Woody Allen and William Buckley

Woody Allen invites the legendary conservative icon William Buckley on his show

[@guysmalley]

I had the honor of working for Bill as an illustrator for National Review while I was still in art school in NYC it paid my way when I was really a starving artist. A very kind interesting person who I will never forget.

[@namanshah8354]

Id be ashamed.

[@chairmanmeow3693]

@@namanshah8354 Thumbs down

[@drm9979]

I envy you. WFB was awesome.

[@billhaywood3503]

@@drm9979 I knew Bill met him in 1978 and he was very kind to a hard leftist like myself---one of my students was interning for him. I said "Bill I have been trying to turn this student into a Red and look what happened! He smiled and replied "Keep up the good work" :) RIP Bill.

[@drm9979]

@@billhaywood3503 loved this. classic Buckley. and you rock also.

[@jordanrioscreations]

"No, Mr. Buckley cannot do a dance that was invented after 1860." lol. Woody had the heat.

[@donmalone]

Its amazing to watch this from 1967 and see how our humor and civility has devolved in the discussion of politics over the past 52 years.

[@BollocksUtwat]

I'll tell you one thing, interview talk shows and conservative pundits were both infinitely superior in the late 60s compared to today.

[@johnosman3550]

I agree. Now the dominant attitude in talk shows is GET THERE +FIRSTEST+ WITH THE LOUDEST VOICE.

[@jimmaughan1898]

They sure were! Good thing the Palestinians and Israelis got over that little spat they were having 50 years ago.

[@BollocksUtwat]

Jim Maughan I liked Woody Allen's answer about the lands seized by the Israelis: "Sell it back to them"

[@thomasmaxwell8353]

agreed..because they were not afraid to offend..this PC world that we live in is counterproductive to free thought and free speech....gee!!!! i hope i didn't offend anyone with an eggshell skin

[@d.j.9095]

BollocksUtwat I'm also familiar with their apologists. AH.

[@geoffnathan6136]

Without getting into the personal politics of both men, the reason why this works so well is that there is a basic respect for opposing positions, a rare thing in this day and age.

[@Johnnysynth]

Buckley was a lot more humorous than I ever imagined.

[@j7286]

+Johnnysynth I always thought he was witty on Firing Line, with a great sense of humor.

[@scottm8579]

He tries to be. But its easy when you have Woody Allen providing backup.

[@Estuvalle]

Yeah, that nice peaceful war stuff cracked me up!

[@francis5900]

A conservative-liberal debate that was civil and witty. Is this the last time it ever happened?

[@francis5900]

***** A most erudite rebuttal.

[@tmwcamden2751]

+Sufi Muslim Comrade The Trumpanzee sock puppet says "no".

[@pissedoffdude1]

I really like the way Allen handled this. Even after doing a joke like 'they should sell it back' he followed up with Buckley for a more serious point of view

[@mrpancake2401]

Francis Coleman pretty much, Buckley's debate with Gore Vidal changed civil discourse

[@jacobjinglehymer8789]

In addition, it's so nice to see such a well dressed, well spoken young audience. And not yelling WOOOOOO after every point they agree with like today's moronic audiences.

[@danhagen8249]

As an extremely liberal person, I could watch these William F Buckley videos all day. There was such a rawness to television in those days compared to now where everything is more scripted and polished. No conservatives on TV today could carry Buckley's water.

[@theolamp5312]

I wouldn't say I'm extremely liberal. But I am liberal. And, I agree with you. But, what scares me is the nature of the network news. The last newscasters I trusted were Walter Cronkite & Frank Reynolds. The news has become entertainment. The other source of information, the internet, is subject to quick to the trigger misinformation. Even textbooks in schools are subject to the powers that be. The objective search for the truth seems to be the casualty.

[@boxer12350]

Ben Shapiro?

[@monkeykidd420]

@Vaughn reed jr Awe does snowflake need a tissue

[@tom4324]

Ron Paul.

[@roughhabit9085]

Chomsky should have gone on the Woody Allen Show ! Apparently he was wittier

[@TheCurval]

"...no, I think they should sell it back" - this is why this man is a genius.

[@YawnGod]

"Are miniskirts in good taste?" "On you they are." ♪♫THUG LIFE♪♫ Man, I miss these good ol' days.

[@WalterLiddy]

YawnGod If someone gave that answer today he'd be resigning from public life in disgrace the next day, holding a tearful press conference and promising to be a better man in future.

[@fredsalfa]

YawnGod Smug misogynist

[@fredsalfa]

Nothing apparently if your Bill Buckley YawnGod

[@fredsalfa]

Appropriate in the 60s. Totally Inappropriate today

[@YawnGod]

Alfa Won I didn't ask if it was "appropriate". I asked if it was wrong.

[@lilypondroad]

I enjoyed watching this. Buckley was brilliant and Woody was very funny and cordial.

[@bethvirginiaphillips4583]

Woody was quite the wit. He took his lead from Groucho Marx, famous for writing sophisticate d and witty letters to the famous. Someone asked Woody: "So, do you think sex is dirty?" Woody answered, "It is if you're doing it right". Another one..."Woody, do you smoke after sex?" Woody: "I never really looked". Fabulous.

[@bethvirginiaphillips4583]

See how polite the young people are, how respectful, how nicely dressed. How well spoken. Woody and Bill Buckley...when wit and intellect and charm ruled..Oh yes, the last year before it all unwound..........the last year of civilization as we knew it. Then came horrible 1968, and it's been all downward from there. I was the age of these kids age during the time of this clip and as a witness to the way it was, it was absolutely glorious...........we have lost much. Most people don't realize it. Ignorance is bliss.

[@Jasonificatiation]

+Beth Virginia Phillips I'd settle for pre 9/11 at this point.

[@TheArtimusMaximus]

Beth Virginia Phillips yeah this was going on while the United States was bombing a third world country back to the Stone Age. By 1968 enough draftees had returned home and we're telling everybody how fucked up shit was too, and the anti-war movement kicked into full gear

[@RaptorFromWeegee]

Yes, 1968 really was a terrible year. Assassinations, resignations, cities burning, newscasters lying, en mass, about Tet. Felt like everything was fall apart. People think it was all about love and peace and cool music.

[@RaptorFromWeegee]

@@TheArtimusMaximus Your understanding of the Vietnam War is horribly flawed. You've clearly took one too many sips of kool aid. We were there standing up for a country that was defending itself against communist aggression, bankrolled by the Soviet Union. No different than the situation now in the Ukraine. Bullies should be stood up to and challenged. Most of the protestors back then were pawns, useful idiots exploited by the left.

[@bethvirginiaphillips4583]

They are not educated at all. Revisionist history is the norm to keep kids dumb.@@RaptorFromWeegee

[@marKism69]

I think its great how much deference people from contrary views can show one another and still have a good time.

[@robbiereilly]

Me too. I miss that.

[@Haramyst]

Yes indeed. a joy to watch, as well as troubling evidence of how far we have devolved.

[@simonpenum]

Unlike today

[@MicahMicahel]

The voters weren’t demonizing each other like they do now.

[@stickman1742]

@@MicahMicahel They follow their leaders.

[@emandude]

This is fantastic. I'm a progressive, but I admire Buckley very much. Excellent presence, vocabulary, and personality.

[@TigerzLionzPistonzWingz]

This one piece changed my view of Woody Allen completely. ANYONE who can sit mano y mano with William F Buckley and not be intimidated, and on top of that, make him laugh and insult him in a wonderful way, incredible. Diffusing ultra conservatism with ultra humor. This was a genuinely gentlemanly encounter.

[@prideventues]

This is why I was a great fan of William F. Buckley, Jr since I was in High School in the late 70's. I did not have his views but I found that he expressed them with great honestly and his use of an examiner during his debates and conversations. He was not averse to making fun of himself. I still am a fan of his and have every one of his books. I think he and the Kennedys are now sailing in heaven.

[@prideventues]

Wow

[@JoelFinkel]

Buckley's comments about Israel illustrate just how foolish the man could be. He failed to understand Israel's true intentions. Allen, a classic PEP (Progressive Except for Palestine) was at least hilarious. His quip about his mother scribbling "soul brother" on the side of a synagogue is priceless, as is his definition of "liberal."

[@ambercrombie789]

Joel Finkel Delight in your folly.

[@chvzrvnn]

@JF THUMBS UP! fifty years later...So, what's settled?

[@denisdaly1708]

Maurice Jones Maurice, I don't doubt your intentions. However, Buckley through his magazine was a very strong advocate of segregation. He thought Whites, especially elite whites were superior. He fought tooth and nail to prevent desegregation. Right wing authoritarians, tend to be bigoted, and agressive. He also wanted to nuke North Vietnam. He and his brother published a book defending and eulogising McCarthy and McCarthyism. He was sickened by gays, and hated Gore Vidal. Buckley was able to put sentences together, unlike many now, however he displayed no knowledge. He was against research and facts. He was certain in his ideas. In interviews, he was very passive aggressive, and acted very smug. I am not impressed with his knowledge at all.

[@martiodalyz6398]

i love the way Buckley's eyes genuinely react when he truly likes someone, as he does through this session with Woody! WHAT A PLEASANT DIFFERENCE IT MAKES!!!

[@heartpursuer]

I just happened across this little treasure and loved it. Whatever his differences with Buckley, Allen comported himself with good humor and treated his guest with respect. I would have loved to watch Woody on "Firing Line."

[@tpl555]

This is fascinating...never seen this clip before. The collective brain power in that studio was positively staggering. Allen and Buckley, diametric opposites philosophically, equally engaging and charming. A cocktail party hosts dream come true.

[@jeffrourke2322]

Woody opened with the pen remark and Buckley snapped right back. You could tell Woody wasn’t expecting that. Buckley was a very quick-witted man.

[@redmed10]

Woody actually had a routine in his stand up which featured a pen that exudes a gaseous billow.

[@DerikSchneider1974USA]

As #conservative as #WilliamFBuckley was, he had a damn quick and good off the cuff sense of humor. And I think #WoddyAllen understood this, which is why this interview worked.

[@pendorran]

That was hilarious and civilized at the same time. Two masterful wits in friendly discourse.

[@Lamporre]

Just goes to show what kind of horrific people we're willing to put on a stage as long as they can hide their filthy actions and nastiness behind a veneer of charisma.

[@saladingrant4604]

White supremacy being handled with care. The white liberal really has no skin in the game of liberating minorities from systemic racism. Nothing of substance was said here and the white supremacist has a great public relations as being civil. SMH

[@JeanmarieRod]

@@saladingrant4604 just curious... Where are you getting your standards for morality from? I'm assuming that you would say that you do have moral standards?

[@WintersWar]

love that buckley gave straight answers to any question. Good sense of humor too.

[@chuongnguyen5724]

2:34 "Mr. Buckley, do you think mini-skirts are in good taste? On you, I think they are." Smooth, Bill, smooth.

[@Nonduality]

"I'd be glad to come on your show and debate the major issues. I would like to stay away from anything meaningful, however." - Woody Allen

[@jackvanderwall]

There really is a mind at work in Woody Allen. He and Buckley are diametrical opposites but they make a very entertaining duo.

[@JasonWindsor88]

This is such a treat, thanks a million for posting this.

[@ckom0007]

Wow! Civil, funny and edifying!Television today can’t hold a candle to something like this!

[@HoyaSaxaSD]

Mace the bludgeoning weapon, not the spray, Woody. But what a charming and enjoyable conversation.

[@ligonlaw]

Love William Buckley. Brilliant writer and funny commentator and about 1000 times smarter than the so-called conservatives we see today.

[@henrimatisse7481]

Buckley reminds me of a bottom eating organism. Not even a fish

[@scalemiester]

Man, these were the days. Can you imagine such a congenial conversation happening in today's media?

[@jsmall10671]

Ellen could have W on. If it were up to him, she couldn't marry Portia, but she likes him anyway for some reason.

[@miketharipr]

Wow! I am about half-way thru this vid and what an interesting upload. Lyndon Johnson had yet to announce his wasn't running for re-election also Robert Kennedy and Charles De Gaulle were still alive. Wow, this is an interesting bit of history here.

[@duckman531]

A time when liberals and conservatives could disagree without being disagreeable.

[@mysterytrain3]

duckman531 Check out Buckley and Gore Vidal at the '68 Democratic convention. You may wanna change your comment.

[@duckman531]

mysterytrain3 Good point, mystery! I stand corrected!

[@bobmaddox5436]

@@mysterytrain3 That was the one and only time Buckley lost his cool. It was not the norm back then...it stood out...bigtime.

[@codent]

I think the murder of MLK was pretty disagreeable, among many other crimes that happened back then. I know that it SEEMS very nice when we look at these clips from chat shows, but the times were turbulent, violent, and "disagreeable".

[@TeachinTV]

Regardless of one's opinion of his personal life, Woody Allen is unquestionably a comic genius. His humor is, of course, NOT for every taste any more than George Carlin or Rodney Dangerfield. Perhaps he shot his wad by the mid-90s, but there is no disputing that the comedy he wrote for others as well as performed in movies and onstage from the late 50s through the mid-80s is superb on numerous levels. People may not like his form of satire and social commentary but it sure is funny.

[@MicahMicahel]

TeachinTV he doesn’t really do comedy movies anymore but whenever he’s in an interview, he’s hilarious.

[@jamesmack3314]

Agreed,Woody has cracked me up more than I can count,especially his early comedies like Take the Money and run,Bananas,and my personal favorite Play it again Sam...

[@jamesmack3314]

Hey it's his chosen course!

[@bdwaggoner]

@@jamesmack3314 That scene in Bananas where they're all trying to figure out who needs to pay what for the lunch bill is so stupid it's hilarious. Just like the parents being interviewed in Take the Money and Run wearing the "disguises" -- so dumb, but you can't help laugh your ass off at it.

[@RollingOrmond]

@@MicahMicahel Because he's been blacklisted. Blue Jasmine was hilarious.

[@MilesTLewan]

Man, in those days american ladies had style! All the girls that ask questions are beautiful.

[@RayLRhodes]

True. Also, if someone gave the reply Buckley gave to the miniskirt question, people would call him a sexist pig.

[@j7286]

+MelvinThe42 Or a Trump wannabe, perhaps.

[@kevinkelly9956]

Back when political rivals could share a joke, disagree about everything, and all remain loyal American citizens .

[@fyrz1319]

Back then there was a little more class. In Congress the minority party would prefix their comments with "Mr. Speaker, from the loyal opposition..."

[@vincentlevesque3856]

Wonderfully put. Thank you.

[@RollingOrmond]

...instead of agents for foreign adversaries, a la Trump and his lapdogs. You're right.

[@esanch4918]

For everyone curious: Buckley's accent was very prevalent amongst a certain social class from the mid-Atlantic. Listen to old speeches by FDR, movies with stage trained actors from the 30's-50's. It is a throughly American accent which is largely faded. (If you listen to Mayor Bloomberg, it is residually there).

[@jysmtl]

Fascinating. Thanks for adding that.

[@HotVoodooWitch]

I sometimes regret not having heard mid-Atlantic speech when I was a child. I could've adopted it as my own and by the time I grew up, it wouldn't have been affectation. :))

[@GoteeDevotee]

A social class from the Mid-Atlantic? What utter fucking crap.

[@Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry]

@@GoteeDevotee Read F. Scott Fitzgerald's, "The Great Gatsby". Please.

[@onetimeonthegoodfoot]

GoteeDevotee this is in fact true. George Plimpton, Katie Hepburn, etc.

[@mayormc]

This is so classic. Much less about political debate than seeing who has the fastest wit. There is nothing out there today (???) than can compare to this level of social fencing.

[@TheDavidtk240]

I DO miss the 20th century....Most enjoyable. Thanks for the post!

[@cubanbach]

What a perfect moment in time!

[@TigerzLionzPistonzWingz]

This was a delight. I love the intellectual debates of old. Allen not only held his own, but it's the first time I've ever seen Buckley not really have the upper hand, even with his usual verbal prowess. Allen was stunning. I could've watched this for hours. Incredible.

[@BullToTheShit]

+Brita Cashman-Tarrant >I love the intellectual debates of old. This wasn't a debate.

[@jysmtl]

BullToTheShit it was a kind of debate

[@keithwasser7525]

When people used excellent diction.

[@HnKYuda]

+Keith Wasser Transatlantic accents were the best.

[@aureliopardo8800]

en la tt

[@scottlynch2498]

The average Joe did not speak like this in the 50s, 60s, 70s and onward. Woody Allen and William F. Buckley are likely intellectual outliers in relation to the general population.

[@rokyericksonroks]

Scott Lynch Those were times when you needed to speak Latin just to understand mass at a Catholic Church. The poor honest Joe that you speak of just went along with what he was told.

[@carlpen850]

@ Roky... sounds like you've been there... as an "altar boy" I had to start learning Latin at the ripe old age of 7... when I became a full fledged altar boy at the beginning of 3rd grade I had to be able to read and recite all prayers for mass in Latin... but I was lucky since I was raised in an Italian home where we spoke our native tongue on a regular basis... so learning Latin wasn't that far of a "leap".

[@Rayoscope]

My all-time favorite comedy team, hands down.

[@dinkydog56]

Excellent. Instead of 'cringing' while watching this, I throughly enjoyed it. Sharp & witty.

[@RobertLowellPoetry]

A hilarious scene from the short-lived 60's sitcom "The Puritan and the Jew"

[@tiffsaver]

Anyone who wishes to know the brilliance of Woody Allen need only view this video.

[@HotVoodooWitch]

SO civilized. I'm glad I was around for that way of doing things.

[@leomarkaable1]

What marvelous years those were.

[@ambercrombie789]

Buckley, all by himself, was a brain trust. Amazing man. A good man. Sharp, witty, self-disciplined but not nasty like a Limbaugh. And Rush could not begin to approach Bill's intellect. Bill was smart to start with and then accepted rigorous training. // Buckley had the ability to contest with someone and not despise them. He could and did respect those with whom he completely disagreed. The majority of conservative types, Michael Medved being an exception, are completely unwilling to exercise that kind of grace in their exchanges with their opposition. Consequently, they cede any usefulness they might otherwise exert.

[@bagelboi66]

***** Tuesday Aug 12 2014, Michelle Obama advocates healthy eating, Rush calls her fat. The same day he said that Robin Williams killed himself because leftists are full of darkness. Earlier that week he claimed that blacks are opposed to immigration because they do not want competition for democrats social spending. In May El Rushbo, in commentary on the NFL drafting openly gay athlete Michael Sam, said that America is being chickified. Yep he's a prince all right.

[@ambercrombie789]

bagelboi66 @EternalA. he gotcha there.

[@ambercrombie789]

***** C'mon, man up. You are wrong. You're just trying to weasel out of it.

[@ambercrombie789]

***** This exchange is completely unrelated to your "brain". It is your spine that is in question here. And it is in question. More to the point your integrity. // If you really believe what you just wrote then you are delusional. Remember, arrogance is blinding. You are blind.

[@ambercrombie789]

***** I would point out that I have not ridiculed you as you have me. You actually make my point. I attack your ideas. You attack me.

[@BartAlder]

Excellent upload, thanks!

[@MrGeno1951]

People seem to have been so civil and polite- even their barbs had a wonderful subtlety. No ad hominem. Respectful despite contrary beliefs. Enjoying each other's humor and wit. This is America to me.

[@emersondvortex5882]

This is what Make America Great Again was About . Many of us are old enough to remember when America WAS like this , when people of different opinions were CIVIL , dignified and polite .

[@pakk82]

love the era where people of america had regional accents!

[@JohnSmithAprilMay]

+ook park they still do. We just don't hear them on TV.

[@peanutgallery7753]

+JohnSmithAprilMay Watch Swamp People, or Jersey Shore, or the Sopranos, or Fargo. Accents are still around, son

[@leanalcantara4976]

Any time a person speaks, he conveying accent.

[@chvzrvnn]

I would say "Regional Culture" at least in my experiences. I was just looking at my company's graduation photo from basic training, c.1981 And there were 50+ guys from all over the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and all of varying backgrounds and economics etc.= Culture Only TWO were "gangsta", or "wannabe gangsta". If you took that photo today; over half would be, both Black and White.

[@jamesmack3314]

The famous new york accents are fading and the classic Boston one as well...too bad

[@sammaxwell8362]

They were both quite funny, I did not know about that side of Buckley.

[@lpsp442]

Think about not just the level of discource, but the sheer humour and good-faith between all parties present. What a time it was to be alive, back then in the 50s 60s and 70s.

[@garrettmeadows2273]

It's refreshing to see that William Buckley actually had a keen sense of humor.

[@dugkk]

Buckley was spot on in his estimation of the Arab-Israeli conflict. I'm so relieved the whole thing just went away.

[@robbiereilly]

Well, he did say 'eventually' not 'by 2016'. Also, remember, this conversation took place in 1967. A war just ended. A very bloody war. I'm sure you're aware of the history. There has not been a ground war involving Israel and Arab nations since then. That's amazing in itself. As a Jewish person (judging by your name) you must know this fact. Also, you must know that US support of Israel has floundered in the last two decades and this has exacerbated tensions in the region. Normally, weakening support of allies has this effect not restricted to the middle east. In comparison, I'd say it's a more stable today in 2016 than it was in June of 1967 when a ground and air war was being waged.

[@perry12328]

The yomkippur war in 73 was also a land war, but otherwise I agree with your perspective and sensibility.

[@tuxguys]

A gem, and for humor and civility, it rivals Allen's similar conversation on another show with Billy Graham. (Bill Buckley's ability to think on his feet is as profound as Allen's.)

[@peachyapricots]

Why I admire Mr. Buckley: 1. He was obviously smart, articulate, and charming. 2. He respected liberals and could debate them without resorting to ignoring their arguments, yelling over them, or name-calling. 3. He realized how hypocritical it was for conservatives to embrace both Christian values and Ayn Rand's atheism-based objectivism. 4. He was a true conservative. His end goal wasn't to get members of a party elected, and he knew when to criticize Republicans.

[@tizfrreecharm]

A great time capsule! Thanks for the post.

[@doubleghod]

they don't make em like Buckley anymore! He was the best.

[@glennhart3634]

I remember seeing William F. Buckley Jr. back in the 1990s at Messiah College in central Pennsylvania. His address was extremely entertaining, both to me as a shameless conservative and to my fellow attendee, who can only be described as a shameless liberal. I probably agreed with nearly everything Buckley said that night, while my fellow attendee probably agreed with almost nothing Buckley said that night. But we both came away with a feeling that we had witnessed someone that night who could be passionate and articulate without being crass and disagreeable.

[@iconjack]

two national treasures

[@MrImiller07]

I understand that William F. Buckley was regarded as a superior intellect, a champion of the Conservative Party, a renowned author and political commentator who loved sailing and Bach. However, he also believed that Joseph McCarthy, the Senator who was the catylist for the Blacklist and the destruction of people's lives and careers, and was ultimately discredited by Edward R. Murrow { see George Clooney's film Good Night and Good Luck} was a wonderful guy and that his crusade was completely admirable. He also espoused the U.S. involvement into the Vietnam War during the 60s and the escalation of that conflict. Those positions ultimately led to the famous confrontation during the 1968 Democratic Convention with the novelist Gore Vidal on television.

[@spakktron]

Of course you may not want to get your news from Geo Clooney movies. Common knowledge isn't always right: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400081068/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400081068&linkCode=as2

[@TheNewNationPodcast]

MrImiller07 RFK wanted McCarthy to be godfather to his son.

[@Gus1964ful]

spakktron Ah, it's in a book, so it must be true.

[@spakktron]

Paul G No, that's just the beginning, and hopefully where your brain comes into play. Of course, entertaining ideas contrary to what you've assumed to be the truth can be uncomfortable - at first.

[@patricksullivan4329]

@@spakktron Well, the Blacklist (1948) was the product of Hollywood studios protecting their products from the Communists who controlled the Screen Writers' Guild. Which happened before Joe McCarthy made his appearance on the national stage (1950). And, McCarthy didn't ruin anyone's life. At least not anyone who didn't deserve it. He was correct in nearly 100% of his targets,.

[@SteveEPfunk]

This clip shows the great gains if even just for comedy in this instance, that can be accomplished by people of opposing views collaborating together. Something sorely missing these days. By some of the comments here, it looks like it's still a long way off... Thanks for posting the video though, great fun!

[@philchroniger7839]

"do you think miniskirts are in good taste?" "on you, I think they are" Buckley was so sharp with his wit.

[@philchroniger7839]

+blblblblb blblbblblbl but he was also a conservative, in the sixties, think about it. That was an unconventional and unexpected answer, and the way he said that line is classic.

[@Shocka1111]

I wish I had 1/4 of the wit Buckley was capable of.

[@jacktrades24]

This is my first time seeing this. It's absolutely delightful!

[@Mdriver1981]

Allen is left of Lenin, and Buckley was right of Atilla the Hun, and the two were friends friends til Buckley's death in 2008

[@mohtoadh]

The world is now different to me because I know that this exists.

[@boxer12350]

mtoh it really is isn't it

[@billharris1847]

Classic. They should have been together more of

[@NyimaWongchuk]

This is really, really sweet. We could use a lot more of this sort of discourse.

[@guruuDev]

Woody Allen is so amazingly on the ball here. Wow.

[@marshiamacy4409]

Two great wits here...good stuff.

[@fatherandson932]

One of the great freespeech moments of diction and intelligent in TV.

[@cartman1492]

It certainly is a pleasure to see these two go back an forth. Both may have been at the top of their game at this point.

[@andrewjhall]

This clip is from The Kraft Music Hall, guest hosted by Allen on December 27, 1967 and titled "Woody Allen Looks at 1967".

[@MrThermostatic]

"Why don't you have William Buckley come over and kill the spider"? Alvi Singer

[@robertwilley6327]

What show was this???? Woody Allen had a show??? GREAT stuff!!

[@jennifersman7990]

Robert Willey I believe Woody did a TV special that only aired once, this might be it, given the quality of the video it almost seems like a bootleg copy

[@plbeckman]

woody allen is the greatest director and writer of movie scripts of all time

[@news4usunshine]

along with Joel and Ethan Coen.

[@plbeckman]

news4usunshine good point. Coen brothers have done masterpiece films. I think of No Country for old men, raising Arizona, Barton fink was incredible, Fargo is one of the best films Ive seen. Along with Inside Lewis. You make a good point. Ill admit

[@usuberalles]

WFB was always balanced He rarely became emotional. This gave him a tremendous advantage, or rather better vantage point during interviews, debates, speeches, and his first love, editorializing. He always knew the salient points of the "other" view. He was often dismissive, because many times he knew more about the "other" view, than its proponents. Johnny Carson once called his speaking style, "Verbal pyrotechnics". A Genius.

[@RikersStupidBeard]

"If a girl will neck with me, she's liberal. If her brother will neck with me, he's very liberal." Great joke.

[@papififty6452]

I think he says "if Mr. Buckley will neck with me. . . "

[@Setebos]

Buckley was eating this up.

[@bhinderbinder]

It IS interesting to see Buckley grinning. Always had that leaning back thing...

[@sngscratcher]

Very enjoyable!

[@news4usunshine]

Woody was so brilliant... the Albert Einstein of comedy.

[@brfswigcham]

I wonder, when they talked about 1967, if they had any idea how bad a year 1968 would be in America?

[@robbiereilly]

Indeed. I think that point is a profound lesson to us, we have no idea what is coming down the road. No one would've suspected the events of '68 even year earlier.

[@finzicontini]

Thanks for posting. This was great!....

[@DieFlabbergast]

1967! Good grief! This was recorded when I was 17 - it makes me feel positively ancient.

[@bluetoad2001]

this is some funny shit. Buckley is pretty good.

[@swissnor]

I am from Europe and I love Buckley's put on accent posh accent.

[@sithersproductions]

buckey was british

[@swissnor]

sithersproductions Buckley was an American. Buckley went to school for a time in the U.K..

[@sithersproductions]

swissnor no he is mexican

[@swissnor]

sithersproductions William Buckley was born November 24, 1925, in New York City to lawyer and oil developer William Frank Buckley, Sr., an American of Irish ancestry, and Aloise Josephine Antonia Steiner, an American from New Orleans who was of Swiss-German and Irish ancestry .

[@sithersproductions]

swissnor he is canadian

[@alexxandrobloch1298]

Another great example of civil discussion between a Liberal and Conservative, and some very informed youth. I was probably 5.

[@kittipride]

I'm on the complete opposite end of the political spectrum. But William F. Buckley was civilized, dignified, intelligent, erudite, handsome, super classy, and spoke absolutely beautifully! I LOVEEEEEEEEEE him!!!!!!!!!!

[@dmc8092]

+Kittie Pride And yet, there is so much footage of him threatening to beat people up. Erudite? Sure. Civilized? Barely.

[@kittipride]

The only time he meant it was in the heated exchange with Gore Vidal. With the others, he was just kidding.

[@dmc8092]

Kittie Pride Wow, you seem to know what was going on in his mind. Are you a psychic or just pulling shit out of your ass?

[@kittipride]

I read that, on the final episode of "The Firing Line" when they showed clips, they showed the one of Buckley's infamous row with Vidal and his eyes teared up. It seems that he felt very remorseful about it.

[@dmc8092]

Kittie Pride Yeah, I've seen that. It doesn't matter. He said some truly awful things about other people as well. His comments about people with AIDS were pretty disgusting. But, you would probably agree with him on that so you probably don't see it that way.

[@victrolux]

"I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti."

[@greatmcluhansghost7134]

that's the same laugh track as Gilligan's island

[@kathipapaleo3230]

Awesome find!

[@GA-1st]

From the revived "Kraft Music Hall" series, season 1, episode 12, with guest host Woody Allen in : "Woody Allen Looks at 1967," aired December 27, 1967.

[@DonDraperism]

Woody's show was only on for a brief time and was canceled due to low ratings. The problem was that the show was comedic and Woody had on serious guests like William F. Buckley, Billy Graham, Henry Kissinger. The show would go from comedy to serious talk and most general audiences don't like mixing their politics with comedy. This is why Johnny Carson was so successful. Johnny had on Buckley numerous times, but also had on Robert F. Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey, Ronald Reagan, Governor Brown. When the subject became political Johnny never interjected his opinion and always kept it light so as not to alienate his audience. Carson was a moderate libertarian who at times supported the Kennedy's and at at other times supported Reagan, but as a host he kept his politics out of it. Woody Allen although a brilliant comedian, would interject his opinion into the mix and general audiences generally don't like that on a show that is suppose to be light and funny. One of the reasons that David Letterman's show began to have low ratings as Letterman became too serious and political at times when people tuned in to just get a good laugh.

[@jmack619]

if you want a good laugh, politics is it. comedy and a little bit of reality is always a good mix. I suspect the head office didn,t like an informed audiance. interesting take on the middle east on this show by buckley that proved to be 100% wrong.

[@natural]

Google Jon Stewart.

[@mackocculist9176]

+DonDraperism In other words, a gullible quasi Communist comedian almost automatically discredited himself from political seriousness in a country where people over 30 where mostly leaning Blue Dog Democrat or Conservative at that time period. Not that there is anything wrong from thinking Woody was funny--he certainly was. However, a philosopher he was not.

[@dmc8092]

+DonDraperism This was actually a one time thing. It was part of the Kraft Music Hall show, they had different hosts every week.

[@roughhabit9085]

We it’s not unusual for a show to die , most don’t last long . Buckley’s show didn’t have that problem and in the end he took himself off the air after it ran for 33 years. If you google Langdon Carson you can see Buckley on that episode. Johnny loved him

[@51MontyPython]

My what different times we live in now. People conducted themselves with a lot more class back then, well, at least on television they did. People these days have no kooth, or any kind of social graces..

[@news4usunshine]

"kooth"??? The word is COUTH.

[@51MontyPython]

news4usunshine Ah, thanks for the correction. Now I can stop making a fool of myself (at least in _that_ regard) :)

[@enndubful]

Haha, couth isn't a word either. It's a humorous play on the word uncouth, like (un)kempt or (im)petuous.

[@news4usunshine]

enndubful Wrong. Couth is very much a word. It is an adjective meaning sophisticated, polished, cultured, refined. It was back-formed from the word "uncouth," and dates back to sometime in the 19th century. Since then it has been commonly used and its meaning commonly recognized. That makes it a word.

[@enndubful]

That also makes kempt a word.

[@jamiemcmillan6742]

Buckley had a fantastic presence

[@yahulwagoni4571]

But teeth. Highly visible, prominent, teeth.

[@BleedBNG]

Musically, '67 was a great year. One of the best ever.