Joe Mantegna, Meshach Taylor, Mike Sod, Dennis Franz and Bryan Hickey, all cast members of the "Wonderful Ice Cream Suit," reenact scenes from the play. Joe Mantegna also explains that the guys pitch in to buy the suit. Once they wear the suit, magical things happen to each one of them. .

Carol Channing discusses the following with Studs Terkel: her early career; her growth as actor/comedian; her approach to her work; her performance in "Lorelei" as Lorelei; her performance in "Wonderful Town" as Ruth; the job of the understudy; and breaking performance barriers and type casting.

Discussing the books "Burnt water" and "Distant relations" with the author Carlos Fuentes.

Discussing the book "Contact" (published by Simon & Schuster) with the author, astronomer and science writer Carl Sagan. Starts with clip from Arthur C. Clarke (1856688-3-1).

Evolution and the future of the human race are among topics in Carl Sagan's and Ann Druyan's book, "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors: A Search for Who We Are." Included is an excerpt of the astronomer Harlow Shapley speaking at the beginning. Carl Sagan also reads an excerpt from the book at the end.

Carl Charnett discusses Gateway House, a community for the cure of drug addiction (part 2 of 2). Includes interviews of Ira Robinson, Bill Jacobson, and other residents.

The director of Gateway House, Carl Charnett, discusses Gateway House, a community for the cure of drug addiction (part 1 of 2). Includes interview of a resident, Linda.

Washington Post journalists discuss their book "All the President's Men" about breaking the Watergate scandal.

Carl and Hallie Foster talk about the good and the bad of Newburgh, Indiana. Having been a welder for most of his life, Carl Foster, reflects on the time he got sick while on the job. He had gotten cancer and had to be fed intravenously for six months. While he was out sick, the company did not compensate him. When asked about his hobby of growing banana trees, a true calm and passion takes over his personality, as noticed by Studs Terkel.

Writer Calvin Trillin talks about his book “Third Helpings” and different regional foods and the ethnicities that influence them. Both Studs Terkel and Calvin Trillin read excerpts from Trillin’s book, and a soundbite from the former Commissioner of Immigration, Leonel Castillo, is played.

Writer Calvin Trillin discusses his book “Killings” and the murder cases included in the book. Trillin also reads a poem written by one of the victims.

Silent film pioneer Buster Keaton discusses his career following the release of "When Comedy Was King," a compilation of some classic shorts by Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and others. Keaton reveals how they shot the early silent films, generated material and gags, how they planned big chase scenes, the resurging European interest in silent classics, and more. Studs asks Keaton about the stylistic differences between him and Chaplin, whether he would recreate silent films, and how they compare to today's film-making.

Bruno Bettelheim discusses his book "The informed heart: Autonomy in a mass age". The book chronicles his time in concentration camps in Germany during World War II and discusses the dangers of the advancement of technology and how a totalitarian government impacts the personality of its' people.

Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry discuss their careers as blues musicians and longtime collaborators. The close relationship between Terry and McGhee is apparent as they perform a number of original and traditional songs during the interview. Songs have been removed due to copyright.

Brick Top discusses her career, her colleagues, and the jazz scene.