Firing Line was a syndicated television interview show hosted by conservative William F. Buckley, Jr.. Set against a plain black backdrop, it was similar in style to Charlie Rose, although more overtly political and contentious.

Many argue the show was controlled to make Buckley's point of view look better. According to the companion book Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, Buckley held in his hand a buzzer to decide when to go to commercial, which he would press whenever his guest was getting the better of him.