As for your knowing more about both sides after watching the show, that was really the point, wasn't it? He felt that his views were right, so it didn't harm him to allow an alternate view. Aside from his interview with Timothy Leary, he was the paragon of politeness and civilized debate. But Tim probably deserved it. Tim's cohort certainly thought so: "when you get the message, it's time to hang up the phone". But even the Leary interview gave Tim a fair chance to defend himself. Which he didn't at the time. Ultimately, Tim would get the last laugh, being a high paid consultant in Japan (and making more money than Bill). But Buckley will really get the last laugh, having affected society to a greater extent. In the end, I'm divided on which was both better and worse for us. Leary had the greater economic impact (positive), while Buckley had the greater political impact (mixed). But Leary's impact is indirect, while Buckley was always respected at the highest levels.

One of the things I remember most about the show is that I almost always knew more about both sides of the discussion after the show than I did before. You reminded me of that with your comment.

I can still recall the theme song to mind without any effort at all. I suppose it has made a larger impression on me than I had thought.