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Firing Line

Season 16

18 listed hours · 1966–1999 · Syndicated/PBS

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From the desk

How this season is filed

Filed by Rex Fontaine · Golden Age Dispatch

Firing Line is William F. Buckley Jr. turning argument into spectator sport: clipboard, drawl, and guests from across the aisle in conversations that refused the sound bite. Syndicated, then PBS, it ran for decades on polysyllables. Political talk before the countdown clock — intellectual blood sport with manners, and sentences allowed to finish on national television.

TV Flash files Season 16 of Firing Line (1966–1999) on Syndicated/PBS as a mid listed season (16; 16 of 33) — 18 listed hours, 1981-01-05–1981-12-03 from “Are Ideology and the CIA Compatible?” (S16E01) to “Why Are Our Intellectuals So Dumb?” (S16E45). Titles, dates, and synopses on file — no invented recaps.

  1. S16E01

    Are Ideology and the CIA Compatible?

    Are Ideology and the CIA Compatible? — Season 16, Episode 1 of Firing Line. Aired 1981-01-05. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  2. S16E02

    The Abscam Controversy

    The Abscam Controversy — Season 16, Episode 2 of Firing Line. Aired 1981-01-05. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  3. S16E04

    Are We Menaced by Moral Majority?

    Are We Menaced by Moral Majority? — Season 16, Episode 4 of Firing Line. Aired 1981-01-22. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  4. S16E13

    The Question of Gay Rights

    The Question of Gay Rights — Season 16, Episode 13 of Firing Line. Aired 1981-03-25. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  5. S16E20

    What to Do about Terrorism?

    What to Do about Terrorism? — Season 16, Episode 20 of Firing Line. Aired 1981-06-05. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  6. S16E21

    John Kenneth Galbraith Looks Back

    John Kenneth Galbraith Looks Back — Season 16, Episode 21 of Firing Line. Aired 1981-06-05. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  7. S16E26

    Do We Need a Foreign Policy Doctrine?

    Do We Need a Foreign Policy Doctrine? — Season 16, Episode 26 of Firing Line. Aired 1981-07-15. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  8. S16E29

    The Question of Namibia

    The Question of Namibia — Season 16, Episode 29 of Firing Line. Aired 1981-07-17. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  9. S16E31

    A Strategy for Cuba

    A Strategy for Cuba — Season 16, Episode 31 of Firing Line. Aired 1981-07-15. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  10. S16E32

    Does the Warren Report on the Kennedy Assassination Hold Up?

    Does the Warren Report on the Kennedy Assassination Hold Up? — Season 16, Episode 32 of Firing Line. Aired 1981-09-10. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  11. S16E33

    How to Win Arguments

    How to Win Arguments — Season 16, Episode 33 of Firing Line. Aired 1981-09-10. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  12. S16E36

    Where Do We Go on Immigration?

    Where Do We Go on Immigration? — Season 16, Episode 36 of Firing Line. Aired 1981-10-01. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  13. S16E37

    Is Modern Architecture Disastrous?

    Is Modern Architecture Disastrous? — Season 16, Episode 37 of Firing Line. Aired 1981-10-01. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  14. S16E39

    Is There an Answer to Malthus?

    Is There an Answer to Malthus? — Season 16, Episode 39 of Firing Line. Aired 1981-10-15. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  15. S16E40

    The Economic Lot of Minorities

    The Economic Lot of Minorities — Season 16, Episode 40 of Firing Line. Aired 1981-11-12. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  16. S16E41

    William F. Buckley Jr. on the Firing Line

    William F. Buckley Jr. on the Firing Line — Season 16, Episode 41 of Firing Line. Aired 1981-11-12. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  17. S16E44

    What Is There to Learn from the Killing of Dr. Tarnower?

    What Is There to Learn from the Killing of Dr. Tarnower? — Season 16, Episode 44 of Firing Line. Aired 1981-12-03. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  18. S16E45

    Why Are Our Intellectuals So Dumb?

    Why Are Our Intellectuals So Dumb? — Season 16, Episode 45 of Firing Line. Aired 1981-12-03. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

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