John Crosby, the television critic of the New York Herald Tribune, made what many called a foolhardy decision in 1957: to host the CBS program "The Seven Lively Arts," an anthology series featuring dramatizations of literary works and historical events.

In addition to creating questions of conflict of interest — would Crosby be more kind to CBS shows now that he was employed by the networks? — Crosby subjected himself: to the same criticisms he himself mercilessly applied in his syndicated column. Except for his self-selected stand-in at the Herald Tribune, George Axelrod, the critics were unrestrained in their negative notices of the 3 November premiere. Typical of the reviews was that of Jack O'Brian of the New York Journal-American:

He seemed to smile as if in constant pain. Close-ups did him few favors, for they presented his face with a seemingly...