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  2. TV Talk Shows: Hellman v. McCarthy

TV Talk Shows: Hellman v. McCarthy

Dec 13, 2023

In this gripping episode of "Advanced TV Herstory," we delve into a dramatic and long-lasting feud that captivated audiences and the literary world alike. We explore the infamous clash on "The Dick Cavett Show" between two formidable figures: playwright Lillian Hellman and author Mary McCarthy. This episode offers a fascinating look at how their public dispute over truth and reputation not only highlighted the complexities of their personal and professional lives but also mirrored the broader cultural and political tensions of the time. Listen in as we uncover the details of their legendary confrontation, the resulting lawsuit, and the impact it had on their legacies and the literary community.

Podcast Show Notes

  • Introduction: Overview of the special series on TV talk shows and their cultural significance.

  • Episode Focus: Examination of the 1980 feud between Lillian Hellman and Mary McCarthy on "The Dick Cavett Show."

  • Background on Lillian Hellman:

    • Notable works: The Little Foxes, The Children's Hour.

    • Reputation as a strong-willed, progressive playwright and memoirist.

    • Her controversial stance and public image, especially during the HUAC hearings.

  • Background on Mary McCarthy:

    • Notable works: The Group, Memories of a Catholic Girlhood.

    • Known for her sharp criticism and philosophical insights.

    • Her rise from a challenging childhood to a prominent literary figure.

  • The Feud:

    • Details of McCarthy's infamous remarks about Hellman on "The Dick Cavett Show."

    • Hellman's subsequent lawsuit against McCarthy and others involved.

    • The cultural and personal stakes of their dispute.

  • Impact and Legacy:

    • The feud's influence on public perception and literary circles.

    • Reflections on the nature of truth, reputation, and literary criticism.

  • Further Reading and Resources:

    • Recommended biographies and memoirs of Hellman and McCarthy.

    • Links to additional historical resources and analyses.

 

RESOURCES FOR LILLIAN HELLMAN

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lillian_Hellman

Plays: The Little Foxes; The Children's Hour; Watch on the Rhein; Days to Come

Books and Memoirs: An Unfinished Woman: A Memoir; Pentimento; Scoundrel Time

About Lillian Hellman:

C-SPAN's American History TV episode on Lillian Hellman

Rollyson, Carl (1989) Lillian Hellman: Her Legend and Her Legacy

Kessler-Harris, Alice (2012) The Challenging Life and Times of Lillian Hellman

Gallagher, Dorothy (2014) Lillian Hellman: An Imperious Life   

 

RESOURCES FOR MARY McCARTHY

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_McCarthy_(author)

Books & Memoirs: Memories of a Catholic Girlhood; The Stones of Florence; The Group; Cannibals and Missionaries

About Mary McCarthy:

Kiernan, Frances (2002) Seeing Mary Plain: A Life of Mary McCarthy

Brightman, Carol (1992) Writing Dangerously: Mary McCarthy and Her World

Gelderman, Carol (1988) Mary McCarthy: A Life 

 

INLINE RESOURCES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OfKEjABGGY

Theatre Talk: Hellman v. McCarthy - CUNY TV

Guests: Dick Cavett, Roberta Maxwell, Marcia Rodd

Hosts: Michael Riedel, Susan Haskins 

 

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