Why Norman Mailer Was So Infuriating | Dick Cavett | Big Think
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
- Why Norman Mailer Was So Infuriating
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The famous clash between the author and Dick Cavett was triggered, in part, by Mailer’s misunderstanding of what an "interview" is supposed to be.
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DICK CAVETT:
Dick Cavett was the host of “The Dick Cavett Show” and the co-author of two books, “Cavett” (1974) and “Eye on Cavett” (1983). He has appeared on Broadway in “Otherwise Engaged,” “Into the Woods” and as narrator in “The Rocky Horror Show,” and has made guest appearances in movies and on TV shows including “Forrest Gump” and “The Simpsons.” He currently operates a blog for the “Opinionator” section of the New York Times. Mr. Cavett lives in New York City and Montauk, N.Y.
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TRANSCRIPT:
Question: How would you prepare for your shows?
Dick Cavett: Oh, preparation, well, the Paar Tonight Show sort of set the model for how talk shows worked and they had what would be called the talent coordinator and that person's job was to meet with, if possible, the star or the author, or the historian, or the psychiatrist, or whoever was going to be the guest, and talk to them a little bit, or at least call them on the phone and talk a bit, and just get some stuff down on paper. Like, ask him about the fact that his daughter just won a prize, or he wants you to be sure and mention that the Hanseatic League, or--I'm sorry, I'm really reaching here--but so you've got something for you to look down at, and I finally learned that that's great to have, but not even that is necessary if things roll the way you're supposed to and you have an engaging person, conversation moves as conversation does in real life and you don't necessarily have to look down and read off a note.
Maybe that's why on a notorious show of mine where Norman Mailer and Gore Vidal tried to eviscerate each other, when Mailer got pissed, well, he got pissed before he came to the studio, but annoyed at me on the air and I at him, and the thing, I guess, that really got me was when he said, "Why don't you just read the next question off the question sheet?" And that's when I said, somewhat famously now, "Why don't you fold it five ways and put it where the moon don't shine?" This got one of the longest laughs in my career and certainly in television and it went on from there. But the idea that the show was, he knew to pick on the thing that would anger a host the most, that he can't think of anything to say and has to read questions off a sheet.
Question: What was Norman Mailer like?
Dick Cavett: Oh, Norman was many, oh, my God, that woman again. Has anything we've done been caught on tape? I've had that happen by the way. Oh, I like Norman Mailer and I loved his writing and long before I knew him and he was not gifted in the area of humor, thus on that notorious show of mine, Gore Vidal was able to get laughs off of him without--but Gore wasn't picking on him, he would just say things like, but Norman was pissed, I think drunk is the word I'm looking for, and came on to get even with Gore for something he said Gore had written about him.
But at one point he said, "Gore, can't you just talk to me instead of talking to the audience? Can't you just talk to me?" And Gore, in that elegant way that he has, said almost the following, I'll probably get 80% on it, a wonderful sentence, that got applause, it was, approximately, "Of course, I'd be happy to talk to you, Norman, but we don't find ourselves in the friendly neighborhood bar, but by election in front of a studio audience and it would be dishonest of us to pretend otherwise." And this great, one of those things, got a big hand, which of course, stung Norman. But he was on a later show, people said, "I bet you never spoke to him again!" Yeah, I did, I saw him a number of times after that and we remained friends, if not buddies.
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Being British I didn't know who Cavett was until I saw old clips appearing on UA-cam. Having watched so many of them now it's clear that he beats all modern day hosts hands down with what he was able to draw out of guests. All without the sycophancy and celebrity worship that hosts resort to today.
jabba da hutt “sedition is a capital offense there” - wrong, the death penalty was abolished for all crimes in the UK in 1998.
You Brits are so often right about this stuff; and this post is no exception! Cavett, and I'd put Carson on that list, too, were "one of a kind" talents. There's no way in Hades one can compare these modern day American talk show "talents" to either of them. It's not remotely close. Late night show hosts of any substance, genuine humor, intelligence, or class, no longer exist in The United States.
@Joe M We have been drowned by corporate mediocrity and the need to appeal to the widest audience possible.
Without sycophancy, Oo look, it's Crimebodge!
Are you considering conducting interviews on your show? Maybe get a crime commissioner or two to explain their side of things.
Perhaps ask them why it necessary to commission crime in the first place.
This guy had a great show.wasnt born till 81.u english people are hard to understand sometimes.but never the less are fun to listen to.no joke.it would be nice to sit down and talk rubbish or what not.cheers!I'm gonna go watch green street Hooligans.much love my english people.not being a sarcastic wanker🤘
The "Moon don't shine" comment wasn't the best. I loved it more when he said, "Would you like a second chair for your massive intellect?"
Moonshine: he’s commenting on Mailer being pissed.
@@AsWellYouShould he was being particularily filthy tongued when he went to the moon instead ;-P ... really pushing it.
massive ego
Those comments seam really childish to me. But you and 171 people and the audience liked it.
@@outsidethepyramid It's banter you tool
All these years later and the voice never changed.
@tinwoods Yes, Dick sounds older here but he's still very pleasant and inviting to listen to.
just a little slower actually.
If you change the speed to 1.5x then it's exactly the same as it was back in the 70s and 80s.
Cavett deserves more respect than people give him. Before having his talk show, he wrote for people like Sid Caesar, Carl Reiner,; not bad as an undergraduate. Unlike most talk show hosts today, he was educated and talented before uttering a sound on tv. Today, he comes off,to me, as the elder-statesman in the ranks of Gore Vidal. He has not lost much of his wit or memory, nor does he rely on his once-good looks or reverse the clock with surgery. He is our Groucho today and we best enjoy him.
Pit O'Maley agree
Yes, very underrated and under appreciated
True
Conan O’Brien is a Harvard graduate and was editor of the lampoon.
@@juanmonge8 Also a very good talk show host. My personal favorite.
When I see these you tube clips of Dick Cavett, it only makes me reflect on how TV, like the rest of popular culture in the U S, had degenerated over the last 40 years or so. Cavett did a lot to bring thoughtful, interesting people into American living rooms and he was entertaining without talking down to his audience - he actually gave Americans credit for having brains, something that TV today would never do.
Steven Yourk
3 years, all of 'em attacking Trump
Just the language alone in the clip of him and Vidal arguing is worth the price of admission. You don't see anyone that eloquent on TV anymore. I don't even know or care who won, i just loved listening to them argue.
But in retrospect, I understand that Cavett was so unfair and so Leftist. When we were younger, we didn't know, we thought he was just being "intelligent." The Left ruled the TV then, just as it does now. The difference is, today they aren't fooling anyone.
fliegeroh must everything be political?
I remember having to listen carefully to Cavett ‘cause he would slip in a witticism when no one was looking
That is my favorite quality. He was very dry. Some in the audience would laugh but most would not. I don't think they knew what to think. It is odd but I laugh at almost everything he said. There is a little bit of wit in everything and some snark as well.
A comeback of Dick's to Norman Mailer I thought was superb was when Mailer asserted he was intellectually superior to all others present apparently including Dick and Dick asked him if they should bring out a couple of extra chairs to accommodate his enormous intellect - a brilliant response.
Hes still alive? Bless his soul. He should start a podcast. I've loved Dick Cavett ever since I was 13 years old, digging up his clips with Woody Allen in the early UA-cam days.
86yrs old
I always enjoyed Cavett much more that Carson. Both shows were good but Cavett was much more intellectual and also allowed his guest more time to speak.
two different shows
Sorry, have you actually watched Johnny Carson??
neonmoon82 Cavett was a staff writer for Carson in the 60's . They were both (Johnny and Dick) consummate professionals. Different talent for different tastes.
That's an apple vs. oranges comparison if I've ever heard one. The hosts and the shows were so incredibly different.
The one guy i remember who was terrible IN COMPARISON to Carson and Cavett ( whom i favored) is DAVID FROST. SUCH A BORING SHOW. WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF LOVE? DELICIOUS !!!!!! AND HE HAD TO NERVE TO TAKE CAVETT DOWN FOR NOT ASKING GOOD QUESTIONS. I GUESS ASKING GOOD QUESTIONS IS NOT THAT IMPORTANT. FROST LACKED GREAT WIT AND HE LOVES BORING GUEST , WHICH SOMETIMES CAVETT DID BUT HE WAS SO INTERESTING.
I remember my father watching Cavett in the 70's and in the second half of the 80's my high school library had a copy of Cavett. I checked that book out several times and loved it! Many years later I found a used copy in paperback and I'd never give it up. Such great stories in that witty Cavett style. Does anybody truly believe such an intelligent talk show could survive today?
I think it's sad to say, that the "dumbing down" of America exists and that ignorance is hurting hs as a Nation. IMHO
It's so funny - Mailer stabbed his wife with a knife, almost killing her - yet he went on with his career as a writer and public celebrity as if nothing had happened. He even brought it up here, and no one seemed to care. I'm thankful that these days violence like that isn't considered de rigueur.
one of the reasons I do not like him, he seemed to condone violence as much as a verbal debate or discussion. And he thought it was justified at times, when it wouldn't /shouldn't be.
He did not go through his career as if nothing happened. Just because he didn't pull up to your driveway and start weeping about it doesn't mean he went through his career as if nothing happened. He wrestled valiantly with the demons in his soul; from this wrestling came at least 2 or 3 of the greatest books ever written by an American, including "The Executioner's Song," which gets closer the dark heart of American life than any other work of journalism ever published.
We bomb the he'll out of others and call it freedom instead at a higher death rate.
Dick, I'm 60 and I do fondly remember many of your interviews. But, I must confess, until I now seeing so many of your shows on line, I had no idea what a treasure trove of talent and just plain incredibly interesting folk you came into contact with... and just how many fascinating moments you collected. Amazing and Impressive! Thank you for being your usual intelligent and witty self! You have brought us countless issues to contemplate and smiles for miles!
I'm 68 and feel the same. I figure I benefited greatly from a talk show that put intelligent conversation above glitz or nonsense. Nothing wrong with fun, but Cavett showed me a broader perspective on issues that were important.
@P K ... One never can tell unless one tries. And I have been disappointed many times for not having tried. This, of course would be a very low expectation of reply situation.
For one, Mailer's ego was a hundred times greater than his talent
Shane Whitefeather OMG. That is hilarious. But for some reason I still liked the guy.
Like many great artists, and I consider writers artist, They are real assholes in real life but have incredible talent. Two others come to mind, Glenn Frey and Don Henley.
jesushatesyoutoo - I still think the Duluth Trading Company should never had settled that lawsuit that Henley filed. Henley looked like a humorless a••hole when he did that. Forced them to pay into his charitable foundation to.
@@jesushatesyoutoo Self confidence and assurance is a good thing, but arrogance is not. Mailer was one heck of a writer, but he was too busy flattering himself to ever have the time to become truly great!
Obviously you have not read Armies of the Night...but more than that, I think at this time Mailer was beginning to understand that time--and American culture--were passing him by. His attitude towards women was outdated and I think he was startled that they had acquired the power to fight back...He was truly a produce of post-WWII America, 1945--1965...so he was growing increasingly defensive and with that, at times obnoxious. Vidal's take on Prisoner of Sex was on the money....
Nice to hear after the talk show incident Cavett and Mailer didn't hold a grudge.
"It really does float!" -Dick Cavett. In the late 1960's (possibly early 1970's), VW advertised that their Bug was so air tight, that it would float on water. Dick Cavett went down to a dealer, and drove one for a test drive, and drove it right off a pier into the water.
I used to buy VW parts at a place that had an old newspaper ad of Dick leaning out the window of the Bug while it is floating, where he made the statement that it really does float!
Dick Cavett is not only a great wit but a pleasure to listen to, a very interesting man.
This was back when people read books.
dhh488 , Read books all the time, always have .......as many do.
@@farzamviand3021 That's not reading.
Exactly
Most who read don't read books. Most who read books only read pulp. People who read classics and quality are rare.
I try to read classics and quality, but I still haven't read Virgil or Trotsky or Locke or all of any particular author. There are more good books than a human lifetime can contain, even without the time wasted searching and prioritizing.
@antisocialite - The threat is not _Fahrenheit 451,_ where books are illegal. The threat is _Brave New World,_ where books are ignored.
Thankfully we have UA-cam, there's a lot of Mr. Cavett's Shows here...I just watched that Vidal vs. Mailer show just 2 days ago, classic TV at it's finest.
real.
I love how he says "pissed" meaning drunk.
My father used to like to watch Dick Cavett. Actually they are both quite similar. Same disposition, and both well read. My Sad passed away a month ago and boy do I miss him. It was his time though.😢
Cavett was THE BEST talk show host conversationalist. he made it look easy, but you REALLY have to know your craft. Rarely did he have a bombed conversation, ... and he also interviewed and talked with some of the greatest talents of the 20th century. I seriously doubt anyone will EVER do a better job at it.
I thought in that inteview, Janet came in at the very right moment and just nailed it.
I'm happy younger generations gets to experience all his interviews online. He must have noticed a resurgence in his popularity.
As an Englishman I only caught Mr Cavett much later in life on UA-cam. I have to say he was a brilliant interviewer and gave every impression of being both a pleasant and very intelligent man.
Best, most intellectual and most wry-humored host, EVER.
I'm glad that Cavett referenced Jack Paar in the beginning. He's sadly forgotten because of the Carson Legacy.
He wasn't exactly on Paar with Carson
@@evanfinch4987 That gets a rimshot.
Love the Mailer Vidal epi. Mailer was so pissed about vidal’s M3 article, he was just rousting everyone. Great tv
I like Cavett a lot. He should be the model on how to do talk shows because he always provided a platform for his guests to be interesting as opposed to trying to be the star himself.
I agree with you.Cavett in the USA and Parkinson in England were the ones that allowed the guest to talk freely.They just asked an intelligent question and let them talk uninterrupted..I never watch talk shows now.Crap.
I must be watching some one else
Despite the fact that I was born late during the sixties, I can still recall seeing Dick’s talk-show throughout the seventies as a child. However, I see Dick Cavett today at the age of 80 and I can still see him as a great potential show host for any other future TV projects. I hope he does a comeback. Live long and prosper, Mr Cavett!❤️😁🌹🙏🏼👍🌺
Mailer was not always a boorish drunk, but he was well pissed up during the Cavett appearance.
Not all of us are blessed with the opportunity to creatively insult Norman Mailer. Dick Cavett rose to the occasion magnificently.
On Mailer ...I can't really reconcile an attempt at comprehending his apparent brilliance with the fact that he stabbed his second wife, twice, nearly killed her, and wanted her to die in that moment. There are many other authors to explore who don't carry such reputation spoiling behavior.
@S C yeah, you're right. My curiosity for an individuals intellect trumps my judgement of an individual's immorality, to the degree they are.
If I had an unlimited budget I'd use it to try to persuade Mr. Cavett to do another talk show. It would make everything else on the air look like children assembling Tinkertoys.
Dick was the best interviewer I’ve ever seen,easy going ,very relax which made his guest relaxed enough to speak most truthfully when questioned. (He’s the best)
I remember watching him a lot in the past. He had interesting guests. But there were times when Mr. Cavett was unprepared and tended to ramble.
Norman Mailer was the Bill O'Reilly of literature.
Can you explain please?
Surely Bill O'Reilly is the Bill O'Reilly of literature?
@@simonmcnamee619: The Naked And The Dead Batteries in his vibrator while sexually harrassing his co-worker on the phone?
Simon McNamee Beat me to it
Mailer had a violent side to him.
Gore Vidal showed how dignified he is , such patrician manners , he reminded a lot of my father in his manner
He's so reminiscent of Chris Hitchens it's uncanny.
I'm sure your father was a great man but I wouldn't undignify your father by comparing him to a paedophile
Mailer was the type of jerk that there is almost no point in engaging despite having an eloquent presentation, faced with facts, multi-faceted information to the contrary will steadfastly remain unmoved out of sheer spite acting as though he solely is the proprietor of a monopoly of truth.
Please. Whether you loved him or hated him, and for most audiences it was the latter, he was the most dynamic guest of that era. He was must-see TV.
I agree. He was not self aware that he was so flawed.
@@hd-xc2lz Dynamic? foolish isn't dynamic or worthwhile.
@@KindCountsDeb3773 Would foolish characterize composing jibes on a Tuesday afternoon of significant and long dead American authors in the UA-cam comments?
@@hd-xc2lz You came back. Your post was only a week earlier than mine. You just don't like that I disagreed SOMEWHAT with you. I loved Cavett's show, came here and since it's an open site, I did make a statement I thought was in line with others commenting.
I love to go back to these clips. Johnny Carson (esp. w/ Rickles) to laugh and Dick Cavett to learn. Thanks to you both ❤
A wonderful sense of humour rounds out a person , lack if one is a tragedy
I like Dick Cavett and he always had great guests. He was a frustrating interviewer though. Not always crisp and seemed to leave awkward moments of silence.
One of my favorites from this genre was Tom Snyder on the late show. He really brought out the best in his guests, check his interview with the John Lennon. He was funny, a great listener, great followup questions and I could tell he made his guests feel at home and therefore got the most honest answers out of them.
Tom & the obligatory,fabled & elusive"Colortini"!😹
I beg to disagree Mailer was totally gifted in humour satristic, I agree Vidal and Dick alike where totally condesending Mailer hated his disingenuous personality as of Nixion additionally, being referred to as the 3M's. Dick didn't catch that slur.
great guy - we need him back!!!
Strangely enough, it just strikes me to see cavett being an aged person! For some reason, I have always thought he was frozen; ageless and unshrivelled, in the golden age of american television as youthful as he was back then. It just excites a wistful nostalgia in me when I see that he has aged, though I never directly belonged or knew his times firsthand. Bless him, he is such a star!
Cavett's face always shocks me because it shows the spiritual collapse that comes from prolonged depression.
@@henrirousseau9541 ...as does your "writing".
GO GO GO GO GO !!!! CAVETT IS THE MAN OF THE YEAR HANDS DOWN!!
Too good and fair by today's standards, if, that term even applies.
imo
Cavett was a class act.
Still is.
Smart and talented.
A rarity in any era.
imo
Dick, I think your Tolstoy quip immediately after was even better! So glad you took a stand!
Nobody did it like Dick, not even Carson in my view. Dick Cavett literally led the way in covering Nixon and Watergate.
I'm a viewer from England and I can't figure out why Johnny Carson was deemed the best when there was Dick Cavett.
I was a preteen boy watching Cavett instead of cartoons. A good interview is addicting
I met Norman Mailer at one of his book signings after a lecture by him. He wasn't really paying much attention as we all handed over are books to be signed then move on. However, when it was my turn I handed him my new copy of Oswald's Tale and he looked up and straight at me and said " when does a pretty girl like you find time to read books' simultaneously the most sexist and wonderful (as I am a fan ) in my life
The most interesting and useful sentence in this is, "I loved his writing." As to why Norman Mailer was so infuriating -- because he liked the idea of smashing the endless b.s. of network television and trying (awkwardly) to put a stake through the cold, smug "heart" of Gore Vidal.
Not because he was a fucking asshole??
@@clearpancake8813 Correct. Thank you for noting it, you're obviously an intelligent person. I will look with interest for one single book, or accomplishment of any kind noted by the world, by "Lucas Reynolds."
Norman Mailer was a sadistic asshole. He made a so-callled "film" as an experiment in "truthfulness in drama", where the emotions of the actors would be real; so he proceeded to put down a hired prostitute's appearance on-camera to see how much he could hurt her (without warning her this was his intent). In other words, he created an excuse to be sadistic to a defenseless woman. His behavior deserved contempt.
What was this film called?
in "Maidstone" (1970) Rip Torn played his brother, and ended-up smacking him on the head with a hammer.
LOL....the 'movie'- "Maidstone"....was a big 'fck'n' bore. Had seen it in the 70's during a college film festival; even the stoners in the audience 'booed' it as a waste of time, and agree--many a young feminist also present vented their anger at the apparent mistreatment of the woman in question.
LOL....the 'movie'- "Maidstone"....was a big 'fck'n' bore. Had seen it in the 70's during a college film festival; even the stoners in the audience 'booed' it as a waste of time, and agree--many a young feminist also present vented their anger at the apparent mistreatment of the woman in question.
He once said "a little rape is good for a man". I like to think he was asking for it.
As it turned out Norman Mailer was proven correct here in the irrational feminized dystopia of 2019.
As much as I like him, Dick Cavett is obviously a leftist.
@@hrundibakshi6830 And apparently still doesn't get it.
You had to answer your own post, 2 more times. "feminized" ? are you saying feminism is wrong? IF so, you are wrong.
@@KindCountsDeb3773 19% of women in the US identify as feminist according to a poll by the Huffington Post. (In Britain, only 7% of people identify as feminist) how does it feel to be in a super minority and know that men hate you for it?
@@Powertuber1000 I;d hope I wasn't hated, as I haven't done anything that would qualify. I don't hate anyone, though I might not like them or their character. I don't think your statistics matter, so many in younger generations have No idea that they were affected by the positives of the movement, they just get the the new reality. I saw & was hurt by the great injustices of male chauvinism, glad it was identified and made accountable. Not done yet, but most big societal changes take a while, even generations. I also know that feminism helped men, and i'm glad. The group I'm glad to be in, not a minority, is the people helped by feminism and it's changes. Hard to figure your complete stance on this, as social forums are not a great place to debate. I would hope you saw some positives in the feminist movement, they are there. Peace.
Mailer bullied his way through he entire thing. He interrupted and talked over everyone else constantly. It was infuriating. Then he seemed surprised that the audience was so hostile to him.
BTW.... Glad to see your still with us...
The greatest host of all time
Mailer was a self obsessed, pseudo-intellectual. He always desperately reached into the well of creativity and always came back up short handed.
for me, his many faults were so damaging to him and his talent or the message he wanted to convey. Particularly, his anger/violence.
He wrote some of the greatest prose ever, despite you not liking his (perceived) personality.
Unedited and raw humanity at its most honest display. Cavett brilliantly let it unfold by his perfect silence. Privileged, we watched brilliant minds fight. And It revealed the audience as much by their cheers and boos as though one was wholly right and the other obviously wrong. There were no partial truths. That momentous 90 minutes revealed all of us. Humans! Thank you Mr. Cavett for letting it happen.
I never realized it until now- Dick had a *great monologue* on his show.
a true journalist ...unlike the talking heads of today
That interview with Norm was Awesome completely Awesome!
I preferred Dick Cavett in the early '70's
in ireland 'pissed' means drunk ironicallu
Oh I think he referred directly to that. I think he meant that Mailer had been drinking before the show and got angry on screen.
Both Cavett and Mailer did great interviews of the Rauschmonstrum.
Mailer was infuriating, but... not Vidal... no... he wasn't infuriating at all... perfectly cordial at all times...
Mailer didn't realize the novel itself was on its way out as an art form and therefore he was not going to be remembered like writers from the previous couple of hundred years. It's all been swept away by newer forms of expression. he's a relic, a dinosaur, but he didn't know it.
Yet here I am, in 2022, diving into the man's novels for the first time, and they are utterly amazing. Much more so than many "newer forms of expression" that you vaguely allude to.
@@tuanjim799 What book would you recommend?
@@CesarClouds
I read Harlot's Ghost last year and was really blown away by it. Masterpiece. It's been described as being sorta like a "War and Peace" of the Cold War era and espionage, which (though obviously reductive) is a pretty good way to get the general idea across.
The Executioner's Song is written in a much more straightforward and less ornate style, so probably more accessible. It's also a masterpiece. It's about Gary Gilmore.
@Tuan Jim Thank you!
That nasty appearance by Mailer made me promise to myself never to read anything he had to say.
😁😁😁THAT MAILER AND GORE INTERVIEW WAS AMAZING, LOVED THAT INTERVIEW TO BITS😂😂😂😂😂THANK YOU DICK❤️❤️❤️
I loved how Gore Vidal didn't get aggressive or condescending, but Mailer just went off on him
lol what? Vidal's whole tactic with Mailer was being slyly condescending, then letting Mailer react. I'll take an honest asshole like Mailer over a sniggering passive-aggressive snoot like Vidal, any day of the week.
If you close your eyes, you would think that was Bill Maher
Mailer was smart and amazing intellectual, but very egotistical. A bully and insulting to women, violence was present towards women in his writing and once he stabbed his ex-wife. Not a nice guy. He used his intellect to bully people and it wasn't pleasant to see. I remember his appearance on Dick's show where he tried to intimidate Dick and told him to ask the questions off the paper, Dick replied, why don't I fold it 5 ways and put it where the sun don't shine lol. Classic. Dick stood up to the bully and wasn't at all intimidated, the audience turned on Mailer and he made a real fool of himself insulting the audience calling them all stupid! Great way to conduct yourself on a chat show..not!
It was an unbelievably clever comeback by Cavett 😂.
Dick Cavett lives in Montaulk Long Island. He is very unpopular with the people out there. They claim he is an insufferable snob. I can except that Mailer is hard to deal with. He appeared at Harvard and was interesting but less than charming. Gore Vidal was witty but I imagine he could be annoying. He and William F Buckley who usually kept his clam, almost came to blows.
I like the message at the end. Because even though Mailer was insufferable, Dick kept in touch with him and they debated over it for years after. Everyone can have a bad night.
Mailer was certainly a prick in the interview but to be fair Vidal had that effect upon some.
Because Vidal was a prick himself who could be incredibly cruel with his wit.
They need a biopic immediately intertwining the shows interview with his witty acerbic laid back style...God knows who would dare play him
I never knew Mailer. I read some of his work. He sure was in one obstinate, owly mood on the show that day. He seemed hormonal. He wouldn't have been agreeable to anything anyone said that day. Maybe he was constipated.
I doubt Mailer was ever constipated; he emptied his bowels in every book he wrote.
He had such a good vibing show; it was right before my time.
A lot of people comment about how great Cavett was as a TV host, but watch him when he has a black man on and see how he handles race. For example, Richard Pryor. He was really dumb in this regard.
Love Dick Cavett! Such talent & intellect!
Please read Norman Mailer's version of this show. The book was published 25 years ago?
It is very hilarious. Dick Cavett's witty comeback isn't that funny compared to the rest of the story of the interview.
Not least of the things concerning this" interview show", I heard someone telling the confrontation on this show completely wrong. Mailer never punched Vidal on camera, he head-butted him off-camera, just before he was going on camera. Mailer explains that head butting can make the victim lose their ability to concentrate let alone pass out, Mailer said he was impressed at Vidal's ability to recover from being "Liverpool Kissed" -I think Mailer said he told a story about Eleanor Roosevelt (his personal friend) and a toilet bowl, the audience tittered laughingly-Mailer admitted to admiring Vidal for it-Mailer writes about himself as well as anyone wrote about anyone.
Mailer thought he was a tough guy. There is an actual fight between Mailer and Rip Torn on youtube. They're like a couple of girls in a school yard.
@pete smythI see, but still, Mailer may have been a tough guy compared to his literary peers but, otherwise, I don't think so.
When Cavett fired off his moon don't shine comment you could see for a fraction of a second Mailer's arrogant and smug mask slip away into a "whoopsidaisy i screwed up big time moment" and he immediately changed course away from any further attack on Cavett.
Mailer was trying to discuss ideas and Vidal was going for audience approval when Mailer said 'talk to me'. At that point in the conversation Mailer was exhibiting greater integrity and it is disappointing that Cavett judges who wins an exchange based on audience popularity.
Love ya chops. Watched you for years. Still folding it 5 ways.
Walter Alter , Yes he was dignified, good humoured, not big headed ,the best.
Norman was so wound up, and Gore so relaxed it was no contest. Great author but must have been a terror to be in a relationship work him.
Dick Cavett often had no rebuttle for his well spoken guests .
We have nothing like this show anymore, and its a major loss.
Dick cavett = legend! Best talkshow host ever pisses all over them about today
America has run out of Norman Mailers, Hunter Thompsons, etc., etc........
It is true that Mailer was a controversial character. He did some outrageous things. Even so. I think his book 'Oswald's Tale. An American Mystery' was outstanding, if only because he quoted so many parts from the Warren Commission-significant dialogue. I could not put this book down.
Hey Dick always good to see you and hear you speak about people in the public eye and to hear that one and only speaking voice you own
Mailer was a great writer but a terrible actor. Even though he was mad, he was acting somewhat, trying to entertain but taking his self too seriously.
His film with Rip Thorne is hilariously bad. It's only entertaining when you watch to see what an arrogant buffoon Mailer was! He directed that film....I imagine he thought he was a genius at that too!
"Norman was pissed- I think 'drunk' is the word I'm looking for." I love Dick Cavett.
If you haven't seen this segment I implore you to look it up right now. It is on UA-cam.
Mailer was a great writer till the average person knows writing.
Are we to assume that you know writing?
If he is still alive and doing this well where the hell has he been? I respect a man’s retirement but holy cow this kind of talent being off the shelf for that long… I assumed he had died.
this guy could not hold a candle to Mailer Gore was insufferable and patronizing. YMMV.
"The Hanseatic League"... Irony. He's the best.