I was referring to Buckley addressing the Conservative view on TV, "when nobody else was doing it." I too remember the Spectator when it was a big glossy. It was exciting when it came in the mail. A feast!
Your point is totally correct. What a breath of fresh air--and Buckley held his own always, and eviscerated many, politely and civilly. The other breath of fresh air was the first time I heard Rush. I'm not much of a fan of his anymore, but, like people remembering what they were doing when Kennedy was shot, I remember when and where I was the first time I heard Rush.
For myself, the publication I miss the most was James Burnham's National Review Bulletin that alternated weeks with NR.