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Woody Allen discusses his life and art, the influence of both success and failure on his work, and how he finds comedy in life’s difficulties and trials. He discusses his first screenplay, “What’s Up Pussycat?” and other comedians who have influenced the development of his own comedic work, including Mort Sahl, Charlie Chaplin, the Marx Brothers, and George S. Kaufman.
While performing some of their original material, comedians Vic Greco and Fred Willard talk about how they come up with their ideas for their shows. Always the entertainers, and while talking over one another, Greco and Willard explain that most of what they do on stage is improvisation.
The comedic creative force of Lily Tomlin and Tomlin's comedy writer Jane Wagner discuss the character of Edith Ann as well as the bag lady, Trudy. The comic geniuses discuss with Studs Terkel the new release "Edith Ann: My Life So Far". Tomlin assumes the character of Edith Ann to relay stories of her life in a dysfunctional family as a six year old. Edith Ann writes letters to Rush Limbaugh, Howard Stern, and Senate representatives to get her message heard. She tells the Senator that kids model grownups and grownups need to act better to protect the kids.
Sam Levenson discusses comedy and talks about his family life. He talks about the social push to get the children "off the corner" and how the roles in a traditional family have changed.
Author, comedian and satirist Paul Krassner joins Studs Terkel in a “mosaic” of an interview, as Krassner calls it, to discuss his book, “Confessions of a Raving, Unconfined Nut: Misadventures in the Counter-Culture.” The conversation begins with two clips from Abbie Hoffman and Lenny Bruce, friends of Krassner’s and fellow key figures in the counterculture movement of the 1960s. Krassner speaks on his friends’ legacies, and then begins telling his story, reading a passage from his book about when he first started questioning society.
Mort Sahl the comedian discusses comedy, social satire, and humorists. He discusses the difference between sick humor and social commentary. He discusses politics in America. Includes a speech by humorist Will Rogers towards the end of the program.
This interview contains two parts. The first focuses on writer and John Henry Faulk biographer, Michael Burton, in which Burton discusses John Henry Faulk’s life as an American storyteller as well as his book entitled “John Henry Faulk: The Making of a Liberated Mind.” Burton makes mention of how the Hollywood Blacklist affected Faulk’s career.
John West discuss early classical Hollywood comedy double act Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Four clips are played during the interview. The first three clips are from Laurel and Hardy's "Their First Mistake" (1932) and the fourth clip is from Laurel and Hardy's "Swiss Miss" (1938).
Storyteller, humorist, radio personality, and author Jean Shepherd discusses his book “A Fistful of Fig Newtons.” Studs and Shepherd discuss how Shepherd’s various career paths, particularly that of a radio personality, affect his writing and the voice used to tell these stories, referred to as “movies” by Shepherd. Studs plays "The Human Comedy" - Jean Shepherd (1959).
Jackie "Moms" Mabley talks about her life and career as a comedian. She speaks about how comedy/humor has changed and how some have become thieves of material. Copyrighted material has been removed from this program.
Jackie "Moms" Mabley talks about her life and career as a comedian. She speaks fondly of her hometown and of her childhood and family. Copyrighted material has been removed from this program.
Program includes excerpts from Shepherd's comedy albums.
Charlotte Chandler discusses biography on Groucho Marx, "Hello, I Must be Going". Includes songs and excerpts by Groucho Marx, such as: "Hello, I Must be Going;" "Hooray for Captain Spaulding;" "Omaha, Nebraska;" "A Day at the Races;" and "Five Marvelous Pretzels." Includes recitation of "Six Flying Hamsters."