The talk will cover the ways in which television news evolved in the years that frame The Best of Enemies. The play dramatizes the famous televised confrontation between William F. Buckley and Gore Vidal that occurred at the 1968 Democratic convention and was aired live by ABC News. Socolow will describe how the moment crystallized numerous social, cultural and political themes erupting in the 1960s on television sets throughout the United States.
Presented with the support of the Clement and Linda McGillicuddy Humanities Center, the talk and reception will take place in the Bodwell Lounge on the third floor of the CCA. It is free and open to the public.