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The Most Famous WALK-OFF In Talk Show History: Lester Maddox vs. Dick Cavett | The Dick Cavett Show

Entertainment

In one of the most explosive moments in television history, Georgia Governor Lester Maddox famously storms off the set of The Dick Cavett Show. Originally aired on December 18, 1970, this high-tension confrontation remains a definitive snapshot of American political and racial tensions. Watch as the debate over Maddox’s "segregationist" reputation reaches a breaking point, leading to a legendary exit that left the audience—and Cavett—stunned. Dick Cavett’s career has defined excellence in the interview format for over five decades. A three-time Emmy winner, Cavett has hosted some of the most influential figures in history, from John Lennon and Salvador Dalí to Muhammad Ali. For clip licensing opportunities please visit https://www.globalimageworks.com/the-dick-cavett-show Explore more of Dick Cavett’s work: - Books: "Talk Show" (2010) and "Brief Encounters" (2014) - Documentaries: "Dick Cavett’s Watergate" and "Dick Cavett’s Vietnam" Subscribe for more iconic interviews and legendary TV moments! #thedickcavettshow #lestermaddox #classictelevision #walkoff #tvhistory #civilrights #1970s #interviews

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E
eloisa.cardenas 1 week, 4 days ago

Ah Democrats!

H
hugo.ozuna 1 week, 4 days ago

Another Queen upset!!

R
rebecca_anderson 1 week, 4 days ago

Who is the guest in the middle, "Mr. Brown?" He had more class in his toe clippings than the governor showed in any second of this interview.

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manyadaylight5 1 week, 4 days ago

JIM BROWN IS SITTING UP THERE COOL AS A CUCUMBER🥒.....I LOVE IT‼️💙🩵💙

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sabrina_king 1 week, 4 days ago

SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE GIVEN HIM A COOKIE FOR BEING SO SWEET & "NON"-RACIST!!!😮‍💨

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angela_rodriguez 1 week, 4 days ago

Say you are racist bigot without saying you are a racist bigot! 😅 What a snowflake!!

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océane.blin 1 week, 5 days ago

Dick did apologize

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johnaura45 1 week, 5 days ago

And now they're running amok in the Capitol

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ann_lewis 1 week, 5 days ago

Thought this was Truman Capote at first

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eloisa.cardenas 1 week, 5 days ago

The fake news was lying about people back then.

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maytemarroquín719 1 week, 5 days ago

"I've always based my decisions in businesses..." is tell-tale for I support the highest contributor to my campaign! Still valid today with MAGA politicians!

agathe_marion
agathe_marion 1 week, 5 days ago

I agree with the old dude 1000 percent

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zoé_rousset 1 week, 5 days ago

"Why would we have different races if God meant us to be alike and associate with each other?" - Lester Maddox

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irmela_bärer 1 week, 5 days ago

“That’s part of American greatness, is discrimination. Yes, sir. Inequality, I think, breeds freedom and gives a man opportunity.” - Lester Maddox

zinalsood865
zinalsood865 1 week, 5 days ago

BIGOT JUST LEAVES THE STAGE. SEE YA

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kevin.brown 1 week, 5 days ago

So even then some people talked Maga-style. Just don't stop talking over everybody, offend and misinterpret people while being a snowflake yourself. And without knowledge of the facts I heavily suspect he lied a lot.

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leon_rogers 1 week, 5 days ago

The question was a great one, but it was never answered. If this cartoonish character was actually doing so much to help black people in his state, did he receive any flak from the white bigots who lived there? It is a statistical certainty that there are some white bigots in that particular state, so it is a perfectly reasonable question. Since he wouldn't answer the question, we can only guess at what answer is most likely.

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andrew_martin 1 week, 5 days ago

The media hasn't changed. He is actually saying he judges people by their character and still called a bigot. Total bullshit. Now look at Georgia

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reynaldo_godínez 1 week, 5 days ago

So, Lester was saying there are no bigots, i.e. racists, in the South? Did he believe the moon is made of green cheese and the tooth fairy is real?

zinalsood865
zinalsood865 1 week, 5 days ago

😂😂😂😂