58.4a

“ABC-TV Bars Norman Mailer from the Ben Hecht Show.” Article-interview by Malcolm Logan. New York Post, 13 November. Scheduled to appear on this television program on this date, Mailer was removed by Al Hollander, the station program manager, who said he wanted guests from outside the literary and theatrical worlds. Mailer said he believed he was removed because he and Hecht were planning to discuss “The White Negro” (57.1), the beat generation and sex. “My guess,” he said, “is they decided the article was just too hot to handle, but I’m just guessing.” Mailer told Hollander that he was not taking himself off: “Well, let’s have it clear. You’re disinviting me. I’m not taking myself off the show.”