WAYYYBACK MACHINE: Updike & Cheever on the Dick Cavett show
I found this earlier today. Who even knew that Cavett had an NYT blog? Anyway, he somehow got the Times to post a full episode of his show from October 1981, with Cheever and Updike as his guests. I’m not a huge fan of either man–dig Cheever, as far as it goes; basically have never read Updike–but there was something really fascinating about this, and I wound up watching the whole 28-minute clip. Cheever’s voice is amazing. They really don’t make ’em like him anymore. In the post itself, Cavett writes-
True, but that notwithstanding–or perhaps because of it–Cheever is the one to watch for. I love the part where he talks about church, and Cavett tries unsuccessfully to get him to recite the Apostles Creed.
Updike is mostly quiet, and I think very conscious of his role as the young up-and-coming writer. (How could he not be? Cheever points out “I’m old enough to be John’s father.”) He sits back trying to look comfortable for a few long stretches, while Cheever lavishes praise on him, his work, his talent, etc. They also talk about several things we still argue about more or less daily on this website: can you / should you live and write in NYC? What kind of public profile should a writer have? How does reviewing books fit into writing books? Even though you’re famous, will the New Yorker still reject your story if they don’t like it? (Updike: “they should.”) Etc etc. And plus there’s the sheer joy of watching this kind of televsion, delightfully stone-age, with no commercial breaks, cuts to new segments, and almost no graphics. Nothing but smart, decent people talking about stuff smartly and decently: an idea so out-moded and archaic it might just be revolutionary again.
Tags: Dick Cavett, John Cheever, John Updike
I’m watching this and halfway through it now, and super loving it. Thanks for the heads up!!
I’m watching this and halfway through it now, and super loving it. Thanks for the heads up!!
good stuff.
good stuff.
that muppet hovering over Cavet’s left shoulder looks eerily like Richard Brautigan
that muppet hovering over Cavet’s left shoulder looks eerily like Richard Brautigan
off to watch this now…. I’ve never read Cheever, I remember back in my all boys Catholic HS finding a copy of hs complete stories left on a desk in study hall. It looked so fucking IMPORTANT, and thick, so I took it, and until this day I still planned to read it all… in the Cavett blurb it says Cheever detested Salinger, so now I dunno. ok now to view.
off to watch this now…. I’ve never read Cheever, I remember back in my all boys Catholic HS finding a copy of hs complete stories left on a desk in study hall. It looked so fucking IMPORTANT, and thick, so I took it, and until this day I still planned to read it all… in the Cavett blurb it says Cheever detested Salinger, so now I dunno. ok now to view.
Really great. I wish television like this existed, now. Does it?
Really great. I wish television like this existed, now. Does it?
Both Cheever and Updike are so well spoken. It’s wonderful.
Both Cheever and Updike are so well spoken. It’s wonderful.
Interesting blog post. What would you say was the most important factor?
Interesting blog post. What would you say was the most important factor?