during Roosevelt's administration in the 1930s, and his step-sister was Jacqueline Kennedy. He knew almost everyone of note in the last century.

[@shaheer151]

@@JeffRebornNow Don't forget the documentaries...There are about half a dozen or more about him by PBS, BBC, The History Channel.et al...my favourites are the PBS American Masters series and the one called 'The United States of Amnesia'

[@oughtssought1198]

Creation Lincoln Burr are all outstanding historical novels for their commentary on the psychology of politics Vidal seems to have investigated thoroughly before he wrote & the family history Jeff mentions gave him an insider's head start on the topic

[@philipmartinhammond8313]

Gore Vidal was great he was a realist who could see America was on its way out just like Little Britain

[@lsobrien]

Great, thanks for sharing.

[@r.c.roberts1413]

Gore Vidal's impersonation of Barbara Walters kills me every time

[@notreallydavid]

Careful!

[@DennisBloodnokPhotographyVideo]

The amazing intelligence and knowledge of Gore Vidal. He just walks all over Clive Anderson. Gore Vidal's critique of the political system in the USA (and the UK) is as true today as it was then.

[@MattSingh1]

Vidal lost his mind post-9/11, as demonstrated by Christopher Hitchens.

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

Matthew Singh-Dosanjh - Mr Vidal lost his life partner and at the same time his physical health deteriorated; the 9/11 event, so obviously choreographed, was never responded to by the public as should have happened. Gore took to drink, and he was a big drinker already. Mr Hitchens' stance on Iraq surprised many - but Hitchens parted ways with Vidal for naming Hitchens as his successor, which Mr Hitchens considered to be a lot patronizing; Hitchens worked for his reputation and owed Vidal nothing. But Mr Vidal's feelings were hurt, and at a bad time. I miss both of them, and read their work for pleasure; the way the US is today, it's not a good idea to mention liking those 2 guys.

[@seesharpminor7996]

No one walks over Clive Anderson.He could hold his own with anyone.That is why he had so many amazing guests

[@therespectedlex9794]

To be honest, I don't know a lot about him, but I've seen enough. Entertaining and very bright, but he comes across spiteful, and a bit nuts. I'm not casting aspersions on his gay sexuality, you understand. He's also pretty old, which Christopher Hitchens never got to be. But, they could be, sort of, funnily extravagant back then, going back before during, and not long post war.

[@thedancingveganatheist6310]

Definitely. All of his points are relevant today. And the U.S.'s weird obsession with being anti-Russia -- still true today. Our county never learns.

[@Professorrob2k24]

When I watch this.....all I hear is SMART, BRAIN, INTELLIGENT, INTELLECTUAL 😂😂😂

[@citizen1163]

Clive Anderson was one of the best interviewers! Proof being that he held his own against the magnificent Gore Vidal!

[@sandcastlejim]

great interviewee

[@dantean]

Ol' Gore knew better than to try to run over Clive Anderson with wit and wordplay, clearly recognizing an equal if not a superior on that score.

[@markandresen1]

Just not with the politics.

[@kabziedanz]

gore is so real

[@stormbringer_7774]

Two great rapier wits!😂🙌 Subbed👍☘

[@tinytanks]

3:22 crazy watching this in 2020

[@anothertime1282]

Wonderful man. There's a lot to be said for elegant cynicism when you see the inadequate deadbeats who rule us.

[@philiphalpenny9761]

Anderson's line about the unlikely alliance between U.S and Russia seems curiously ironic in retrospect.

[@baddogone42]

yes interesting wasn't it....

[@Patrick3183]

Philip Halpenny this was the early 90s when The Soviet Union had recently fallen and Russia looked like it would go towards an open democratic future. Putin put a complete stop to that.

[@LadyPercy.]

Miss Gore Vidal so much, what would he think of D Trump.

[@Reprodestruxion]

He questioned his sincerity re fair balanced taxation

[@toddmichaelcox9578]

He would think he was a D. Bag.

[@ecaepevolhturt]

You're question is excellent, especially on this dark morning, Trump is President.

[@37Dionysos]

If he hadn't died he'd probably have killed himself.

[@tarnopol]

I agree, Jacqueline, though I think another dear departed, Hunter S Thompson, might have gotten Trump’s range even better.

[@yleetv]

It does matter who you vote for. The 2000 election had disastrous consequences.

[@brucemarmy8500]

I wish you were right

[@yleetv]

@@brucemarmy8500 How am I wrong?

[@simonpeter5032]

@@yleetv Look up the florida recount of the 2000 election

[@Patrick3183]

His predictions at the end of the clip about the decline of the western world and racism against whites has come true.

[@fromsurrey9538]

You're too stupid to get it.

[@BeguiledandBothered]

At the end he says "I want to get up" 😂😂😂

[@Larkinchance]

Trump?.. Gore Vidal would not be the least bit surprised..

[@michaellear4094]

Not would he be the least bit pleased.

[@dandavis8300]

@@michaellear4094 --You may underestimate him. Vidal was an independent thinker who might have perceived the wisdom of Trump's "America First" foreign policy vis a vis the altruistic Imperialism of the establishment.

[@pseudonayme7717]

You simply cannot use the word 'wisdom' in the same sentence as Trumps name, not without losing all credibility anyway.

[@baddogone42]

Sounds about RIGHT.......

[@TheWishp]

He would wipe the floor with the so called politicians and commentators of today.

[@ChrisMacri376]

Adore Gore! Free Assange!!!!💣💣💣💣

[@charliemctruth]

Vidal is sparkling with wit and wisdom. Anderson tries to interject with purile pithyness. Gore is toying with this .."barrister"

[@djangorheinhardt]

Yes I agree.Anderson is just trying to score points and thus Gore Vidal was not able to have a long discourse on his many ,very wise,ideas,political and otherwise .Anderson never really recovered from the Bee Gees walking out on him which at the time Anderson thoroughly deserved.He has had a precious upbringing and has no notion of the wider political history,or showbusiness. Thankfully the bastard gets no more work as a chat show host.......sorry I put bastard there but I meant Barrister( it's the phonetics you know) but on the other hand the original word by mistake , seems more apt.

[@kiwitrainguy]

@@djangorheinhardt You could have said "Damn Autocorrect".

[@evo5dave]

I think Vidal enjoyed Anderson's approach. He's very relaxed here which is not always the case.

[@robertwilson214]

A dancing sophist barrister versus one of the 20th century's top intellectuals.

[@AndyinMelbourne]

An average interview; Vidal was an extraordinary writer & actor, Anderson torpedoed any chance of keeping up & staying up on Vidal's level of intelligence.

[@iancrombie8862]

Its Hughie Green..Opportunity Knocks!!

[@battleburger]

Gore Vidal had alot of flash. I'll leave it there.

[@keet8996]

Shout out to Newfoundland!

[@darkroastlefty2803]

holy shit! i should have known abt gore before voting for anyone! #fuqDNC

[@PapagenoMF]

You know that Gore was a leftist? A liberal. That's the direction intelligent and articulate people typically go in life.

[@MrBannystar]

@@PapagenoMF *"That's the direction intelligent and articulate people typically go in life."* Haha, ohhh you're "one of those" without a shred of self-awareness or intelligence.

[@46dc9er]

GORE !!!!!!!!

[@doghugger5445]

Gore Vidal and Christopher Hitchens - will anyone ever fill their shoes?

[@peterphoto7732]

What a lightwait certainly not Gore Vidal. That Anderson bloke. The BBC lovie.

[@nationalallianceforprogres3136]

Long live democratic socialism and freedom

[@powerofone1645]

Gore for POTUS.

[@kiwitrainguy]

It's a bit late now.

[@steveconn]

He has Anderson totally on his heels (compare to Anderson needling the gimpy Bee Gees).

[@baddogone42]

Yes he did .. Nervous as a mouse being look down upon by a Bengal Tiger...

[@DGlennDavis]

I can always listen to Mr Vidal but not Mr Buckley.

[@evo5dave]

You should watch the 2015 film, 'Best of Enemies'

[@raginald7mars408]

plate tectonics of Culture all submerged Culture Stratification KT Event

[@reddeserted13]

Quick wit

[@tyleranyways]

5:05

[@jamals.8786]

"The dread Sue Lawley" LOL. Anyone who watched that interview could tell Vidal wasn't that fond of her. She started the program by labeling him an "acid-tongue gentleman bitch," a tagline he always loathed. In the interview, he was in great form thrashing Reagan and Thatcher, but you could see his contempt for Lawley.

[@srmcriclesinthenight9317]

I want to know what he thinks of trump and Hillary he's probably shocked on the other side

[@JeffRebornNow]

He knew Hillary Clinton and liked her. He supported her presidential bid in 2008. She came and visited him in Italy when she was First Lady.

[@harrydebastardeharris987]

Clive Anderson reminds me why i left the UK for good in the Thatcher Years,superficiality personified.

[@JeffRebornNow]

I agree. Supercilious little shit.

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

Harry de Bastarde Harris - the fact that he was a barrister was mentioned, and is not surprising. Gore passed on the chance to make fun of perukes. The fact that the whole world is run by chair-polishers like Anderson, who remind me of Da Vinci's remark about men who serve as machines to convert air and food into shit, is why I admire men like Vidal; when asked if I am Republican or Democrat, I say, "Pessimist." We're heading into a new Dark Age, and we will get to see it all.

[@therespectedlex9794]

Supercilious shit, where did he go? John Major was leader then anyway.

[@jeffym8929]

I must admit I always cringed when he was a guest on QI

[@julianmarsh8384]

He was pretty much the last of his kind....more Enlightenment figure than anything else...if he had a weakness it was his sentimentalism re: the early American republic...where the wealthy did as they pleased in the cities as merchants and lawyers and bankers and the overwhelming majority of Americans were left alone to run their family farms and small business'.

[@francoisdelmar3]

Vidal was a great writer and insightful observer, articulate and iconoclastic. The interviewer annoyed me for some reason.

[@michaeldoyle6702]

These English interviewers have to calm down and relax. The shot gun approach with intelligent guests doesnt work. Ah, the Americanization of the world. Unfortunate.

[@GoteeDevotee]

This is 1993, fuckwiit.

[@Starkalicious07]

Clive Anderson can never help himself. Always has to play for laughs. Half the interviews seem to be him interjecting because he's spotted an inopportune opportunity to crack wise.

[@user-br3bw7wr2l]

Must have been the perfect barrister.

[@edmund184]

9:00 well that's interesting coming from a liberal, isn't it?

[@allybally0021]

Didnt make much effort with his own hair.

[@gogmorelane4493]

@@acbulgin2 Er ..Vidal sassoon joke.

[@HughMorristheJoker]

Too bad it's only gotten worse.

[@ecaepevolhturt]

God Clive Anderson made some cheap jokes. He got what he deserved when the Beegees walked out on him.

[@thehotyounggrandpas8207]

He also finds his own cheap jokes hilarious and cackles at every single one.

[@brucemarmy8500]

You know what they say; if you dont have anything nice to say,...Come sit by me.

[@steveconn]

Bee Gees wanted their asses kissed and were shocked not to be worshipped. Fuck them.

[@splinterbyrd]

His novel _Julian_ was excruciatingly awful. Vidal's a fun guy though.

[@stephenotoole6633]

Clive Anderson is annoyingly glib and jumps around with constant sarcastic remarks

[@CarlosBacardi]

I wish Clive Anderson would have left his cheap shots for less intelligent people who deserved it. The thing is, Anderson is much a smarter man than that but clearly was playing the role of a backchatter for the producers to make the show more “entertaining”, but he would only succeed in making himself look like a hack.

[@j5santos]

Wierd show is so boring... it's cleary about how funny he is and not focused on his guest...hense the Bee Gees...

[@dukadarodear2176]

He would see your bringing up the Bee Gees as a compliment. He looked triumphant when one of the group struggled to get the mic off as I recall.

[@chrisbennett606]

dukadar o'dear on the contrary he looked flabbergasted and despondent no guest no show

[@waynedoyle5584]

8.42 mark.....everyone seems to praise this guy intelligence here ....the racist crap he comes out with at my mark is something only a dumb racist would say / see .....but he witty ...so look the other way...huh ?

[@jackiecurry6095]

Gore thaught way to highly of hisself it soon became his greatest weakness. In my view he started buying in on whatever he could think up almost like he was deeming hisself like he was a profit of some sort.this became a big problem when you get a big head at a young age you grasp to it for the rest of yours days like its food and water. That poor man I feel sorry for him

[@fromsurrey9538]

really? Please be more specific, rather than generalisation. What did GV muse about that, in hindsight, turned out to be away off the mark?! Legalisation of of soft drugs or what? Please, go on

[@leroyproud294]

Cynical and living in the past. I also read that Vidal was sad in later years because younger people had not heard of him.

[@frenchprovincial9602]

Clive Anderson isn't a good interviewer.