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.

Maxene Andrews reminisces over Andrews Sisters songs with Studs Terkel. She acknowledges the heavy influence the Boswell Sisters played in the creation of their image. She relays musical stories surrounding songs in Abbott and Costello such as "Bugle Boy" from their movie "Buck Privates". How they found the song "Mir Bist Du Schon" and Sammy Cahn and Saul Chaplin helped with the lyrics. How song pluggers brought The Andrews Sisters "Tip-Pi-Tin". How "Apple Blossom Time" helped an injured soldier at Oak Knoll Hospital upon his return to the states.

Terkel comments and presents German Lach und Schiess Gesellschaft (political cabaret). Freilien Margo Schtega is the interpreter for Sammy Drechsel. However, Terkel comments that Sammy understands him 'just fine'.

Presenting "Hard Times: an Oral History of the Great Depression" High Life, Sixteen Ton: Chapter 7. Sally Rand talks about the creation of her signature fan dance and predictions for future depressions. Doc Graham discusses his upbringing, Chicago mobs, and Count Victor Lustig. Tony Soma talks about prohibition before and after the 1929 crash. Jerome Zerbe talks about inventing paparazzi photography, spending two weeks working in a coal mine, and the New Deal. Buddy Blankenship recalls working 16 hour days in West Virginia coal mines. Mary Owsley remembers life as a coal miner's wife.

Presenting "Hard Times: an Oral History of the Great Depression" High Life, Sixteen Ton: Chapter 7. Sally Rand talks about the creation of her signature fan dance and predictions for future depressions. Doc Graham discusses his upbringing, Chicago mobs, and Count Victor Lustig. Tony Soma talks about prohibition before and after the 1929 crash. Jerome Zerbe talks about inventing paparazzi photography, spending 2 weeks working in a coal mine, and the New Deal. Buddy Blankenship recalls working 16 hour days in West Virginia coal mines. Mary Owsley remembers life as a coal miner's wife.

Rilla Bergman, Lou Fant, and Bill Reese converse with Studs about The National Theater for the Deaf and the production they are presenting. Two of the actors Ms. Bergman and Mr. Reese discuss what it took to learn, as hearing people, the best ways to express themselves with sign language. They all talk about how much more expressive the actors in the Deaf Theater have to be to convey the message of the piece they are presenting.

Political comedian and reporter Sammy Drechsel and actor Jurgen Scheller discuss Germany and their work. The exchange is aided by interpreter Margot Steeger. Part 2 of 2.

Political comedian and reporter Sammy Drechsel and actor Jurgen Scheller discuss Germany and their work. The exchange is aided by interpreter Margot Steeger. Jurgen Scheller joins the conversation towards the end of this recording. Part 1 of 2.

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.

Studs interviews Rolf Liebermann, director and composer, at the Hamburische Staatsoper in Hamburg, Germany. Liebermann explains some history of previous directors and performances. Many artists and operas are mentioned, but only a few were focused on in detail. Liebermann explains details about the operation of the opera highlighting the budget and the functions of the opera house. The recording stops short toward the end of the interview.

Studs interviews Phyl Garland about her book "Sound of Soul." They discuss various musicians that she mentions in her book and their influence on black music. Garland explains the music of young black artists and how commercialization of music gave blacks an opportunity that they would not have had otherwise. Garland talks about how Fannie Lou Hamer used music to express her message in the Civil Rights Movement and as a women's rights activist. Studs and Garland discuss various black female artists and their music.

Cast members Philip Anglin, Ken Ruta and Penny Fuller talk about their roles as John Merrick, Mr. Treves and Mrs. Kendal, respectively. They also talk about having great appreciation for their roles and being able to see audience's reactions to their performances.

Phil Donahue discusses his book "Donahue: My Own Story." Mr. Donahue talks about the audience and the guests of his talk show, and the changes that have come for the groups he talked with (women, homosexual persons, minorities, political freedoms).