Ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, American Masters continues its quest to examine influencers and disruptors of American political thought with Thought Leaders, its strand of programming that focuses on changemakers in politics, law, and music.
American Masters: The Incomparable Mr. Buckley airs Friday, April 5 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV.
The Incomparable Mr. Buckley follows the personal and political journey of conservative writer, strategist, candidate and provocateur William F. Buckley, Jr. See how one of the architects of the modern conservative movement rose to prominence as a public intellectual and influenced generations of politicians — including Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater. As founder of the National Review and host of the public affairs program Firing Line for over 30 years, Buckley created new spaces for civic discourse that were accessible to the public. Interviewees in the film include Buckley’s son Christopher Buckley; Richard Brookhiser, senior editor for National Review; Jeff Greenfield, journalist and Firing Line moderator; Sam Tanenhaus, former editor of The New York Times Book Review and William F. Buckley biographer; Jay Nordlinger, senior editor of National Review and more.
Photo: William F. Buckley
Credit: Provided by PBS